The Dynasty Doctor: Week 13

Scott Peak Posted On December 6, 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.

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Rob Gronkowski, TE NE

As most have heard, Gronkowski is out for the year and on injured reserve, after suffering another disc herniation. He underwent surgery and a video was posted the next day of him walking with a walker. I wrote a summary last week on the literature for recurrent lumbar disc herniation. Data is limited for a second recurrence of lumbar disc herniation, but in general outcomes are fairly good for recurrent lumbar disc herniation after a microdiscectomy. Return to play is 80-90% so the chances are good for Gronkowski to return in 2017. It is interesting that he has all of his guaranteed money paid out. We’ll see if Belichick sticks with him next year. I’m still a buyer if Gronkowksi is available at a discount (50% to 75% reduction in price).

Thomas Rawls, RB SEA

Rawls left the game with a possible concussion. However, he was able to return, so it seems unlikely that he sustained a true concussion. If he had a true concussion, I doubt he would’ve been cleared to return to play. Rawls does seem to get dinged up a bit. Rawls had a big game against the hapless Carolina Panthers defense (15 carries for 106 yards, two touchdowns and one reception for 12 yards). I’d be selling Rawls if a premium return of an RB1 is offered.

Doug Martin, RB TAM

Martin missed the end of the game with a back injury. He reportedly was removed after being “bent back”. Martin continues to look pedestrian (17 carries for 45 yards and one touchdown, with one catch for 23 yards). Notably, Charles Sims is practicing now and may be available next week. Reports are the injury isn’t serious. If Sims is available, pick him up, given Martin has a tough time staying healthy. I’m not a buyer of Martin in dynasty. crowder

Jamison Crowder, WR WAS

Crowder sustained a hip pointer, but was able to play through it. Hip pointers are painful but most athletes can return to play quickly. Most athletes are able to return without missing much time. Monitor his practice participation this week but Crowder has a reasonable chance to play next week. Crowder had a decent game (three receptions for 42 yards and a touchdown).

Julio Jones, WR ATL

Jones reportedly had a lower body injury described as turf toe, but still had a big game (seven receptions for 113 yards). Jones didn’t seem to think it was serious after the game. So long as it’s not a grade 3 injury, he shouldn’t miss much time, if any. Jones tends to get dinged up but plays through most of these injuries. There doesn’t seem to be much concern about his week 14 availability. I’m still a buyer of Jones, despite him turning 28 years old next year. He’s got a few years left of elite production left in him. If you want medical information on turf toe, see this article.

Mohammed Sanu, WR ATL

Sanu left the game with a groin injury. He didn’t give fantasy players much this week (two receptions for 26 yards on three targets). Sanu is just the WR45 in PPR leagues. He’s barely a flex play at this point.

Braxton Miller, WR HOU

Miller sustained a shoulder injury and left the game. He was spotted after the game in a sling. Miller didn’t score a single fantasy point this week. I am still intrigued with him for dynasty formats, but it’s hard to like his situation much. Still, I’m a buyer at the right price. Miller most recently had an ADP of 191 (WR86), three slots ahead of Calvin Johnson, who’s been retired for a year. I still am interested in his talent and his price is more of a throw-in for trades.

Lamar Miller, RB HOU

Miller can’t seem to stay healthy. He aggravated a rib injury and left the game, but was able to return. Miller had 14 carries for just 22 yards (1.6 YPC) and one reception for -4 yards. Yuck. Miller is a strong sell for me. At an ADP22 and RB5, I’d be selling him if a comparable return could be achieved. He is the RB12 in PPR this year, so a low-end starter. Still, I think he’s overvalued and a strong sell.

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