Fantasy Football Week 14 Injury Report

Fantasy Football Week 14 Injury Report

Week 14 is here, which means the beginning of the fantasy playoffs for most owners. In ESPN.com leagues, the playoffs run until Week 17 with two weeks for each. Standard NFL.com leagues don't begin until next week, making this week the most important game of the season. Heading into the 14th NFL Sunday, there are a lot of banged up players.

Superstar running backs and top-10 wide receivers have been limited in practice all week. With injuries like this to players that have carried you to the playoffs, you need the most up-to-date information as possible. If one of these players are out, the season may be over for you. The waiver wire is thin and finding a replacement with superstar-like value will be tough to find.

This is also the part of the season where NFL teams without a shot at the playoffs will begin to rest players. A team like the Minnesota Vikings that are in need of a quarterback may sit Adrian Peterson in order to get a better draft pick. It's unethical, but it's the nature of the beast. This is especially important for Aaron Rodgers owners. If the Green Bay Packers lose this week, why bother bring back Rodgers? The Packers will have no shot at the division title or a wild card spot. It will give more time for the collarbone to heal.

Listed here are five players that have provided fantasy owners outstanding games all throughout the season. One missed game can put their chances at a fantasy championship in jeopardy. Good luck this week on your journey to a fantasy title.

All stats are based on ESPN.com standard scoring, unless mentioned otherwise.

Bill Pivetz is a fantasy football writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @Mr_Piv1127.

Adrian Peterson

For most fantasy owners, Adrian Peterson has literally carried them all the way to the fantasy playoffs. It would be a shame if he wasn't able to finish the job. Luckily, that's something you won't have to worry about. Peterson did not practice Thursday and was limited Friday while dealing with a groin injury. However, one limited practice doesn't mean he won't play.

He practiced only once in each of the weeks leading up to his games against the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears and look at what he did. He had 67 carries for 357 yards and a touchdown. Peterson should be on the field and in your fantasy lineups on Sunday barring any setbacks.

Brandon Marshall

Brandon Marshall is currently the fourth-best wide receiver based on ESPN.com standard scoring. The absence of Jay Cutler hasn't prevented Marshall from maintaining is top-five status, but will an injury? Marshall was absent from Thursday's practice with a quad injury. He was able to participate fully on Friday and is listed as probable.

Marshall did struggle a little last week, catching four passes for 45 yards while teammate Alshon Jeffery had a career game. Marshall has yet to post back-to-back sub-par performances so look for him to light up the stat sheets on Monday night. The Dallas Cowboys have a poor pass defense. They allow the second-most passing yards as well.

Vincent Jackson

Since coming to Tampa Bay, Vincent Jackson has been a beast and this season is no different. He's currently ranked 13th among wide receivers even with Mike Glennon under center. However, Jackson has hit a bit of a dry spell as of late. He has scored over 10 fantasy points just once in his last six games, but is still considered a WR1.

Jackson was limited in practice all week with a hamstring injury. It will be tough to sit Jackson this week. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers play the Buffalo Bills, the second-worst defense to opposing wide receivers. With the fantasy playoffs on the line, keep an eye on Jackson. With the 1 p.m. ET start time, you'll be given enough time to adjust your lineup.

Tony Gonzalez

Tony Gonzalez is the epitome of a class act. Even when his team is doing poorly, he doesn't throw anyone under the bus and continues to give 110 percent out on the field. However, that might be coming back to haunt him. He was limited in practice all week with a toe injury.

Reports say that Gonzalez should start on Sunday, but his snaps and play time could be limited. This kind of situation is tough. You don't want to sit a top-tier tight end, but you also want a player who be on the field all game. Unless you have a Jordan Cameron or Jared Cook, it will be hard not to start Gonzalez.

Rashad Jennings

Rashad Jennings was diagnosed with a concussion after the Thanksgiving game. Even with the extra time to rest, he has still yet to pass the concussion test mandatory to play. He is listed as questionable, but I would go as far as to list him as doubtful. Even if he is healthy, a matchup against the New York Jets won't do him any favors.

Jennings has played well in Darren McFadden's absence. He's scored 47 fantasy points in the last three games. This will come down to a game-time decision. If you own Jennings, I would keep one eye on his status and another on the waiver wire just in case you need to make a last-minute change.

