The Training Room: Week 14 Injury Updates

Dec 02, 2018

Hopefully you are reading this column and are on your way onto locking up a spot in your fantasy football playoffs! We saw a number of injuries that occurred that'll need your attention heading into the first round of fantasy playoffs, so let's get right into the injuries and what you'll need to do to make a run for the title! Here are the initial injuries that we saw in Week 13, we will update this column throughout the week as the injury news continues to come out.

Updated 12/7/18

Player	Position	Team	Injury	Timetable For Recovery	Potential Pickup	Comment
Greg Olsen	TE	Panthers	Torn Plantar Fascia	Out For Season	Chris Manhertz, Ian Thomas	Olsen had the tissue on the bottom side of his foot rupture and will be out for the season. Olsen has had a number of foot related issues since suffering a Jones fracture and just has not fully recovered since. He'll face a lengthy recovery and although he'll likely be ready for the start of next year, it might be difficult to trust his ability to stay healthy.
Odell Beckham	WR	Giants	Strained Quad	RULED OUT FOR WEEK 14	Sterling Shepard	Beckham was diagnosed with a bruised quadricep, and although he was able to practice in limited fashion, he must've felt more stiffness and discomfort that warranted this move. The Giants aren't going to risk having Beckham go out there at less than 100%, and although it shouldn't be a long term issue, we'll have to wait and see how his leg responds to treatment heading into Week 15.
Julio Jones	WR	Falcons	Sprained Foot	Expected to play Week 14	Calvin Ridley, Mohamed Sanu	Jones hasn't practiced much this week due to a foot injury, but it sounds like they are just managing his reps and he is expected to play on Sunday barring any setbacks. He'll face the Packers 24th ranked defense against WR's so he should be in for a nice day during the fantasy playoffs.
Sammy Watkins	WR	Chiefs	Sprained Foot	RULED OUT FOR WEEK 14	Chris Conley, Kelvin Benjamin	You're not really surprised that Watkins had a setback right? Watkins is reportedly going to miss the rest of the regular season and could potentially be back for the playoffs depending on how his recovery goes.
T.Y. Hilton	WR	Colts	Sprained AC Joint	Expected to play Week 14	Dontrelle Inman, Ryan Grant	Hilton has been cleared to play in Week 14 and shouldn't be too bothered by the shoulder during the game. There is always a risk for him falling on the shoulder and re-aggravating injury, but he should continue to see his normal workload when in the lineup.
DeSean Jackson	WR	Buccaneers	Sprained Hand	RULED OUT FOR WEEK 14	Adam Humphries, Chris Godwin	Jackson will again miss another game due to a hand injury. The injury must be significant enough for him to miss multiple games. The fact that he's not even practicing in any fashion puts him very questionable heading into Week 15 as well so continue to have a backup plan if you have him rostered.
Melvin Gordon	RB	Chargers	Sprained MCL	RULED OUT FOR WEEK 14	Austin Ekeler, Justin Jackson	Although there was some speculation that Gordon might be available this week, that was going to be a long shot considering his injury. Those who have Gordon and move on will need to make sure he's starting to practice or at least do work on the side during practice to feel confident that he's getting closer to returning.
Joe Flacco	QB	Ravens	Strained Hip	Available for Week 14	Lamar Jackson	Flacco looks to be active this Sunday against the Chiefs, but it still sounds like the Ravens are going to go with Lamar Jackson for another week. Flacco could get the nod if Jackson falters or if the Ravens fall behind, so he's someone to keep an eye on in two quarterback leagues if you advance to next week.
Keke Coutee	WR	Texans	Strained Hamstring	NOT EXPECTED TO PLAY WEEK 14	Demaryius Thomas, DeAndre Carter	Coutee has been battling hamstring issues and although he's nearing a return, Week 14 won't be the week he comes back. The Texans will continue to rely on Demaryius Thomas and DeAndre Hopkins to take on the majority of the WR work.
Mitch Trubisky	QB	Bears	Sprained AC Joint	Full participant	Chase Daniel	Trubisky was expected to make his return in Week 14 and things look to be trending that way. It's a big upgrade for the whole Bears offense as they face off against the Rams and will need to put up points.
Evan Engram	TE	Giants	Sprained MCL	Full participant	Rhett Ellison	Engram is set to make his return in Week 14 after missing the last two weeks due to his knee injury. He faces a Washington defense that defends well against TE's so consider other options just in case.
Matthew Stafford	QB	Lions	Low Back Injury	Questionable for Week 14	Matt Cassel	Stafford has practiced all week in limited fashion, so there's no real concern about him missing this week, but he is clearly playing at 100% with a depleted offensive unit.
Doug Martin	RB	Raiders	Sprained Knee	Questionable for Week 14	Jalen Richard	Martin was able to practice in limited fashion later in the week, which puts him on track to play this weekend against the Steelers. With that being said, Jalen Richard might see more work due to Martin's injury so he becomes a risky proposition.
A.J. Green	WR	Bengals	Sprained Toe	Placed on I.R., out for season	Tyler Boyd, John Ross	Turf toe injuries are very difficult to try and play through without setbacks as Green is just another example of that. He'll have surgery on his toe which will kickstart his offseason early. He should be fully healthy for next season.
James Conner	RB	Steelers	High Ankle Sprain	RULED OUT FOR WEEK 14	Jaylen Samuels	Conner had his right leg rolled up on in the 4th quarter which is usually indicative of a high ankle sprain. Conner being ruled out early in the week is an indication that he could miss multiple weeks to try and get his high ankle sprain under control. He'll be questionable at best for Week 15, but I'm not loving his odds of suiting up.
Chris Carson	RB	Seahawks	Dislocated Finger	Removed from injury report	Rashaad Penny, Mike Davis	Carson was taken off the injury report which means he'll be a full go against the Vikings on Monday night. He'll have some extra protection around the finger that he dislocated but it shouldn't be too much of a concern.
Matt Breida	RB	49ers	Sprained Ankle	RULED OUT FOR WEEK 14	Jeffery Wilson, Alfred Morris	I wouldn't expect much from Breida over the next few weeks as the 49ers are out of contention and Breida has been dealing with this ankle on and off for over a month now. Plan to have a backup plan for the fantasy playoffs!

Injuries

The Training Room: Week 14 Injury Updates

BETSPERTS MEDIA & TECHNOLOGY GROUP