Injury Wrap: Sam Bradford eyes return; Matt Forte out again

Scott Pianowski
·Fantasy analyst
Sam Bradford and Mitch Trubisky might start their rivalry Monday night (AP/Keith Srakocic)
Sam Bradford and Mitch Trubisky might start their rivalry Monday night (AP/Keith Srakocic)

Another week, another batch of injuries. Let’s take a long look around and see what’s what.

• With Matt Forte (toe) out for another week, it’s all systems go for Bilal Powell at Cleveland. Elijah McGuire makes sense, too, if you’re in a deeper league and on the desperate side.

• Sam Bradford (knee) has two days of practice under his belt and seems likely to play Monday at Chicago, though nothing’s ever a sure bet with him. Case Keenum has been up-and-down as the stand-in starter; his quarterback rating is slightly over the league average.

• Ty Montgomery is listed as doubtful; he’s dealing with broken ribs. Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams are the understudies; Jones showed more after Montgomery left the Week 4 victory at Chicago. Davante Adams (post concussion) had a limited practice week and is listed as questionable.

• Paul Perkins (ribs) won’t play against the Chargers, perhaps pushing Wayne Gallman into a primary role. Gallman looked interesting last week at Tampa Bay, though he also has to contend with the horrendous New York offensive line.

• Seattle sophomore RB C.J. Prosise (ankle) is going to need at least another week. Perhaps J.D. McKissic will be useful in the passing game for the second straight week. Thomas Rawls is expected to play; he was a healthy scratch last week.

• With John Brown (quad) usually dinged up and J.J. Nelson (hamstring) also listed as questionable, it’s a good time to have Jaren Brown available. Arizona figures to throw the ball liberally at Philadelphia.

• Derek Carr (back) did some work this week but it would be a shocker if he played against Baltimore. EJ Manuel is the backup.

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• The Titans consider Marcus Mariota (hamstring) a game-day call after a week of limited practice. It’s a tricky call, because Mariota at half-speed is probably better than Matt Cassel at any speed. At least it’s a 1 pm start at Miami.

• Wendell Smallwood (knee) missed the full week of practice, so ignore his questionable tag. He’s not expected to play against Arizona, which means Corey Clement will probably get the secondary role after LeGarrette Blount.

• Jordan Matthews (thumb) is out a month, so the year of TE Charles Clay should continue.

• Benjamin Watson (calf) had a full Friday after missing the two previous days. Given how terrible Joe Flacco looks this year, I can’t see how you want to dial up anyone in this passing game

• Tyler Eifert (back) and John Ross (knee) are out for another week. TE Tyler Kroft was surprisingly productive last week; part of that was the Browns defense talking, but Andy Dalton loves his tight ends in the red zone.

• Jack Doyle (concussion) won’t be available this week, though the Colts did get Ryan Kelly, their center, back. Marlon Mack is also expected to go.

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• Marquise Goodwin’s uneven play makes him a fantasy cross-off, but he might be able to play at Indianapolis. He’s coming off a concussion. If Goodwin can’t play, Aldrick Robinson becomes an interesting sleeper.

• Kenny Britt has been a mess since hitting Cleveland, but he’s not their problem this week. He’s likely out, dealing with knee and groin injuries. Perhaps Ricardo Louis can continue his solid play of late. Maybe there’s no right answer here.

• Branden Oliver (hamstring) won’t play for the Chargers, which means Melvin Gordon is needed more than ever. Austin Ekeler becomes the new No. 2. PK Nick Novak is back with the team, replacing struggling rookie Younghoe Koo.

• Mitch Trubisky will make his first NFL start Monday against Minnesota. Trubisky posted a 106.2 rating in the preseason (53 throws), for as much as that matters to you.