NFL Week 12 Injury Notebook
The NFL continues to push on into Week 12, just as injuries continue to mount. At this point in the year, the possibility of health beating talent starts to become a reality.
After all, in a season defined by multiple "how did that happen?" victories and losses every week, one key injury may mean the difference between a playoff contender winning or suffering a shocking upset.
Will Larry Fitzgerald's MCL sprain play such a role? What about Julius Thomas' ankle? Let's take a look in this week's injury notebook.
Bye Week Recap
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Make sure players from the following teams are out of your fantasy football lineups:
- Carolina Panthers: Defensive lineman Star Lotulelei will appreciate the continued rest. He suffered a nasty low-ankle sprain Week 10.
- Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers hope star defender Troy Polamalu will return from his knee injury after the bye.
Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers (Green-Yellow)
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Player: Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers
Injury: Chest injury
Latest News: The team's official injury report lists Rivers as "probable." More importantly, the veteran practiced in full all week. According to U-T San Diego's Michael Gehlken (h/t NFL.com), Rivers' teammate Antonio Gates said the quarterback is dealing with bruised ribs.
Alert Level: Green-yellow
Relevant Medicine and Anatomy: The ribs protect the organs in the chest and upper abdomen. The chest cavity expands and contracts with each breath, and the muscles and cartilage that connect each rib to the next allow the chest to move as one unit.
Rib injury management primarily comes down to pain control. Owing to their relative stability, players can even safely play through some rib fractures with adequate protection.
Possible On-Field Limitations and Considerations: Nothing suggests Rivers can't play through this injury. In fact, Gates mentioned he has been for the past few weeks.
Treatment and pain control can allow Rivers to complete the throwing motion despite his ailing chest. However, any lingering soreness can affect his range of motion, strength and other attributes.
Fantasy Advice: If you need to start Rivers, you can. However, his stats have left something to be desired in recent weeks, and another big hit to the chest could take him out at any time.
Follow-Up: At this point in the season, I'm surprised when a starting quarterback isn't suffering from some degree of rib or chest soreness. Nevertheless, enough rest will fully heal most injuries, even if that rest comes after a season concludes.
Giovani Bernard, RB, Cincinnati Bengals (Yellow-Orange)
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Player: Giovani Bernard, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Injury: Hip, clavicle injuries
Latest News: NFL Network's Ian Rapoport called Bernard's injury a "hip pointer" late last month. The Cincinnati Enquirer's Richard Skinner added that the back also suffered a clavicle injury. However, he practiced in full on both Thursday and Friday, according to the team's injury report, earning a "probable" tag.
Alert Level: Yellow
Relevant Medicine and Anatomy: A hip pointer implies a deep bruise near the top of the pelvis. These usually heal with mere rest, but they can lead to absences of a few weeks in severe cases.
Details on Bernard's clavicle injury remain scarce. A fracture would necessitate a longer recovery than a few weeks, so it's possible he is dealing with only a mild sprain of his acromioclavicular (AC) or sternoclavicular (SC) joints.
Possible On-Field Limitations and Considerations: Bernard's hip injury may come into play on the field. If he is still battling pain, his lateral agility and direction-changing ability may suffer.
On the other hand, good pain control may let him play well.
Fantasy Advice: Fellow running back Jeremy Hill's emergence may detract from Bernard's return. However, Gio practiced in full two days in a row, confirming that one day of activity didn't affect the next.
If you need to start him, he may be a decent option, but his status remains at least a bit unclear. Closely follow reports on his health all the way until game time.
Follow-Up: Like so many other players, avoiding big hits to his injured areas—his hip and shoulder—is the name of the game for Bernard. If he can do so, he will only get healthier with time.
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Arian Foster, RB, Houston Texans (Orange)
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Player: Arian Foster, RB, Houston Texans
Injury: Groin strain
Latest News: According to Brian T. Smith of The Houston Chronicle, Texans head coach Bill O'Brien called Foster a "gametime decision." The team's injury report lists him as "questionable."
Alert Level: Orange
Relevant Medicine and Anatomy: The groin muscles connect the femur—the thigh bone—to the pelvis. When they contract, they pull the thigh back toward the body's midline. This motion comes into play when a running back attempts to plant his foot to the side, push off and cut in the opposite direction.
Possible On-Field Limitations and Considerations: A sore groin can severely limit a running back's ability to slip away from defenders.
Fantasy Advice: Something doesn't add up here. A minor groin strain, though annoying, can adequately heal in a week or two and not lead to any weakness whatsoever. However, Sunday marks the three-week anniversary of Foster's injury.
If Foster does return this week, his strain likely was, indeed, on the mild end of the severity spectrum. However, if he sits out once more, the chance that he suffered a setback at some point along the way—or the chance that his original injury was much more serious than advertised—is much higher.
If active, Foster's history as an otherwise elite fantasy option represents the only justification for starting him Week 12. For any other back, I'd recommend benching him indefinitely and waiting until he proves his health—and I almost did here.
Pay close attention this weekend.
Follow-Up: Groin injuries linger with running backs, and a setback could cost Foster another week or two on the sidelines. Even if he plays on Sunday, this story isn't over.
