Fantasy Football Start 'Em or Sit 'Em: Week 15 Quarterback Injury Report

With fantasy titles hanging in the balance, let’s take a look at some of the major injury concerns among quarterbacks and how they currently stand:

Aaron Rodgers – Green Bay Packers

The Packers have said that they hope to make a decision by today on Rodgers, who suffered a concussion last week, but could wait until just before their 8:20 p.m. EST game against the Patriots.  Make sure to keep checking the news, but I wouldn’t anticipate getting much clarity in this situation until sometime tomorrow.

What does that mean?  Unless you want to depend on Matt Flynn or the Vikings’ Joe Webb, you really don’t have a choice but to move him to your bench.  Obviously, if the Packers come out today or early tomorrow morning and say Rodgers is playing, it’s a whole different ballgame.  Barring that, he is too big of a risk to trust given the uncertainty of his health.  This is his second concussion of the year, so it is fair to anticipate the Packers being cautious.

Depending on your other options, I wouldn’t bench Greg Jennings, however.  The Packers could have to try and keep up with the Patriots, meaning they are going to be throwing the ball regardless of who is under center (of course, a possible nor’easter would again change this).

Matt Cassel – Kansas City Chiefs

After an appendectomy cost him Week 14, it is beginning to look like he will suit up this weekend.  According to ESPN (click here for the article), "reporters who saw Cassel early in Friday’s practice noted he was throwing the ball with more velocity and appeared to be doing more with the offense in practice."  Unfortunately, the Chiefs have also said they won’t make a decision until Sunday on whether he will play or not.

Luckily, they play at 1 p.m. EST against the Rams, giving fantasy owners a lot more flexibility in their decision making.  Make sure you have an alternative on the bench and monitor the news at around noon to find out if he is dressing or not.  If he’s starting, he’s a low-end QB1 and a must use in all two-quarterback formats.

David Garrard – Jacksonville Jaguars

His hamstring injury is concerning, especially when you couple it with the team’s recent signing of QB Todd Bouman.  He’s going to play, at least you would think so at this point, but there is little reason to trust Garrard to begin with.  The Jaguars should be led by Maurice Jones-Drew and Rashad Jennings, in an attempt to exploit the Colts’ rushing defense.

Kyle Orton – Denver Broncos

He’s been limited in practice, has barely thrown this week and has been struggling badly the past few weeks.  Could we see Tim Tebow draw the start?  Will it be Brady Quinn?  We likely won’t know until just before kickoff of their 4:15 p.m. EST matchup with the Raiders.  Given his recent play and the concern about the injury, I wouldn’t hesitate looking at another option.  If you try to wait it out, you may end up being left with few options available to you.

What are your thoughts on these decisions?  Who would you start?  Who would you sit?

Make sure to check out the rest of our Week 15 rankings:

• Top 25 Quarterbacks
• Top 40 Running Backs
• Top 60 Wide Receivers
• Top 20 Tight Ends
• Top 15 Kickers
• Top 15 Defenses
• Waiver Worthy
• Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em
• Sunday Sleepers

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