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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 6 injury video conference.
Quarterback
Cam Newton, CAR (concussion) - Cam Newton practiced on Thursday and is expected to play this week at New Orleans. Carolina has indicated that they will not restrict Newton on short-yardage or goal line plays. Should be a good DFS play.
Result: Trust
Carson Palmer, ARI (concussion) - Carson Palmer has cleared the concussion protocol after missing Week 5. He is back to practicing in full and is expected to play this week against the Jets who are a grade A matchup for the Cardinals passing game.
Result: Trust
Trevor Siemian, DEN (shoulder) - Siemian is expected to start on Thursday night at San Diego. Reports of a high grade shoulder sprain are worrisome, however. Although it's a non-throwing shoulder injury, pain and limited range of motion will be issues and can affect arm strength and accuracy. Siemian will also be at risk of an in-game aggravation. Expect the Broncos to max protect to limit the number of hits Siemian may take against San Diego.
Result: Trust, but be wary of a reaggravation
Cody Kessler, CLE (chest, rib) - Kessler has practiced in full on Thursday and it expected to start this week at Tennessee. Josh McCown continues to rehab his high grade shoulder
Result: Trust
Running Back
Arian Foster, MIA (hamstring) - Limited practices for two consecutive weeks. The Dolphins may be conservative in their approach to bringing him back. He may play this week, but his involvement could be limited.
Result: Fade
Jamaal Charles, KC (knee) - Fully practiced on Thursday. There's some optimism that he's ready to play at any capacity, but coaches and staff may "sprinkle him in" which doesn't sound like he'll be unleashed in full. His price tag is an appealing $5,100 that may warrant GPP plays, but until he is a workhorse on the field, it may be best to fade him.
Result: Fade, high-risk high ceiling GPP play.
Theo Riddick, DET (ankle) - Riddick did not practice on Thursday. Detroit has not provided much information on him at all. Not someone you can trust at this time, especially not for Thursday lineups.
Result: Fade
Jonathan Stewart, CAR (hamstring) - Fully participated in practice after a limited practice earlier in the week. This is a good sign of him playing this week against the worst run defense for fantasy points in the league in New Orleans. Perhaps he's only a tournament play until he shows you can rely on him fully.
Result: Trust for GPP, fade for cash games
James Starks, GB (knee/personal) - Starks suffered a knee injury in a workout on Tuesday, plus he is away from the team until Saturday due to a death in the family. His availability for this weekend is in question, and from the sounds of it, not someone you can trust for a Thursday lineup.
Result: Fade and wait and see for Sunday status.
Eddie Lacy, GB (low-grade high ankle sprain) - Hoping to play and Lacy himself says he is likely to go, but how effective will he be? The running back situation in Green Bay seems like a fade to the entire corps of backs. This might be an Aaron Rodgers pass-fest.
Result: Fade
Rashad Jennings, NYG (thumb) - He expects to play and the team hasn't indicated that he won't.
Result: Trust
Additional RB Summaries
Latavius Murray, OAK (turf toe) - Not expected to play this week.
Dwayne Washington, DET (ankle) - Washington will likely need another week or two to heal from his ankle injury. The addition of Justin Forsett adds a new wrinkle to his value that was already shadowed by Theo Riddick and Zach Zenner.
Doug Martin, TB (hamstring) - Should be back Week 7.
LeGarrette Blount, Jeremy Hill, Frank Gore - likely to go - Trust.
Wide Receiver
Dez Bryant, DAL (tibia contusion) - Bryant was cleared for individual drills on Wednesday but he and most observers stopped short of saying he was preparing to play this week. The medical staff does not want an aggravation of this injury. With the Dallas bye looming in Week 7, I don't see the team taking any risks playing him. Bryant will have to prove he has no pain before clearance for contact.
Result: Fade
Steve Smith, BAL (ankle) - Smith has not participated in practice all week and is not expected to play against the Giants.
Result: Fade
Will Fuller, HOU (hamstring) - Two limited practices this week, but seems to be a safe play. The Texans have not indicated much concern with him missing any time. He should be active and play this week against the Colts, which is a good matchup for the passing game.
Result: Trust
Eddie Royal, CHI (calf) - Royal did not participate in practice on Thursday, but the expectation is that he will play this week against Jacksonville. He played last week with the same injury and had 7 catches for 43 yards. If he doesn't practice on Friday, there may be more to his injury that could keep him out, but all indications suggest he'll play.
Result: Trust
Sammie Coates Jr, PIT (finger laceration) - Coates did not practice on Thursday, dealing with a laceration on his finger/hand. Struggled with drops as a result of the injury last week. Could take 12-14 days to heal. Look for him to have some limited practices this week. Friday practice will tell a lot. He's a risky, high upside, low floor
Tyler Lockett, SEA (PCL injury, knee) - Practicing in full, should be a go for the weekend. Concerned about getting his snap count up.
Result: Trust for GPPs, fade for cash games
Julian Edelman, NE (foot) - Limited practices, but should be fine to play this week. This might become commonplace with Edelman this year, due to lingering effects of his foot injury.
Result: Trust
Additional WR Summaries
Julio Jones, A.J. Green, T.Y. Hilton, Alshon Jeffery, Randall Cobb, Mike Wallace - Trust. All expected to play.
Corey Coleman, CLE (hand), Donte Moncrief, IND (shoulder) - Looking more like a possible Week 7 return.
Tight End
Jordan Reed, WAS (concussion) - Reed has been diagnosed with a concussion and is in the protocol. He has a history of 4-5 concussions missing multiple weeks. The expectation is that he will not only be out Week 6, but likely longer. Washington's bye week is Week 9. We hope he won't be out through the bye, but it's possible.
Result: Fade
Tyler Eifert, CIN (back) - A mid-week session with a specialist is not a good sign. There's a possibility that his back injury could be more than just a back spasm issue. Speculating here, but this might be a herniated disc injury that would require rest, rehab and a cortizone shot. He is not expected to play this week.
Result: Fade
Eric Ebron, DET (ankle/knee) - Ebron did not practice on Thursday and the thinking here is that he will miss another week or be used sparingly. Either way, he is not someone you can rely on.
Result: Fade
Rob Gronkowski, NE (hamstring) - Finally had a productive game and should not be a concern for lineups.
Result: Trust
Additional TE summaries
Julius Thomas, JAC (elbow) - Fully participated in practice and is expected to play this week.
Larry Donnell, NYG (concussion) - Fully participated in practice and is expected to play this week.
Zach Miller, Martellus Bennett, Charles Clay - All are expected to play - Trust.
Questions, suggestions and comments are always welcome to haseley@footballguys.com