Darrius Heyward-Bey Injury: Updates on Raiders WR's Week 12 and Fantasy Status

The Oakland Raiders got quite a scare from former first round receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey in Week 11.

The team's leader in receptions and yards, Heyward-Bey was carted off the field yesterday with a reported spine injury.

UPDATE: Sunday, Nov. 27 at 3:35 p.m. EDT

With the Raiders getting set to take on a Bears team without Jay Cutler, they need all of their playmakers on the field. The good news is that they will have one of them back in time for the kick-off. 

According to Rotoworld, Darrius Heyward-Bey, who leads the team with 477 yards receiving, will be active for this game. 

The news is not all good though because, according to the report, Heyward-Bey is still experiencing "discomfort" in his neck. It will be interesting to see how he responds to turning his back towards the field if/when he goes deep. 

UPDATE: Tuesday, November 22nd at 9:25 a.m. EST

The news on Heyward-Bey continues to be positive. The fourth-year receiver flew back with the team on Sunday and Monday was walking around.

The Sacramento Bee quoted Raiders head coach Hue Jackson as saying:

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"Obviously, we're still going to take precautions with him, but he's moving around, walking around, looking like Darrius, neck brace on," Jackson said. "He's doing good. That was a tough shot that he took, but he's a tough young man. I'm sure as fast as he can get out there with his teammates he will be."

Jackson was unsure about Heyward-Bey's availability for Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears.

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We shouldn't expect DHB to be back on the field this weekend. If he has to undergo concussion tests while battling with neck and back injuries its likely he'll be out.

We'll update more when more is known. 

INITIAL UPDATE

He was taken to the hospitable where the team received good news. According to beat writer Steve Corkran:

DHB reportedly had all feeling in his extremities and was wearing a neck wrap on the plane flight home.

His status for the coming weeks will not be known immediately. ESPN's player page reports that head coach Hue Jackson was optimistic that his top receiver would be back at some point this season.

The Raiders are now 6-4 on the season and leading the AFC West by one game over the Denver Broncos.

If anyone was to tell you that the Raiders and Broncos would be the top two teams in the AFC West through the first 11 weeks of the season you probably would have smacked them.

Should Heyward-Bey miss extended time the Raiders will bump Jacoby Ford and Denarius Moore further up in the lineup.

Moore leads the team in touchdown catches and Ford is the team's third most targeted receiver despite missing considerable time at the start of the year.

We will update Heyward-Bey's status when more is known.