Fantasy Football Injury Advice: How To Handle Week 1 Questionables

Week 1 is here fantasy owners, but some of you might be getting bent out of shape over players who are questionable heading into this week. Fret not, SWN is here to help.

Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers

Evans finally practiced on Friday, after giving his owners a real scare by sitting out Thursday. Head coach Lovie Smith said that he didn’t necessarily need to practice to play, which tells us two things.

First, it shows us how high the Bucs are on Evans, and second, it shows that they really want him suited up for new QB Jameis Winston. Last season Evans recorded 10 touchdowns as a rookie, and wasn’t the Rookie of the Year by a mile only because Odell Beckham Jr. made history.

Go ahead and plug Evans in. He’ll be okay.

Alshon Jeffery, WR, Bears

Jeffery is dealing with an injured calf, and his status seems murkier than Evans’. Running back Matt Forte sounded very optimistic about Jeffery’s chances of playing in a Chicago Tribune report.

“It’s no secret what Alshon can do. … He’s been running around (at practice) and doing things. So I’m definitely encouraged about how he’s coming along.”

Forte’s no doctor though, and it looks like we’ll have to wait until game time to see what happens. If you must make your decision right now, and can’t monitor his status on Sunday morning, then I’d advise you play someone else. He is the Bears’ only receiver of note, so they need to make sure he is healthy for the long haul.

LeSean McCoy, RB, Bills

McCoy has a bad hamstring, but he’s on the injury report as probable. With the workload he’s expected to receive with Rex Ryan coaching, that isn’t too wise. However, we’re just fantasy owners. If McCoy is playing, then he must be in our lineups. This guy is way too good to bench for any reason other than him being out.

DeVante Parker, WR, Dolphins

Parker, a potentially impactful rookie out of Louisville, wasn’t expected to play the first few weeks. He’s a quick healer apparently, and he was on the field for Miami’s final preseason game. That indicates that he should see the field in Week 1, even if his playing time is limited.

You should not play Parker in Week 1. He’s unproven, so safe rather than sorry is an acceptable way to approach this. Going forward, I think Parker will wind up being a regular starter for a lot of teams.

Tre Mason, RB, Rams

Thought you were smart to nab Mason late in your draft knowing he’d start the first few weeks? Fantasy football is a cruel beast. Mason is going to be a game-time decision with a strained hamstring, and it honestly doesn’t look good. You could pick up Benny Cunningham, but against the Seahawks it seems like a waste of time. Sorry guys, but I don’t think you’re getting any points from Mason this week.