2012 Fantasy Football, Week 17 Injury Report: Updates on Foster, Richardson & Forte
Arian Foster
It’s the final week of the season. Most leagues are done with their championship game and are in offseason mode. However, for those still playing, here is the final update of the season. I will focus on the new injuries from the past week.
The following players were placed on I.R. by their teams this week or have little to no chance of playing this week – Maurice Jones-Drew, Jordy Nelson, Rob Gronkoswki, and Rashad Jennings. Most of these players have shown up in one or more of my injury reports over the last few weeks, and some may want to consider speaking with a workers’ compensation lawyer about what has happened.
Arian Foster (RB | Houston Texans 100% in Y!) – Foster left Week 16’s loss with what was initially called an illness. The illness turned out to be an irregular heartbeat. Foster has been cleared to return to practice after tests.
Fantasy Spin: Certainly a scary moment for Foster, but it looks like he is good to go for Week 17 against the Colts. Make sure that you own Ben Tate as insurance for Foster.
Trent Richardson (RB | Cleveland Browns 99% in Y!) – Richardson suffered yet another injury in Week 16 – this one to his ankle. Full testing has not come back yet on the ankle, but Richardson stated that his ankle isn’t broken.
Fantasy Spin: If you are counting on Richardson for Week 17, look elsewhere. Richardson is the rock of the Browns franchise and they are better served getting him fully healthy for next season than trotting him out for a meaningless final game. Look for Montario Hardesty to take over early down work with Chris Ogbonnaya working on third downs.
Matt Forte (RB | Chicago Bears 99% in Y!) – Forte re-injured his ankle in Week 16’s win over the Cardinals.
Fantasy Spin: Khalil Bell had one more carry than Forte on Sunday, but ran for 56 fewer yards. Forte says he’ll play in Week 17, but I imagine he’ll be less than 100%. Bell makes a desperation flex play in deep leagues should Forte miss the match.
Randall Cobb (WR| Green Bay Packers 95% in Y!) – Cobb injured his ankle in Week 16’s blowout of the Titans. He left the game and did not return. His status for Week 17 is not clear at this time.
Fantasy Spin: Cobb has been a find for owners this year being the perhaps the most valuable Packers’ WR this season. Should he miss time, it’s unclear where the Packers will go. Jordy Nelson could return, but I’m not sure the Packers would risk Nelson. James Jones would see more targets along with Greg Jennings and we could see Donald Driver make an appearance.
Vernon Davis (TE | San Francisco 49ers 93% in Y!) – Davis suffered a minor concussion according to coach Jim Harbaugh. He is questionable to suit up for Week 17.
Fantasy Spin: Davis will have to work through the NFL’s concussion protocol and is no guarantee to make it through in time for Sunday’s game. Delanie Walker will fill in for Davis and could be worth a look in PPR leagues.
Heath Miller (TE | Pittsburgh Steelers 92% in Y!) – Miller suffered a torn ACL (and damage to other ligaments) in the Steelers loss to the Bengals.
Fantasy Spin: Miller’s career season ends a game early and he’ll need to work hard to be ready for next season. The 30 year old could be done as a fantasy-relevant TE.
Anquan Boldin – (WR | Baltimore Ravens 84% in Y!) – Boldin suffered what Coach John Harbaugh is calling a ‘bruised’ shoulder in the Ravens win in Week 16.
Fantasy Spin: Boldin’s injury certainly didn’t look like just a bruise when it happened. That said, Boldin has a reputation for playing through injuries. If he doesn’t make the Week 17 start, look for Jacoby Jones to pick up additional playing time.
Cecil Shorts (WR | Jacksonville Jaguars 76% in Y!) – Shorts suffered a concussion after a hit in the fourth quarter of Week 16 and was placed on injured reserve ending his season.
Fantasy Spin: Shorts has been quite a pleasant surprise for the Jags this year. Shorts suffered two concussions in the past three weeks so that is a concern for fantasy players (and Shorts) for next season.
Brandon Pettigrew (TE | Detroit Lions 68% in Y!) – Pettigrew’s ankle is still troubling him and he missed Week 16.
Fantasy Spin: Pettigrew will likely finish out the season on the sidelines and be replaced by Tony Scheffler in the lineup. Look to another team for help at TE should you need it.
Carson Palmer (QB | Oakland Raiders 60% in Y!) – Palmer suffered broken ribs and a bruised lung in Week 16. He is done for the season.
Fantasy Spin: Palmer had been fantasy gold in the middle of the season as he had to throw the ball all over the yard. Now, the Raiders will look to Matt Leinart and Terrelle Pryor to man the QB position. It looks like Pryor will be the Tim Tebow to Matt Leinart’s Mark Sanchez. Neither is worthy of rostering.
