Fantasy Football Injury Updates: Jameis Winston, Kelvin Benjamin, Stefon Diggs, more affecting Week 7 start-sit decisions

Tony Fortier-Bensen

Fantasy Football Injury Updates: Jameis Winston, Kelvin Benjamin, Stefon Diggs, more affecting Week 7 start-sit decisions image

Ankles, groins, knees, ribs and all sorts of injuries to other body parts are causing problems for wide receivers like Kelvin Benjamin, Stefon Diggs, DeVante Parker, Marqise Lee and others, and a sprained AC joint has quarterback Jameis Winston "questionable" for Week 7. All of these players are causing start 'em, sit 'em dilemmas for fantasy football owners. (Go here for updates on RBs Leonard Fournette, DeMarco Murray, Bilal Powell, Rob Kelley, and Wendell Smallwood.)

Here's the latest on all the key QB, WR, and TE injuries heading into Week 7.

WEEK 7 RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

Is Jameis Winston playing in Week 7?

Winston (shoulder) stretched, ran, took snaps from center, faked handoffs -- basically everything except throw during Wednesday's practice, according to the Tampa Bay Times. He's still recovering from a sprained AC joint he suffered early in Week 6. Coach Dirk Koetter didn't indicate either way whether Winston or Ryan Fitzpatrick will start this week against the Bills.

The Buccaneers plan to work Winston harder in practice in the coming days, and we'll update his status as the week goes on. For owners of Mike Evans, DeSean Jackson and Cameron Brate, Fitzpatrick did well as a replacement in Week 6, but the Bills defense is a much tougher test than the Cardinals. Fitzpatrick has also struggled in the past against the Bills, so it would be big to have Winston behind center. 

Kelvin Benjamin injury update

Benjamin had a solid game with nine catches on 13 targets for 99 yards against the Eagles last Thursday night, and it didn't appear like he injured himself at any point. However, on Wednesday, Benjamin exited practice early with a knee injury, and on Thursday, he didn't practice at all.  

Nothing is for certain about his status against the Bears, but Devin Funchess would be elevated to a clear-cut No. 1 WR if Benjamin is inactive. Continue to monitor his situation throughout the week.

Stefon Diggs injury update

Diggs (groin) told reporters last week that he expected to play against the Packers in Week 6, but that never came to fruition. He returned to practice Thursday but said he was 50/50 to play against Baltimore, further muddling the outlook for Diggs in Week 7.

If Diggs does play, he is a must-start, but if he doesn't, his absence gives Adam Thielen a huge boost, especially after his 13 targets last week (9-97). TE Kyle Rudolph and RB Jerick McKinnon also receive small bumps in targets, as well. The Ravens are third best at limiting WRs, but that shouldn't have an effect on Thielen. Instead, Michael Floyd and Laquon Treadwell, both of whom received three targets last week with Diggs inactive, will be held down even more.

WEEK 7 RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

DeVante Parker injury news 

After not practicing at all last week, Parker (ankle) didn't practice on Wednesday or Thursday. Coach Adam Gase said he wants to see Parker on the field on Friday before playing him, and OC Clyde Christenson told reporters he is "holding out hope" for Parker to return this week.

If Parker doesn't play, Kenny Stills gets a boost in value, especially in a favorable matchup against the Jets. Last week in Parker's absence, he caught all four targets for 49 yards and a touchdown.

Injury updates for Sam Bradford, Teddy Bridgewater

Not surprisingly, Bradford (knee) missed practice again on Wednesday. It's expected he'll miss Week 7, but, on the bright side for the Vikings, Teddy Bridgewater (knee) seems to be making progress. He came back to practice on Wednesday for the first time since suffering an ACL tear days before the 2016 season opener. Coach Mike Zimmer said Bridgewater still "has a ways to go."

Case Keenum will start again this week against Baltimore. Bridgewater may be another couple weeks away from legitimately having a chance to start, and Bradford's status for return is still as unclear as it has been this entire season.

Marqise Lee injury news

Lee missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday, citing a knee issue. He had been hampered with a ribs injury as of late, but he seems to be past that after leading the Jaguars in targets back-to-back weeks, including a season-high 10 targets last week.

This could be a case of resting Lee for this upcoming week, or it could be something bigger. For now, it's expected he'll suit up, and he has a favorable matchup against the weak Colts secondary. If he misses this week, Allen Hurns becomes a must-start.

WEEK 7 DFS:
Yahoo GPP lineup | Yahoo cash | DK cash | DK GPP | FD GPP | FD cashValues | Stacks |
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Robby Anderson injury update

Anderson (ankle) sat out of practice on Wednesday, but he returned to a full session on Thursday.

Last week, he led the team with 12 targets, but he only hauled in four for 76 yards. He's still expected to play this week, but if you own a Jets player, it'd be best to continue watching this situation. The Jets have spread the ball out to Jermaine Kearse, Jeremy Kerley, and Austin Seferian-Jenkins, as well as anyone in the backfield, so if Anderson misses any time, all the players mentioned will get a slight increase in targets.  

Sterling Shepard injury update

Shepard (ankle) returned to practice as a limited participant on Wednesday and Thursday. It's an encouraging sign after he sat out all of last week, including Sunday night's game against the Broncos. He is still listed as questionable, but clearly he's trending in the right direction.

Eli Manning barely targeted his WR corps of Roger Lewis, Travis Rudolph, Tavarres King and Ed Eagan last week, instead throwing to TE Evan Engram most of the time. If Shepard plays, he easily becomes the No. 1 WR on the Giants and a fringe WR2 in fantasy despite a tough matchup against the Seahawks.

Jordan Matthews injury update

Matthews (thumb) has been riddled with injuries since joining the Bills, but he seems to be heading in the right direction toward the field after limited practices on Wednesday and Thursday.

It's still unlikely he'll play this week, but the Bills sure could use him.  After Charles Clay's injury, the only receivers they have left are rookie Zay Jones, Andre Holmes, and Nick O'Leary.

Mohamed Sanu injury news

Sanu (hamstring) returned to practice on Wednesday for the first time since suffering the injury late against the Bills in Week 4. Despite a bye week, Sanu missed last week's game, but he looks to be on track to play this weekend in a great matchup against the Patriots.

Right now, we have Sanu as a WR3/flex play in what profiles to be a high-scoring affair in Foxboro, and while Sanu's presence would hurt the value of Taylor Gabriel, he also has WR3 upside.

Tony Fortier-Bensen