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 your lineups in the upcoming week's schedule of games. Click here to view Jene's Week 7 injury video conference.
Quaterback
Andrew Luck, Russell Wilson, Carson Palmer - All are expected to play this week. These three have minor injuries but are fully expected to play. - Trust
Ben Roethlisberger (knee) - Out. Will not play this week. - Fade
Joe Flacco (shoulder) - Did not practice on Thursday after missing practice on Wednesday. The thought is that he will not play this week, because he has never started a game when missing consecutive days of practice. The Ravens contend that he can play ieven if he doesn't practice. The chance of him playing sounds less optimistic as more information comes out. Flacco, even against the Jets porous pass defense is a gamble. - Fade
Running Back
LeSean McCoy (hamstring) McCoy left practice on Wednesday due to hamstring "tightness" and did not practice on Thursday. The Bills are saying he's 50/50 to play this week and there's a report of a mild to moderate strain that was likely transcribed from a source that was probably not a team doctor. There's some uncertainty with McCoy and it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Bills sit him so he can rest and not risk further injury. Fade for Thursday lineups and monitor Friday practice, but this sounds like game time decision. More detailed info can be found on McCoy in Jene's longer Wednesday injury video.
Doug Martin, Thomas Rawls, Carlos Hyde - All three are not playing this week. Fade.
Frank Gore, Matt Forte - Received a veteran practice day off mid-week. Should be fine to play. Trust.
Theo Riddick (ankle) - No specific details on the injury. Likely an off the field or early week practice injury. Was reported on Wendesday that he "danced through the locker room." Until you see him do anything on the field, he's a fade for this week. Fade
Arian Foster - Foster fully practiced on Wednesday as well as Thursday. It looks like he'll play, but he could be in a committee approach with Jay Ajayi. Based on last week's big game, Ajayi looks to be the one to target over Foster. Fade
DeAngelo Williams (knee) Reportedly not practicing on Thursday after being placed on the injury report on Wednesday. LeVeon Bell could see the majority of touches with an uncertain Williams. Fade
Wide Receiver
Odell Beckham Jr (hip pointer) - He had a limited practice on Thursday, but expectation is that he will play this week in London. The type of injury he has can be painful if the bruise on the pelvic bone pushes against the nerve that lives underneath. Keep tabs on Friday and Saturday practice, but he is on the plane to London and will be further evaluated after Friday and Saturday practice.. The thought is that he will play, but there could be some decrease in snaps if the injury flares up during the game. Trust, but watch Friday and Saturday practices. More detailed info can be found on Beckham in Jene's longer Wednesday injury video.
T.Y. Hilton, Emmanuel Sanders, Julian Edelman, Jordan Matthews - No indications suggest these four will miss this week's game. Play with confidence. Trust
Stefon Diggs - limited in practice both Wednesday and Thursday. Perhaps take a chance on him in a deeper GPP, but there's other options that are better at this time. Fade
Monhamed Sanu (groin) - Limited practice on Thursday, but it could just be a precaution. The expectation is that he will play. Trust
Terrelle Pryor (hamstring) Unlikely to play at this point, but the coach thinks he will play. He should have a limited practice on Friday at best. It's possible that he plays, but don't expect the same level of production from him if he does. Fade
Will Fuller - Trending positive, but don't trust unless he practices on Friday. Houston has a tough matchup at Denver as it is. The injury could also keep him from playing at 100% He's a Fade.
Travis Benjamin - Trending positive after a limited practice on Thursday. Sounds like the Chargers are expecting him to play. Only shy away if he suffers a setback on Friday. Trust
Steve Smith (ankle) - not expected to play. Fade.
John Brown (hamstring), DeSean Jackson (shoulder), Robert Woods (foot/walking boot) - All three are a wait and see approach, but from a DFS lineup standpoint, these are fades unless they practice in full on Friday. Fade
Donte Moncrief (shoulder), Corey Coleman (hand) - Both are not playing this week and have not been cleared for contact. Corey Coleman to have another X-Ray next week to see where he is with his recovery. Fade
Tight End
Jordan Reed (concussion) - Did not practice Thursday. Likely not cleared to play this week. He had a yellow jersey on for Wednesday's practice and then missed Thursday. That is not a good sign that he will be cleared to play by the independent neurologist. Fade.
Tyler Eifert - Eifert did practice on Thursday and it's pointing to him playing this week vs. Cleveland, but don't expect much volume, mostly select snaps and goal line plays. It may be best to wait before pulling the trigger on him for your lineup. Fade.
Eric Ebron - Not cleared to practice yet. He is looking like he will miss another game this week. Fade.
Questions, suggestions and comments are always welcome to haseley@footballguys.com