Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

How many times after a failed fantasy football season do you look back and wonder, what happened to my team? I drafted well, heck I even made a couple good pickups. The problem you likely had lies within this column, as the Bruno Boys bring you the Top 10 injuries of 2009. You may have only had one of these guys listed below, maybe two or three, but if you didn’t have the depth or good replacements on the waiver wire, your team likely limped through the fantasy football season. On top of the injuries, we will fill you in on the guys who replaced them and if those injured stars can come back in a big way in 2010.

1. Clinton Portis, RB, Washington Redskins: Portis missed the final eight games of the season after he suffered concussion on November 8th against the Atlanta Falcons. The problem with the injury was that many believed Portis would be coming back, as the Redskins waited an entire month before putting him on injured reserve. His season was not productive, with only a single 100-yard rushing game and one touchdown. His injury helped fantasy football owners pick up Ladell Betts, who played well before his season ending injury. That then opened the door for Quinton Ganther, a player on many championship rosters that excelled in the final weeks of the season. It’s hard to say what Portis’ role will be under new head coach Mike Shanahan (who traded Portis when he was in Denver) but one things for sure…you will want to keep a close eye on what Washington does at the running back position for 2010.

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The good news coming from the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs is that the teams advancing to next week’s action saw the vast majority of their players stay healthy. Not only is that a good thing for me as it means fewer items to report on, but it also is a good thing for all of you, considering you only have four teams to pick players from for your Fantasy Playoff Gridiron Challenge. Although everyone who can make an impact and score some fantasy points should be on the field next weekend, there were a couple players who got dinged up that may be held out of practice this week, and as a result, see a slight dip in value.

Pierre Thomas, RB, New Orleans Saints: Thomas tweaked his ankle in New Orleans’ win over the Arizona Cardinals this past weekend, but he believes the injury should have no impact on his status for the conference championship game against the Minnesota Vikings. The Saints seem to be running with a committee type approach, with Thomas, Reggie Bush, and Lynell Hamilton seeing an even amount of carries on Saturday. Thomas’ performance was rather lackluster, gaining 52 yards on 13 carries and 18 yards on 4 receptions without a touchdown. This injury shouldn’t limit Thomas, but his amount of touches might. Check out our running back rankings to see if Thomas can be an option for your lineup.

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Hopefully you have participated in the Bruno Boys Postseason Gridiron Challenge, as the competition is intense with a lot of games still to be played. Week 2 should be a lot more fun, with even more skilled offensive players taking the field. The one thing you will see in the playoffs though is someone stepping up out of no where (i.e. Early Doucet). Try your best to manage your salary cap and take some risks that could turn into big rewards. Another key to victory, not rolling with injured players. This is the playoffs and if a guy can’t help his team, he won’t see the field. Let’s look at a couple banged up players going into the Divisional Round. 

Marion Barber, RB, Dallas Cowboys: What a terrible game he had against the Philadelphia Eagles. If you played Barber this past weekend, your team is likely in some trouble. He only tallied 3 carries for 4 yards and the reason for those low totals is due to a swollen bursa sac in his left knee. The injury causes Barber to not have much range of motion and he is in pain when he makes a move and accelerates. With the Cowboys relying on Felix Jones a lot more last week and Barber nursing an injury it makes him a risky start moving forward. Keep Barber off your team for this week, as he may not do much good even if he does suit up.

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If you didn’t have success in your fantasy football season you just need to relax. Websites everywhere are trying to keep fantasy football alive with postseason play. In fact, the Bruno Boys would like to invite you and your friends to join our league on Fantasy Football Playoff Challenge, where you can try knocking off the experts. It’s free and easy to play, so why not keep the magic alive for a few more weeks?

On to the injuries. While a big time player went down on Sunday, there is still animosity as to how teams should handle the final weeks of the season. Play your guys and watch them get hurt? Sit your stars and let them get rusty going into the most important time of the year? For fans, you should always want the starters to play. It makes the games in Week 17 worth watching and it helps those in fantasy football leagues. Those guys are paid to do a job and that is to play football. Having them sit is doing the fans and other teams in the NFL a disservice. When they are up by 28 in the 3rd quarter of a game in Week 6, you don’t take them out. Well why do it in Week 17? The arguments can go on and on without there ever being a right answer. One thing we do know, we still have injuries to deal with going into round one of the playoffs. 

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Good morning, Bruno Boys Nation, as we get set for Week 17, the Bruno Boys are here to provide you with updated information on injuries and other issues that impact players. (Note: This article will update throughout the day as more and more information becomes available to the Bruno Boys.)

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Sometimes in the world of fantasy football, replacements are needed. The same holds true for us here at the Bruno Boys, as Bruno Boys Whooley will be filling in this week for Bruno Boys Greg in our weekly look at those injuries that occurred over the weekend that could impact fantasy match-ups in the week ahead. So, if you’re still playing for something, take a look below to see if anyone on your roster suffered a severe injury and will need to be replaced in Week 17.

Remember, injuries happen all the time. Even if it is your star that goes down, finding the right replacement before the other owners in your fantasy football league may be the difference at the end of the year. With that being said it will benefit you to check out our Fantasy Football Week 17 Waiver Wire - Pick Them Up article to identify which player to pick up.

Have a guy on our injury list and not sure what to do with your roster? Contact our injury expert Greg Warnock for advice. He can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

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Good morning, Bruno Boys Nation, as we get set for Week 16’s action to kick off, the Bruno Boys are here to provide you with all the latest and greatest injury information

(Note: This article will update throughout the day (hit refresh) prior to kickoff as more and more information becomes available to the Bruno Boys)...

