The Dynasty Doctor: Week Nine

Posted on November 8, 2016

Editor’s Note: Injuries are a huge part of winning and losing each year in fantasy leagues. Staying abreast of injury situations is key, as knowing what to expect from your players health-wise in the short term can help you make educated decisions in managing your team. Lucky for us, we have a Doctor in the house. Dr. Scott Peak is an ABPN board certified neurologist and neuro-oncologist. He is also a dynasty football addict and a Senior Writer for Dynasty League Football. He’s excited to lend his expertise in medicine with hopes he may help the DLF Team and its followers better understand medical conditions and injuries that may impact NFL players and dynasty football owners.

If you have a question for The Dynasty Doctor, just click here. Please remember The Dynasty Doctor is geared towards questions regarding medical science, injuries to players and their collective impact in fantasy football. Stay tuned each week as we’ll post his thoughts each and every Tuesday.

Mike Evans, WR TAM

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Evans had a huge game with 11 receptions for 150 yards, two touchdowns on 17 targets. Evans is just a point behind Julio Jones for WR1 in PPR leagues, and considering Evans already had his bye, while Jones has not, Evans is the hottest receiver in fantasy right now. Evans had a concussion, and is enrolled in the NFL concussion protocol. Evans has a few days extra to recover, given he last played on Thursday Night Football. I think Evans stands a good chance to be ready week ten but monitor his practice participation to be sure. He was able to practice on Monday so that’s a great sign for his week ten availability. Dynasty value is skyrocketing.

Jameis Winston, WR TAM

Winston sustained a knee injury, although he didn’t seem to think it was a significant issue after the game. The video was obscured but I didn’t see a significant injury mechanism to the knee. Winston took a hard shot and I was more concerned about a head injury, but that didn’t turn out. Winston was limping on the sidelines. Perhaps it was more of a bruise or contusion. He was able to practice on Monday so, like Evans, that’s a positive sign for his week ten status.

Victor Cruz, WR NYG

Cruz reportedly has a low ankle sprain, x-rays negative and MRI is reportedly negative. Most athletes can return to play in 1-2 weeks after a low ankle sprain, although severe low ankle sprains can sometimes be multi-week injuries. The oft-injured Cruz doesn’t appear to have a serious injury but monitor his practice participation this week. He was not in a boot after the game and that’s a good sign. Cruz is the WR62 in PPR leagues, and is nothing more than a bye week or injury replacement.

Jeremy Maclin, WR KAN

Maclin re-injured his groin and was unable to return to play. Maclin gave his owners a donut in the scoring column. Groin injuries can result in a multi-week absence. For lower grade groin injuries, it could take 1-4 weeks to recover, or longer for more severe injuries. Maclin owners have to prepare for the possibility he could miss a few games. Monitor his ability to practice this week, but finding alternatives to Maclin for week ten may be necessary.

Allen Hurns, WR JAC

Hurns left the game with a concussion. Hurns, like Maclin, gave his owners no points this week. Hurns will be enrolled in the NFL concussion protocol, will need resolution of symptoms and clearance from medical providers before returning to play. Hurns is the WR42 in PPR leagues, and is at best a flex play. Marquise Lee had a nice game in Hurns’ absence (four receptions for 84 yards, including a long of 51 yards). Allen Robinson seems to have awakened (seven receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown on 11 targets).

Derrick Henry, RB TEN

Henry was unable to play after a calf strain occurred during pre-game warm-ups. Calf strains can be tricky and look no further than Alshon Jeffery’s prolonged absence last year. Even mild calf injuries can take 3-4 weeks to heal, and more severe injuries can be 6-8 week ordeals. It wouldn’t surprise me if Henry is out until at least week 14, given the Titans have a bye week 13, but he could be back sooner. Soft tissue injuries are a concern but I don’t think this injury changes his dynasty value. I’m a buyer. Underappreciated DeMarco Murray should get his usual touches with no concerns about a Henry hostile takeover, at least for this year. Antonio Andrews is the back-up, and he had two carries for 15 yards against San Diego.

Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB NYJ

Fitzpatrick is day-to-day with a sprained MCL. While it’s possible he could play this week, Bryce Petty would replace him if he can’t go. The fantasy angle here is with Brandon Marshall, who despite getting a decent number of targets, has been performing poorly for fantasy. Marshall is the WR40 for the past four weeks. Ouch. Matt Forte appears to be the beneficiary, and he is the RB4 over the past four weeks. Marshall has gone from a locked-in WR1 to barely flex-worthy, and his dynasty value is dropping fast.

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