Fantasy Football: Week one injury report

The biggest headache for fantasy football owners is injuries. You could have the most talented team in the world, but it doesn’t do you any good if your players are hurt. Surprisingly week one has some injuries to some pretty key players.

RUNNING BACKS

Arian Foster

The Texans back missed practice on Friday and is officially listed as questionable with a knee injury. The team says Foster is a game-time decision. If he can’t go, Ben Tate would be a great start in fantasy leagues, however signs point to Foster playing.

Marshawn Lynch

Skittles apparently do not heal back injuries. Lynch did practice on a limited basis Friday, but he’s not guaranteed to play on Sunday. If he does not go, rookie Robert Turbin would be a nice flex option. Lynch is a game-time decision.

Beanie Wells

The Cardinals running back is questionable this week with a hamstring injury. He’s already recovering from a knee injury so this is not good news for fantasy owners. Wells says he’s going to play, but he probably won’t make much of an impact. In an effort to try to keep him as healthy as possible, Arizona might lean on second-year man Ryan Williams.

Jonathan Stewart

The Panthers run duo of DeAngelo Williams and Stewart might not be much of a duo against Tampa Bay this week. Stewart is dealing with an ankle sprain and the Panthers are waiting until Sunday to make a decision on him. Signs point to Stewart playing, but it may not be his usual workload.

Ryan Mathews

It was hard to believe Mathews was going to play this weekend, but the thought wasn’t ruled out until Friday. Mathews gave up the hope of playing week one, so he is officially out for Monday night’s game. Taking over as the lead back will be free agent Ronnie Brown, who is a nice fantasy play this week.

Trent Richardson

Richardson is listed as questionable with a knee injury. He’s expected to play, however.

Adrian Peterson

Peterson is coming back from a major knee injury and is questionable to play this week. Even if he does come back, it will likely be in a limited role.

Shane Vereen

Vereen will not play for the Patriots on Sunday. Expect Stevan Ridley to get most of the carries for New England.

Rashard Mendenhall

It was a shock when Mendenhall was activated from the PUP list and it was even more of a shock when there was speculation he might play week one. That speculation is now over since he’s not playing. Isaac Redman and Jonathan Dwyer will get the carries this week.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Denarius Moore

Moore’s situation is the ultimate headache for fantasy owners. He’s questionable and he plays on Monday night. Just for that alone, I’d advise leaving him on your bench. Moore, who is dealing with a hamstring injury, has been practicing, but his outlook isn’t good. He said himself that he’s not going to suit up if he doesn’t feel his hamstring can hold up all game. If he can’t go, rookie Rod Streater could be a sneaky play.

Jacoby Ford

Ford did not practice with a foot injury and is listed as questionable. If he and Moore are both out, Streater’s value goes up even more. However, their status’s won’t be known until Monday.

Stevie Johnson

As if going up against Darrelle Revis wasn’t enough, the Bills number one receiver is battling with a groin injury. He’s listed as questionable this week. He has been practicing and signs point to him playing on Sunday.

Austin Collie

Collie suffered the third (at least) concussion of his career in the preseason. They say he’s a game-time decision, but signs have pointed to him playing. If he doesn’t go, neither T.Y. Hilton or LaVon Brazill are worthy starts.

Marques Colston

Colston is questionable with a knee injury. He’s expected to play.

Golden Tate

Tate wasn’t much of a fantasy play this week in the first place, but he’s now he’s really not since he isn’t playing. Doug Baldwin and Sidney Rice are the receivers to start for Seattle.

Steve Smith (CAR)

Smith has been dealing with a foot injury, but is listed as probable and should play against Tampa Bay.