Jonathan Stewart (RB | Carolina Panthers 57% in Y!) – Stewart was listed as questionable this week, but failed to suit up for the Panthers.
Fantasy Spin: Stewart will likely sit Week 17 as there is no reason for the Panthers to put Stewart at risk of re-injury.
Fantasy Spin: Weeden certainly looked injured and I’d be surprised to see him in Week 17. If he doesn’t play, Colt McCoy (who came on in relief) would take Weeden’s spot in the lineup, but should likely stay far away from yours.
Scott Chandler (TE | Buffalo Bills 35% in Y!) – Chandler suffered a torn ACL in Week 16. He’ll fight to get healthy for next season.
Fantasy Spin: Chandler has shown flashes this season, but this injury likely relegates Chandler to the recycling bin of fantasy relevance.
Kendall Wright (WR | Tennesse Titans 33% in Y!) – Wright missed Week 16’s debacle against the Packers with a rib injury.
Fantasy Spin: Wright has been solid this season in spite of poor QB play. He should be back this week and looks like an intriguing dynasty leagues next season.
Davone Bess (WR | Miami Dolphins 32% in Y!) – Bess missed a second straight game with a back injury. He hasn’t practiced during that time period.
Fantasy Spin: With Week 17 upon us, Bess will likely have to practice at some point to be able to play this week. It’s not clear he will be able to do so. Armon Binns filled in for Bess and would do so again this week.
Alex Green (RB | Green Bay Packers 27% in Y!) – Green missed Week 16 with a concussion. He looks ready to return in Week 17.
Fantasy Spin: The Packers’ backfield got just a bit more crowded with Ryan Grant showing up again. Green will likely come back to a timeshare again, but this time with Grant instead of James Starks.
Mario Manningham (WR | San Francisco 49ers 20% in Y!) – Manningham tore his ACL (and potentially other ligaments) in the Niners loss to Seattle on Sunday night.
Fantasy Spin: Manningham is done for the season and the start of next year is in doubt. The 49ers will turn to Randy Moss and rookie A.J. Jenkins to replace Manningham.
Mike Nugent (K | Cincinnati Bengals 14% in Y!) – Nugent missed yet another game as the Bengals defeated the Steelers.
Fantasy Spin: Josh Brown has replaced Nugent and it is unclear if he will return during the regular season. Look elsewhere for kicking help.
James Starks (RB | Green Bay Packers 13% in Y!) – Starks missed Week 16 with a knee injury.
Fantasy Spin: Starks has been missing, but the Packers haven’t missed him. I could see the Pack putting Starks on I.R. especially after Ryan Grant’s performance this past week.
Brandon Weeden (QB | Cleveland Browns 13% in Y!) – Weeden injured his shoulder in Week 16 and did not return. His status for this week is unclear.
Chris Ivory (RB | New Orleans Saints 10% in Y!) – Ivory missed another game with a hamstring injury.
Fantasy Spin: Even if Ivory is healthy, it’s not clear where his playing time would come from. Cut ties with him in all leagues. He’s not worthy of a dynasty spot.
Nick Foles (QB | Philadelphia Eagles 9% in Y!) – Foles broke his hand in the Eagles loss to Washington. He is out for the season.
Fantasy Spin: Just when you thought you wouldn’t see Michael Vick in an Eagles uniform again, it looks like he will suit up for a final game. Vick is a sneaky play this week against a Giants defense that looks disinterested.
Tony Moeaki (TE | Kansas City Chiefs 3% in Y!) – Moeaki missed Week 16 with a concussion. His status for Week 17 depends on passing his concussion tests.
Fantasy Spin: Moeaki might be good. We’ll probably never know as he’s hampered by poor QB play. The Chiefs offense is a tire fire and Jamaal Charles is the only player worth owning. There will be no TE help here.
Tom Crabtree (TE | Green Bay Packers 1% in Y!) – Crabtree missed Week 16 for the Packers with a hamstring injury.
Fantasy Spin: Crabtree shows up once or twice a season. However, the Packers have Jermichael Finley and the dynasty prospect D.J. Williams at TE. Crabtree won’t be missed in the fantasy realm.
Jordan Cameron (TE | Cleveland Browns 0% in Y!) – Cameron suffered a concussion in Week 16.
Fantasy Spin: Cameron has a ton of upside and athleticism, but hasn’t been able to translate that into production. He is done for this season, but should be on your radar for next.
Mohamed Massaquoi (WR | Cleveland Browns 0% in Y!) – Massaquoi suffered a knee injury during practice this week and subsequently missed the Browns Week 16 matchup. He was placed on injured reserve this week.
Fantasy Spin: Massaquoi couldn’t stay healthy this season and looks to have been passed on the depth chart by Josh Gordon and Greg Little. Even Travis Benjamin has shown flashes. Massaquoi may be looking for a new team next year as he heads to free agency.
