Inside Injuries: NFL Injuries to Monitor – Week 7

Isaiah Crowell RB, Jets: foot injury

Crowell played through an ankle injury last weekend despite not getting in much practice throughout the week. This week he’s listed with a foot injury and wasn’t seen at practice until Friday. The Jets officially listed him as questionable, and he is expected to be a game-time decision. Back-to-back lower body injuries are a big red flag. He will almost certainly be hindered by his injuries if he plays Week 7, hence the Poor (35%) Health Performance Factor.

Chris Thompson RB, Redskins: ribs injury

Thompson missed Week 6 recovering from knee and ribs injuries, and Inside Injuries is showing that he should sit for another week. Limited sessions throughout the week might have you believing he’ll be ready to suit up Sunday, but he followed a similar pattern last week before ultimately being ruled inactive. It’s possible to play through ribs injuries, but it’s extremely painful. The Redskins officially listed him as questionable, so he is looking like a game-time decision. Unless you’re desperate, he shouldn’t be in fantasy lineups this weekend even if he is active.

Calvin Ridley WR, Falcons: ankle bone bruise

Calvin Ridley had to leave Sunday’s game after suffering a bone bruise to his ankle. He hasn’t participated in practice this week despite the fact that coach Dan Quinn expected Ridley to be back out there on Thursday. A mild bone bruise still requires 2 weeks of recovery time. Ridley’s availability will likely be a game-time decision. There is a chance he plays Week 7, but he won’t be near 100%. The good news here is that there isn’t any ligament damage. A sprain would come with bone long-term concern than a bone bruise, so it will be more about pain tolerance if he suits up Monday night.

Mohamed Sanu WR, Falcons: hip injury

Sanu has been battling a hip injury over the last two weeks, and he aggravated it last Sunday against the Bucs. He didn’t play at all in the second half. Like Ridley, Sanu has a chance to play Week 7, but he won’t be healthy. Unlikely Ridley, this has already become a lingering problem for Sanu. His Elevated Injury Risk is a concern going forward. With a week 8 bye, the best decision is to sit him this week so he can return healthy and ready to go in week 9.

TY Hilton WR, Colts: hamstring strain

After missing Weeks 5 and 6, TY Hilton returned to a full practice on Wednesday. He is finally trending in the right direction to return for Week 7 and was removed from the Colts’ final injury report. With a 4 week Optimal Recovery Time according to our algorithm, he’s still a week away from his Healthy to REturn date. A mid-week downgrade to limited also has us somewhat concerned. Hamstring injuries are easily aggravated, and we’ve already seen a handful of players this season end up back on the bench after aggravating these types of injuries. Hilton will be a high risk/high reward option this weekend.

 Will Fuller WR, Texans: hip injury

Like last week, Fuller will be a boom or bust fantasy option on Sunday. He had been dealing with a hamstring injury for weeks, but now he’s listed with a hip injury. If he can break open a long touchdown run it could lead to a huge day, but his injuries are going to continue to slow him down. His Above Average Health Performance Factor suggests he could have a good game, but multiple lower body injuries have him at a High Injury Risk.

 Carson Wentz QB, Eagles: back injury

Wentz was limited in practice early this week with a back injury. While Wentz isn’t in danger of missing Week 7, especially after being upgraded to a full participant on Thursday, back injuries can be extremely tricky for quarterbacks. It could affect mechanics, and the risk of aggravating the injury is high.

Evan Engram TE, Giants: MCL injury

Evan Engram is practicing in full this week and has a good shot at returning Week 7. He just hit his Optimal Recovery Time and improved from a High to an Elevated Injury Risk. His Health Performance Factor has also improved to Peak, suggesting he should play well in his return. At a thin tight end position, Engram is a great option playing against a porous Falcons defense on Monday night.

 Allen Robinson WR, Bears: groin injury

At first it appeared Robinson’s groin injury was just a minor tweak, but a mid-week downgrade has us significantly more concerned. A limited practice Wednesday turned into a DNP Thursday, but he returned to the practice field Friday. He is officially listed as questionable. Groin injuries are notoriously tricky, which means taking the full Optimal Recovery Time to heal is extremely important. A minor strain requires 2 weeks of rest while a moderate strain can require 4-5 weeks. Either way, Robinson will not be 100% for Week 7.

DeAndre Hopkins WR, Texans: foot injury

Hopkins has been bothered by a foot injury for the past few weeks, but a downgrade to DNP on Thursday suggests he aggravated the injury. While it’s possible the Texans are just trying to manage his reps, DNPs almost always suggest something more serious. Hopkins had a quiet Week 6 game as he played through his foot injury, and Week 7 brings a matchup with Jalen Ramsey. If he does play, expect him to underperform.

 Adrian Peterson RB, Redskins: ankle and shoulder injuries

While the injury report on AP has improved from three injuries to two (he dropped the knee injury), there is plenty of concern about him going forward. His ankle will continue to be a concern for the next two weeks, and he dislocated his shoulder multiple times in week 5. Peterson is incredibly tough, but the multitude of injuries is only going to slow him down. It looks like he is going to tough it out and suit up again in week 7, but one of these days an injury is going to force him to miss time. With a High Injury Risk and a Below Average HPF, expect him to underperform. It’s best to get him out of lineups for now.

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