Normally I do the Friday Injury Update to get you up to speed on the latest fantasy-relevant injury information from around the league. With three games coming on Thursday this week, Thanksgiving Day, I feel the need to push the normal post date up for this article.
So this morning – before or after you’ve perused the Week 12 start/sit picks, the Week 12 player rankings, the waiver wire sleeper picks, and helped me set my Week 12 roster in the P&G-sponsored Blogger Fantasy Football League* – let’s run down all of the injury news for the six teams playing on Thanksgiving Day.
I’ll also point out some other notable injuries for Sunday and Monday that you’ll need to know as you make your lineup decisions before eating yourself into a food coma tomorrow.
New England-Detroit Injury Updates for Thanksgiving Day
Tom Brady didn’t practice on Tuesday, with reports indicating that he’s still dealing with a foot issue. This is nothing to worry about. He’s taken a day off from practice for three straight weeks and will be ready to light up Detroit’s secondary on Turkey Day.
Fred Taylor is still limited in practice. BenJarvus Green-Ellis owners (like me) rejoice! I don’t think even the fickle Bill Belichick would rotate in a hindered running back for a guy running as well as The Lawfirm is right now.
Matthew Stafford is still out so Shaun Hill gets the not again. But you probably knew that.
Jahvid Best is back practicing, which is good news. However, reports are indicating that Maurice Morris (no relation to me, in case you were wondering…my athletic prowess confuses some) will probably get the start. I’m not really excited about either.
New Orleans-Dallas Injury Updates for Thanksgiving Day
Reggie Bush is expected back (though there are no guarantees), but the running back quagmire continues in New Orleans. Pierre Thomas is not practicing and will not play and neither will Ladell Betts. Even Chris Ivory is banged up, but he did practice in full on Tuesday and is expected to be the lead back. He played well last week so he’s worth a look and is the guy to play, not Bush, from the Saints.
Jeremy Shockey has been limited in practice this week and is questionable to play in Week 12. This is rather annoying because Jimmy Graham is an up-and-coming TE option for the Saints, but his value is tied to whether Shockey is out there. Tight ends have had big days against Dallas, so this is worth monitoring. Graham, I think, is the guy you want, but he won’t have full value if Shockey is out there running around too.
Dallas is pretty healthy. The only skill position player hurt is Fantasy Kryptonite (my new nickname for Felix Jones), who is questionable for Thursday. If I were you, I’d just stick him on your bench and forget about it. Don’t let Fantasy Kryptonite ruin your Thanksgiving with a no-show performance.
Cincinnati-New York Injury Updates for Thanksgiving Day
The only injury of note in Cincy is QB Carson Palmer. He’s been limping around in a boot and not practicing this week, but he is expected to play. Whatever. I don’t really give a flying F and neither should you. Not against the Jets and not with the Bengals having little to play for but pride these days.
Jerricho Cotchery has not been practicing this week and is questionable for Thursday night.
Mark Sanchez is also on the injury report, but he’s playing. And he’s become a decent spot-start option now that he and Santonio Holmes are clicking.
Other Notable Injury Updates for Thanksgiving Week
Now let’s run down some other important injury information you’ll need to know as you lock in roster spots tomorrow. This is a somewhat difficult endeavor because haven’t had to issue injury reports yet, and we rarely get any good injury info until Thursday/Friday for Sunday/Monday games. I’ll try my best anyway.
Here is what Norv Turner said recently about Antonio Gates playing in Week 12 against Indy: “I am hopeful that he can play this week. There is a concern that it is going to take longer than that. I think he is making progress.” What does this tell you? Nothing. I say Gates is good enough that I wouldn’t play any TE who has a game Thursday. Leave the roster spot open and try to find a replacement with a Sunday game as insurance. You have to. It’s Antonio f’ing Gates.
In other Chargers injury news, Malcom Floyd tweaked his hammy in Week 11, but he’s still expected out there in Week 12.
Both Ryan Torain and Clinton Portis are expected to miss this week’s game against Minnesota, meaning mighty Keiland Williams gets the start. In PPR leagues, he’s a decent option.
Colt McCoy has an ankle sprain. His coach is Eric Mangini so good luck finding out before kickoff who the starting QB will be in Cleveland. Knock Ben Watson and the Cleveland D down a notch if McCoy isn’t in there and the INT-machine Jake Delhomme ends up starting.
Jonathan Stewart is questionable to return in Week 12. I expect that even if he’s back, Mike Goodson will remain the starter.
Austin Collie will not play in Week 12. Grab Blair White. Quickly.
Vernon Davis tweaked his ankle on Sunday and doesn’t play until Monday night…which seems like an eternity from now. I expect him to play, but his numbers have been all over the board this year. Proceed with caution.
If there any other specific injuries you want info about, post a comment. I’ll go fish out the info. Happy Thanksgiving everyone! See you in the comment sections and on Twitter (@FantasyMSF).
Source for injury update information: NFL official injury report and CBS Sports player pages.
**********
* – The P&G Blogger Fantasy League (BFL) is a group of 12 digital sports influencers competing on the NFL.com fantasy platform for the chance to win P&G product, a donation to a local charity, and a trip to Super Bowl XLV, all furnished by P&G. The NFL Entities have not offered or sponsored the sweepstakes in any way.