Recapping the Injuries week 13 2017

By Armando Marsal
Armando Marsal Some of the injuries sustained in Week 12 could keep some players out for at least one game, while knocking a couple of other players out for possibly multiple games. Injuries are part of football and as fantasy owners we must adjust our approach/rosters each week with the information at hand. As I do every week, below I will go over some of this past week’s injuries and how they may affect things moving forward.

C.J. Beathard –49ers: Beathard left late during Sunday’s game against the Seahawks with a knee contusion and hip strain. Jimmy Garoppolo stepped in and completed both of his passes for 18 yards and a touchdown. Beathard’s status is up in the air for Week 13, but the team said they will be deciding on their starter by Wednesday, so we should know more then.

Paxton Lynch – Broncos: Lynch suffered a high-ankle sprain in Sunday’s loss against the Raiders. He is expected to be sidelined for 2-4 weeks with the injury and the Broncos will turn back to Trevor Siemian who has been underwhelming this season. The Broncos have a nice matchup this weekend against Miami who has been generous to opposing quarterbacks, but Siemian has not done much to gain the trust of fantasy owners and would be a high-risk play in Week 13.

Damien Williams – Dolphins: Williams was carted off of the field during Sunday’s against the Patriots after suffering a shoulder injury. After some tests, it was determined that he suffered a dislocated shoulder and is expected to miss some time. He is set to get an MRI and once those results are in, we should have a better idea for a timetable on Williams. Ian Rapoport reported that it could be a 2-3 week injury. Kenyan Drake becomes a must add in all formats as he should receive a heavy workload and work as the Dolphins’ every down back during Williams’ absence.

Doug Martin – Bucs: Martin suffered a concussion in Sunday’s loss to the Falcons and is considered week-to-week. This backfield is going to be tricky to predict if Martin misses any time as Jacquizz Rodgers is expected to get the early down work, but Peyton Barber will also have a role and appears to be the goal line back. Then you also have Charles Sims catching passes out of the backfield. If you are thinking of grabbing one of these backs off of waivers, Rodgers would be my pick as he should receive the majority of the carries.

Amari Cooper – Raiders: Cooper left Sunday’s game after suffering a concussion. Then on Monday it was reported that he also suffered an ankle sprain. The severity of the ankle injury is not known at this time, but the fact that he is dealing with multiple injuries really puts his Week 13 status in serious question. Michael Crabtree was just suspended for two games for his fight with Aqib Talib, so the Raiders could be forced to start Seth Roberts and Cordarrelle Patterson as their two wide outs, and also mix in Johnny Holton. However, if both Crabtree and Cooper are out, the main beneficiary would be Jared Cook, specifically this week against the Giants who are the worst defense against opposing tight ends.

Greg Olsen – Panthers: Olsen left Sunday’s game after aggravating his foot injury. X-Rays were done after the game and they came back negative. Then on Monday after a visit with Dr. Robert Anderson who is the orthopedic specialist that performed foot surgery on Olsen, it was determined that he was OK. His Week 13 status is up in the air, but at this time fantasy owners should not be counting on Olsen. Even if he plays, the Panthers could elect to take it easy on his as they are in a good position to make the playoffs and would want to conserve him for their post season run.

Coby Fleener – Saints: Fleener suffered a concussion during Sunday’s game against the Rams and will have to clear the protocol to return to action. He continues to be a non-factor for the Saints and also an unreliable fantasy tight end.