This article is part of our Injury Analysis series.
Ahmad Bradshaw
The Colts running back will likely miss the remainder of the season after suffering a broken ankle against the Patriots. Bradshaw's got twisted in a pile up near the goal line and he limped off the field. He left the field without a shoe on his left foot and x-rays later revealed a fracture to his fibula. The fibula is the smaller of the two lower leg bones and sits on the lateral (outside) portion of the leg. It is part of the ankle joint and serves as an attachment site for ligaments and muscles. Earlier this season San Diego's Danny Woodhead fractured his fibula but his exact injury was a very specific and rare type of break known as a Maisonneuve fracture. There has been no indication that Bradshaw's injury was as severe but he is still expected to visit with specialists in the coming days.
Unfortunately for Bradshaw he is all too familiar with foot specialists. Bradshaw has visited renowned foot orthopedic Dr. Robert Anderson on multiple occasions to manage a broken fifth metatarsal originally suffered in November of 2011. Since then he has undergone multiple surgeries to fix the area and address several hardware failures. On the plus side, his previous injuries are to his right foot not his left. It will still need to be a point of emphasis during rehabilitation but not as imperative as is it would have been had it been to the same area.
Surgery remains an option for Bradshaw and, even if he avoids the injured reserve, it's hard to imagine him having fantasy relevance again this season. Trent Richardson will again become the feature back though fantasy owners are still waiting for the former Heisman trophy winner to breakout.
Brandin Cooks
The rookie wide out will miss the next four to six weeks after breaking his thumb during the team's lopsided loss to the Bengals. Cooks has already undergone surgery on the fractured digit. The Saints have not revealed the location of the break or if any ligament damage was sustained. However it's hard to imagine Cooks making much of an impact down the stretch. The thumb is obviously important to receivers and a key component of catching and gripping a football. Even if he is able to return ahead of schedule, Cooks will likely have to tape or brace the area. Either option would hamper his ability to haul in passes from quarterback Drew Brees. Cook's injury will increase the fantasy value of veteran receivers Marques Colston and Kenny Stills. Robert Meachem, who has missed New Orleans' last two game with an ankle injury, would also see some additional targets should he get healthy.
Larry Fitzgerald
The Cardinals wide receiver suffered a Grade 2 medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprain to his left knee Sunday in the team's win over the Lions. Fitzgerald briefly left in the second quarter but later managed to return to the game.
Head Coach Bruce Arians revealed he expects his Pro Bowl receiver to be available Sunday when the Cardinals face the Seahawks. The optimism is a bit surprising considering the severity of the injury. Classifying the injury as a Grade 2 MCL sprain means the stabilizing ligament located on the inside of the knee is partially torn. A brace can help support the area but it's going to be a difficult and potentially painful injury to play through. The risk of reinjury or a cascade injury will be high, making Fitz a precarious play this week. Factor in the matchup and his ineffectiveness with Stanton at the helm and I just don't see how you can trust Fitzgerald.
Turf Burns
Dwayne Allen: The Colts tight end burned a few fantasy owners Sunday night after sustaining an ankle injury early in the team's loss to the Patriots. Allen has since undergone further testing that revealed a minor ankle sprain. He is hopeful about his chances to play Sunday against the Jaguars though the Colts may play it safe here given the level of competition. Keep in eye on his availability through the week and consider him day-to-day. Fantasy owners looking for a possible fill-in won't have to look far as Coby Fleener, fresh off a seven receptions for 144 yard performance, is a more than adequate replacement.
Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman: Ball aggravated his previously strained groin and is expected to miss at least two more weeks recovering. Groin strains are notorious for lingering and Ball's inability to stay healthy may keep him buried on the depth chart even when he is capable of returning. Ball's teammate, Ronnie Hillman, remains out with a midfoot sprain, leaving C.J. Anderson the starter by default. Anderson was ineffective in the ground game but was PPR gold, finishing with eight receptions for 86 yards.
Derek Carr: The Raiders quarterback was a limited participant in Monday's practice due to tightness in his quadriceps. Carr should be fine moving forward but it's interesting development given that Oakland hosts Kansas City in the Thursday night game.
Calvin Johnson: The man known as Megatron could use some robotic implants given his inability to stay injury-free this season. Johnson, who missed three games with an ankle injury, is now reportedly dealing with an elbow injury. The four-time Pro Bowler downplayed the seriousness of the issue and said it will not affect his performance moving forward. Keep him in your lineup but add yet another ailment to his ever growing list of injuries.
Emmanuel Sanders and Julius Thomas: It's not just running backs in the Denver athletic training room. Two of Peyton Manning's top targets are nursing injuries sustained in the team's loss to the Rams. Sanders suffered a concussion on a violent hit from Rams safety Rodney McLeod. Sanders will be required to complete the league-mandated concussion protocol before he can be cleared to play. Consider him day-to-day.
Thomas suffered a sprained ankle though he considers the injury minor. Thomas previously dealt with ankle issues that began during the 2011 season and carried over into the 2012 campaign. The tight end says the new injury feel different than his last and hopes to play Sunday against the Dolphins.