Written by Chris Garosi for TheFantasyFix.com. You can follow Chris on Twitter @chrisgarosi. You can find more of his work at District Sports Page.
The following players were placed on I.R. by their teams this week or have little to no chance of playing this week – Maurice Jones-Drew, Jordy Nelson, Rob Gronkoswki, and Rashad Jennings. Most of these players have shown up in one or more of my injury reports over the last few weeks, and some may want to consider speaking with a workers’ compensation lawyer about what has happened.
Arian Foster (RB | Houston Texans 100% in Y!) – Foster left Week 16’s loss with what was initially called an illness. The illness turned out to be an irregular heartbeat. Foster has been cleared to return to practice after tests.
Fantasy Spin: Certainly a scary moment for Foster, but it looks like he is good to go for Week 17 against the Colts. Make sure that you own Ben Tate as insurance for Foster.
Trent Richardson (RB | Cleveland Browns 99% in Y!) – Richardson suffered yet another injury in Week 16 – this one to his ankle. Full testing has not come back yet on the ankle, but Richardson stated that his ankle isn’t broken.
Fantasy Spin: If you are counting on Richardson for Week 17, look elsewhere. Richardson is the rock of the Browns franchise and they are better served getting him fully healthy for next season than trotting him out for a meaningless final game. Look for Montario Hardesty to take over early down work with Chris Ogbonnaya working on third downs.
Matt Forte (RB | Chicago Bears 99% in Y!) – Forte re-injured his ankle in Week 16’s win over the Cardinals.
Fantasy Spin: Khalil Bell had one more carry than Forte on Sunday, but ran for 56 fewer yards. Forte says he’ll play in Week 17, but I imagine he’ll be less than 100%. Bell makes a desperation flex play in deep leagues should Forte miss the match.
Randall Cobb (WR| Green Bay Packers 95% in Y!) – Cobb injured his ankle in Week 16’s blowout of the Titans. He left the game and did not return. His status for Week 17 is not clear at this time.
Fantasy Spin: Cobb has been a find for owners this year being the perhaps the most valuable Packers’ WR this season. Should he miss time, it’s unclear where the Packers will go. Jordy Nelson could return, but I’m not sure the Packers would risk Nelson. James Jones would see more targets along with Greg Jennings and we could see Donald Driver make an appearance.
Vernon Davis (TE | San Francisco 49ers 93% in Y!) – Davis suffered a minor concussion according to coach Jim Harbaugh. He is questionable to suit up for Week 17.
Fantasy Spin: Davis will have to work through the NFL’s concussion protocol and is no guarantee to make it through in time for Sunday’s game. Delanie Walker will fill in for Davis and could be worth a look in PPR leagues.
Heath Miller (TE | Pittsburgh Steelers 92% in Y!) – Miller suffered a torn ACL (and damage to other ligaments) in the Steelers loss to the Bengals.
Fantasy Spin: Miller’s career season ends a game early and he’ll need to work hard to be ready for next season. The 30 year old could be done as a fantasy-relevant TE.
Anquan Boldin – (WR | Baltimore Ravens 84% in Y!) – Boldin suffered what Coach John Harbaugh is calling a ‘bruised’ shoulder in the Ravens win in Week 16.
Fantasy Spin: Boldin’s injury certainly didn’t look like just a bruise when it happened. That said, Boldin has a reputation for playing through injuries. If he doesn’t make the Week 17 start, look for Jacoby Jones to pick up additional playing time.
Cecil Shorts (WR | Jacksonville Jaguars 76% in Y!) – Shorts suffered a concussion after a hit in the fourth quarter of Week 16 and was placed on injured reserve ending his season.
Fantasy Spin: Shorts has been quite a pleasant surprise for the Jags this year. Shorts suffered two concussions in the past three weeks so that is a concern for fantasy players (and Shorts) for next season.
Brandon Pettigrew (TE | Detroit Lions 68% in Y!) – Pettigrew’s ankle is still troubling him and he missed Week 16.
Fantasy Spin: Pettigrew will likely finish out the season on the sidelines and be replaced by Tony Scheffler in the lineup. Look to another team for help at TE should you need it.
Carson Palmer (QB | Oakland Raiders 60% in Y!) – Palmer suffered broken ribs and a bruised lung in Week 16. He is done for the season.
Fantasy Spin: Palmer had been fantasy gold in the middle of the season as he had to throw the ball all over the yard. Now, the Raiders will look to Matt Leinart and Terrelle Pryor to man the QB position. It looks like Pryor will be the Tim Tebow to Matt Leinart’s Mark Sanchez. Neither is worthy of rostering.
Jonathan Stewart (RB | Carolina Panthers 57% in Y!) – Stewart was listed as questionable this week, but failed to suit up for the Panthers.
