The New Orleans Saints have played it coy about Jimmy Graham's shoulder injury, sustained early in his team's Week 5 win over Tampa Bay. Given his significance to the team - and fantasy owners across the country - many a fan is holding his breath as a decision is made about the star's playing status. Graham suffered the injury in the first quarter against the Bucs, but actually returned to play before being removed for good before halftime. Shoulder injuries run the gamut from mild sprains similar to the one DeSean Jackson had earlier in the season (no missed time) to separations or fractures that could require significant time off.
Jimmy Graham expected to play and more from the NFL injury report
In his weekly column, SB Nation Medical Expert Dr. Ali Mohamadi gives insight into the most notable injuries in the fantasy landscape and how they might affect your roster decisions for Week 7.
Jamie Squire
Reports Sunday morning suggest that Graham could suit up against the Lions, but that he won't start. Officially, he's still a game-time decision.
Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions (ankle)
Johnson missed last week's win over the Vikings, and it appears he's all but assured to sit out Sunday's matchup with New Orleans. That said, Johnson is listed as questionable on Detroit's official injury report, meaning there is technically an outside chance he will be able to suit up. That said, even if he can play, there's no guarantee he'd be much more than a decoy due the pain and decreased range of motion associated with the injury. If word doesn't come early this morning, keep a close eye on Johnson's status following pregame warmups, and either way, prepare for Golden Tate to see plenty of Matthew Stafford passes come his way.
Jake Locker, Tennessee Titans (thumb)
The snake-bitten Tennessee QB missed last week's win over Jacksonville due to a thumb injury on his right (throwing) hand sustained in a Week 5 loss to Cleveland. Locker hurt the thumb when hit by Buster Skrine, and although preliminary x-rays were negative, he seems to have suffered an injury suspicious for an ulnar collateral ligament sprain. This ligament connects the first metacarpal (hand bone) to proximal first phalange (the thumb bone closest to the hand itself) and is crucial for grip strength.
Depending on the grade of the injury, the thumb could require anything from splinting and allowing the ligament to heal (Grades 1-2, typically up to a month before returning to play) to surgery to repair the ligament (Grade 3, which could require months to recover). Although Locker has practiced on a limited basis this week,Tennessee appears most likely to start QB Charlie Whitehurst for a second straight week when they face Washington.
Kelvin Benjamin, Carolina Panthers (concussion)
Although no reports surfaced about Benjamin having suffered a concussion immediately following last week's tie with Cincinnati, the Panthers' rookie receiver has undergone neurological testing this week after suffering from headaches. Benjamin did return to practice on a limited basis late this week, and he has reportedly passed the concussion test and will play in Sunday's 1:00 p.m. game against the Packers.
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