Fantasy football aftermath: The injuries of Week 12
Ryan Mallett, we hardly new ye.
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After a brutal Week 11, with Ahmad Bradshaw lost for the season and several other star fantasy players sidelined for part, or all, of a game, Week 12 was a bit calmer. There were still some injuries, of course -- including one that might have cost a new starter the rest of his season -- but it was tame compared to a week earlier.
All that said, we have things to discuss. Let’s do it:
Quarterback injuries in Week 12
- The injury happened in warmups, and he played in the game, but the Texans might have lost Ryan Mallett for the rest of the season Sunday. The new starter suffered what looks like a torn pectoral muscle in warmups. It clearly hindered him in the game, though news of the injury didn’t really come out until after the game was over. Assuming Mallett is done for the year, early rumors are Ryan Fitzpatrick will take the helm back, though the team might be more likely and better suited to moving on to rookie Tom Savage, who at least could be a surprise quantity. Either way, the entire Houston offense is looking rough.
Running back injuries in Week 12
- Speaking of the struggles of the Houston offense, the Texans were again without Arian FosterSunday, as he continues dealing with a groin injury. He was looking promising to play earlier in the week, which would seem to indicate a reasonable chance of his Week 13 return, but until you know he’s back, you can’t plan on it. Keep rostering Alfred Blue and hope for the best.
- Marshawn Lynch missed a couple of series Sunday with what the team is describing as illness. He’s also still dealing with his back problems. Neither of those things appears likely to keep Lynch from being on the field and largely himself on Thanksgiving, but Lynch owners need to have Robert Turbinand/or Christine Michael in the fold in case the worst happens.
- For two-plus quarters of Sunday’s game, Ryan Mathews was looking strong. Then he hurt his shoulder on a touchdown run and didn’t see the field again until right at the end of the game, when he got one run as the Chargers drained the clock. By all accounts, he’ll be fine and on the field going forward, but at the least the team is going to have to talk about Mathews a little in the next few days. Keep an ear out.
- The bad: Latavius Murray suffered a concussion Thursday. The good: Since they played Thursday, he gets an extra few days to get over it. The bad: It’s still a concussion, and you never really know how long it’s going to bother someone. Whenever Murray is healthy, he’ll be the No. 1 Oakland running back. If he were to miss Week 13, Darren McFadden wouldn’t be worth much. But we just don’t know yet.
Wide receiver injuries in Week 12
- Everyone is going to remember his absolutely ridiculous touchdown catch, but the back injury suffered by Odell Beckham Jr. in the fourth quarter cost him a few minutes of game time, and that’s the sort of injury that some time off the field can be bad for, as it gives time for swelling and waits as the adrenaline slips away. It’s possible Beckham will be worse off Monday or Tuesday. It’s also possible, of course, that we’ll never have to worry about the back again and he’ll be a must-start receiver in Week 13.
- Larry Fitzgerald was only supposed to miss one week with his knee sprain, but the Cardinals Sunday said his recovery is not going as expected. It’s starting to look like he’ll miss more games. If you were to drop him, you would be within your rights.
- His poor performances have him basically off the fantasy radar anyway, but Cordarrelle Pattersonalso hurt both his knee and his ankle Sunday. He dismissed the seriousness of the concerns after the game, but if you were still holding onto the receiver in any leagues, let that injury be your impetus for change.
Tight end injuries in Week 12
- The Colts were without Dwayne Allen for Week 12 as he deals with an ankle injury. They didn’t really try to push him back, and with a game against the Jaguars, they didn’t have to. Of course, next week they play Washington, and that’s not exactly a team that presents a lot of pressure, either. As long as Allen is out, Coby Fleener is a reasonable play.
- The Browns were once again without Jordan Cameron Sunday, as he continues to deal with a concussion. He’s at least returned to practice, so there is reason to believe he could make it back for Week 13. I doubt many people are still stashing Cameron in leagues, but if you are, he might be back soon.
- Cooper Helfet scored a touchdown Sunday. (Yay!) On that touchdown, he suffered a sprained ankle. (Boo!) Ultimately, Helfet isn’t really on the fantasy radar to begin with, but his increased use of late made it look like things might change. This injury undoes all of that, for whatever it was even worth to begin with.
- Washington ruled Jordan Reed out for Sunday with a hamstring injury. That keeps happening to him, and he’s not been productive when he hasn’t had an injury. Who knows if he’ll be back Sunday, and even if he is, it’s hard to imagine anyone feeling comfortable using him.
- It’s not like you could feel comfortable using Austin Seferian-Jenkins in fantasy anyway; he has averaged fewer than three fantasy points a game all season, with only one game of more than six. And then he hurt his back Sunday. He’ll have some tests done early in the week, but even if he’s back for Week 13, you’ll want to look elsewhere for a fantasy starter.
- The Broncos really let the decision on Julius Thomas for Week 12 go down to the wire. It certainly stands to reason, then, he’ll be back from his ankle injury for Week 13. Stay tuned to Denver reports to know for sure, but if you have Thomas, you can at least feel like you have a decent chance of having him.
