Our O-Line expert Brad Wire is here to give you the latest updates on injuries for guys in the trenches for you to consider when setting your fantasy football lineups.
Arizona Cardinals
Mason Cole – Questionable (Hamstring) – Cole was able to get some practice and they are hopeful he will start after missing Week 3 and 4. I would bet they stay on the safe side and sit him one more week as Lamont Gaillard has been more than serviceable in Cole’s absence. Either way they have a pretty good matchup this week against the Panthers.
Atlanta Falcons
Kaleb McGary – Questionable (Knee) – McGary has an extra day this week to try to play with their Monday night game with the Packers. He was able to get a limited practice in both Thursday and Friday. Matt Gono was the one who replaced him in Week 2 and started in Week 3 and played okay, but they definitely would prefer McGary. McGary was only expected to miss one week and looks like he has a good chance to start. I would feel more comfortable if he were able to get any full practice in, but at least he was able to get some work in this week.
Baltimore Ravens
Ronnie Stanley – Questionable (Shoulder) – Stanley was unable to practice Thursday or Friday this week as he continues to battle a shoulder injury. He has been dinged up quite a bit to start the season after dealing with ankle and hip injuries already, but he has played 100% of the snaps in both of the Ravens last two games. It seems this is more precautionary as the Ravens did not promote anyone from the practice squad for additional depth.
Ravens elevated CB Khalil Dorsey from the practice squad for Sunday’s game at Washington.
Baltimore did not promote OT Will Holden, which seems like an indication that LT Ronnie Stanley (questionable, shoulder) will be active. Stanley didn’t practice Thursday or Friday.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) October 3, 2020
Carolina Panthers
Dennis Daley – Questionable (Ankle); Russell Okung – Questionable (Groin) – Both Okung and Daley were able to get some limited practices in this week. Okung seemed like he was going to play last week, but ended up being a late scratch. Matt Rhule expects Okung to be full go this week against the Cardinals. Daley on the other hand still seems like a long shot to go. Michael Schofield had replaced Daley for the first two weeks of the season, but it was Chris Reed who started Week 3 after coming off the COVID list. Reed told his story about his battle with COVID and being isolated from his pregnant Wife. His story along with many others are the reason the Panthers were able to pull out a win last week. Stories like this will shine a little brighter on this dull season.
S Tre Boston says the team meeting where players were telling stories helped the defense play a little better. He said guys are texting each other a little bit more. https://t.co/HHMgaPqeGt
— Jonathan M Alexander (@jonmalexander) October 1, 2020
Cleveland Browns
Joel Bitonio – Questionable (Back) – The expectation is that Bitonio will play Sunday against the Cowboys. He has not missed a snap since 2016 and I don’t expect him to in Week 4. This matchup on the ground is a really good one for the Browns. As long as they can keep it close both Chubb and Hunt should produce heavily.
Dallas Cowboys
Tyron Smith – Questionable (Neck) – After missing Week 2 and Week 3 it seems Smith is on track to play. McCarthy has said that Smith has done everything he has needed to do in order to play this week. Brandon Knight started in Smith’s place and could very well bump over to take over for Terence Steele at right tackle. That decision will likely be made at game time. Unfortunately, the decision for La’el Collins has already been made. He will be having season ending hip surgery.
#Cowboys T La’el Collins will now have surgery Wednesday to address the hip injury per source. The pain became intolerable despite him wanting to play through it. I’m told this now means he’s out for the season.
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) October 3, 2020
Green Bay Packers
Corey Linsley – Questionable (Groin); Elgton Jenkins – Questionable (Back/Rib) – Jenkins is the only Packers lineman who has played 100% of the snaps this year. This is impressive given the state of this group. Sure, Linsley and Bakhtiari only missed snaps during garbage time against the Lions, but still impressive nonetheless. This seems like the same situation as Bitonio, I think Jenkins plays Monday and was just given a day to rest. Linsley showed up on the injury report late on Saturday after he was unable to practice. Lucas Patrick would be the one to replace him if he were unable to go on Monday and Jon Runyan would cover his spot at right guard. This Falcons D-Line is underrated and is led by one of the most underrated players in Grady Jarrett. Personally, I am looking forward to this battle and what should be a firework show on Monday Night Football.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Brandon Linder – Out (Knee) – Linder was first injured in the 3rd quarter of their Week 2 matchup against the Titans and has since been replaced by Tyler Shatley. His injury wasn’t in my write up for Week 3 as the Jaguars played on Thursday night. Linder has avoided the IR, but it seems at this point as that would have been the better option.
