Joe Mixon RB, Bengals: knee injury
While mid-week downgrades are never a good thing, it appears Joe Mixon will be available for Week 11 against the Ravens. Mixon popped up on the injury report on Thursday with a knee injury, though he wasn’t listed on the report at all on Wednesday. He was reportedly “all systems go” at Friday’s practice, which puts him on track to play this weekend. While that’s great news for fantasy owners, we are still concerned about his knee injury. The Bengals haven’t released which knee is the one giving him problems currently, but he likely aggravated the knee injury that required arthroscopic surgery earlier this season. If that is the case, this injury could bother Mixon on and off for the rest of the season. He will be playing at an Elevated Injury Risk if he’s out there this weekend.
Adam Thielen WR, Vikings: back and calf injuries
Coming off a bye week, Adam Thielen popped up on the injury report on Wednesday with both calf and lower back injuries. It’s unclear when or how he sustained the injuries, but it’s important to note that Thielen dealt with multiple slight (transverse process) back fractures last post-season. He played through the injuries, but the fractures should have healed in the offseason. It’s possible his current back injury is related. The Inside Injuries algorithm is calculating a 3 week Optimal Recovery Time for Thielen’s injuries, so he won’t be healthy if he plays in Week 11. He’s gotten in mostly limited practice sessions this week, suggesting the Vikings expect him to be out there.
James Conner RB, Steelers: concussion
Conner has been a full participant in practice this week as he looks to clear the concussion protocol before Week 11. He had three extra days to clear after he suffered the head injury in the Steelers’ Week 10 Thursday night game. Conner has no documented history of concussions, so he should clear before Sunday’s game, though he will remain an Elevated Injury Risk.
Marvin Jones WR, Lions: bone bruise in knee
Jones has yet to practice this week after suffering a bone bruise last weekend. Sitting out through a week of practice almost certainly means he won’t play this weekend, so get him out of your lineups. Though an MRI revealed the ACL and MCL are undamaged, the Inside Injuries algorithm is still indicating that Jones won’t be 100% in the small chance he plays in Week 11. We are calculating a 2 week Optimal Recovery Time for a grade 1 bone bruise. He will be in much better shape if waits and returns in Week 12.
Royce Freeman RB, Broncos: high ankle sprain
After suffering a high-ankle sprain in Week 7, it looks like Freeman is ready to make a return. He’s had four full weeks of rest and rehab, which is the timeline that Inside Injuries predicted. Freeman was a limited participant on Wednesday, but the upgrade to full on Thursday is a great sign. Freeman has now improved to a Low Injury Risk.
Joe Flacco QB, Ravens: hip injury
It looks like Lamar Jackson will be under center for the Ravens in Week 11. Joe Flacco came out of the Week 10 bye with what appears to be a relatively serious hip injury, and he is officially listed as questionable. He has yet to practice this week, but coach John Harbaugh did say Flacco doesn’t have to practice to play. If Jackson does well in his debut, it’s possible he takes over the No. 1 job.
Sammy Watkins WR, Chiefs: foot injury
Watkins sat out last week, and it’s possible he misses an additional week with his foot injury. He was limited at practice on Thursday but was downgraded to out on Friday. This is a pretty big downgrade, so fantasy owners should pay close attention to his Saturday practice status. Unfortunately, the Chiefs don’t play until Monday, so the safest bet is to find a replacement. If Watkins did suffer a setback, he could be looking at an addition 2-3 weeks on the sidelines.
Keenan Allen WR, Chargers: hip and finger injuries
Keenan Allen was a late addition to the injury report this week with hip and finger injuries. He still got in a limited session on Thursday, so it’s likely he still plays this weekend. Allen battled a knee injury for a few weeks earlier in the season, but has largely remained healthy the past two season after his ACL tear.
Matt Bryant K, Falcons: hamstring strain
Falcons kicker Matt Bryant resumed practicing in full this week after battling a hamstring strain since Week 6. He’s reached his Optimal Recovery Time, but hamstring injuries are extremely tricky for kickers. The Falcons will likely limit his FG attempts this weekend, so we don’t think he’s worth a fantasy start until we see him in game-action.
Chris Godwin WR, Buccaneers: ankle injury
Godwin has yet to practice this week due to an ankle injury and appears to be on the doubtful side of questionable for Week 11. When Godwin sustained the injury and severity of the injury are not yet clear, but even a mild, grade 1 sprain would require 2 weeks of recovery time. A moderate sprain could require up to 5 weeks. Either way, he won’t be 100% by this weekend. It’s time to start thinking about back-up.
Jordy Nelson WR, Raiders: knee injury
Coach Jon Gruden said that Nelson could easily miss Week 11 with a knee injury, and that scenario is looking more and more likely. Nelson has yet to practice this week after sustaining a knee bruise last weekend. Nelson’s absence would leave the Raiders extremely thin at wideout and Nelson hasn’t had much fantasy value yet this season. He shouldn’t be considered a viable option for Week 11.
Follow Inside Injuries on Twitter for breaking news and updates on all of these players heading into week 11.
