Some fantasy owners are starting their runs to the playoffs this week. There are a lot of players recovering from injuries, so those owners who were able to make some pickups on backups are probably doing well. St. Louis Rams running back Tre Mason and Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson may have carried their owners to a win with massive output, which is something nobody would have expected two months ago.
The receiver world hasn't seen too many backups step up, but anyone who stashed Josh Gordon and made the playoffs has to be feeling pretty good. Also, those with a great quarterback option have a huge advantage.
We didn't have many major injuries in Week 13, but here they are with some of the older injuries below:
Quarterback
Who: Zach Mettenberger, Tennessee Titans
What: Suffered an AC sprain in his throwing shoulder but expects to play
Impact: Mettenberger should be fine, but Jake Locker would start if that's not the case
Running back
Who: Andre Ellington, Arizona Cardinals
What: Suffered a hip pointer and his season is in jeopardy
Impact: Michael Bush and Marion Grice will get the touches, but the Cardinals can't score.
Who: Rashad Jennings, New York Giants
What: Suffered an ankle tweak, but it's not serious
Impact: He should be fine, but feel free to make a speculative add on Andre Williams.
Wide receiver
Who: DeSean Jackson, Washington
What: Suffered a fibula contusion on Sunday
Impact: It sounds like he's going to miss time, which helps the value of Pierre Garcon, Jordan Reed and Andre Roberts.
Who: Sammy Watkins, Buffalo Bills
What: Suffered another hip injury
Impact: This injury won't go away and he'll be questionable. He should play, though.
Who: Torrey Smith, Baltimore Ravens
What: Suffered an injury and did not return to action on the last series
Impact: Steve Smith Sr. will likely just be a beast, but maybe Jacoby Jones gets some extra targets. Stay tuned.
Who: Justin Hunter, Tennessee Titans
What: Suffered a lacerated spleen and it sounds like he's going to miss time
Impact: Thankfully he's recovering and won't need surgery; Nate Washington could be better in Week 14, while Kendall Wright was awesome.
Who: Miles Austin, Cleveland Browns
What: Suffered a kidney injury and went to a hospital in Buffalo
Impact: Hopefully everything is OK; Josh Gordon and Andrew Hawkins might get an extra target or so.
Old injuries
Quarterback
Who: Ryan Mallett, Houston Texans
What: Suffered a pectoral tear and is out for the season
Impact: Ryan Fitzpatrick went bonkers, but he's still a tough add.
Who: Nick Foles, Philadelphia Eagles
What: Could miss the rest of the season
Impact: Mark Sanchez torched the Dallas Cowboys and he looks to be a solid QB1. New York Jets fans didn't see this coming.
Who: Matt Cassel, Minnesota Vikings
What: Out indefinitely with a broken foot
Impact: Teddy Bridgewater did well in a nice matchup. We still can't trust him, though.
Running back
Who: Ahmad Bradshaw, Indianapolis Colts
What: Out for season with a broken ankle
Impact: Dan Herron has the job locked up.
Who: Ronnie Hillman and Montee Ball, Denver Broncos
What: Hillman suffered a foot injury Sunday and has been dealing with a shoulder problem; Ball is out with a groin strain
Impact: C.J. Anderson is winning weeks.
Who: Reggie Bush, Detroit Lions
What: Ankle sprain has been bothering him for much of the season
Impact: Joique Bell looked great on Thursday.
Who: C.J. Spiller, Buffalo Bills
What: Broke his collarbone and is expected to be out for the season
Impact: Fred Jackson is starting to come around.
Who: Stevan Ridley, New England Patriots
What: Out for season with knee injury
Impact: Shane Vereen is playing well and Jonas Gray will probably never be late to anything ever again.
Who: Khiry Robinson, New Orleans Saints
What: On his way back from an arm injury
Impact: He'll be eased back and has little fantasy value.
Wide receivers
Who: Cordarrelle Patterson, Minnesota Vikings
What: Had ankle and knee concerns, which may explain why he didn't play much on Sunday
Impact: He might be the bust of the year. Drop him.
Who: Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals
What: Knee sprain kept him out in Week 12
Impact: The Cardinals are doomed without him. He should be back next week.
Who: Brandin Cooks, New Orleans Saints
What: Suffered a broken thumb and is on IR
Impact: Kenny Stills, y'all.
Tight ends
Who: Julius Thomas, Denver Broncos
What: Suffered an ankle sprain, missed Weeks 12 and 13
Impact: He should be able to return for Week 15.
Who: Dwayne Allen, Indianapolis Colts
What: Suffered a bad ankle sprain and looks like he'll miss time
Impact: Coby Fleener turned it around on Sunday.
Who: Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
What: Left game with a back injury
Impact: The Bucs didn't report on his status following Week 12, but he missed Week 13. He wasn't an option anyway.
Who: Jordan Cameron, Cleveland Browns
What: A concussion against the Bucs in Week 9 has had him out since
Impact: He might be a big factor with Johnny Manziel under center.
Who: Tyler Eifert, Cincinnati Bengals
What: Could be out for the season with an elbow issue
Impact: Jermaine Gresham had a great game Sunday, but he's still not worth owning.
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