Fantasy Football: Top 5 injuries to keep an eye on for Week 10

Injuries are part of Fantasy Football, unfortunately. Make sure to adjust your lineups accordingly heading into Week 10 action.

Todd Gurley” width=”850″ height=”566″ /> Nov 22, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; St. Louis Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) carries the ball during the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Considering the nature of the sport, fantasy football owners suffer their own sort of internal non-physical injuries—for the most part. Any freak injury to any of your players can and probably will decimate your entire team.

However, the good news is, not to sound like we’re cheering for someone’s injury to happen, but with one man’s opportunity gone, another’s presents itself.

With Week 9 in the books, fantasy owners everywhere are absolutely dismantled or pleased with their performances from the past week. As always, Week 10 should promise to be another good one as we get ready to put last week behind us and prepare for the upcoming one.

Without further ado, here’s an injury report heading into Week 10 fantasy football with the top five injuries to keep an eye on.

Next: 5. The Muscle Hamster may return in Week 10

ny jets /

Nov 15, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Dallas Cowboys middle linebacker Rolando McClain (55) chases Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) during the first quarter of a football game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

5. Running Back Doug Martin – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

We want the Muscle Hamster back already! Martin is easily the Bucs’ best tailback, but unfortunately, he’s been hit with injuries that have sidelined him since Week 2. Charles Sims and Jacquizz Rodgers have been the two feature backs to be involved in the running game since Martin’s absence.

However, with both Sims’ and Rodgers’ injuries coming in subsequent timing, Martin may be coming back soon at the perfect time. According to CBS Sports, Martin is expected to return to action in Week 10’s matchup against a low-ranked Chicago Bears run defense.

The matchup is enticing and certainly if you have the veteran tailback on your team, you’re most likely going to play him.

The Bucs could use all the help they can in the rushing department as they’ve been the one team that’s been decimated the most with injuries this season—especially to their running backs. Certainly getting Martin back warrants good news all around. The one thing we hope is that he’s not being rushed back due to the lack of backs they currently have on the roster. It’s been eight weeks now since he’s seen live snaps. Let’s cross our fingers.

Next: 4. A Stark hoping to land the throne

Nov 8, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Green Bay Packers running back /

James Starks (44) runs as Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) defends in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports” width=”850″ height=”565″ /> Nov 8, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Green Bay Packers running back James Starks (44) runs as Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) defends in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

4. Running Back James Stark – Green Bay Packers

You have to figure that the Packers are anxious to get someone with actual running back experience. It’s been a real unfortunate season for many teams and their tailbacks, and Green Bay is in that mix.

After feature tailback Eddie Lacy went down with a season-ending injury, Starks was the next man in line for that coveted role. however, he too went down with a knee injury right around the same time.

The Packers initially went and traded for Knile Davis from the Kansas City Chiefs, and that didn’t work out. He was cut a couple weeks later. Teammates Ty Montgomery and Randall Cobb both saw some carries in the backfield, with Montgomery being the only one that produced anything.

It appears that Montgomery is going to continue to be the feature tailback for now—at least until Starks comes back. He’s officially listed as questionable, but even if he misses this week, he’s probably a good bet to come back in Week 11.

Next: 3. DJAX still provides a deep threat

Jan 10, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson (11) carries the ball for a touchdown but the play was reversed upon replay review in front of Green Bay Packers free safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (21) during the first half in a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

3. Wide Receiver DeSean Jackson – Washington Redskins

The veteran wideout is dealing with a shoulder injury and is doubtful to play in Week 10’s tilt against the Minnesota Vikings.

Jackson initially injured his shoulder during their game in London against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 8. He actually was also diagnosed with a head contusion at the conclusion of that same game.

Regardless of whether or not Jackson comes back soon, he’s been fairly quiet this season to warrant any sort of confidence in starting him in your lineups. He’s only caught one touchdown this season, and that was all the way back in Week 3 against the New York Giants.

He’s only passed the 100-yard mark once this season. That was in Week 1. He also hasn’t caught more than six targets, which was also in Week 1. It’s safe to say that Jackson is a huge hit-or-miss fantasy wideout.

The beneficiaries here have to be his teammates Pierre Garçon, Jamison Crowder, and stud tight end Jordan Reed. With his absence, you have to figure all three of these players are going to receive extra looks and a slight bump in value. The real question is how long is he going to be out?

Next: 2. The 12th Man needs this back at full strength

Dec 20, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back /

Christine Michael (32) takes the ball upfield during a game against the Cleveland Browns at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks won 30-13. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports” width=”850″ height=”566″ /> Dec 20, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Christine Michael (32) takes the ball upfield during a game against the Cleveland Browns at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks won 30-13. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

2. Running Back Christine Michael – Seattle Seahawks

Michael has been nothing short of solidified stud this season with his team and with fantasy owners. After the presumed starter Thomas Rawls went down with an injury early in the season, Michael was the next man in line. And he hasn’t disappointed.

That’s the good news. The bad news is that he’s currently dealing with an always nagging hamstring injury. The initially suffered the injury in Monday night’s showdown against the Buffalo Bills.

Up to this point, Michael has been the feature back in that offense. Many wondered what a Marshawn Lynch-less team would look like and Michael quickly came in and quieted the doubters. However, seeing that he’s currently facing this injury and rookie tailback, C.J. Prosise having already taken some snaps away, we could see Michael’s role diminish the next couple of weeks.

Aside from that owners should worry about Rawls coming back soon—maybe as soon next week even. With the injury to Michael and with the other two feature backs on this team, we may have seen the very last of the 26-year old in a featured role.

It’s a shame considering the amount of production he came up with, but that is the reality of the NFL. It’s why many think it also stands for “Not For Long.” We shall see if that’s true with number 32.

Next: 1. A Ram not living up to expectations

1. Running Back Todd Gurley – Los Angeles Rams

Coming off a tremendous and great rookie season in 2015, many owners and the newly-moved Los Angeles Rams had high aspirations for the 22-year old. Gurley is only averaging 3.1 yards per carry through nine games this year. On top of that, he’s found the end zone only three times thus far.

The situation isn’t being helped any better seeing that the Rams’ offensive line as a whole has been struggling to get anything going. They currently rank 24th in both run blocking and pass protection. We’re no football coaching experts, but even we know that’s not good. The o-line has already given up 25 sacks through this point, which raises many eyebrows and makes you wonder if Gurley will have any chance to get it going this season.

The Rams stand at 3-5 with nine games left. Being in one of the toughest divisions that get to see the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals two times a year isn’t quite the warm welcome. While many think the Rams aren’t going anywhere this season, especially with Case Keenum at quarterback, Gurley has been a victim of the old schematic system.

Must Read: Fantasy Football Start or Sit Week 10: WR Quincy Enunwa

It seems that because opposing defenses would rather give some cushion to Keenum in order to able to lock in on Gurley to limit the damage, the young star running back has been fairly quiet this season. It’s been working so far, and now entering Week 10’s tilt against one of the top run defenses in the New York Jets, and dealing with an injured thigh, it only makes sense that this isn’t the best week to bounce back. Let’s just hope that if he does play, head coach Jeff Fisher and company tread carefully.