Injury Wrap: Odell Beckham a game-night call
All things considered, it’s not that messy of a Week 1 injury report. But we have one big-game player at the top of things. Here’s your Saturday walk through and status report.
• Odell Beckham (ankle) missed the full week of practice. He’ll be a game-night decision for the opener against Dallas. You’ll want a caddy — a late-game alternative — just in case. At least you have six teams to theoretically draw from, in this instance; the Cowboys and Giants, the Chargers and Broncos, and the Saints and Vikings.
• Jamison Crowder (hip) had a limited practice week and will come down to a game-day decision. Ryan Grant would be the likely stand-in if Crowder can’t go. Second-year WR Josh Doctson (hamstring) should be available Sunday, but he was limited for most of the summer and isn’t an appealing prospect at the moment.
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• The Jaguars were extra-careful with Leonard Fournette (foot) all summer, but he’s doing just fine now. He’s not in the Week 1 injury report. The Jags did get some rough news on another impressive rookie; WR Dede Westbrook (core) went on IR this week, meaning he can’t play in at least the first six games.
• Cam Newton (shoulder) is on the injury report but it’s not a big deal — he practiced all week. Deploy as usual at San Francisco.
• As you already know, Andrew Luck (shoulder) is out indefinitely. Scott Tolzien gets the Week 1 start at the Rams. Indianapolis added Jacoby Brissett from New England a week ago; perhaps he’ll get a trial at some point this year.
• Although Joe Flacco (back) was limited all summer, the Ravens don’t list him on their Week 1 injury report. I’m not confident he’ll do much at Cincinnati, but if you need him in a deeper format, he’ll at least be on the field.
• Thomas Rawls (ankle) is a game-day call at Green Bay, not that you should need a Seahawks running back in Week 1. It’s too crowded and complicated here for a Week 1 play; keep in mind Seattle’s run-blocking was a problem all summer. The team is confident that Tyler Lockett (knee) will be able to play.
• Corey Davis (hamstring) did very little this summer and isn’t 100 percent yet, making him a spotty Week 1 play against Oakland. Eric Decker also had a meticulous summer; I suspect Rishard Mathews will be the Titans receiver who breaks quickest this month.
• The Broncos took it easy with Demaryius Thomas (groin) this summer, but he’s been practicing this week. Double-check on his Saturday activity, given the team plays Monday, but it would be a stunner if Thomas didn’t play against the Chargers.
• Although Kenny Golloday was an early-summer splash, he’s now dealing with an ankle injury and won’t be 100 percent for the opener against Arizona. Let’s take a wait-and-see approach here.
• Albert Blue (ankle) is probably out for a week or two, which pushes rookie RB D’Onto Foreman into the backup role behind Lamar Miller. Texans WR Will Fuller (collarbone) is out indefinitely.
• John Ross (knee) was hurt for most of the summer and might not play against Baltimore. Combine stopwatch to the side, he’s a long way from fantasy value.
• Markus Wheaton (finger) had two days of limited practice. He’s listed as questionable for the Chicago opener. If you have to dip into this wide receiver pool, I’d try Kendall Wright.
• Sebastian Janikowski (back) is going to miss at least two months, so make sure you audit your kicker spot. Giorgio Tavecchio is Oakland’s stand-in.
• Chargers rookie WR Mike Williams (back) is a long-term project at this point; his earliest return date seems like October.
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