2012 Fantasy Football, Week 12 Injury Report: Matt Forte Re-injures His Ankle
Matt Forte (RB | Chicago Bears 100% owned in Y!) – Forte injured his ankle (the same ankle hurt earlier this season) in the second half and did not return.
Fantasy Spin: This has the potential to be a huge blow to fantasy owners. If Forte has a significant injury, he could miss the rest of the season. If Forte is out, Michael Bush (who had two TDs this week) would be the full-time RB and would need to be owned in all leagues.
Miles Austin (WR | Dallas Cowboys 98% in Y!) – Austin injured his hip flexor in the first of the Thanksgiving matchup with Washington. He did not return.
Fantasy Spin: These types of injuries can be difficult to recover from so look for MRI results and reports this week see the severity of the injury. It is unclear who would replace Austin as Kevin Ogletree was losing snaps earlier in the season and missed this game with a concussion. Dwayne Harris and Cole Beasley picked up the slack. Even though Beasley had more receptions last week, I like Harris a bit more to pick up the slack if Austin is out for an extended period of time. He’d like only be a flex option, though could be more if DeMarco Murray stays out.
Andre Brown (RB | New York Giants 64% in Y!) – Brown broke his fibula in the Sunday night win over the Packers. He is likely out for the season.
Fantasy Spin: Brown had grown into a larger role with the Giants offense due to Ahmad Bradshaw’s constant nagging foot injuries and his ability to secure the football. Now, the Giants will have to turn to exciting rookie David Wilson who has spent most of the season in Coach Coughlin’s doghouse. Wilson should be acquired by all Bradshaw owners at a minimum.
Kyle Rudolph (TE | Minnesota Vikings 52% in Y!) – Rudolph looks to have suffered a concussion in the fourth quarter. He did not return to the Vikings loss to the Bears.
Fantasy Spin: Rudolph has been a fantasy stud with Percy Harvin on the bench. Christian Ponder likes to target him around the goal line and owners have been rewarded with some solid performances throughout the year. The Vikings do not have a comparable TE on the roster so if Rudolph is out, owners will need to look elsewhere.
LaRod Stephens Howling (RB | Arizona Cardinals 46% in Y!) – Stephens-Howling did not receive a touch or target outside of one first quarter carry. Rotoworld speculated that he aggravated his rib injury.
Fantasy Spin: Beanie Wells returned this week and scored two TDs. Stephens-Howling is nothing more than a backup and offers little in fantasy terms while Wells is healthy.
Jalen Parmele (RB | Jacksonville Jaguars 44% in Y!) – Parmele’s starting debut was marred by his departure twice for leg injuries. His second injury left him out of the game.
Fantasy Spin: Parmele was in line for a big day due to a tasty matchup with the Titans. However, that never materialized and it is possible that Rashad Jennings has put himself back into the backfield conversation. Maurice Jones-Drew is still too far away to be a factor for Jacksonville.
Kendall Hunter (RB | San Francisco 49ers 23% in Y!) – Hunter had to be carted to the locker room after suffering a potentially serious ankle injury in the second half. He did not return to the game, and may be considering hiring an injury lawyer because of it.
Fantasy Spin: Hunter is the clear handcuff to Frank Gore and has provided some value in deep leagues this season. Should he miss time, I assume the 49ers would lean a bit more heavily on Gore and give Brandon Jacobs and Antony Dixon a couple of token carries each week.
Julian Edelman (WR | New England Patriots 17% owned in Y!) – Edelman suffered a head injury (likely a concussion) in the second half of the Jets game after a vicious hit from LaRon Landry. Edelman did not return.
Fantasy Spin: Edelman was looked to be a beneficiary of Rob Gronkowski’s injury, but now the Patriots will go looking deeper for targets in the passing game. Wes Welker and Brandon Lloyd should see an uptick in targets along with the healthy Aaron Hernandez. The only other WR on the active roster is Matthew Slater, a fifth year pro with one reception in his career. Daniel Fells, a journeyman TE, played extensively in Gronk’s absence and could be a deep PPR-league option.
Brandon Weeden (QB | Cleveland Browns 12% in Y!) – Weeden suffered a concussion late in the fourth quarter of the Browns victory over the Steelers. He did not return.
Fantasy Spin: The Browns were publically skewered for their irresponsible handling of Colt McCoy’s concussion last season so they will likely err on the side of caution. Ironically, McCoy is now Weeden’s backup and would pick up the start in Weeden’s absence. McCoy is best left on the waiver wire.
Dexter McCluster (WR/RB | Kansas City Chiefs 11% in Y!) – McCluster injured his head in the Chiefs loss this Sunday to the Broncos. He did not return.
Fantasy Spin: It is unclear if he suffered a concussion or some other injury. McCluster has been a useful fill-in for deep leagues (especially in PPR ones) as he qualifies at both RB and WR. There is not clear cut replacement on the Chiefs roster. I believe Peyton Hillis and Shaun Draughn would see additional touches.