Fred Jackson, RB, Buffalo Bills (Yellow-Orange)
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Player: Fred Jackson, RB, Buffalo Bills
Injury: Groin strain
Latest News: WGR 550's Joe Buscaglia tweeted Monday that head coach Doug Marrone said Jackson would be "back at full capacity" for Week 12. He originally suffered his injury Week 7 and returned for Week 10. However, an aggravation forced him to sit out Week 11.
Alert Level: Yellow-orange
Relevant Medicine and Anatomy: Just like Foster, Jackson's injury probably involves the muscles that allow a player to move his thigh back toward his body's midline.
Possible On-Field Limitations and Considerations: Jackson already suffered one setback. Unfortunately, the potential for another always exists.
Fantasy Advice: Sit him. In addition to the fact that Jackson probably won't play at 100 percent, the Bills face the strong New York Jets run defense this week. He may also lose rushing attempts in a crowded Bills backfield.
Follow-Up: If Jackson completes Week 12's matchup against the Jets without a setback and follows up on his performance with a full week of practice, he will enter the fantasy football conversation once again.
Lamar Miller, RB, Miami Dolphins (Yellow-Orange)
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Player: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami Dolphins
Injury: Acromioclavicular (AC) sprain, knee injury
Latest News: Miller suffered his shoulder injury early in November. However, he did not miss time and put up an 86-yard rushing performance last week. Then, ESPN's James Walker tweeted the running back injured his knee sometime this week, forcing him to accept a "questionable" tag.
Alert Level: Yellow-orange
Relevant Medicine and Anatomy: The AC joint marks the location where the clavicle meets the shoulder blade. It lies on the outermost portion of the top of the shoulder.
When it comes to Miller's knee, details remain scarce.
Possible On-Field Limitations and Considerations: Those watching Miller's performances over the past few weeks saw him lead into defenders with his injured shoulder, rise up and do so again on subsequent plays. Apparently, the injury isn't bothering him much.
A significant knee sprain, on the other hand, can severely limit a running back, especially in the days immediately following an injury. That said, as mentioned, details are lacking.
Fantasy Advice: Miller goes up against the respectable Denver Broncos rush defense this week. He also plays in an afternoon game. There is no easy answer here, but you need a backup plan if you decide to roll with him.
Follow-Up: Another significant hit to Miller's shoulder could aggravate his AC injury, but with each passing day, the likelihood of such an occurrence decreases. A precise diagnosis for his knee injury isn't available.
Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals (Orange)
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Player: Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals
Injury: Grade-2 MCL sprain
Latest News: According to ESPN.com's Josh Weinfuss, Fitzgerald "will be a game-time decision" due to his injury. The team lists him as "questionable" after he did not practice all week.
Alert Level: Orange
Relevant Medicine and Anatomy: The MCL runs along the inner portion of the knee joint. It connects the femur to the tibia—the shin bone—and prevents the knee from buckling inward. A Grade-2 injury means an MRI showed a partial tear in Fitzgerald's ligament.
Possible On-Field Limitations and Considerations: At the very least, Fitzgerald will likely wear a knee brace, which can affect his agility and on-field production in its own right. He will also have to potentially deal with ongoing pain and, if the sprain is severe enough, looseness in his joint.
Fantasy Advice: Make no mistake: This is a significant injury. It's not impossible for Fitz to play through it, but I will be quite impressed if he does. If he does, the chance that he fills a decoy role is real.
Follow-Up: Isolated MCL injuries do not require surgery. He will heal well with bracing, rest and time.
Brandon Marshall, WR, Chicago Bears (Green)
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Player: Brandon Marshall, WR, Chicago Bears
Injury: Ankle sprain
Latest News: According to the team's injury report, Marshall practiced on a limited basis Thursday and Friday, earning a "probable" tag.
Alert Level: Green
Relevant Medicine and Anatomy: Ankle sprains involve the stretching or tearing of one or more of the ligaments that stabilize the joint. Low-ankle sprains damage the ligaments that run from the lower leg to the foot, whereas high-ankle sprains affect those that connect the bones of the lower leg—the tibia and fibula—to each other.
Possible On-Field Limitations and Considerations: Ankle ligaments allow a wide receiver to sharply plant his foot and cut away from defenders.
Fantasy Advice: Marshall caught seven passes for 90 yards and two touchdowns last week while playing through this injury. His limited work this week probably represents the Bears attempting to minimize the risk of him suffering a setback, and he faces a porous Tampa Bay Buccaneers secondary on Sunday. Start him.
Follow-Up: Setback-free time is all Marshall needs.
Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Denver Broncos (Green to Red)
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Player: Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Denver Broncos
Injury: Concussion
Latest News: Last week, those watching saw Sanders find himself on the wrong side of one of the more violent hits in recent memory. He suffered a concussion, but The Denver Post's Troy E. Renck shared positive news about the wideout on Friday:
"Sanders was cleared for physical activity Thursday afternoon. He is listed as probable on the injury report as all signs point toward Sanders participating Sunday when the Broncos host the Miami Dolphins."