Las Vegas Raiders
Trent Brown – Doubtful (Calf) – Brown was again unable to practice this week. Sam Young looks to be the one to start this week after being originally replacing Brown in Week 1. This gives them a choice between Denzelle Good and rookie John Simpson. According to PFF John Simpson has not played well, posting a 22.3 pass blocking grade. I have a feeling they will give Simpson the start in Week 4 and see if he has improved.
Los Angeles Chargers
Trai Turner – Out (Groin); Bryan Bulaga – Out (Back); Storm Norton – Questionable (Knee); Tyree St. Louis – Out (Concussion) – *EXHALE* On the Chargers depth chart both Turner and Bulaga are listed as starters. Their backups you ask? Storm Norton and Tyree St. Louis. So who does that leave then? Ryan Groy filled in at guard and Trey Pipkins at tackle. Tampa Bay already has one of the best run defenses and playing against backups to the backups will not help. Shaq Barrett might also live in the backfield this week. Would I be sitting Ekeler? Absolutely not. Am I starting Joshua Kelley? Only if he is your very last available option.
Miami Dolphins
Solomon Kindley – Questionable (Foot) – Kindley turned in a limited practice on Friday with a foot injury. Fellow rookie Robert Hunt would replace him in some form if Kindley were to miss time. They could bump Jesse Davis (RT) inside and Hunt would play tackle.
New England Patriots
Shaq Mason – Questionable (Calf); Isaiah Wynn – Questionable (Calf) – As of right now this game at the very least looks to be delayed, which is good news for both of these guys. Mason and Wynn were only able to get in limited practices this week. I expect both of these guys to play this week if there is still a game.
New Orleans Saints
Andrus Peat – Out (Ankle) – Peat’s injury did not look pretty. He was rolled up on as Kamara got tackled. This is something from lineman nightmares. You never expect it to happen or wish it on anyone, but you know it is almost always a possible outcome. Nick Easton will replace Peat for what I expect to be a few weeks. Easton has looked underwhelming at times as he started the season at right guard with new rookie Cesar Ruiz getting injured during camp. They have a juicy matchup this week against the Lions, but it might be closer than we think with all the injuries. If it does get out of hand, though, this might be a Latavius Murray close out week.
Andrus Peat of the #Saints gets rolled on here. Appears to lift his foot at the last second, which may have saved him from a fracture. I am still worried about it though, and he is headed to the locker room for X-rays if his tibia/fibula @TheFantasyDRS pic.twitter.com/QfLzEwderF
— Eric Friedman, MD (@sportsinjuryMD) September 28, 2020
Seattle Seahawks
Damien Lewis – Questionable (Ankle) – Lewis was able to get in a full practice on Friday. Most likely would have drawn the probable tag given the option. I’m not too worried about him this week. This should be a pretty dominant showing on the ground against the Dolphins and it is very possible a combination of Travis Homer and Deejay Dallas get a good chunk of work with Carlos Hyde out.
Washington Football Team
Morgan Moses – Questionable (Hip) – Moses is another one who turned in a full practice on Friday and seemingly would draw the probable tag. He has not missed a snap so far this season and I don’t expect Sunday to be any different.
Notable Players On Short Term Injured Reserve
Xavier Su’a-Filo – Cincinnati Bengals
Cameron Erving – Dallas Cowboys
Elijah Wilkinson – Denver Broncos
Joe Dahl – Detroit Lions
Richie Incognito – Las Vegas Raiders
Joseph Noteboom – Los Angeles Rams
Pat Elflein – Minnesota Vikings
David Andrews – New England Patriots
Isaac Seumalo – Philadelphia Eagles
Jason Peters – Philadelphia Eagles
Brandon Scherff – Washington Football Team
For more from Brad, check out his preseason comprehensive Offensive Line rankings. Brad will be making updates to the rankings regularly throughout the season. Don’t forget that you can also follow @TheUndroppables to catch all of the latest content drops to our site!
