The Training Room: Week 12 Injury Updates

Nov 18, 2019
The Training Room: Week 12 Injury Updates

Don't look now but the fantasy playoffs are right around the corner. Keeping up with prominent injuries at this time of the year is crucial so that you can make the necessary moves to either stay in the hunt or pull away from the competition. Let's take a look at the injuries that occurred in Week 11 and what you should expect moving forward over the next week and beyond. **Updated Saturday 11/23/10

Marlon Mack, RB Colts

Injury: Fractured Hand

Timetable For Return: 2-6 Weeks

Potential Replacement: Jonathan Williams, Nyheim Hines

Comments: Mack had surgery on his hand to repair the broken bone he sustained in yesterday's win over the Jaguars. The surgery will likely cost Mack a few weeks but I'm sure the Colts will due their due diligence to try and protect the hand as much as possible to allow him to return as quickly as possible.

Mitchell Trubisky, QB Bears

Injury: Hip Pointer

Timetable For Return: Expected to play Week 12

Potential Replacement: Chase Daniels

Comments: Trubisky's full participation in practice all week is an indication that he plans on being on the field Sunday against the Giants. Barring any setbacks I would expect him to resume his starting role.

Phillip Dorsett, WR Patriots

Injury: Head Injury

Timetable For Return: Questionable For Week 12

Potential Replacement: N'Keal Harry

Comments: Dorsett caught a touchdown against the Eagles but it came at a price. He suffered a concussion on his touchdown catch and did not return. Although Dorsett has been a limited participant, he is not a lock to play although there is some optimism that he'll be available on Sunday. With the Patriots playing in the later slate of games, have a backup plan just in case Dorsett can't go.

Auden Tate, WR Bengals

Injury: Head Injury

Timetable For Return: Questionable for Week 12

Potential Replacement: Alex Erickson

Comments: Tate was limited on Friday and is considered questionable for Week 12. He has cleared through the NFL concussion protocol so it will come down to whether or not he feels comfortable returning to the field and has no setbacks leading up to the game.

Jameis Winston, QB Buccaneers

Injury: Sprained Ankle

Timetable For Return: Expected to play Week 12

Potential Replacement: Blaine Gabbert

Comments: Winston has practiced in full all week and has had no setbacks with his ankle so he'll be ready for Sunday's game against the Falcons.

James Conner, RB Steelers

Injury: Sprained AC Joint

Timetable For Return: Week-To-Week, Ruled OUT for Week 12

Potential Replacement: Jaylen Samuels, Trey Edmunds

Comments: Conner sustained the shoulder last Thursday against the Bengals. It sounds like he is trending in the right direction with his recovery but he'll still need to show progress as the week goes on. With the Steelers playing the Bengals this week, they might not force the issue and try and get Conner some much needed rest if the Steelers feel they can take care of business without him. There's also a chance they make him active and then depending on game flow they rest him. Be sure to check back and see what his status will be for this weekend.

JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR Steelers

Injury: Concussion, Sprained Knee

Timetable For Return: Week-To-Week, Ruled OUT for Week 12

Potential Replacement: Diontae Johnson, James Washington

Comments: Smith-Schuster apparently suffered a knee injury on the same play he suffered the head injury which further complicated his ability to recover from both injuries in a short amount of time. The knee injury is the injury that I'm concerned with moving forward so we'll see how he looks early in practice next week.

Amari Cooper, WR Cowboys

Injury: Sprained Knee

Timetable For Return: Expected to play Week 12

Potential Replacement: Michael Gallup, Randall Cobb

Comments: Cooper has apparently been dealing with a knee issue that he's been trying to play through. His snaps were lower than normal and he clearly isn't running at 100% currently. However, Cooper was a full participant in practice all week without setbacks so it sounds like he is making is way back to full health. I would use him as you normally would but his matchup isn't ideal facing the Patriots.

Emmanuel Sanders, WR 49ers

Injury: Re-aggravated Strained Ribs

Timetable For Return: Questionable for Week 12, expected to play

Potential Replacement: Deebo Samuel, Dante Pettis

Comments: Sanders was in this column last week and we were afraid that he was going to re-aggravate the rib issue he sustained in Week 10 and we were unfortunately right. Pain tolerance will always be the main issue when dealing with rib issues but it sounds like Sanders will continue to try and gut it out on a week to week basis as the 49ers will need all the help they can get facing the Packers.

Mohammed Sanu, WR Patriots

Injury: Sprained Ankle

Timetable For Return: Questionable for Week 12

Potential Replacement: N'Keal Harry, Jakobi Meyers

Comments: Sanu apparently had his ankle rolled up on in Sunday's win against the Eagles. Sanu has been doing some light activity during the week but his status is still up in the air. Adam Schefter reports that although there wasn't much optimism that Sanu would be available Sunday, he has been feeling better late in the week so he will truly be a game time decision. Even if he does suit up, he will be less than 100% so I'd be very cautious of his role if he does play.

