Quarterbacks
Alex Smith, Washington Redskins, (Broken Fibula and Tibia)
Alex Smith’s first year with the Redskins comes to an early end after suffering a gruesome injury exactly 33 years to the day Joe Theismann suffered his infamous broken leg. Both Smith’s and Theismann’s injury happened on the 40 yard line…CREEPY!!! As for Smith, he immediately headed to the hospital and had surgery Sunday night. He is done for the season and while some think his career may be over, that’s entirely speculative at this point.
Fantasy Impact: Though Smith wasn’t lighting the fantasy world on fire this year, he was the best option for Washington. They turned to Colt McCoy when Smith went down but are expected to bring in a group of QBs for try outs. None of Washington’s pass catchers have been reliable this year and regardless of who is at QB, Adrian Peterson remains the only weekly starter from this team.
Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans (Elbow)
Just when the Titans started to heat up, Mariota goes down with an elbow injury. It’s the same elbow that the Tennessee QB injured in Week 1 and suffered nerve damage. The first go around, Mariota missed one Week but he was pretty dreadful for the most part for about a month.
Fantasy Impact: If Mariota aggravated the same nerves from back in September, we’ll have to downgrade the entire Titans Offense. We finally saw Corey Davis, Jonnu Smith and Dion Lewis starting to put up solid fantasy stats but if Blaine Gabbert starts for the next few weeks, all of them will get downgraded.
Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers (Leg/Ankle)
The Panthers QB briefly left Week 11’s match-up after a few Lions defenders landed on his leg. But thankfully he was able to come back in the game and finished strong with a scoring drive in the 4th Quarter (but the Panthers went for two instead of tying the game with an extra point and ended up losing by 1).
Fantasy Impact: Good news all around for Cam and the Panthers playmakers. Expect him to be limited or DNP in practice but he should be fine for Week 12.
Running Backs
Kerryon Johnson, Detroit Lions (Knee Sprain)
It was originally feared the Lions rookie back tore his ACL but initial reports indicate that is not the case. Johnson sprained his knee which should keep him out a week or two but he’s not lost for the season.
Fantasy Impact: Johnson has three TDs in the last two games and should be back for the fantasy playoffs. In the meantime look for Theo Riddick and LeGarrette Blount to take over in the Lions’ backfield.
Doug Martin, Oakland Raiders (Ankle)
Bit of a mystery what happened to Martin during Week 11. The team never reported Martin suffered an injury but Jon Gruden admitted he was “shot up” at Halftime. Martin apparently injured his ankle during the 1st Half and did not play in the 2nd Half. He was on his way to having a solid game, averaging five yards per carry on his ten attempts.
Fantasy Impact: Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington will see a bigger workload in the Raiders’ backfield if Martin is forced to miss anytime.
Wide Receiver
Brandon LaFell, Oakland Raiders (Achilles)
The veteran wide receiver ruptured his Achilles tendon and his season (possible career) is over.
Fantasy Impact: The Raiders have one of the worst and injury plagued receiving corps in the league. Amari Cooper was traded, Jordy Nelson and Martavis Bryant are injured and now LaFell will get added to Injured Reserve. Derek Carr doesn’t have many healthy options…
Tight Ends
Jimmy Graham, Green Bay Packers (Thumb)
Apparently a broken thumb can keep you out for 4-6 weeks because that’s what is being reported about the Packers tight end. Graham broke his thumb in the 2nd Quarter of Thursday Night’s game. Six weeks seems like a really long time and if that’s the case he’s absolutely droppable but until we get official word on his status, keep him on rosters for now.
Fantasy Impact: Graham’s up and down season likely will end on a big down note now that he’ll miss at least a month. That would essentially take him out until Week 16. Lance Kendricks is the next man up for the Packers tight end but don’t expect consistent fantasy production from him.
OJ Howard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Ankle)
The 2nd year tight end was having a great day against the Giants, catching five passes for 76 yards but injured his ankle in the 4th Quarter and did not return for the Bucs final drive.
Fantasy Impact: If Howard misses any time, Cameron Brate immediately becomes a legit Tight End Number 1. But we’ll have to wait and see Howard’s practice reports this week, expect him to be limited all week and then Questionable come Sunday.