Fantasy Spin: Stewart will likely sit Week 17 as there is no reason for the Panthers to put Stewart at risk of re-injury.
Fantasy Spin: Weeden certainly looked injured and I’d be surprised to see him in Week 17. If he doesn’t play, Colt McCoy (who came on in relief) would take Weeden’s spot in the lineup, but should likely stay far away from yours.
Scott Chandler (TE | Buffalo Bills 35% in Y!) – Chandler suffered a torn ACL in Week 16. He’ll fight to get healthy for next season.
Fantasy Spin: Chandler has shown flashes this season, but this injury likely relegates Chandler to the recycling bin of fantasy relevance.
Kendall Wright (WR | Tennesse Titans 33% in Y!) – Wright missed Week 16’s debacle against the Packers with a rib injury.
Fantasy Spin: Wright has been solid this season in spite of poor QB play. He should be back this week and looks like an intriguing dynasty leagues next season.
Davone Bess (WR | Miami Dolphins 32% in Y!) – Bess missed a second straight game with a back injury. He hasn’t practiced during that time period.
Fantasy Spin: With Week 17 upon us, Bess will likely have to practice at some point to be able to play this week. It’s not clear he will be able to do so. Armon Binns filled in for Bess and would do so again this week.
Alex Green (RB | Green Bay Packers 27% in Y!) – Green missed Week 16 with a concussion. He looks ready to return in Week 17.
Fantasy Spin: The Packers’ backfield got just a bit more crowded with Ryan Grant showing up again. Green will likely come back to a timeshare again, but this time with Grant instead of James Starks.
Mario Manningham (WR | San Francisco 49ers 20% in Y!) – Manningham tore his ACL (and potentially other ligaments) in the Niners loss to Seattle on Sunday night.
Fantasy Spin: Manningham is done for the season and the start of next year is in doubt. The 49ers will turn to Randy Moss and rookie A.J. Jenkins to replace Manningham.
Mike Nugent (K | Cincinnati Bengals 14% in Y!) – Nugent missed yet another game as the Bengals defeated the Steelers.
Fantasy Spin: Josh Brown has replaced Nugent and it is unclear if he will return during the regular season. Look elsewhere for kicking help.
James Starks (RB | Green Bay Packers 13% in Y!) – Starks missed Week 16 with a knee injury.
Fantasy Spin: Starks has been missing, but the Packers haven’t missed him. I could see the Pack putting Starks on I.R. especially after Ryan Grant’s performance this past week.
Brandon Weeden (QB | Cleveland Browns 13% in Y!) – Weeden injured his shoulder in Week 16 and did not return. His status for this week is unclear.
Chris Ivory (RB | New Orleans Saints 10% in Y!) – Ivory missed another game with a hamstring injury.
Fantasy Spin: Even if Ivory is healthy, it’s not clear where his playing time would come from. Cut ties with him in all leagues. He’s not worthy of a dynasty spot.
Nick Foles (QB | Philadelphia Eagles 9% in Y!) – Foles broke his hand in the Eagles loss to Washington. He is out for the season.
Fantasy Spin: Just when you thought you wouldn’t see Michael Vick in an Eagles uniform again, it looks like he will suit up for a final game. Vick is a sneaky play this week against a Giants defense that looks disinterested.
Tony Moeaki (TE | Kansas City Chiefs 3% in Y!) – Moeaki missed Week 16 with a concussion. His status for Week 17 depends on passing his concussion tests.
Fantasy Spin: Moeaki might be good. We’ll probably never know as he’s hampered by poor QB play. The Chiefs offense is a tire fire and Jamaal Charles is the only player worth owning. There will be no TE help here.
Tom Crabtree (TE | Green Bay Packers 1% in Y!) – Crabtree missed Week 16 for the Packers with a hamstring injury.
Fantasy Spin: Crabtree shows up once or twice a season. However, the Packers have Jermichael Finley and the dynasty prospect D.J. Williams at TE. Crabtree won’t be missed in the fantasy realm.
Jordan Cameron (TE | Cleveland Browns 0% in Y!) – Cameron suffered a concussion in Week 16.
Fantasy Spin: Cameron has a ton of upside and athleticism, but hasn’t been able to translate that into production. He is done for this season, but should be on your radar for next.
Mohamed Massaquoi (WR | Cleveland Browns 0% in Y!) – Massaquoi suffered a knee injury during practice this week and subsequently missed the Browns Week 16 matchup. He was placed on injured reserve this week.
Fantasy Spin: Massaquoi couldn’t stay healthy this season and looks to have been passed on the depth chart by Josh Gordon and Greg Little. Even Travis Benjamin has shown flashes. Massaquoi may be looking for a new team next year as he heads to free agency.
Written by Chris Garosi for TheFantasyFix.com. You can follow Chris on Twitter @chrisgarosi. You can find more of his work at District Sports Page.
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