to keep them active or leave them on your bench. Dr. Anand Lalaji (Dr. A) of InsideInjuries.com uses a data algorithm that combines athletic specific factors, historical data points, health outcome data and medical expertise, along with information about the athlete’s injury to produce a summary of what you need to know to make your lineup decisions about injured players. The videos below are Dr. A’s outlook for specific players for Week 12 of the NFL/Fantasy Football season.
LeSean McCoy and Mike Gillislee – Buffalo Bills
Both Buffalo Bills’ running backs are injured. McCoy is nursing a dislocated thumb he suffered in Week 11 and Gillislee has a grade two hamstring injury. Dr. A offers his assessment of both players and whether Fantasy owners should start either of them for Week 12.
Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett – New England Patriots
Gronkowski missed Week 11 with a chest injury while Bennett played despite a lingering ankle strain. Both tight ends practiced on a limited basis this past week, but Gronkowski wore a red non-contact jersey and didn’t speak with the media, both signs that he may not play. Bennett is expected to play but like Gronk, he is listed as questionable. Dr. A offers his perspective.
Sammy Watkins – Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills wide receiver was officially activated off the injured reserve list, and head coach Rex Ryan indicated that he expects Watkins to play. Ryan acknowledged that Watkins is still not 100 percent healthy, and that he was limited in practice and will not have a full workload in Sunday’s home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Dr. A’s opinion sounds a bit more ominous, though.
Darren Sproles
Eagles head coach Doug Pederson has already declared that running back Ryan Mathews will not play Monday night when the team will face the Green Bay Packers. Rookie Wendell Smallwood will handle the majority of Mathews’ touches while Darren Sproles is expected to see his normal workload despite the broken rib he suffered in Week 11. Playing with a broken rib is typically a matter of managing the pain. So, whether Sproles will be able to handle pass-catching and being tackled with a broken rib will depend largely on how much pain he can withstand. He will undoubtedly be wearing a flak jacket, which offers some protection. Regardless, Dr. A offers cautionary advice.
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