Week 10 is in the books in the NFL, so it’s time to take stock of what you have left on your team for the playoff run. This week’s injuries weren’t too bad, with only a couple of high profile players going down. This is the final week of byes, so just one more week to get through until your team is back at full strength for the stretch run.
Sam Bradford went down with a concussion AND a shoulder sprain to his non-throwing arm. He will likely be out for at least a week as Mark Sanchez butt-fumbles his way into the starting job. Other backups getting the nod in week 11 will be Johnny Manziel, officially starting the rest of the season for a perpetually banged up Josh McCown. Case Keenum will also take over for Nick Foles, who, while not injured, probably wishes he had that as an excuse for his poor play.
Landry Jones suffered an ankle injury early in the game, leading to Ben Roethlisberger coming in and throwing for 293 yards and 3 td, just a record for a non-starting QB. Big Ben will return to the starting lineup following the team’s Week 11 bye. Peyton Manning was yanked in favor of Brock Osweiler after throwing for about 35 yards and 4 INT. After the game, it was reported that Manning has plantar fasciitits and a rib injury and will not be starting Week 11. Brock Osweiler gets his first career start against a Bears team that has suddenly been playing well.
Texans QB Brian Hoyer was pulled from the game on Monday night after a possible concussion and did not return to the game. This is the first time I can remember watching a game and having a sideline observer pull a starting QB out of the game when he displayed no symptoms, just based on what had been seen during replay. The Texans hope that Hoyer can be cleared to play the Jets in Week 11, if not, look for T.J. Yates to start for Houston once again.
Ryan Mathews left the game with a concussion and will have to be cleared by NFL protocol before he can return to the field. This should benefit DeMarco Murray, but only a little. Don’t expect a lot more work for Darren Sproles, who seems to have settled into a very minor role in the Eagles’ offense.
Julian Edelman might be the biggest fantasy player to go down win Week 10. Edelman suffered a Jones fracture in his foot, the same injury that Dez Bryant suffered earlier this year, and Julio Jones has dealt with in the past. Edelman is expected to have surgery and this means he’ll be done for the fantasy football season, but may return for the Patriots playoff push. I’m sure he’d hate to miss the final act of the Tom Brady Middle Finger Tour. Look for Danny Amendola to be the main beneficiary of this injury, and the guy to pick up on the waivers this week.
Emmanuel Sanders exited his game on Sunday, right about the time that Manning did. Sanders was iffy at best to play in this game, and had 4 targets and zero receptions. Perhaps if healthy he reels in a pass or two, but his performance has a lot to do with his QB struggling. Sanders, if healthy, should be a WR2/3 against the Bears, who could find themselves overmatched if both Thomas and Sanders are 100%. If Sanders does not play, Osweiler will likely look for one of the targets he’s been practicing with, it’s just tough to guess which one!
Justin Hunter is done for the season after fracturing his ankle against Carolina. With Hunter gone and Kendall Wright still injured, it’s time for Dorial Green-Beckham to shine. Hell, it’s time for anyone to shine on the Tennessee offense, which has been anemic all season.
