Week 9: Injury Ward

I will only be covering injuries here that will affect their availability moving forward.  Guys like Schaub, Roddy White, and Hakeem Nicks are not at risk, given current information, of missing any time.  The messed up thing is that I'll be mentioning two kickers here as these guys are owned in many leagues.


QB:

Matthew Stafford - Stafford suffered another injury to this throwing shoulder, and you have to wonder if he was actually 100% when he returned.  He was played great the last two weeks, finally cashing in on hype he had heading into the season, but he's likely out for several more weeks now, if not the season.  He can be dropped in all formats.  Shaun Hill ran the offense well in his absence the first time, but it's looking likely that Drew Stanton will start this week.  Downgrade Calvin Johnson slightly, but he's still an every week starter.

Matt Moore - Moore tore his labrum and is out for the season.  This crushes Steve Smith's already declining value, and you can no longer start him with Claussen likely taking over again.

RB:

Jonathan Stewart - So much for that.  Stewart failed in his first start 2 weekends ago, but he was off to a promising start before a concussion knocked him out of the game.  He's likely out at least a week and won't have fantasy value again this season unless DeAngelo re-injures himself.

Ryan Mathews - The lineup pinball is back out again after a strong start to his week 9 game when he re-injured his ankle.  The Chargers are on bye in week 10, so he'll have a chance to return in week 11.  Speculative owners should consider adding Mike Tolbert just in case.

Chris Ivory - Ivory was running fairly well prior to separating his shoulder, and despite the week 10 bye, he might be out a few weeks.  This backfield is a mess until Pierre Thomas returns, if he ever does this season.

WR:

Austin Collie - Collie took the weekly shot heard around the world yesterday, and despite the severity on the field, it seems as though he's escaped a serious injury.  He still has a long way to go prior to being able to play this week, however, so keep an eye on him.

K:

Jason Hanson - Hanson suffered a knee injury that seems likely to cost him several weeks, so you can safely cut him for another option.  He had looked like a nice 2nd half kicker, but between Stafford's and his injuries, that has vanished.

Stephen Gostkowski - Gostkowski suffered a thigh injury that will likely cost him a few weeks, so you can cut him as well.  Gostkowski wasn't having a good fantasy season anyways.