During the season, I will transcribe Jene Bramel's Thursday injury video conference and provide you with his thoughts on which players to trust or fade for the upcoming week's game. Click here to view Jene's Week 4 injury video conference.
Thursday Lineups
Jarvis Landry WR - MIA (shoulder). Landry should be good to go for Thursday night. He may have some limitations with his shoulder and he's playing on a short week, so I can understand those who may want to fade him for a Thursday lineup. Health-wise he should be good to go.
Result: Trust
DeVante Parker WR - MIA (hamstring) - Like Landry, Parker is expected to play Thursday night despite the questionable status. He had a full practice and should be good health-wise. As mentioned with Landry, Miami is playing on a short week with an injury concern. If you tend to fade those scenarios, this definitely fits the equation, but his hamstring should not keep him from playing.
Tyler Eifert, TE - CIN (ankle) - Tyler Eifert is not expected to play this week. Do not look at him as an option for your lineup.
Quarterback
Russell Wilson, SEA (knee/ankle) - No concerns with Wilson this week, despite the MCL sprain last week to go along with his low grade high ankle sprain from Week 2.
Andrew Luck, IND (arm/shoulder) - Luck is playing in London this week against the Jaguars. All indications suggest he'll be fine. The Colts have been cautious with him, hence the placement on the injury report, but he should be fine.
Matt Ryan, ATL (thumb) - Ryan practiced in full on Wednesday and should be fine in a big divisional matchup with Carolina.
Result Trust all 3
Jimmy Garoppolo, NE (shoulder) The Patriots are hoping Jimmy Garoppolo will play this week, but he has only practiced on a limited basis through Thursday. Monitor this carefully as the weekend approaches. For Thursday lineups, he's someone you may want to avoid
Result: Fade
Running Back
Rashad Jennings, NYG (thumb) - The Giants are optimistic that he could suit up and play, but they are already thin in the running back depth chart and don't want to risk re-injury. It's also a tough matchup at Minnesota. The thinking here is to stay away this week.
Result: Fade
Tevin Coleman, ATL (ankle) - Tevin Coleman practiced on a limited basis Wednesday, but he is expected to be fine for the big game against Carolina.
Result: Trust
LeVeon Bell, PIT (knee) - All indications suggest LeVeon Bell will be given full duties off the bat. There's a possibility that DeAngelo Williams could see some game action as well, but Bell is expected to be the team's primary ball carrier. Conditioning should not be a problem. Feel confident selecting him for your lineup.
Result: Trust
Kenneth Dixon, BAL (knee) - Week 5 looks like the return date for him. He is not expected to play and is too risky to insert into any Thursday lineups.
Result: Fade
Jamaal Charles, KC (knee) - It's possible that we will see Charles play this week, due to the injury with Charcandrick West. Don't expect much though, perhaps a small handful of carries.
Result: Fade
Charcandrick West, KC (ankle) - Charcandrick West has not practiced as of Thursday and is expected to be inactive for this week's game at Pittsburgh.
Result: Fade
Wide receiver
Marvin Jones, DET (hamstring) A mid-week hamstring strain is never good to see. He's listed on the injury report and is risky to start for Thursday lineups. Keep careful tabs on his progress as the weekend approaches. If he does not practice at all on Friday, it's a good sign that he won't play on Sunday. A limited practice is better news, but there is still some concern. The leading fantasy wide receiver is in danger of missing Week 4.
Result: Fade for Thursday, keep on out for Sunday
Dez Bryant, WR - DAL (hairline fracture on knee) - Look elsewhere, because he is likely facing a multi-week injury that will keep him sidelined. There was a possibility that he could suit up this week, but those thoughts are being squashed as we inch closer to the weekend. He has not practiced at all this week and the talk has drifted to how much time he'll miss, instead of will he play this week.
Result: Fade
Sammy Watkins, BUF (foot) Watkins may miss Week 4 against the Patriots, which should also kill any passing game the Bills may have been planning. New offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn heavily utilized the running game last week in a win over Arizona. Look for a similar game plan against New England. Stay away from Watkins.
Result: Fade
Eric Decker, NYJ (shoulder) - Eric Decker has not practiced this week and is a big question mark for this week's game vs. Seattle. He has not had an MRI exam, but it could come if he doesn't show signs of healing. Monitor his Friday practice, but for now, he's on the doubtful side.
Result: Fade
Willie Snead, NO (toe) There is optimism surrounding Willie Snead's ability to play this week. He has practiced (on a limited basis) twice this week and is showing signs of recovery. He's not a sure thing, but he has a favorable matchup at San Diego this week, so if you lean his direction, consider him for a GPP, but perhaps not a cash game.
Result: Trust (GPP)
Michael Floyd, ARI (head) Michael Floyd has been cleared from a concussion and is expected to play this week vs Los Angeles.
Result: Trust
Tight End
Rob Gronkowski, NE (hamstring) - We need to see him get more than 10-15 snaps in a game before relying on him as a high-priced option for your lineup. Stay clear once again.
Delanie Walker, TEN (hamstring) - There's a chance he could play, but we thought that last week and he was inactive. Avoid for Thursday lineups.
Result: Fade (keep watchful eye on his status for Sunday)
Eric Ebron, DET (Ankle) - Eric Ebron did not practice on Wednesday, but he did partially participate in Thursday's practice. The expectation is that he will play this week at Chicago.
Result: Trust
Julius Thomas, JAC (elbow) - Thomas has missed two practices with an elbow injury this week and does not look like he'll be active against the Colts in London.
Result: Fade
Questions, suggestions and comments are always welcome to haseley@footballguys.com