QB Peyton Manning (Indianapolis Colts) - According to reports from ESPN, Colts’ QB Peyton Manning has indicated his belief that if the Colts’ game with the New York Jets is competitive, he imagines he’ll go a full 60 minutes. This is good news for Manning owners as it appears the only way Manning will sit is if the game is a blow out either way. Since the Jets are unlikely to run up the score on Indy, fantasy owners can expect Manning to exit only after he’s done enough to give the Colts a big lead and fantasy owners some points.

QB Matt Moore (Carolina Panthers) - Despite a shoulder injury, Moore has been ruled active for the Carolina Panthers, and he will get the start against the New York Giants. While Moore is coming off a solid 23 point fantasy outing in week 15, we’d still stay away from the unproven commodity unless you are targeting Moore as a low-end QB2.

QB Charlie Frye (Oakland Raiders) - As expected with Tom Cable trying to have as little as possible to do with JaMarcus Russell, Charlie Frye will start for Oakland on Sunday. While Frye himself is not fantasy worthy, his presence under center does over Russell’s does provide a slight boost of value to the other Raiders’ skilled position players.

QB Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) - As expected, Ryan will start for the second straight week despite being hindered by a toe injury. Ryan’s return game was nothing special as he amassed just 10 fantasy points against the New York Jets. Granted, the Jets are a tough pass defense, but Ryan’s job doesn’t get much easier this week as he’ll be taking on the Buffalo Bills, who allow the fewest fantasy points to the QB position after the Jets. Stay away from Ryan if at all possible.

QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (Buffalo Bills) - Despite partaking in some of Friday’s practice, Ryan Fitzpatrick has been declared inactive for the Bills’ match-up with the Atlanta Falcons. As such, Brian Brohm will make his NFL debut in his place. The match-up on paper is a nice one as Atlanta ranks 30th against the pass, but we wouldn’t put our fantasy championship hopes on the arm of a QB making his NFL debut.

QB Tom Brady (New England Patriots) - Though his status was never really in doubt, Tom Brady’s fantasy owners will be happy to know that the QB is active for the Patriots’ match-up with the Jacksonville Jaguars. As always, Brady is a must start, especially with the Jags sporting the 27th ranked pass defense in all of football.

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After looking at the two big names that were drafted in the first round of most drafts on this injury report, you will see mostly everyone who went into Week 15 healthy came out the same way. That is great news for many of you who need all your top dogs ready to go as you attempt to win a fantasy football championship. However, if you weren’t fortunate enough to go injury free on Sunday, don’t panic as we have you covered on some of the key injuries from around the NFL and if you should start looking for another option in Week 16.

DeAngelo Williams, RB, Carolina Panthers: Williams hurt his ankle early in Sunday night’s game against the Minnesota Vikings and was unable to return. While there is no word on how severe the injury is, you have to think the Carolina Panthers will be conservative with their running back. His teammate, Jonathan Stewart, ran for over 100 yards against the tough Vikings defense in proving he can be very capable of being the lone ball carrier. Plus, with only two games left and Carolina having nothing to play for, why would they throw Williams out on the field to risk further injury? Don’t be surprised with a questionable tag next to his name and a late scratch on game-day..

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The good news is that the studs you have on your fantasy team that have gotten you to this point of the season stayed healthy in Week 14. The bad news is the role players that can make or break your week any given week got a bit banged up on Sunday. It’s time to see how serious the injuries were, and if you will need to find some type of replacement before the start of Week 15.

Vince Young, QB, Tennessee Titans: While Young isn’t owned in a lot of fantasy leagues, his mere presence in the lineup can do a number of things for his teammates. Young injured his right hamstring this past Sunday against the St. Louis Rams, but says he could have returned to the game if it was a closer contest. Head coach Jeff Fisher is describing the hamstring injury as mild and figures to have his quarterback back next week against the Miami Dolphins.

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Good morning, Bruno Boys Nation, as we get set for Week 14’s action to kick off, the Bruno Boys are here to provide you with all the latest and greatest injury information

(Note: This article will update throughout the day (hit refresh) prior to kickoff as more and more information becomes available to the Bruno Boys)...

QB Matt Ryan & RB Michael Turner (Atlanta Falcons) - While the Atlanta Falcons were hoping that their studs could play, leaving both Ryan and Turner as game-time decisions, the team will be without them both as they try to bring an end to the New Orleans Saints’ undefeated season. As a result, the team will look to Chris Redman and a combination of Jerious Norwood and Jason Snelling to get the job done. Fantasy owners, though, should not look to these individuals during a crucial week 14.

QB Tom Brady (New England Patriots) - Brady’s owners have been waiting with bated breath for this update on the Patriots’ QB, but the wait has proved worth it. Brady, despite all his aches, will play Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. Start him per usual.

QB Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions) - With the team already announcing earlier in the week that Daunte Culpepper would be starting under center, it comes as no surprise that Detroit Lions’ rookie QB, Matthew Stafford, is inactive for Week 14. As for Culpepper, fantasy owners should stay away.

QB Brett Favre & RB Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings) - Not that there was any real concern, but fantasy owners will be happy to know that both Brett Favre and Adrian Peterson have been ruled active for the Minnesota Vikings. Employ them as usual.

QB Matt Schaub (Houston Texans) - Despite suffering a dislocated shoulder on his non-throwing arm last weekend, Schaub practiced all week and is active for the team’s meeting with the Seattle Seahawks. As has always been the case with Schaub, if he’s healthy, he’s a fantasy play.

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