Throughout the season, SB Nation Medical Expert Dr. Ali Mohamadi will provide his insights on the most notable injuries in the fantasy landscape and how they might affect your roster decisions on game day. Here are some key injuries and their impact for Week 7.
Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Gates out for Week 7
It’s a short injury report this week, but one with several key starters on it.
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be inactive again this week, as Landry Jones will get his first career NFL start against Kansas City. Roethlisberger suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament (MCL) of his left knee four weeks ago. The typical recovery time is 4-8 weeks for a Grade 2 sprain, meaning he is at the early end of the spectrum. The MCL is the structure that runs along the inside of the joint -- connecting the femur (thigh bone) to the shin bone (tibia) -- and keeps the knee from rotating sideways. Roethlisberger has been testing the knee lightly in practice this week, using a brace on the affected knee. But the Steelers opted not to rush him back into action.
Another star dealing with a left MCL sprain, and another inactive for Sunday is San Diego tight end Antonio Gates, who injured his knee late in last week’s loss to Green Bay. Gates did not practice all week and had been officially been listed as questionable on the team’s injury report. Like Roethlisberger, however, he had been a game-time decision, but will miss the Chargers’ contest with Oakland.
New England’s Dion Lewis has been a pleasant surprise for Patriots fans and fantasy owners alike this season, but the running back is out this week for Sunday’s divisional matchup with the New York Jets due to an abdominal strain. Lewis played last week despite the same injury, but according to reports, he has continued to have discomfort over the course of this practice week. With Lewis out, LeGarrette Blount’s playing time and fantasy value are likely to increase.
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