Adrian Peterson, RB Redskins

Injury: Turf Toe

Timetable For Return: Questionable for Week 12, expected to play

Potential Replacement: Derrius Guice

Comments: What seemed like a minor issue earlier in the week has turned into a concern leading up to Sunday. Peterson hasn't practiced much this week but he doesn't necessarily need the reps in order to play against the Lions. The Lions are one of the worst against the run so he could be an option if you are desperate for help, but his workload might be scaled back especially with Guice looming behind him.

On The Mend

Tyler Lockett, WR Seahawks

Injury: Shin Injury

Timetable For Return: Expected to play Week 12

Potential Replacement: Josh Gordon, DK Metcalf

Comments: The Seahawks were always expecting to have Lockett back after the bye week and that seems to be the case as Lockett has had no setbacks with practice this week. Expect him to be used as he normally would against the Eagles.

Jordan Howard, RB Eagles

Injury: Sprained Shoulder

Timetable For Return: Questionable, not expected to play Week 12

Potential Replacement: Jay Ajayi, Miles Sanders

Comments: Howard still isn't where the Eagles want him to be health wise to get him back on the field. It sounds like he's trending in the right direction but fantasy owners might need to wait one more week to possibly get him back in your lineups.

Devonta Freeman, RB Falcons

Injury: Sprained Foot

Timetable For Return: 1-2 Weeks, Ruled OUT for Week 12

Potential Replacement: Brian Hill

Comments: Freeman has yet to return to the practice field although there have been some reports that he might return late this week. Attempting to play on a foot that is less than 100% can be a bad thing to attempt (Ask Cam Newton) so I don't think that Freeman is going to be rushed back.

Austin Hooper, TE Falcons

Injury: Sprained MCL

Timetable For Return: 1-2 Weeks, Ruled OUT for Week 12

Potential Replacement: Luke Stocker, Jaeden Graham

Comments: Hooper is still recovering from a sprained MCL although there is some optimism that he might be able to return to the field in Week 13. Stay tuned as we'll keep tabs on his status next week.

Matthew Stafford, QB Lions

Injury: Fractured Low Back

Timetable For Return: 2-4 Weeks, Ruled OUT for Week 12

Potential Replacement: Jeff Driskel

Comments: Stafford continues to be week to week as he recovers from the fractures in his low back. Like we had mentioned when we first heard of what was going on with his back, it will likely come down to pain tolerance and whether or not he feels he can perform at a high level without aggravating his symptoms.

Matt Breida, RB 49ers

Injury: Low Ankle Sprain

Timetable For Return: 1-2 Weeks, Doubtful for Week 12

Potential Replacement: Raheem Mostert, Tevin Coleman

Comments: Breida will continue to rehab and ramp up his activity this week in hopes to be available sooner than later. I still think he's a week or two away from returning but we'll see what his practice status will be like this week and adjust accordingly.

George Kittle, TE 49ers

Injury: Sprained Knee/Ankle

Timetable For Return: Questionable for Week 12, expected to play

Potential Replacement: Ross Dwelley

Comments: Kittle has been ramping his activity up during practice and although he's listed as questionable, there are reports that believe he'll play against the Packers in a huge game for the 49ers. It sounds like Kittle will be playing at less than 100% so that's something to consider but he is a must start if active.

Adam Thielen, WR Vikings

Injury: Strained Hamstring

Timetable For Return: 1-3 Weeks

Potential Replacement: Olabisi Johnson

Comments: Thielen will continue to try and work his way back onto the practice field sooner than later in hopes of playing. Fantasy owners will want to check back on his status as he's an important cog that would be a huge benefit from him to return right before fantasy playoffs start.

Evan Engram, TE Giants

Injury: Sprained Foot

Timetable For Return: 1-2 Weeks, Ruled OUT for Week 12

Potential Replacement: Rhett Ellison

Comments: Engram shed the walking boot that he's been wearing for the last few weeks and even did some light running on the side during practice. These are encouraging signs but he is still not in a place physically to be able to return to game action just yet.

Brandin Cooks, WR Rams

Injury: Concussion

Timetable For Return: Expected to play Week 12

Potential Replacement: Josh Reynolds

Comments: Cooks was removed from the injury report and is expected to make his return to the field against the Ravens on Monday night. His snaps shouldn't be scaled back too much and with Roberts Woods status up in the air, the Rams are going to need all they can get from Cooks.

Latest Articles
Most Popular