After a couple of quiet weeks, the injury report is at full capacity this week with dozens of very fantasy relevant players listed as questionable or out for this week’s slate of games. It’s only Thursday so it’s not always possible to tell how likely a player is to be able to play, especially in perhaps this week’s most important injury-watch: Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers returned to practice this week and is in full pads, which is a good sign, but no word yet on whether he will be able to play and Matt Flynn is practicing with the first team, a bad sign. Let’s take a look at Rodgers and the glut of injuries around the NFL this week.
Andre Ellington (knee): Ellington still hasn’t practiced this week after missing last week’s game against Philadelphia but is surprisingly optimistic that he will play on Sunday. I’m not sold and if he’s out, it could be a big day for Rashard Mendenhall.
Michael Floyd (ankle): Floyd is dealing with an ankle issue and hasn’t practiced this week but he’s expected to play on Sunday against the Rams.
Rob Housler (ankle): Housler is also dealing with an ankle injury but is fully expected to play on Sunday.
Carson Palmer (elbow): Palmer suffered an elbow injury in Sunday’s game but is expected to start against the Rams.
Tony Gonzalez (toe): Gonzalez has been dealing with a toe injury for a while and has been limited in practice but he’s fully expected to play through it once again.
DeAngelo Williams (quadriceps): DeAngelo practiced for the second straight day on Thursday after missing last week’s game and is expected to play this week against the Saints.
Jonathan Stewart (ankle): Unlike DeAngelo, Stewart didn’t practice again on Thursday and is questionable for Sunday’s game.
Mike Tolbert (knee): Tolbert is dealing with a knee injury but he’s the healthiest of Carolina’s three backs and will play this week.
Jay Cutler (ankle): Cutler is highly questionable for Monday’s game against the Cowboys, though he will have an extra day to get ready. More likely, Josh McCown will start once again and is a great looking start against a ‘Boys defense that has allowed more fantasy points to quarterbacks than any other team.
A.J. Green (groin): Green has a sore groin but is fully expected to play on Sunday against the Colts.
Tyler Eifert (knee): Eifert has been limited in practice this week but doesn’t appear to be in danger of missing Sunday’s game.
Jason Campbell (concussion): Campbell was cleared to return to practice on Thursday but still has to be cleared to play. Odds are he’ll be in there against the Pats this week, especially as Brandon Weeden deals with his own concussion.
Peyton Manning (ankle): Manning has been nursing both ankles for a while but is certainly in no danger of missing this week’s game against the Titans.
Knowshon Moreno (ankle): Moreno is still dealing with an ankle injury but he played last week and is expected to play again this week.
Demaryius Thomas (shoulder): Demaryius has been limited this week after suffering a shoulder injury against the Chiefs but is fully expected to play against the Titans’ tough secondary this week.
Julius Thomas (knee): Thomas has been limited in practice this week after missing two straight games and is listed as questionable. He’s far more likely to play this week than he was last week.
Reggie Bush (calf): Bush missed another practice on Thursday and is listed as questionable for this week’s game against the Eagles. If he can’t play, Joique Bell will be a must-start in all leagues against a soft Philly defense.
Calvin Johnson (knee): Johnson returned to practice on Thursday and is fully expected to play this week.
Aaron Rodgers (collarbone): Rodgers is practicing in full pads but Matt Flynn is still working with the first team in practice. This one could go either way but it looks like Flynn is on track to start as of now.
T.Y. Hilton (shoulder): Hilton is dealing with an injured shoulder but is not expected to miss any time.
Anthony Fasano (concussion, knee): Fasano missed practice again on Thursday and is listed as questionable with a concussion for this week’s game against the Redskins.
Lamar Miller (pectoral): Miller has a sore pec but is fully expected to play this week.
Adrian Peterson (groin): AP has been banged up for a few weeks but is fully expected to go this week against the tough Ravens defense.
Christian Ponder (concussion): Ponder will miss this week’s game with a concussion, leaving Matt Cassel as the starter.
Aaron Dobson (foot): Dobson missed another practice on Thursday and is in serious danger of missing this week’s game against the Browns.
Kenbrell Thompkins (hip): Thompkins hasn’t practiced this week either which means the Pats could be without either of their two rookie receivers this week. New England has signed Austin Collie for depth but he doesn’t figure to factor in much.
Santonio Holmes (hamstring): Santonio only played three snaps last week against the Dolphins on Sunday and is limited again this week. Oakland has a soft pass defense but I wouldn’t risk starting him, especially with Geno stinking it up behind center.
Jeremy Kerley (elbow): Kerley is practicing for the first time since dislocating his elbow against the Saints in November and is likely to return to the Jets on Sunday. Despite only playing eight games this season, Kerley is the Jets leading receiver.
Rashad Jennings (concussion): Jennings is back at practice and is likely to play this week against the Jets, though he’ll need to be cleared first. He doesn’t seem startable though, as the Jets have the best run defense in the league.
Darren McFadden (ankle): DMC has yet another injury and is not very likely to play this week against the Jets.
Denarius Moore (shoulder): Moore has missed two straight games and is not expected to play this week against the Jets. Look for Rod Streater and Andre Holmes as a sneaky starters against a Jets defense giving up an average of 311 passing yards and 2.4 passing touchdowns per game over their last five.
Le’Veon Bell (concussion): Despite a huge hit on Thursday, Bell is back in full practice and is fully expected to play this week against the Dolphins.
Percy Harvin (hip): Harvin is still dealing with a sore hip and, while he still has a chance to play this week, is not likely to suit up against the Niners.
Golden Tate (hip): Tate is dealing with a hip injury and is listed as questionable for this week’s game against San Francisco.
Frank Gore (ankle): Gore is expected to play despite an ankle injury he has been dealing for a while. He had a very tough time against Seattle the last time they met in Week 2.
Vincent Jackson (hamstring): VJax was still limited in practice on Thursday and is questionable for this week’s game against a shoddy Bills pass defense but has a solid chance to play.
Delanie Walker (concussion): Walker has yet to be cleared to play this week against the Broncos. It’s a good looking matchup and would be a shame if Walker wasn’t ready.
Kendall Wright (ankle): Wright is dealing with an ankle injury but is expected to play against Denver. It’s a very appealing matchup, especially in PPR leagues.
Jordan Reed (concussion): Reed is still dealing with concussion symptoms and will need to be cleared to play the Chiefs this week. It’s a tough matchup either way so I’d look for an alternative.
