Sunday, September 20, 2015

Week 2: Last-Minute Injury Reactions

Here are some last-minute thoughts on last-minute injury news for Week 2.

Delanie Walker, TE, Tennessee Titans (out)

I was already fading the Tennessee offense this week. Until we see more, last week's explosion was more aberration than norm—the Bucs are terrible. Having said that, Walker's absence boosts receiver Kendall Wright ($6,100) a bit, and tight end Anthony Fasano ($4,600) becomes a GPP dart at near-minimum salary.

C.J. Spiller, RB, New Orleans Saints (active)


This was coming, but Spiller was officially made active this morning. There is little reason to stick him in lineups at $6,100 given his likely limited usage.
This does ding Mark Ingram ($8,100), but the matchup is so strong that you shouldn't be scrambling to make changes there. Khiry Robinson ($4,900) is a fade at this point, even at that price.

Alshon Jeffery, WR, Chicago Bears (out)

A week after coming back from a calf issue, Alshon Jeffery was ruled out with a hamstring injury this week. This is a huge blow to to the Bears offense -- Marquess Wilson ($4,500) and Eddie Royal ($4,800) are now the starters.

You will note those are some pretty nice prices. The question is who will Arizona cornerback Patrick Peterson cover? He shut down Saints receiver Brandin Cooks last week, and it's quite possible he'll be on more-prolific Royal. Wilson is a better physical specimen, though, and Peterson could be tasked with keeping him in check.

Both of them are good GPP plays, but Martellus Bennett becomes an even better cash option this week. Even at $6,100, Bennett could see double-digit targets from quarterback Jay Cutler.

Tre Mason, RB, St. Louis Rams (active)
Todd Gurley, RB, St. Louis Rams (out)

Both of these situations make sense -- Gurley should be held out as long as possible coming back from that torn ACL, though it looks like he's on track to make his Week 3 debut.

Mason's activation means bad news for Benny Cunningham ($5,800). A Week 1 sleeper, Cunningham is no longer minimum-priced. Washington's defense, meanwhile, held down a good Dolphins offense last week. The run defense has been surprisingly good since last season.

Meanwhile, Mason is way too expensive at $7,200 to even consider.

Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (active)

By many accounts, Mike Evans could have played last week. The Buccaneers kept him out to avoid aggravating his injury, which could be good news for his Week 2 output.

At $8,100, however, it's tough to trust the second-year wideout this week. The game script says the Buccaneers will be passing the ball a ton in the second half, but his lack of rapport with quarterback Jameis Winston combined with the threat of injury aggravation just makes him a fade. (Note: that is polar opposite of what the great Dr. Jene Bramel told you. Probably better to listen to him.)

His return may or may not impact fellow receiver Vincent Jackson ($7,200), who had a relatively quiet Week 1 despite a favorable game script and matchup. Austin Seferian-Jenkins is still a minimum-priced tight end worth having at $4,500 in all formats. Winston looked his way plenty, and Evans could draw additional defensive attention.

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