DFS: Midweek Injury Report

Week Twelve is on the horizon and it’s the final week of byes (thank the heavens). Unfortunately, the Cardinals, Chargers, Chiefs, and Vikings all roster DFS relevant players, making this week’s injury report and roster construction that much more difficult. I’ll walk you through the Midweek Injury Report so we can begin to get an idea of who is playable in Week 12. Please note that all of the following player prices are from FanDuel.

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T.Y. Hilton ($11,500)

Every time Hilton plays against the Texans his incredible career stats against them are a topic of discussion. I understand the temptation to play Hilton in this matchup given all of the factors surrounding this game, but I’m not confident he’ll even be active. This is why I’m fading Hilton even if he is active:

1. He did not practice yesterday
2. He’s nearing day 15 of a calf strain
3. The average return to sport for the least severe calf injury is 15 days.

If Hilton defies the odds as he’s done before, I’m still comfortable avoiding him, especially in cash. Furthermore, this is a difficult group of skill players to peg, so instead I would pivot to Nyheim Hines ($10,000) who’s role is the most defined at this point in the week.

Update: Hilton’s estimated practice participation for today was “full practice” but he is still not a cash game play if active.

Will Fuller ($8,000)

Fuller was a surprise inactive last week as it was almost universally assumed he would play. Considering that he has continued to be limited in practice, his status is truly up in the air. The Texans are taking it slow with Fuller who last year, upon returning from a hamstring strain, tore his ACL. If he’s active, he’s a volatile tournament play given his current Week 12 status and hamstring strain history.

Tyler Lockett ($7,400)

Next on the DFS Midweek Injury Report is my favorite receiver in the league. Tyler Lockett suffered a severe contusion to his thigh in Week Ten and it knocked him out of Monday Night Football. It was significant enough that he stayed in the hospital for two nights to monitor for compartment syndrome (see my tweet below for a brief explanation of compartment syndrome). All of this information means that Lockett is not a lock-ett (see what I did there?) to play this week. Check back with me for his practice reports and updates but if he can’t go everybody in the receiving corps gets a boost, particularly D.K. Metcalf who is a reasonable $6,700. The Eagles secondary has been better of late, but this could very easily still become a shootout.

Alshon Jeffery ($6,200)

Jeffery has been struggling with this ankle injury since before the Eagle’s bye and so far this week there has been no change in his status. This matchup against the Seahawks would be a great get-right game for the Eagles and Jeffery alike, but I’m skeptical he’ll play. Check back with me later in the week for updates. If he can’t go, it will be the Zach Ertz ($6,100) who gets most of the targets in what should be a shootout.

George Kittle

Kyle Shanahan tipped his hand a bit this week in an interview when speaking about Kittle’s knee and ankle injuries. He said “it’s going to come down to the wire again this week” in reference to whether or not Kittle will play on Sunday night.

Ha! Gotcha, Shanahan!

George Kittle didn’t practice even once last week and it was never going to “come down to the wire” in Week 11. The fact that he would immediately give that default answer about his Week 12 status clues me in that Kittle hasn’t actually made any significant progress. If that’s the case, Kittle will once again be inactive and Ross Dwelley will be in play. I could be wrong, so check with me for updates on this matter.

Thanks for reading the DFS Midweek Injury Report. Keep in mind this is a preliminary report that is constantly evolving, so stick with me and feel free to reach out with questions.

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