Injuries

This is another one of those, “don’t rest on your laurels” check points. The payoff to the grind of it all is in sight. And in a week with a blank IR room and only the Rams and Broncos on BYE, there is still much to discuss. With both good news and bad, The Infirmary is here to provide the essentials for fantasy managers.

Rashod Bateman is primed for a big game with Marquise Brown sitting out. He’s seen a 27.7 percent Target Rate since entering the lineup, good for No. 17 at the position. Not to mention, he’s facing off against the No. 26-ranked pass defense. The Bucs will be without Antonio Brown again, and face Tom Brady’s nemesis- the New York Football Giants. This offense needs to step it up. Speaking of the G-Men, they’ll be without Sterling Shepard. Once again, it’s Kadarius Toney time.

Nine weeks down, nine left to go. It’s crunch time as fantasy football leagues approach the playoffs. As for this week’s action, there’s chaos abound. Returning quarterbacks, backup quarterbacks, beat up backfields and a star wideout on a new team- this week has it all. Relax… The Infirmary has it covered!

Sure, it’s great Dallas is getting Michael Gallup back, and Scott Miller’s return for Tampa would come at a much needed time. The big news, however, is Seattle getting their signal caller back. Russell Wilson and the Seahawks are gearing up to make a run, and it‘s time to simply Let Russ Cook. It’s entirely possible; coach Carrol’s recent comments suggest he’s aware of his fate sans the great quarterback. It’s like Russ himself said – “No more pin, time to win.”

Week 9 cresembles every other week in the NFL, as far as injuries go. The exception for this week, is the reinforcements making their way back from the ole Injured Reserve. Quarterbacks are once again a highlight and the tight ends have started their own section within the injury club. No matter, The Infirmary is here to be the guiding light through these trying times.

For Jeremy McNichols truthers, now is the time. There is no direct fill-in for Henry, but McNichols will be a valuable asset for the remainder of the season. Per usual, most names on the Questionable list will suit up in the end, but there’s never a guarantee. For the Cardinals, Kyler Murray suiting up is as far from a guarantee as can be.

The midway point of the season approaches; it is now time to batten down the hatches, so to speak. For championship contenders, the playoff push has already begun. No information can be missed during this time, and lucky for fantasy managers The Infirmary is here to assist!

Austin Ekeler was added to the injury report late in the week. That’s never a good sign. However, reports indicate it was due to soreness and he’s likely to play. If he misses, Justin Jackson becomes an obvious play but don’t forget about Joshua Kelley. While rookie Larry Rountree began the season as the No. 3 back, it’s been Kelley the past two weeks. He’s a worthy flier if Ekeler should miss any time. Don’t forget about the potential in that player profile…

Hopefully, Infirmary readers have followed the sage advice of the report and have assembled roster depth that would rival The Avengers (That super hero roster is deeeeep!). It will be needed, as this week seven isn’t that different from post-Thanos-finger-snap in the movies; between the BYES and the injuries, it feels like half of the fantasy football world is missing. It isn’t quite that bad, however. Let’s get into it… Infirmary Assemble!

In a Baltimore offense that is now pass heavy, even if out of necessity, Rashod Bateman may be just what doctor Lamar ordered. Dude has the workout metrics, the college production and is Best Comparable to Stefon Diggs. Remember Odell Beckham’s rookie year? Ready yourself for a bit of Deja Vu.

Taylor Heinicke is running out of pass catchers. Aside from stud Terry McLaurin, the pass-catching talent is lacking. However, DeAndre Carter is a compelling option. After a touchdown catch in Week 4, Carter went on to have a solid game last week, posting four receptions for 62 yards, adding one rush for 11 yards. He’s been around for some time, but does have intriguing aspects to his player profile. Gotta love the cheapies for DFS.

Welcome to Week 5, Mad Caps. In previous years, this was considered the unofficial “quarter mark” of the football season. It is at this point that the fantasy community realizes some things; no one knows as much as they thought they did, and football really hurts (hence, the piling up of bodies in The Infirmary). It’s not likely to get any prettier as the season goes along, but it’s OK! As Aaron Rodgers once said, R-E-L-A-X… The Infirmary has your back!

Dalvin Cook is iffy for the Vikings, but the smart choice is Alexander Mattison in this spot. Even if Cook plays, he’s not likely to get a full workload. Sure, The Infirmary has been low on Mattison, but in his relief appearance against Seattle, Mattison rolled for over 170 all-purpose yards. There’s no reason he can’t do the same against a porous Lions run defense.

The Infirmary is loaded up heading into week 4 and there are some big time names currently tending to their individual ailments. Running backs are beat to hell everywhere, a QB visiting the “Big Apple” will have no one to throw to and the Gronk-a-Saurus will miss a return to his old stomping grounds. Football cares not for an individual’s star power or grand narratives made for television; no, football is cold and heartless. It’s not all bad, though. The Infirmary explains why.

With oft-relied on veteran James White out for the season, the opportunity here lies with J.J. Taylor. While his workout metrics won’t wow you, he did have an 11.15 (78th-percentile among qualified running backs) Agility Score. In addition, his Target Share in college was a stout 11.9-percent, which ranked in the 85th-percentile. The Patriots have been careful to hang on to Taylor; perhaps they’ve been prepared for just such a circumstance. 

There are some key injuries at the running back position. And it looks as though Darrell Henderson is going to miss the game against the Bucs. Unfortunately, the Tampa Bay defense is one of the top units in stopping the run. Michel is a solid DFS option, but in seasonal leagues it might be wise to play the “wait and see” game. In Minnesota, Dalvin Cook is not expected to play, increasing the likelihood of this game becoming an aerial assault for the ages. Just an aside, get K.J. Osborn in those lineups!

If by chance Kenny Golladay were to sit, Darius Slayton becomes very interesting for DFS. For the Cardinals, DeAndre Hopkins seems likely to start but should he not go, bump up the other playmakers in that offense. If both Darnell Mooney and Marquise Goodwin miss Sunday’s game against the Browns, Damiere Byrd is an interesting option, particularly for daily fantasy.

The first week of the 2021 NFL season did not disappoint in many ways. From the opening game to the wild events of the Monday Nighter in Vegas, fans were treated to the usual week one madness and then some. Unfortunately, another aspect carried on like clockwork; injuries. Luckily, The Infirmary is here to keep fantasy managers up to speed. Week 2, bring it on.