Fantasy Football NFL Injury Report: Last Minute Advice for Your Squad

It is that time of the week to start monitoring the inactive list. You need to start making decisions on whether or not it is worth starting an injured player. Each week, players are listed as a game time decision making life miserable for fantasy owners.

One of the toughest things about fantasy football is deciding whether or not to start a player who is questionable. This decision would be the difference between a win or a loss, as starting the wrong guy could cost you major points.

NFL teams do not care about your fantasy football roster. They play a ton of games with their injury report, hoping to deceive their opponent. These games make reading the injury report a toss up. Fantasy owners need to understand the mindset of the coaches. They need to consider the history of how a coach handles their injury report.

For example, do not trust anything that Bill Belichick says, as he is notorious for providing misleading information. The next few slides should help you with those last minute injury decisions.

Avoid Starting Joseph Addai

Joseph Addai is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury. He has been dealing with this injury for the past several weeks. It has cost him plenty of playing time and has given fantasy owners headaches. The issue with Addai is that he will likely be listed as active, but may not get a ton of carries.

Last week, Addai was active and received carries, but he was unable to finish the game. This was likely a disastrous development of fantasy owners who started Addai. It is situations like this one that would keep Addai out of my lineup.

The performance of the Colts offense should be a contributing factor in your decision. Addai isn't a great play whether he is injured or healthy.

Keep Matthew Stafford in Your Starting Lineup

Matthew Stafford tweaked his ankle at the end of last week's game. He is listed as questionable with a rib injury, which is an interesting development. It appears as though the ankle is healthy enough not to be listed as his injury.

Either way, Stafford was able to finish out the week as a full participant in practice. He will get the start today and could up some big numbers. Detroit is coming off of back to back losses and looking to right the ship. They are facing a Denver Broncos team that has a below average defense.

There is a potential for Stafford to re-aggravate his injury, but its a risk I would be willing to take.

Do Not Count on Beanie Wells

Beanie Wells is a consistent member of the injury report. His entire career has been plagued by nagging injuries that have kept him out of the lineup. He has a history of not being able to play through those nagging injuries.

I would keep Wells on my bench, as he can not be counted on. Even if he is active, I would not start Wells. He is facing a tough Baltimore Ravens defense while playing for a team that is struggling. Wells is not going to have a good fantasy day.

In the unlikely scenario where Wells has a good performance, I would just accept it and move on. Sometimes you have to go with what a player has shown in the past and accept the consequences.

Do Not Start Peyton Hillis

Peyton Hillis is getting attention for all the wrong reasons. He has been in the media more for his injury and contract issues than for his play on the field. This appears like it will be a lost season for the Madden cover boy.

Hillis is officially listed as questionable, as he tries to overcome a hamstring injury. I don't have much confidence in Hillis' ability to make an impact today. As ugly as it sounds, he is likely allowing his contract situation to impact his play. I can't really blame him, as I wouldn't risk my long-term security.

I don't see Hillis playing today, but even if he does, he will have a hard time finding running room against the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers are playing excellent defense and are especially stout against the run.