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Fantasy Football Update
The "Fantasy Doctor" Is In!

Let the "Fantasy Doctor" keep your team in shape throughout the fantasy football season. In this newsletter, you'll find important injury news and notes on the AFC West/East. Also, get more information on a couple of injured key players heading into Week 2.

AFC West/East Injury Notes

 

Kansas City Chiefs: Derrick Johnson, Linebacker (Achilles - out for season)

 

What happened: Stunningly, Johnson just fell to the ground with a torn Achilles tendon in the first half of the Chiefs' opener against the Titans.

 

Player/team outlook: This is a devastating blow for Johnson, who is done for the season, and the Chiefs. Johnson has been a tackling machine throughout his career and no one can simply step in and offer his performance. It's unlikely Johnson will ever be the same player.

 

Fantasy recommendation: Johnson went early in IDP leagues, but he should be released by all teams. The Chiefs defense won't have the fantasy performance it did last year.


Want to watch an Achilles tendon repair? See the Fantasy Doctor, Selene Parekh, perform one.

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San Diego Chargers: Antonio Gates, Tight End (hamstring)

 

What happened: Gates was questionable with a hamstring issue going into the late Monday night opener. However, he was able to play and shined in Week 1.

 

Player/team outlook: At 34, it's hard to imagine Gates will be dominant all season long, but the Chargers really could use him as he and Philip Rivers have amazing chemistry. The healthier Gates is, the better the Chargers offense will flow.

 

Fantasy recommendation: If you have Gates and need holes filled on your roster, this is the time to trade him. His stock won't be much higher than it is right now. Don't sleep on San Diego's backup TE Ladarius Green. He could have a big season, especially if Gates doesn't stay healthy.

 

New York Jets: Dee Milliner, Cornerback (high ankle sprain)

 

What happened: Milliner suffered a high ankle sprain in early August and wasn't able to play in Week 1.

 

Player/team outlook: The Jets are desperate for Milliner to return and perform as their secondary is in disarray. He might be able to take the field in Week 2, but high ankle sprains take time to recover from and players often struggle throughout the season once they have one.

 

Fantasy recommendation: The Jets defensive line has a chance to keep them in games, but if opposing offensive lines do their job well, it's a long year for the Jets D. Milliner offers little value in IDPs and the Jets D is not a solid play throughout the season. Most opponents will be better than the Raiders were in Week 1.

Buffalo Bills: Sammy Watkins, Wide Receiver (ribs)

 

What happened: Watkins hurt his ribs twice during the preseason and was probable heading into Buffalo's opener in Chicago.

 

Player/team outlook: It's good to be young. The high-profile rookie was able to shake off the injury and take part in 54 of the Bills' 57 offensive snaps in Week 1. Assuming he doesn't take another bad hit to the sore area, Watkins might make some big plays and help spread the field for the entire Buffalo offense this year.

 

Fantasy recommendation: Watkins offers more value in keeper leagues for down the road, but makes for a good WR3 throughout the season. He could upgrade to a WR2 later in the year.

Week 2 Watch List

Fantasy lineup decisions are never easy when key players may or may not be able to contribute. Below is some advice on a couple of running backs that fall into that category in the season's second week

 

Eddie Lacy, Green Bay Packers (concussion)

 

What happened: Lacy was unable to finish the Week 1 game after suffering a concussion. He also had a concussion last season and missed the following week's game.

 

Where he's at now: Lacy is reportedly progressing through the league's concussion protocol and could play on Sunday. He's had a few extra days to recover since Green Bay played in the Thursday night opener.

 

Fantasy decision: Simple as this - if he's a go, he has to start. A healthy Lacy will be a top running back this season and could find himself as the No. 1 overall selection in 2015 fantasy drafts. However, be worried about another concussion. This could be a bad sign if it were to happen again this season.

 

Doug Martin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (leg)

 

What happened: Martin left the Bucs' Week 1 game with a left leg injury and had just 16 total yards on nine carries and one catch.

 

Where he's at now: Martin clearly wanted to return to Sunday's game and that's a good sign going forward. Monitor his status closely heading into this week's contest vs. the Rams.

 

Fantasy decision: Similar to Lacy, if he's able to play, he has to start. However, this injury is a little troublesome after he missed significant time last year due to a shoulder. At this point, backup Bobby Rainey is worth owning in case Martin struggles this season.