We do it every Friday: run down all of the fantasy-relevant injuries that you need to be paying attention to as Sunday approaches. So let’s jump right in with this week’s injury updates.
Darren McFadden is still dealing with an injured hamstring and it now appears that he will not be able to play. Michael Bush will step in and assume the carries against San Diego.
In positive Raider injury news, Louis Murphy is not on the injury report and should be ready for a strong game. His favorite QB, Bruce Gradkowski, is on the injury report but also expected to play.
Eagles RB LeSean McCoy has not been practicing this week because of a rib injury. He appears to be a game time decision, which sucks because the Eagles play Sunday night. That means you need to either make your decision to sit McCoy early in the day or Sunday, or have Mike Bell or someone from the Monday night game to deploy in case McCoy is a late scratch.
In Cleveland, running back revelation Peyton Hillis has a thigh issue that has limited him in practice. As of right now, all signs point to him playing, but monitor this situation. Jerome Harrison would be a solid start candidate if Hillis can’t play.
At QB for the Browns, Jake Delhomme is slowly working his way back into the lineup and will start over Seneca Wallace if he’s feeling good enough. Keep tabs on this if your team is in such dire straits that you have to start Cleveland’s QB. (Actually, if that’s the case, just quit. You’re done.)
Ahmad Bradshaw, who is quietly compiling nice numbers this year, missed practice on Thursday. He is dealing with an ankle issue. Check to see if he practices today. Houston is pretty strong against the run, but Bradshaw should still have scoring opportunities if he plays.
For the Texans, both Andre Johnson and Jacoby Jones are game-time decisions. Not much more I can say other than that. At least Johnson practiced on a limited basis Thursday. Jones missed it completely. (Moral of the story: get Kevin Walter ready to start.)
In New Orleans, it looks like half their damn team is on the injury report. Pierre Thomas is the main player fantasy owners are worried about, and he has missed practice again this week. It looks like he’ll miss Sunday’s plum matchup versus Arizona. Ladell Betts and Chris Ivory are the two backs you want, and both have value, as we saw last week when both Ryan Mathews and Mike Tolbert scored against the Cardinals. Jeremy Shockey missed practice Thursday with a knee issue. He’s expected to play, and it’s a great matchup if he does.
Maurice Jones-Drew is on the injury report with an ankle. He also participated fully in Thursday’s practice and is a horse; he’s fine.
Knowshon Moreno did not practice Thursday because of his hamstring issue. Baltimore has been giving up rushing yards, so he’s a decent play if he’s active Sunday, but I’m not holding my breath. Have an alternative ready.
Ray Rice has been practicing all week and will be ready to bust loose on Sunday.
Austin Collie did not practice on Thursday because of the football injury that’s been ailing him. He played last week with the injury, so I assume he’ll do the same this week and have a good week. Pierre Garcon is also back practicing fully, so keep an eye on him and see how many targets he gets in his first week back.
Clinton Portis is out for 4-6 weeks with a groin injury. Get Ryan Torain ready to go.
Steven Jackson has been limited in practice because of a lingering groin issue, but he played pretty well with it last week. Detroit offers a nice matchup so have Jackson in your lineups.
Matthew Stafford remains out for at least one more week.
Jahvid Best is dealing with a toe injury that has forced him to be limited in practice this week. Still, he is expected to play on Sunday.
Jay Cutler is dealing with the effects of a concussion suffered last Sunday. He won’t play this weekend. Todd Collins will start in his place.
Steve Smith is still in a walking boot and will most likely miss this weekend’s game against the Bears. He should return after the Panthers’ Week 6 bye. Smith’s teammate DeAngelo Williams missed practice earlier this week because of an illness. He’ll be fine for Sunday.
Jordan Shipley is still dealing with a concussion and did not practice Thursday.
Steve Breaston remains out for the Cardinals. Early Doucet also is not practicing.
Justin Gage has a hamstring injury that is forcing him to miss practice. He’s supposed to play, but it looks like a game time decision.
Dez Bryant appears fully healed from his rib injury and should play Sunday against Tennessee.
Visanthe Shiancoe is limited in practice. Check his status Sunday.
Make sure to check the official NFL injury report to see how does and does not practice today and what their status is for Sunday.