But that doesn’t help you exploit injury edges in your Thursday-Sunday lineups.
So, I’ll be giving a quick “trust or fade” recommendation on the blog each week after the Wednesday practice participation report is released. It’ll be based on incomplete information, but I’m hoping to keep you from starting a player who is likely to be ineffective or take a smart risk on a player who others may be avoiding unnecessarily.
You’ll also want to check out our full midweek injury feature from Craig Zumsteg when it goes live late Wednesday night on our season-long article page.
Thursday Night Football Expectation
Cash: LEAN FADE
GPP: LEAN FADE
There's very little chance Jones is full strength right now. He's battled a hamstring strain for three weeks now, including a mild aggravation during practice last week. He was clearly not healthy during last week's game. But he gutted his way through 63 snaps and managed ten targets. And the Falcons continue to scheme around his injury.
Despite last week's numbers, there's a low floor here and I'd strongly consider fading Jones this week in favor of other options. Especially in cash games. But Jones is in the Calvin Johnson and Jimmy Graham category of players who can put up good numbers despite a low snap and target count. So, I won't stand on the table to talk you out of him.
Trust or Fade?
Andrew Luck 7600 >>>> (Shoulder | Limited)
Cash: LEAN FADE
GPP: LEAN FADE
Luck is more likely to play this week than last week. But he remains a tough read and there's a chance his shoulder will not respond well enough to his early week throwing sessions. If you see a reasonable late swap option and see Luck's upside as too high to fade, roster him and watch the late week updates closely. I'd build my early week lineups around someone else.
Marshawn Lynch 6900 >>>> (Hamstring | Limited)
Cash: LEAN TRUST
GPP: LEAN TRUST
Pete Carroll has been a trustworthy source on Lynch over the past month and told reporters on Wednesday he expects Lynch to see close to his full workload this week. It's too soon to fully trust Carroll here and I think Thomas Rawls will cut into Lynch's workload, but there are positive practice signs to go with Carroll's comments. Lynch usually rests on Wednesday, but participated in drills this week. His limited early week practice is a strong indication the Seahawks are preparing Lynch to be part of their game plan. If he's practicing on Thursday, it's an even better sign for his Week 6 availability.
Justin Forsett 6400 >>>> (Ankle | DNP)
Cash: FADE
GPP: FADE
I don't believe John Harbaugh. Forsett's injury mechanism and immediate reaction strongly suggest a high ankle sprain. It wasn't a violent mechanism and it's still possible Forsett could aggressively and successfully rehab and play this week. But it's a tough ask and too soon to know how he'll progress. Expect him to be a game-time decision. There's too much risk to roster him for a Thursday slate.
Alshon Jeffery 6400 >>>> (Hamstring | Limited)
Cash: FADE
GPP: LEAN FADE
The limited Wednesday practice is a great sign for Jeffery. Hopefully, it's an indication his DNP last Friday wasn't due to an aggravation of his hamstring strain. Still, Jeffery has been slowly reconditioning with limited practices for three weeks and not been active on Sunday. Until he's closer to a full practice, he shouldn't be a DFS consideration -- even in deep GPPs.
Tyrod Taylor 5600 >>>> (Knee | Limited)
Cash: FADE
GPP: FADE
Taylor's injury mechanism matches media reports of a MCL sprain. The multi-week timetable may be premature, however. MCL recoveries are very much player dependent. Some players recover in days, others in weeks. I wouldn't rule Taylor out this week, but I doubt Taylor will be able to scramble or run the zone read effectively.
T.J. Yeldon 4800 >>>> (Groin | DNP)
Cash: FADE
GPP: FADE
It's too soon to know where Yeldon stands in his recovery. Wait on further practice participation and interviews before making a decision on him this week.
Karlos Williams 5300 >>>> (Concussion | DNP)
Cash: FADE
GPP: FADE
Williams didn't practice on Wednesday, ten days after a concussion. That means he's yet to be advanced through the middle stages of the return to play protocol and is likely doubtful to recover in time to get clearance for contact this week.
Steve Smith 6100 >>>> (Back | Limited)
Cash: FADE
GPP: LEAN FADE
I would never count Smith out, but running routes on Wednesday doesn't mean he'll be cleared for contact on Sunday. Four levels of fractures will be hard to manage. Soreness, muscle spasm, and limited range of motion are still concerns. I think it's likely the Ravens will hold Smith out one more week.
Davante Adams 4300 >>>> (Ankle | Limited)
Cash: FADE
GPP: LEAN FADE
Adams hasn't fully recovered from a high ankle sprain yet. He could get close enough to make the active roster by the end of the week, but he's unlikely to see enough targets to hold more than contrarian GPP value this week.
Charles Clay 4300 >>>> (Calf | Limited)
Cash: LEAN FADE
GPP: FADE
The official report on Clay after his limited snap count last week was cramps. You don't have cramps early in the first quarter. Clay is still dealing with a calf strain and will likely be limited all week. With Tyrod Taylor a question mark, it's best to avoid Clay until we see him fully practicing again.
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Check back on Saturday for our Injury Spotlight and Lineup Recommendation feature. Until then, follow me on Twitter @JeneBramel for breaking analysis on practice participation and media interviews. Finally, on Sunday morning, I’ll be adapting my Injury Expectations column for this blog to help navigate any tricky game time decisions.
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