Alert Level: Green if active, otherwise red
Relevant Medicine and Anatomy: Every concussion heals differently. However, the concussion protocol only allows athletes to return to activity in a stepwise fashion. If symptoms do not recur with maximum exertion, a previously concussed player can safely return to the field.
Possible On-Field Limitations and Considerations: If Sanders receives medical clearance, he will likely play without limitations. Rarely, a player will re-experience concussion symptoms after he returns to action, but such a scenario represents an exception, not the norm.
Fantasy Advice: If the Broncos declare Sanders active, you can start him as you normally would.
Follow-Up: As with other concussions, Sanders needs to avoid another head injury. Multiple concussions in a short time period can lead to more severe and longer-lasting symptoms.
Julius Thomas, TE, Denver Broncos (Orange)
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Player: Julius Thomas, TE, Denver Broncos
Injury: Ankle sprain
Latest News: The Denver Post's Troy E. Renck also reported on Thomas' ankle injury:
"Thomas sprained his ankle when running back C.J. Anderson fell on him last Sunday. Thomas said the ankle continues to improve, saying on Thursday, 'If I can go, I will go.' He is listed as questionable on the injury report. His situation figures to be a game-day decision. Thomas leads all NFL receivers with 12 touchdown receptions.
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Alert Level: Orange
Relevant Medicine and Anatomy: As mentioned, the ankle serves as the foundation of a player's agility. Ankle ligaments keep the lower leg and heel in line when a player pushes off the outside of his foot.
Possible On-Field Limitations and Considerations: If Thomas tries to go, athletic trainers may decide to apply supportive taping to his injured ankle. Tape adds back some of the support a sprain causes the joint to lose.
Fantasy Advice: Be very careful with Thomas. He plays in an afternoon game and is just one week removed from his injury.
That said, if the Broncos roll with him, he remains a touchdown threat regardless of his ankle.
Follow-Up: Like others, Thomas' primarily needs time. Given the Broncos' hope of a long postseason run, it wouldn't be surprising if they play it safe with their tight end this week.
Bobby Wagner, LB, Seattle Seahawks (Orange)
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Player: Bobby Wagner, LB, Seattle Seahawks
Injury: Turf toe, sesamoid fracture
Latest News: According to Pro Football Talk's Curtis Crabtree, Wagner "tore the ligament that connects his big toe to the bottom of his right foot and broke his sesamoid bone":
"Wagner completely tore the ligament in his foot. The doctor told him the extent of the injury during halftime and Wagner was told he couldn’t injure it any further if he played on it. So Wagner got a shot to numb the foot and played the second half on his injured foot.
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Wagner hopes to play this week.
Alert Level: Orange
Relevant Medicine and Anatomy: Turf toe injuries involve the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint—the location where the base of the big toe meets the foot. The MTP joint is a complex structure that includes bones, ligaments, tendons and cartilage.
Possible On-Field Limitations and Considerations: A turf toe injury can limit a player's ability to quickly start off the line of scrimmage and accelerate. It can also linger, and forced upward movement of the big toe—via a plant and twist, for example—may lead to a setback.
Fantasy Advice: Regardless of Wagner's availability, the Seahawks are a good fantasy start this week. They face the Arizona Cardinals, who are relying on backup signal-caller Drew Stanton and boast, at best, a hobbled Larry Fitzgerald.
Follow-Up: Wagner's injury will probably remain at risk of a setback for at least the next few weeks.
Fantasy Football Quick Hits
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Quarterbacks
- Buffalo Bills quarterback Kyle Orton is practicing through a toe injury, according to the team's injury report. Follow his status closely.
- Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo earned a "probable" tag on the team's injury report after he practiced in full on Thursday and Friday. He is still nursing two transverse process fractures.
- Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill missed some practice time this week, according to the team's injury report. He is dealing with a left shoulder injury.
Running backs
- Detroit Lions running back Reggie Bush continues to recover from an ankle injury. The team gave him a "questionable" tag after he practiced on a limited basis all week.
- Denver Broncos running back Montee Ball aggravated a groin injury last Sunday. The team ruled him out after he did not practice all week.
Wide receivers
- The Chicago Bears list wide receiver Alshon Jeffery as "probable" with a hamstring injury. His practice status trended upward all week, providing reassurance against the wide receiver "hamstring rule." Start him.
- Buffalo Bills rookie wide receiver Sammy Watkins remains on the team's injury report with a groin injury. However, his practice statuses this week are reassuring.
Tight ends
- According to the Akron Beacon Journal's Nate Ulrich, Cleveland Browns tight end Jordan Cameron will sit out again this week. He continues to recover from a concussion.
- The Washington Redskins ruled out tight end Jordan Reed for this week. He is dealing with a new hamstring injury.
Dr. Dave Siebert is a second-year resident physician at the University of Washington and a member of the Professional Football Writers of America. He plans to pursue fellowship training in Primary Care (nonoperative) Sports Medicine.
Stats were obtained from NFL.com official statistics.
Questions about players on this list? Not on this list? Send 'em to Dave on Twitter.
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