Fantasy Football Week 14 Injury Report

Week 14 is here, which means the beginning of the fantasy playoffs for most owners. In ESPN.com leagues, the playoffs run until Week 17 with two weeks for each. Standard NFL.com leagues don't begin until next week, making this week the most important game of the season. Heading into the 14th NFL Sunday, there are a lot of banged up players.

Superstar running backs and top-10 wide receivers have been limited in practice all week. With injuries like this to players that have carried you to the playoffs, you need the most up-to-date information as possible. If one of these players are out, the season may be over for you. The waiver wire is thin and finding a replacement with superstar-like value will be tough to find.

This is also the part of the season where NFL teams without a shot at the playoffs will begin to rest players. A team like the Minnesota Vikings that are in need of a quarterback may sit Adrian Peterson in order to get a better draft pick. It's unethical, but it's the nature of the beast. This is especially important for Aaron Rodgers owners. If the Green Bay Packers lose this week, why bother bring back Rodgers? The Packers will have no shot at the division title or a wild card spot. It will give more time for the collarbone to heal.

Listed here are five players that have provided fantasy owners outstanding games all throughout the season. One missed game can put their chances at a fantasy championship in jeopardy. Good luck this week on your journey to a fantasy title.

All stats are based on ESPN.com standard scoring, unless mentioned otherwise.

Bill Pivetz is a fantasy football writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @Mr_Piv1127.

Adrian Peterson

For most fantasy owners, Adrian Peterson has literally carried them all the way to the fantasy playoffs. It would be a shame if he wasn't able to finish the job. Luckily, that's something you won't have to worry about. Peterson did not practice Thursday and was limited Friday while dealing with a groin injury. However, one limited practice doesn't mean he won't play.

He practiced only once in each of the weeks leading up to his games against the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears and look at what he did. He had 67 carries for 357 yards and a touchdown. Peterson should be on the field and in your fantasy lineups on Sunday barring any setbacks.

Brandon Marshall

Brandon Marshall is currently the fourth-best wide receiver based on ESPN.com standard scoring. The absence of Jay Cutler hasn't prevented Marshall from maintaining is top-five status, but will an injury? Marshall was absent from Thursday's practice with a quad injury. He was able to participate fully on Friday and is listed as probable.

Marshall did struggle a little last week, catching four passes for 45 yards while teammate Alshon Jeffery had a career game. Marshall has yet to post back-to-back sub-par performances so look for him to light up the stat sheets on Monday night. The Dallas Cowboys have a poor pass defense. They allow the second-most passing yards as well.

Vincent Jackson

Since coming to Tampa Bay, Vincent Jackson has been a beast and this season is no different. He's currently ranked 13th among wide receivers even with Mike Glennon under center. However, Jackson has hit a bit of a dry spell as of late. He has scored over 10 fantasy points just once in his last six games, but is still considered a WR1.

Jackson was limited in practice all week with a hamstring injury. It will be tough to sit Jackson this week. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers play the Buffalo Bills, the second-worst defense to opposing wide receivers. With the fantasy playoffs on the line, keep an eye on Jackson. With the 1 p.m. ET start time, you'll be given enough time to adjust your lineup.

Tony Gonzalez

Tony Gonzalez is the epitome of a class act. Even when his team is doing poorly, he doesn't throw anyone under the bus and continues to give 110 percent out on the field. However, that might be coming back to haunt him. He was limited in practice all week with a toe injury.

Reports say that Gonzalez should start on Sunday, but his snaps and play time could be limited. This kind of situation is tough. You don't want to sit a top-tier tight end, but you also want a player who be on the field all game. Unless you have a Jordan Cameron or Jared Cook, it will be hard not to start Gonzalez.

Rashad Jennings

Rashad Jennings was diagnosed with a concussion after the Thanksgiving game. Even with the extra time to rest, he has still yet to pass the concussion test mandatory to play. He is listed as questionable, but I would go as far as to list him as doubtful. Even if he is healthy, a matchup against the New York Jets won't do him any favors.

Jennings has played well in Darren McFadden's absence. He's scored 47 fantasy points in the last three games. This will come down to a game-time decision. If you own Jennings, I would keep one eye on his status and another on the waiver wire just in case you need to make a last-minute change.