September 30th 2017
Saturday Evening Edition
My
Week 4 Injury Takes
RB-Carlos Hyde;
the Niners running back is dealing with a hip injury and is a game-time call.
He’s practiced all week in limited fashion, so there’s a chance he plays, but
given the nature of the injury and the concern there seems to exist, Hyde could
be a real risky play. I would lean with other options, if available.
WR-JJ Nelson; the Cards receiver is
questionable, but expected to play on Sunday. After his donut last week with
only three targets, he’ll be a risky play and hard to trust. I would prefer to
see him back to 100 percent before inserting him back in my lineup.
WR-John Brown; the
Cards are saying Brown will play, but after sitting two games he’s a wait and
see option. I like him going forward and will watch him this week with a close
eye.
WR-Julio Jones; the
Falcons wide receiver was removed from the team’s injury report on Friday. It
will be all systems go for the playmaking receiver on Sunday. He’s my top
ranked wideout for week 4.
WR-Doug Baldwin; the
Seahawks receiver returned to practice on Friday, but there’s no questions he
still not back to 100 percent. He’s likely to play this week, but I’m not
looking for much from Baldwin. I’ll be sitting him and hoping he gets through
the week with no setbacks.
WR-Michael Crabtree;
the Raiders receiver has been downgraded to doubtful and should be removed from
your lineups this week. With Crabtree likely out, wide receiver Amari Cooper
gets a bump in value in a tough Week 4 matchup.
RB-CJ Prosise; the
Seahawks running back is doubtful for Sunday as expected. It will be Chris
Carson and likely JD McKissic according to head coach Pete Carroll. The
Seahawks backfield is a muddled situation and Carson is really the only back
this week that carries any value.
WR-Amari Cooper; the
Raiders receiver was removed from the team’s injury report. That’s good news
for Cooper, but for owners the bad news is his recent dings have had little to
do with his recent struggles. He’s going to be mid-WR2 this week with a tough
matchup against the Broncos.
RB-Jalen Richard; the
Raiders passing catching back was removed from the team’s injury report. With
the likely absence of Crabtree this week, Richard could see even more play in
the passing game. He’s a low-end flex this week.
RB-Melvin Gordon;
the Chargers starting running returned to a full practice on Friday. He’s still
dinged up, but will be a go on Sunday. He’s my No.11 fantasy RB this week.
WR-Mike Williams; the
Chargers rookie wide receiver has been ruled out for week 4. The rookie is
close as there was some thought he may play. Even when he does return to the
field this season, at least in the early going he’s going to be nothing more
than a stash until owners see what he can do.
TE-Delanie Walker; the
Titans tight end was removed from the team’s injury report. Walker should be
ready to roll on Sunday against the Texans, he’s my No.5 fantasy TE this week.
RB-Matt Forte;
the Jets veteran running back has been ruled out for Sunday. With Forte
shelved, running back Bilal Powell will start and likely see a larger share of
the workload this week. Even with Forte out, Powell is considered a low-end
flex at best.
RB-Rex Burkhead; the
Patriots running back entered the regular season with a lot of hype, but recent
injuries have really derailed his opportunities. He is listed as doubtful,
although he did return to practice Friday, so he’s close to returning. Right
now Burkhead is merely a stash in deeper leagues.
WR-Kenny Golladay;
the Lions rookie receiver is listed as questionable for Sunday after missing
the team’s last two practices. And while he has not been ruled out, owners
should go ahead and avoid. Golladay hasn’t done much since his fast two score
start in week one.
TE-Jack Doyle;
the Colts tight end has been removed from the team’s injury report. He’s the
No.17 fantasy tight end in PPR and my No.16 this week. He’s not your starter,
but worth rostering as a bye week fill (if the matchup is right).
RB-Duke Johnson; the
Browns running back is off the team’s injury report and is a viable flex option
this week. He’s my No.29 fantasy RB in PPR.
WR-Kelvin Benjamin;
the Panthers receiver has been removed from the team’s week 4 injury report
which is good news for owners. Benjamin has a great matchup this week against
the Patriots, but he also did last week against the Saints before exiting
early. He’s a borderline flex option this week, but as long as he remains in
the game he’s got potential to haul in some passes. He could be a boom or bust
this week.
WR-Jamison Crowder;
the Redskins receiver is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury, but he
did practice on Saturday; a good indication he’ll be available Monday, Crowder
was quiet last week in a game where Cousins passed for over 300-yards; it’s
hard to trust him at the moment until we see something. He’s a WR3/WR4 for week
4.
TE-Jordan Reed;
the Redskins tight end is listed as questionable although the sense is he
plays. Just the same like last week, if you can plan it have back up tight
Vernon Davis loaded in your holster in case Reed is a scratch.
That’s My Take.
~David Ortega
