Week 13 Fantasy Football Injury Updates: Larry Fitzgerald, Roddy White, Mike Wallace, Brandon LaFell

Arizona and Atlanta both have some banged up targets entering their Week 13 matchup. Will the Cardinals or Falcons or any other team in action be shorthanded in their wide receiver corps this week?  

Roddy White, WR, Atlanta Falcons at Arizona Cardinals

Questionable – Ankle
White is back on the injury report after not being able to practice because of an ankle issue. He’s listed as Questionable, but Mike Smith said on Friday that he expects White to play despite the injury and missed practice time. White’s production has actually been on the uptick lately – averaging 82 yards receiving with three touchdowns over the past five games – so his status is something definitely worth keeping an eye on. The Falcons play later in the afternoon (4:05 p.m. ET kickoff) out in Arizona, but I think it’s safe to take Smith at his word and keep White in your starting lineup.

John Brown and Larry Fitzgerald, WRs, Arizona Cardinals vs. Atlanta Falcons

Probable – Teeth; Questionable – Knee
Brown had his wisdom teeth pulled earlier this week, which is why he shows up on the injury report. He’s listed as Probable and should be just fine today. The same can’t be said for Fitzgerald, however, who saw his streak of 110 consecutive regular-season games end last week because of a knee injury (Grade 2 MCL sprain). Fitzgerald is anxious to return and he was able to practice a little on Friday. He’s Questionable and will be a game-time decision. The matchup with the Falcons is appealing, but Brown and Michael Floyd are much safer options than Fitzgerald. If you can wait for the later (4:05 p.m. ET) kickoff before making a final decision, you are welcome to do so, but I wouldn’t count on having Fitzgerald in my lineup this week.

Mike Wallace, WR, Miami Dolphins at New York Jets (Mon.)

Probable – Chest
Wallace continues to get nicked up, as he was limited in practice this week due to a chest injury. He is considered Probable and despite all the bumps and bruises, he’s yet to miss a game. Wallace caught just four passes last week against Denver, but one of those was for a touchdown, his seventh of the season. He’s averaging about eight targets per game and has already surpassed his touchdown total from 2013 (five), two reasons why Wallace has been a top-25 fantasy WR this season. Regardless of the matchup, Wallace is pretty locked in as a WR2.

Brandon LaFell, WR, New England Patriots at Green Bay Packers

Questionable – Shoulder
Last week it was Julian Edelman who was dealing with a thigh injury, this week it’s LaFell, who was limited in practice by a shoulder ailment, which has him listed as Questionable. LaFell should be out there today and he did lead tbhe Patriots last week with 98 yards on nine catches (12 targets). His production can be up-and-down, but given this matchup against Green Bay, LaFell should be a relatively safe WR3/flex option.

Kenny Britt, WR, St. Louis Rams vs. Oakland Raiders

Probable – Back
A back injury is bothering Britt enough that he didn’t practice on Wednesday. He was a full go the rest of the way, however, and is listed as Probable. Britt is the closest thing the Rams have to a No. 1 WR right now, which isn’t saying much. He does have two touchdown receptions over his last four games and two weeks ago put up a season-best 128 yards receiving. Britt is a risky play regardless, but he could end up earning his keep as a flex or a WR3 depending on your other options and your willingness to roll the dice.

Robert Woods, WR, Buffalo Bills vs. Cleveland Browns

Probable – Ankle
Woods caught a career-high nine passes for 118 yards and a touchdown in the Bills’ Monday night romp over the Jets, but was limited in practice because of an ankle injury. The issue must not be that worrisome, however, as Woods is Probable. Even though Woods is the hot hand, be sure to temper your expectations if you plan on having him in your lineup today. Before Monday night’s breakout, Woods had caught 36 passes for 361 yards (10.0 ypr) and two scores in 10 games. That’s less than four catches and 36 yards per game. That’s not even reliable flex production in a PPR league.

Greg Jennings and Coradarrelle Patterson WR, Minnesota Vikings vs. Carolina Panthers

Probable – Rib; Probable – Knee
Jennings was a full practice participant this week, so he’s good to go. Patterson on the other hand, didn’t practice until Friday. Both are listed as Probable, so the expectation is they will play. However, I wouldn’t trust any Viking WR in my starting lineup. Jennings is inconsistent, Patterson has been a colossal bust and pretty much replaced in the starting lineup by Charles Johnson. And there’s also the fact that Teddy Bridgewater has looked every bit like the rookie quarterback he is over the past several weeks. Right now, Minnesota's backfield and wide receiver corps have two things in common: 1) both are unsettled situations and 2) are positions you don’t want to have anything to do with fantasy-wise.