NFL Injury Report: The Key Injuries That Could Cripple Your Fantasy Team

The NFL injury report saw some prominent additions in Week 13, including a couple of injuries that could have a major impact on your fantasy football playoffs.

As we hear often in the NFL, injuries are a part of the game. But when it happens to one of your best players right before the playoffs, it hurts a little more.

Here are five injuries that could cripple your fantasy team. 

Matt Forte, Running Back, Chicago Bears

Not much has been going right for the Bears recently. First they lose quarterback Jay Cutler with a broken thumb, now it appears they will be without Matt Forte for some time.

Forte sprained his knee in Sunday's 10-3 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chicago Sun-Times is calling the injury a sprained MCL. The typical recovery time for that type of injury is 2-4 weeks.

Fantasy owners who had Forte now must prepare for life without Forte in the playoffs.

While Forte hadn't been playing all that well recently, he was still a strong option at running back. 

The Bears will now lean on Marion Barber and Kahlil Bell as their main ball carriers. And with the Bears now 7-5 and their playoff hopes diminishing, don't expect Forte to be rushed back. Especially with Forte looking for a long-term deal this offseason.     

Andre Johnson, Wide Receiver, Houston Texans

Just when Johnson looked like he was getting back to his All-Pro form, he suffered another injury in Week 13.

Johnson left in the third quarter of Sunday's win over the Atlanta Falcons after hurting his left hamstring. This was not the hamstring he injured in Week 4 that led to him missing six games.

Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said after the game that he didn't think the injury was severe and Johnson will undergo tests on Monday.

Even if Johnson's hamstring injury is minor, those types of injuries tend to linger. I wouldn't count on Johnson having much impact this fantasy postseason.

Adrian Peterson, Running Back, Minnesota Vikings

Peterson missed his second straight game Sunday with a high ankle sprain and doesn't yet look close to returning to the field.

Nor should he be rushed back.

The Vikings are 2-10 and closing in on their worst season in franchise history. Rushing Peterson back before he's 100 percent healthy is not in his or the team's best interest.

The Vikings invested $96 million in Peterson before the season and would be best served to keep Peterson shutdown for the rest of the season, which would have a huge impact on your fantasy postseason.

Peterson certainly lived up to his draft status this season, with 1,000 total yards and 12 touchdowns in 10 weeks. With Peterson sidelined, that's one fantasy team without its top draft pick.

Frank Gore, Running Back, San Francisco 49ers

Gore has been dealing with an ankle injury for the past four weeks and his numbers have suffered.

Since Week 10, Gore has 200 yards and zero touchdowns. Prior to that, Gore had rushed for 100-plus yards in five straight games and scored four touchdowns during that span.

Gore's ankle injury hasn't kept him out of the lineup, but with the 49ers clinching a spot in the playoffs in Week 13, one has to wonder if San Francisco will start limiting Gore's touches or resting him for the playoffs.

Gore has 224 carries this season, which is the third most in the NFL this season.

The Niners could benefit from a rejuvenated Gore come playoff time, even though it would anger a lot of fantasy owners.    

Tony Fiammetta, Fullback, Dallas Cowboys

Chance are you've never heard of Tony Fiammetta. But he's one of the most important players on the Cowboys. 

Fiammetta is Dallas' fullback and he's been sidelined by a mystery illness for last three games. 

While Fiammetta doesn't have any fantasy value himself, he does have a big impact on DeMarco Murray's fantasy value.

When Fiammetta is in the lineup, the Cowboys average 145 rushing yards per game. When he's been out, they've managed just 85 yards per game. 

If Fiammetta can get healthy and play again this season, Murray might be headed for a solid fantasy football playoffs.