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Injury Wrap: Rob Gronkowski out (hello, Marty Bennett)

Scott Pianowski
Fantasy analyst
With Rob Gronkowski out, Martellus Bennett might be needed more at San Francisco
With Rob Gronkowski out, Martellus Bennett might be needed more at San Francisco

Unless you’re tied to a certain All-World tight end from New England, it’s not a bad injury week. Let’s do our diligence and have a look around.

• As expected, Rob Gronkowski (chest) didn’t make the trip to San Francisco and is out for Week 11. There’s no reason for the Patriots to expose Gronk to a non-conference game against an overmatched opponent. Martellus Bennett was a false doorway earlier in the season when Gronk didn’t play — remember all that Bennett blocking at Arizona? — but that was before Tom Brady returned. Bennett is approved for all audiences and uses this week.

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• Jeremy Maclin (groin) remains out for another week, if you want another reason to roll with Tyreek Hill against Tampa Bay. Hill has been effective in two of his last three games (5-98-1 at Indy, 10-89-0 at Carolina). He’s also used as an occasional ball carrier (nine carries, 57 yards).

• Todd Gurley (thigh) had a limited Friday practice, but should be ready for his three-yard stumble against Miami. You know the risks here. The Rams are also giving rookie QB Jared Goff his first start of the year, which gives you a second of pause before you press play on WR Kenny Britt.

• Thomas Rawls (fibula) is completely off the injury report and is expected to share work with C.J. Prosise against Philadelphia.

• Although Theo Riddick (ankle) had limited practices all week, context clues point to him playing against Jacksonville. I’ll be using him where I have him.

• If you need Jordan Matthews (back) or Zach Ertz (hamstring) at Seattle, note they both had a full practice Friday.

• Robert Woods (foot) had a week of partial practices, a bit of a buzzkill after his most recent game, 162 yards at Seattle. He’s considered questionable at Cincinnati.

• With Alshon Jeffery suspended for a month, the Bears have some targets available. Cameron Meredith figures to be a logical step-up candidate, though he’s formed little rapport with Jay Cutler. Eddie Royal (toe) and Marquess Wilson (foot) are other considerations, though both were limited in the practice week.

• Not much has stopped Jay Ajayi recently, but we should note that two key Miami linemen (Mike Pouncey, Branden Albert) will be missing against the Rams. Miami receivers Jarvis Landry (shoulder) and Kenny Stills (calf) were able to practice Friday and appear good to go Sunday.

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• DeSean Jackson (shoulder) is a game-night call for the home match against Green Bay. I can’t imagine waiting for someone who’s been this inconsistent — and lately, this injured — but you know your situation better than I do.

• Jared Cook (ankle) is likely to play at Washington, not that he’s anywhere close to the Circle of Trust. Christine Michael was added to the Green Bay backfield, but could need some time to get acclimated to the scheme.

• Chris Hogan (back) won’t play for New England, if you wanted to reach deep for someone like Danny Amendola.

• Markus Wheaton (shoulder) and Darrius Heyward-Bey (foot) aren’t going to play for Pittsburgh, and while Sammie Coates (finger) should go, it’s pretty clear the Steelers don’t trust him. If you need a reach play here, Eli Rogers makes the most sense.

• Torrey Smith (shoulder) should be able to play against New England, though he missed some of the final two practice days. He’s in the middle of a horrible year, carrying a 17-243-2 line.

• Jimmy Smith, the best of the Ravens cornerbacks, won’t be playing at Dallas. Good news for Dez Bryant, in theory, though Bryant himself is playing through a sore back.

• Will Fuller (knee) is a game-time decision for the Monday nighter against the Raiders, in Mexico. With Brock Osweiler at the controls, we won’t wait around on Fuller.

• There’s talk that Robert Griffin III (shoulder) could come off IR and make a late-season appearance for the Browns. Perhaps we’ll have to deal with Griffin as soon as Week 14 against Cincinnati. Keep in mind, the Browns and Titans are still waiting on their Week 13 bye. All 32 NFL teams are in action for Week 12.