Devin Hester (WR/KR | Chicago Bears 8% in Y!) – Hester suffered a concussion in the Bears victory over the Vikings. He did not return to the game.
Fantasy Spin: Hester has been a dud out save for return yardage leagues. Eric Weems would take over for Hester on kickoff returns, but offers little of the explosiveness that Hester possesses.
Tim Tebow (QB | New York Jets 4% in Y!) – Tebow revealed he fractured two ribs a couple of weeks ago and was unable to play in the loss to the Patriots.
Fantasy Spin: Tebow has been a fantasy dud this season with little impact on offense. Jets fans have been calling for him to replace Mark Sanchez, but it doesn’t seem that mandate has swayed coach Rex Ryan. Leave Tebow in the waiver wire bin for someone else to speculate on.
Ed Dickson (TE | Baltimore Ravens 3% in Y!) – Dickson injured his knee in today’s overimte win agains the San Diego Chargers. He did not return.
Fantasy Spin: Dickson has been largely irrelevant this year, but an injury that keeps Dickson out would be a boon for fellow Baltimore TE Dennis Pitta. Pitta would have a chance to be a low end TE1 on a regular basis.
Chris Rainey (RB | Pittsburgh Steelers 2% in Y!) – Rainey injured his leg during the game, but did not seem to miss significant time. Rainey was also suffering from a rib injury heading into the matchup.
Fantasy Spin: Rainey may be a viable option for fantasy owners if Mike Tomlin decides to play the RB (out of the four available) who didn’t fumble in the Steelers loss to the Browns. Rainey did score a TD this week, but is too small to be a full time runner.
Kyle Williams (WR | San Francisco 49ers 1% in Y!) – Williams injured his knee on the same play that Kendall Hunter injured his ankle. He did not return to the game.
Fantasy Spin: Williams is the fourth WR on the 49ers depth chart and as such has offered little this year for fantasy owners. His absence could get rookie A.J. Jenkins into the lineup. He has tremendous upside, but is raw and can’t be expected to be a consistent performer.
Clyde Gates (WR | New York Jets 0% in Y!) – Gates suffered a concussion late in the second quarter and did not return to the game.
Fantasy Spin: Gates is fourth in the pecking order of Jets WRs and that’s not a great place to be. Gates had one big game in Week 8 of this season, but is waiver wire fodder in all leagues.
Fantasy Spin: This has the potential to be a huge blow to fantasy owners. If Forte has a significant injury, he could miss the rest of the season. If Forte is out, Michael Bush (who had two TDs this week) would be the full-time RB and would need to be owned in all leagues.
Miles Austin (WR | Dallas Cowboys 98% in Y!) – Austin injured his hip flexor in the first of the Thanksgiving matchup with Washington. He did not return.
Fantasy Spin: These types of injuries can be difficult to recover from so look for MRI results and reports this week see the severity of the injury. It is unclear who would replace Austin as Kevin Ogletree was losing snaps earlier in the season and missed this game with a concussion. Dwayne Harris and Cole Beasley picked up the slack. Even though Beasley had more receptions last week, I like Harris a bit more to pick up the slack if Austin is out for an extended period of time. He’d like only be a flex option, though could be more if DeMarco Murray stays out.
Andre Brown (RB | New York Giants 64% in Y!) – Brown broke his fibula in the Sunday night win over the Packers. He is likely out for the season.
Fantasy Spin: Brown had grown into a larger role with the Giants offense due to Ahmad Bradshaw’s constant nagging foot injuries and his ability to secure the football. Now, the Giants will have to turn to exciting rookie David Wilson who has spent most of the season in Coach Coughlin’s doghouse. Wilson should be acquired by all Bradshaw owners at a minimum.
Kyle Rudolph (TE | Minnesota Vikings 52% in Y!) – Rudolph looks to have suffered a concussion in the fourth quarter. He did not return to the Vikings loss to the Bears.
Fantasy Spin: Rudolph has been a fantasy stud with Percy Harvin on the bench. Christian Ponder likes to target him around the goal line and owners have been rewarded with some solid performances throughout the year. The Vikings do not have a comparable TE on the roster so if Rudolph is out, owners will need to look elsewhere.
LaRod Stephens Howling (RB | Arizona Cardinals 46% in Y!) – Stephens-Howling did not receive a touch or target outside of one first quarter carry. Rotoworld speculated that he aggravated his rib injury.
Fantasy Spin: Beanie Wells returned this week and scored two TDs. Stephens-Howling is nothing more than a backup and offers little in fantasy terms while Wells is healthy.
Jalen Parmele (RB | Jacksonville Jaguars 44% in Y!) – Parmele’s starting debut was marred by his departure twice for leg injuries. His second injury left him out of the game.
