The Training Room: Week 14 Injury Updates
For the first time in a long time, Week 13 was a relatively quiet week with regards to injuries. While we await Monday's and Tuesday's games to finish up to determine who punches their ticket into the fantasy playoffs, it should be encouraging to fantasy GM's that no major injuries should help the cause heading into the playoffs. Bye weeks are finally done which means you should have full ability to set up your roster for a deep run at the championship! On The Mend will be up early this week as well to ensure you have all the injury information headed into Week 14! Updated 12/13/20
A.J. Brown, WR Titans
Injury: Sprained Ankle
Timetable For Recovery: Day To Day, DNP this week but expected to play Week 14.
Potential Replacements: Corey Davis, Adam Humphries
Initial Thoughts: Brown continues to recover from his ankle sprain he suffered in Week 13 and although he didn't practice at all this week, the Titans are still expecting him to suit up for Week 14 against the Jaguars. It's hard to say how injured Brown is or if the Titans just wanted to get him as much rest as possible leading up to this weekend but you'll want to keep tabs on what he's doing pre-game to ensure that he's moving well and is trending in the right direction to play.
Antonio Gibson, RB Washington
Injury: Turf Toe
Timetable For Recovery: 2-4 Weeks. Ruled OUT For Week 14.
Potential Replacements: J.D. McKissic, Peyton Barber
Initial Thoughts: Gibson was not expected to play this week and him being ruled out confirms what we thought about his injury. He'll be questionable at best due to the injury but I would still say his chances of playing in Week 15 are slim.
Chris Godwin, WR Bucanneers
Injury: Finger Procedure
Timetable For Recovery: Expected To Play Week 14.
Potential Replacements: Antonio Brown, Scott Miller
Initial Thoughts: Godwin had the pins in his finger removed after fracturing it a few weeks back. This should not impact his availability heading into Week 14 against the Vikings barring any complications that might come up throughout the week.
Ezekiel Elliot, RB Cowboys
Injury: Strained Calf
Timetable For Recovery: Day To Day. Expected To Play Week 14.
Potential Replacement: Tony Pollard
Initial Thoughts: Zeke is dealing with a bruised calf that he picked up when the Cowboys played the Ravens but it sounds like there isn't much to be overly concerned about. The Cowboys play the Bengals in Week 14 and should be able to have a solid day.
Kenyan Drake, RB Cardinals
Injury: Strained Hip
Timetable For Recovery: Expected To Play Week 14.
Potential Replacement: Chase Edmonds
Initial Thoughts: It didn't seem like Drake's hip issue was a major concern heading into this weekend and Adam Schefter's report of Drake expecting to play confirms what we thought was maybe more maintenance of reps for the running back.
On The Mend
Christian McCaffrey, RB Panthers
Injury: Ruled OUT For Week 14.
Initial Thoughts: McCaffrey continues to be hit by the injury bug as apparently he is now dealing with a thigh injury that he suffered last week during the Panthers bye week. At this point I'd be very surprised to see CMC during the fantasy playoffs as he continues to recover from multiple injuries. The shoulder was one thing, but the thigh is likely going to be the biggest hurdle he'll need to get over to be able to get back on the field and actually produce like we're normally used to seeing him.
Mike Evans, WR Bucanneers
Injury: Strained Hamstring. Expected To Play Week 14.
Initial Thoughts: Evans was able to return to practice Friday and is expected to suit up for Week 14 against the Vikings. We'll keep an eye on how much he's during warm-ups but it sounds like the downgrade on Thursday might have just been an opportunity to rest Evans and manage his reps.
Drew Brees, QB Saints
Injury: Broken Ribs. Ruled OUT For Week 14.
Initial Thoughts: Brees still seems to be at least another week or two away as he recovers from multiple rib fractures that he sustained a few weeks ago. Fantasy owners should continue to sit tight in hopes that he'll potentially be available for the fantasy championship.
Josh Jacobs, RB Raiders
Injury: Sprained Ankle. Expected To Play Week 14.
Initial Thoughts: Jacobs suiting up this week comes as a surprise as early in the week it didn't look like he was going to progress enough to be ready. He was able to practice in limited fashion both Thursday and Friday without any setbacks so he'll suit up for the Raiders against the Colts. He's got a tough matchup against the Colts defense but if you have him on your roster, you are starting him.
Daniel Jones, QB Giants
Injury: Strained Hamstring. Expected To Start Week 14.
Initial Thoughts: Jones tested out his hamstring on Saturday and apparently looked good enough for the Giants to give him the green light in Week 14 against the Cardinals. He'll be an upgrade over Colt McCoy but there is always risk for an in-game aggravation that needs to be considered given the circumstances of the first week of fantasy playoffs. The Giants will likely limit his running a bit to help reduce the risk of aggravating his hamstring but anything can happen during the game as he is only 2 weeks removed from the injury so these are things that need to be considered as you set your rosters.
Salvon Ahmed, RB Dolphins
Injury: Strained Shoulder. Ruled OUT For Week 14.
Initial Thoughts: Ahmed will not play in Week 14 and with the Dolphins dealing with all sorts of issues at the running back position due to COVID, it looks like DeAndre Washington will lead the backfield for the Dolphins against the Chiefs.
D'Andre Swift, RB Lions
Injury: Illness. Expected To Start Week 14.
Initial Thoughts: Swift was downgraded to doubtful late last week and missed Week 13. It looks like the extra week of rest has allowed him to get healthier and should allow him to handle his normal workload against the Packers.
