Fantasy Index

NFL Injury Report

Monday night injuries

Zach Ertz, Devonta Freeman look OK for Monday night game

The Monday night teams have released their injury designations (a day later than the other teams, since they’ve been on a different work schedule). No huge developments here, but there are a few names will toss out.

Zach Ertz, for starters. He’s first-string tight end for some fantasy teams – a guy who would be the 10th-15th player selected at his position in drafts right now. He’s been sidelined since undergoing groin surgery. But Ertz practiced fully on Saturday and is questionable on the injury report. He was limited at practice on Thursday and Friday.

It’s reasonable to expect Ertz will be a little more limited and rusty than usual. Not a great option, but if you’re stuck at the position, you could potentially toss him out there.

Devin Hester is out with a toe injury. This is a big blow to anybody (anybody?) planning to start the Atlanta defense and special teams. With Hester out there, they’re probably a top-10 team in kick returns. With him down, the Falcons should use Leonard Hankerson more in three-receiver sets.

Roddy White was down for most of the preseason after undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies in his elbow. But he’s pretty much healthy. He’s probable on the injury report, and he participated fully in practice all week. With the kind of numbers I’m expecting in this game, I consider White to be one of the most undervalued receivers for Week 1. Julio Jones can’t catch every pass, and the Falcons don’t have much receiving talent at tight end and running back. (They’re also going without their No. 3 receiver, Hester.) Love White.

On that running back situation, Devonta Freeman (hamstring) is probable. He practice fully on Friday and Saturday. So looks like he’ll play. But the Falcons have named Tevin Coleman their first-string tailback, so he should get first crack and most of the touches. Freeman is significant because with him ready to roll, it gives the Falcons the freedome to lift Coleman on a lot of passing downs and ease him in a little more (rather than leaving him out there for almost every play).

Falcons are also going with linebacker Brooks Reed (groin), making me more confident that the Eagles will pile up plenty of yards and points in this game.

For the Vikings-49ers game, I don’t see anything on there of any fantasy relevance.

The complete rundown is as follows …


PHILADELPHIA at ATLANTA

EAGLES



Status Report

QUESTIONABLE
TE Zach Ertz (groin), LB Marcus Smith (hamstring)

Practice Report

LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Thursday
TE Zach Ertz (groin), LB Marcus Smith (hamstring)
Friday
TE Zach Ertz (groin), LB Marcus Smith (hamstring)

FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Saturday
TE Zach Ertz (groin), LB Marcus Smith (hamstring)


FALCONS

Status Report

OUT
WR Devin Hester (toe), LB Brooks Reed (groin)

PROBABLE
LB Joplo Bartu (quadricep), RB Devonta Freeman (hamstring), T Jake Matthews (back), S Robenson Therezie (groin), WR Roddy White (elbow)

Practice Report

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Thursday
WR Devin Hester (toe), LB Brooks Reed (groin)
Friday
WR Devin Hester (toe), LB Brooks Reed (groin)
Saturday
WR Devin Hester (toe), LB Brooks Reed (groin)

LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Thursday
LB Joplo Bartu (quadricep), RB Devonta Freeman (hamstring), T Jake Matthews (back), S Robenson Therezie (groin)


FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Thursday
WR Roddy White (elbow)
Friday
LB Joplo Bartu (quadricep), RB Devonta Freeman (hamstring), T Jake Matthews (back), S Robenson Therezie (groin), WR Roddy White (elbow)
Saturday
LB Joplo Bartu (quadricep), RB Devonta Freeman (hamstring), T Jake Matthews (back), S Robenson Therezie (groin), WR Roddy White (elbow)

MINNESOTA at SAN FRANCISCO

VIKINGS


Status Report

PROBABLE
TE Chase Ford (shoulder), RB Zach Line (knee), TE MyCole Pruitt (ankle), DT Shamar Stephen (knee)

Practice Report

LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Thursday
TE Chase Ford (shoulder), RB Zach Line (knee), DT Shamar Stephen (knee)

FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Thursday
TE MyCole Pruitt (ankle)
Friday
TE Chase Ford (shoulder), RB Zach Line (knee), TE MyCole Pruitt (ankle), DT Shamar Stephen (knee)
Saturday
TE Chase Ford (shoulder), RB Zach Line (knee), TE MyCole Pruitt (ankle), DT Shamar Stephen (knee)


49ERS

Status Report

PROBABLE
CB Tramaine Brock (hamstring)
Practice Report

LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Thursday
CB Tramaine Brock (hamstring)
Friday
CB Tramaine Brock (hamstring)

FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Saturday
CB Tramaine Brock (hamstring)



—Ian Allan

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