Fantasy Focus: Week 5 Injuries
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills were dealt another blow at the running back position when Karlos Williams was diagnosed with a concussion following Sunday’s game against the New York Giants. Though he is listed as questionable, it is unlikely that Williams will play against the Tennessee Titans for their Week 5 matchup. Williams currently leads the Bills in rushing with 226 yards and 3 TDs on 42 attempts.
New information regarding LeSean McCoy’s hamstring injury surfaced over the weekend. Now expected to miss anywhere between 3-4 weeks, McCoy will continue to be sidelined due to a new tear in his hamstring. McCoy has had an underwhelming start (146 yards and 0 TDs over three games), when he comes back from the injury, he might take a backseat to Williams for the starting position.
With two of Buffalo’s starting RBs sidelined, expect Boobie Dixon and Cierre Wood to take over. Even though Dixon and Wood will earn playing time, there are other RB candidates to play for Week 5 fantasy games. See some other fantasy uodates below.
Dallas Cowboys
Lance Dunbar was added to the list of injured Cowboys this past Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. Dunbar is out for the season with a torn ACL and MCL. Dunbar played a central role to the Cowboy offense as a receiving back and is ranked second in overall targets and receptions on the team. Darren McFadden will likely take over the role as receiving back, boosting his fantasy value. However, Joseph Randle will continue to have the bulk of the early down workload.
Detroit Lions
Eric Ebron left during Monday’s game against the Seahawks with a knee injury. Though the specifics of the injury have yet to be released, his status for Week 5 is questionable. Ebron is third in receiving for the Lions with 15 catches for 179 yards and 2 TDs. A favorite red-zone target for the struggling Matthew Stafford, Ebron will hopefully be available for Sunday’s game against the Cardinals. Check for updates during the week to see if there are any changes in Ebron’s injury classification.
Brandon Pettigrew has been out since Week 1 with a hamstring injury. However, he is expected to play against the Cardinals during Week 5. If Ebron is out for this game, Pettigrew’s fantasy value will go up. However, I would opt for other fantasy TE options. Last season Pettigrew only caught 10 passes for 70 yards.
Joique Bell was once a solid RB option who often appeared in the fantasy news. This season he is owned in only about half of all fantasy leagues. Competing with rookie Ameer Abdullah, along with countless nagging injuries, Bell has demoted to an RB2 designation on the Detroit roster. Bell is still listed as out with a continued ankle injury. I would advise fantasy owners to drop Bell, there are better RB2 and FLEX options to pick up.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts are in a QB dilemma. Matt Hasselbeck and Andrew Luck are both listed as questionable for Thursday’s game against the Houston Texans. Hasselbeck missed Tuesday’s practice due to illness, resulting in Luck taking snaps during practice. However, is Luck’s shoulder ready for action? Though Luck believes that he is ready to start, Head Coach Chuck Pagano stated that Luck will likely be a game day decision. ASL's sporting news will have the latest on Luck, so stay tuned.
Washington Redskins
Jordan Reed suffered his fifth concussion in Sunday’s win against the Philadelphia Eagles. Listed as questionable, Reed continues the pattern of having really good games followed up by injuries. Reed currently leads the Redskins in receiving with 24 catches for 278 yards and 1 TD. If Reed does not play, expect Derek Carrier to start at TE.
The Redskins might have another blow to their offense, as Pierre Garcon is listed as questionable with a knee injury. Garcon is second leading receiver on the team with 24 receptions for 216 yards and 2 TDs. With DeSean Jackson slowly recovering from his hamstring injury, Garcon continues to hold value as a WR2 and FLEX player in fantasy leagues.
Fantasy Focus: Week 5 Busts
QB Carson Palmer, Cardinals at Lions – “The Machine” projection: 21.8
After starting 3-0, the Arizona Cardinals fell at home to the St. Louis Rams, 24-22. Despite the loss, Cardinals’ quarterback, Carson Palmer, managed to throw for more than 350 yards. The Cardinals travel to Detroit to play a Lions team that was stripped of a win in week four. What should worry you about the matchup is Detroit’s ability to get to the quarterback. Led by Ezekiel Ansah, the Lions have sacked the quarterback a total of ten times in 2015. This including six sacks against the Seahawks. Palmer should be fine if the Cardinals are able to establish their run game, otherwise watch out.
QB Russell Wilson, Seahawks at Bengals – “The Machine” projection: 21.2
The Seattle Seahawks haven’t been the same team this year. They started 0-2 and should have lost in week four at home against a 0-3 Lions team. A big problem for the Seahawks has been the inconsistent play of the offensive line. The Lions were able to sack Russell Wilson a total of six times. This doesn’t count the number of plays Wilson escaped the pocket and made a nice play downfield. This coming Sunday, Wilson and the Seahawks will travel to Cincinnati to take on the 4-0, Bengals, who have already accumulated 11.0 sacks this season. Unless the Seahawks’ offensive line shapes up, it could be another marathon for Russell Wilson.
RB Devonta Freeman, Redskins at Falcons – “The Machine” projection: 14.1
Falcons’ running back, Devonta Freeman, is without a doubt the hottest running back in fantasy news in the league. In the last two weeks, collectively, Freeman rushed for 209 yards and scored six touchdowns. He also hauled in more than 50 yards receiving in both contests. Week five will be a tad more difficult for Freeman. He’ll face a Redskins’ defense that’s allowed just one touchdown on the ground and ranks 2nd in the league in rushing yards allowed per game at 78.0. What makes Freeman unique, however, is his ability to catch passes out of the backfield. If you’re expecting him to score in week five, look for it through the air as the Falcons may not be able to establish a solid run game.
RB Latavius Murray, Broncos at Raiders –“The Machine” projection: 15.2
After appearing in fantasy updates and showing much promise last season, Raiders’ running back, Latavius Murray, has rushed for more than 100 yards in just one of the first four games this season. Week five won’t be any easier, as the 4-0, Denver Broncos, make their way to the Coliseum. Through the first four weeks, the Broncos have emerged as one of the league’s top defenses, allowing just 17.3 points per game. Also, the Broncos are giving up just 90.3 rushing yards per game. The Raiders must keep the game close in order to keep Murray and the rushing attack relevant. If not, don’t expect Murray to be a big factor.
ASL has the best in sporting news and fantasy advice, so stay tuned!
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Fantasy Focus: Week 3 Busts
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