Injury Reports are the NFL coach's way of playing cat-and-mouse with their opponents. Bill Belichick started the game and now many other coaches are following suit. For Sunday games, the NFL mandates that teams submit an Injury Status report on Friday. However, they do not attach a lie detector test to the coach submitting the report and don't require another official update before the game. They can take a key player that is injured, declare him as Questionable and then de-activate him at game-time. Opposing coaches know this and formulate gameplans with and without the player in the line-up. Fantasy owners, who do not play in leagues with In-game changes, don't quite have that much flexibility and must roll the dice on who they are putting in their starting lineups and who is sitting the bench. There are multiple players fitting this description for Week 4.
Matthew Stafford - Stafford tweaked a leg injury lumbering after an interception last week and sat out the remainder of the game. Since he is not a running QB, he will be underneath center this week. He should be in the middle of a shootout at home versus the Vikings this weekend and should be started.
Pierre Garcon - Garcon has been sitting since hurting his foot in Week 2. He has been practicing this week, but it has been limited. IF he takes the field, it won't be for a lot of plays. The Skins do not want him to further aggravate his injury. Sit him and replace him with Leonard Hankerson if you need some 'Skin in the game.
Reggie Bush - Bush hurt his knee in week 3 and is the dreaded game-time decision for week 3. Should he play, much like Garcon, his field time will be minimal and should be limited to a few screen passes. I expect Daniel Thomas to handle the bulk of the hand-offs.
Fred Jackson/C.J. Spiller - this has to be the toughest call of all since Chan Gailey is matching up against Bill Belichick. Fred Jackson is coming off another knee injury but is playing. C.J. Spiller hurt his shoulder last week and is a game-time decision. In their absence last week, Tashard Choice filled in nicely. IF you have to start one RB out of these players, I would start Choice. I just don't see Buffalo risking Jackson's knee by giving him too many carries and I really don't think Spiller plays at all. If you have ANY other options, use them. I would even recommend adding Shaun Draughn in KC if you need to add someone. The Chiefs ran the hell out of Jamal Charles last week but should mix it up a bit this week. With Peyton Hillis out, Draughn steps in.
Questionable Players Out:
Hakeem Nicks - out again this week. If you spent a waiver pick on Ramses Barden, it looks like it will be worth it. He may not have the game that he had in Week 3, but he will have another solid game.
Nate Kaeding - a groin injury has Kaeding out this week. If he is on your team. cut him immediately. I would recommend grabbing Blair Walsh, Steve Zuerlein or Jason Hanson if one of them is available.
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