NFL Saturday Morning Injury Update: Calvin Johnson, Reggie Wayne and More

It’s been a few days since we updated the injury status (click here for the original post) for many players who have been limited/missing practice heading into Week Eight.  With games only a day away, let’s take a look on who appears to be in and who’s out:

Calvin Johnson is listed as questionable.

Quoted on mlive.com (click here for the article) as saying, “Just trying not to overwork it. I didn’t want to mess it up more than it is” in regards to his knee, owners have to be very concerned that he will not play on Sunday. 

Keep checking the news, but make sure to stash a potential replacement that you are comfortable throwing in at the last minute.

Andre Johnson is listed as probable.

He wasn’t practicing earlier in the week, but Nick Scurfield quoted coach Gary Kubiak on Twitter as saying, “Andre looked great. He’s ready to go.”  Feel confident using him in all formats.

Brian Westbrook is listed as questionable.

As I’ve said, no matter what the Eagles are trying to sell, I’m not buying it.  I fully anticipate him sitting against the Giants, so find yourself another option.

Steve Breaston is listed as probable.  Anquan Boldin is listed as questionable.

Both receivers have been dealing with injury concerns, but both have also continued to be on the field every week.  I’d be more apt to use Boldin this week over Breaston if you have the choice.

Reggie Wayne is listed as questionable.

While the listing makes owners nervous, he did practice in full and an article on espn.com (click here to read) says that he is expected to play. 

At this point there is no reason to think differently.  He’s one of the elite in the league and should be used in all formats.

Matthew Stafford is listed as questionable.

He had been practicing in full earlier in the week, but was limited on Friday.  Expectations are still for him to start for the Lions, however, earning him a spot on our Top 25 QB rankings (click here to view). 

Use him in two-quarterback formats only, though his potential value would be significantly higher if Calvin Johnson is able to play.

Jonathan Stewart is listed as questionable.

He was limited in practice on Friday after missing practice earlier in the week.  Still, the expectations are for him to be in the line-up on Sunday against the Panthers. 

He has a tough match-up, coupled with being banged up, which caused him not to be on our Top 35 RB rankings this week.  There certainly should be better options available to you.

Donnie Avery is listed as probable.

He was limited in Friday’s practice, but with the likelihood that he takes the field he is definitely worth using as a WR3 in all formats.  He’s the best receiver on a bad team with a favorable match-up.  What else do you really need to know?

Muhsin Muhammad is out for Sunday.

It’s a good thing we already removed him from our Top 40 WR rankings (click here to view).  His replacement, Dwayne Jarrett, has just 16 catches in 16 career games and has three catches on the season.  Don’t bother with him, as he is too big of a risk.

Nate Washington is listed as probable.

There was concern earlier in the week that he could miss this week’s game, but he practiced in full on Friday. 

Still, the Titans have not shown that they will focus on any one receiver from game-to-game and have inserted Vince Young as their starting quarterback. 

Any of their three receivers are a gamble, so if you have other viable alternatives I’d recommend using them.

Mario Manningham is listed as questionable.

He was quoted in New York Newsday (click here to read the article) as saying, “It’s a little bruise. I fell on it kind of hard. It ain’t no big deal” in regards to his shoulder injury.

While he plans on playing, at this point you never really know.  Hakeem Nicks’ potential value gets bumped up a few spots, as he would start if Manningham is unable to go.

What are your thoughts on the injury news?  Which do you find most troubling?  Who are you not concerned about?

Need more help in trying to decide who to start this week, check out our weekly rankings by clicking here .

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