IDP Happenings
Oct 08 2008, 12:09 PM
Saints CB Tracy Porter winces in pain after suffering an wrist injury in Week 5.
Contributed by: Steve Dawson
Welcome to IDP Happenings! Every week on Wednesday we will be touching on the happenings in the IDP world. We will be bringing you up-to-date hard and fast with the latest word on injuries from the previous weekend’s games as well as highlight the players who are soaring or tanking. If it is happening in the IDP world and can impact your roster, we will bring you up to date and even throw in some advice here and there to help you lessen the impact. Remember injuries can represent opportunity as well as pain in fantasy football. Sometimes the backup player proves to be a better fantasy producer than the lost starter. Thank you for joining us.
Saints CB Tracy Porter left Monday night’s game with a wrist injury. He underwent surgery Tuesday to repair what turned out to be a dislocated wrist. The team has placed him on injured reserve, ending his season. Jason David has moved into his position on the team’s latest depth chart. David has struggled in the past and should attract a lot of throws his way.
Ravens NT Kelly Greg has been placed on injured reserve, ending his season. He has been struggling to recover from a scope done on his knee in August. He has decided to undergo micro fracture surgery on the knee after consulting with Dr. James Andrews.
Add another injury to the list for Cowboys CB Terrence Newman. The Dallas Morning News is reporting he is now suffering from an abdominal strain in addition to his groin injury. He underwent MRIs on both injuries Monday but no timetable was given for his return. Adam (Pac-Man) Jones will get another start if Newman is not able to go Sunday. Jones dropped three possible interceptions this week. SS Roy Williams (arm) has been ruled out for Week 6.
Buccaneers LB Barrett Ruud suffered a sprained knee in the game Sunday. HC Jon Gruden called him questionable to play in Week 6. Watch the practice reports to see if/or how much he participates. It would be a good idea to have a backup plan ready.
It looks like Chargers LB Jyles Tucker’s strained hamstring will keep him sidelined for another 1-2 weeks. Marques Harris will continue in his place where he has played well. He has posted six solos, one assist, 1.5 sacks, forced a fumble and recovered one in the last two games.
49ers LB Manny Lawson (hamstring) said he is about 80% and hopes to return for the Week 6 contest against the Eagles. He tried to go this last weekend but felt a “flinch.” SS Michael Lewis left Sunday’s game in the fourth quarter after aggravating an elbow injury. Monitor both players progress this week in the practice and injury reports.
After a bit of a slow start 49ers LB Patrick Willis is beginning to live up to preseason expectations. He produced 14 solos, four assists, and a sack Sunday. That gives him 27 stops and two big plays in the last two games.
Colts CB Kelvin Hayden missed the fourth quarter with an injury to his left knee. No further information has been made available about his status.
Titans DE Kyle Vanden Bosch suffered a groin injury in Sunday’s game against the Ravens. There has not been any indication of the severity but the Titans have this coming week off so he will have two weeks to get healthy.
It looks like Lions CB Brian Kelly has lost his starting job to Travis Fisher. “We just thought the other guy gave us a better chance,” HC Rod Marinelli stated. Fisher started Sunday and tallied four solos and an assist.
Chargers LB Stephen Cooper returned from his four-game suspension this week and racked up seven solos and an assist. Playing in a division populated with run-first teams, last year’s leading tackler for the Chargers should be on a roster in all leagues.
Packers HC Mike McCarthy said LB A.J. Hawk’s groin injury is about where it was at last week. “I think it affected him,” he said. “His burst wasn’t the same.” Hawk played Sunday but only posted two solos and an assist. If you have a better option it might be a good idea to sit him if he is still on the injury report Friday.
Jaguars CB Drayton Florence may be ready to play this week, but HC Jack Del Rio sounded like he is not expecting safety Reggie Nelson back yet. “With Reggie, it’s wait and see,” Del Rio said. “If it [knee] doesn’t show significant progress, he could miss again this week.”
Steelers LB Lamar Woodley posted six solos and two sacks Sunday. With 9.5 big plays through the first five games he has become an every-week starter in big play leagues. He is also suitable for spot duty when he has a good matchup in leagues with balanced scoring.
Bills FS Ko Simpson (hamstring) was not able to finish the game Sunday. HC Dick Jauron said he is considered day-to-day. This is a bye week for the Bills so Simpson will have an extra week to get healthy.
Bears DT Tommy Harris is expected to return in Week 6 from his suspension for a violation of team rules. The suspension was just for one game but he had also missed the previous week with a knee injury. It appears his knee is healthy enough to play.
Bengals CB Johnathan Joseph (ankle) came off of the bench and played limited snaps. He didn’t produce any stats but there didn’t appear to be any aggravation to the ankle. There is a good chance he will return to the starting lineup this week.
Colts HC Tony Dungy expressed little concern about DE Dwight Freeney’s leg injury Sunday. “He strained something in his leg on the first fumble, but he went back in for five or six plays,” Dungy said. It sounds like he is going to be ok but if you are depending on him monitor his progress this week.
Former Bronco safety Hamza Abdullah has agreed to terms with the Browns. This is likely a move by the Browns to provide depth behind current starter Mike Brown until Sean Jones returns from arthroscopic knee surgery.
Steelers DE Brett Keisel has returned to practice this week. The Steelers are on bye this coming weekend but he should be ready to go for Week 7. Travis Kirschke’s role will be reduced with the return of Keisel.
For a parting snapshot this week let's take a look at the offenses that have been the most friendly to your defensive players in a balanced scoring league. Here are the teams you most want to see your players matched up against.
Defensive Linemen
1. Steelers
2. Bears
3. Texans
4. Vikings
5. Bills
6. Seahawks
Linebackers
1. Ravens
2. Dolphins
3. Patriots
4. Cardinals
5. Jets
6. Saints
Defensive Backs
1. Texans
2. Broncos
3. Cardinals
4. Bengals
5. Seahawks
6. Jaguars
You should be paying attention to matchups with your defensive players the same as you do with your offensive players. If you have two players nearly equal in scoring, check to see if one of them is playing a team on these lists. They will have the better chance of producing a good day for you.
If it’s not IDP, it’s fantasy-lite!