Fantasy Spin: Parmele was in line for a big day due to a tasty matchup with the Titans. However, that never materialized and it is possible that Rashad Jennings has put himself back into the backfield conversation. Maurice Jones-Drew is still too far away to be a factor for Jacksonville.
Kendall Hunter (RB | San Francisco 49ers 23% in Y!) – Hunter had to be carted to the locker room after suffering a potentially serious ankle injury in the second half. He did not return to the game, and may be considering hiring an injury lawyer because of it.
Fantasy Spin: Hunter is the clear handcuff to Frank Gore and has provided some value in deep leagues this season. Should he miss time, I assume the 49ers would lean a bit more heavily on Gore and give Brandon Jacobs and Antony Dixon a couple of token carries each week.
Julian Edelman (WR | New England Patriots 17% owned in Y!) – Edelman suffered a head injury (likely a concussion) in the second half of the Jets game after a vicious hit from LaRon Landry. Edelman did not return.
Fantasy Spin: Edelman was looked to be a beneficiary of Rob Gronkowski’s injury, but now the Patriots will go looking deeper for targets in the passing game. Wes Welker and Brandon Lloyd should see an uptick in targets along with the healthy Aaron Hernandez. The only other WR on the active roster is Matthew Slater, a fifth year pro with one reception in his career. Daniel Fells, a journeyman TE, played extensively in Gronk’s absence and could be a deep PPR-league option.
Brandon Weeden (QB | Cleveland Browns 12% in Y!) – Weeden suffered a concussion late in the fourth quarter of the Browns victory over the Steelers. He did not return.
Fantasy Spin: The Browns were publically skewered for their irresponsible handling of Colt McCoy’s concussion last season so they will likely err on the side of caution. Ironically, McCoy is now Weeden’s backup and would pick up the start in Weeden’s absence. McCoy is best left on the waiver wire.
Dexter McCluster (WR/RB | Kansas City Chiefs 11% in Y!) – McCluster injured his head in the Chiefs loss this Sunday to the Broncos. He did not return.
Fantasy Spin: It is unclear if he suffered a concussion or some other injury. McCluster has been a useful fill-in for deep leagues (especially in PPR ones) as he qualifies at both RB and WR. There is not clear cut replacement on the Chiefs roster. I believe Peyton Hillis and Shaun Draughn would see additional touches.
Devin Hester (WR/KR | Chicago Bears 8% in Y!) – Hester suffered a concussion in the Bears victory over the Vikings. He did not return to the game.
Fantasy Spin: Hester has been a dud out save for return yardage leagues. Eric Weems would take over for Hester on kickoff returns, but offers little of the explosiveness that Hester possesses.
Tim Tebow (QB | New York Jets 4% in Y!) – Tebow revealed he fractured two ribs a couple of weeks ago and was unable to play in the loss to the Patriots.
Fantasy Spin: Tebow has been a fantasy dud this season with little impact on offense. Jets fans have been calling for him to replace Mark Sanchez, but it doesn’t seem that mandate has swayed coach Rex Ryan. Leave Tebow in the waiver wire bin for someone else to speculate on.
Ed Dickson (TE | Baltimore Ravens 3% in Y!) – Dickson injured his knee in today’s overimte win agains the San Diego Chargers. He did not return.
Fantasy Spin: Dickson has been largely irrelevant this year, but an injury that keeps Dickson out would be a boon for fellow Baltimore TE Dennis Pitta. Pitta would have a chance to be a low end TE1 on a regular basis.
Chris Rainey (RB | Pittsburgh Steelers 2% in Y!) – Rainey injured his leg during the game, but did not seem to miss significant time. Rainey was also suffering from a rib injury heading into the matchup.
Fantasy Spin: Rainey may be a viable option for fantasy owners if Mike Tomlin decides to play the RB (out of the four available) who didn’t fumble in the Steelers loss to the Browns. Rainey did score a TD this week, but is too small to be a full time runner.
Kyle Williams (WR | San Francisco 49ers 1% in Y!) – Williams injured his knee on the same play that Kendall Hunter injured his ankle. He did not return to the game.
Fantasy Spin: Williams is the fourth WR on the 49ers depth chart and as such has offered little this year for fantasy owners. His absence could get rookie A.J. Jenkins into the lineup. He has tremendous upside, but is raw and can’t be expected to be a consistent performer.
Clyde Gates (WR | New York Jets 0% in Y!) – Gates suffered a concussion late in the second quarter and did not return to the game.
Fantasy Spin: Gates is fourth in the pecking order of Jets WRs and that’s not a great place to be. Gates had one big game in Week 8 of this season, but is waiver wire fodder in all leagues.
Written by Chris Garosi for FantasyFix.com. You can follow Chris on Twitter @chrisgarosi. You can find more of his work at District Sports Page.
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