In the football world, Fridays are known for injury reports and plenty of news leading up to the Sunday games. With injuries report now in from around the league, let's take a look at some of the most notable names and how it will impact fantasy players for the upcoming week.
DeMarco Murray, (Hamstring), Questionable
After missing practice on Wednesday and Thursday, Murray returned to the practice field on Friday. While he participated in a limited portion of practice, it does add more probability that he will suit up for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns.
Murray will be a game-time call, but given Tennessee has its bye the following week, there's a real chance he doesn't suit up this week and gets extra rest. if so, Derrick Henry becomes a top-10 running back play given the volume of work he'll receive.
Leonard Fournette, (Ankle), Questionable
Fournette's status for Sunday's game is tricky. When he initially suffered the ankle injury late in the game during Week 6, the sideline report indicated he would return to the game. But Fournette hasn't practiced at all this week and that certainly should cause some concern for fantasy owners. But Fournette ran on Thursday and expects to suit up and start against the Indianapolis Colts, which will make this a situation to monitor. If Fournette can't take the field, Chris Ivory should see a significant workload against a thin Colts' run defense and makes for a strong RB2 play.
Sterling Shepard, (Ankle), Questionable
Shepard missed last week's contest against the Denver Broncos, which seemed to help his ankle recover. He returned to the practice field this week in a limited fashion across all three days and enters the weekend with the questionable tag. Shepard will more than likely suit up for this contest and while the matchup is test, he is now New York's top wide receiver and the number of targets should keep him fantasy relevant.
Jordan Matthews, (Thumb), Questionable
Matthews, who suffered a thumb injury in Week 4 and later underwent surgery on his thumb, returned to the practice field this week and quickly found himself ready for action. After being a limited participation in practice on Wednesday, Matthews worked his way into a full practice on Friday. While the team lists him as questionable for Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a full practice is a tremendous indicator he will return to the field. He'll be on the WR3 radar against a Tampa Bay secondary that has proven it can be exploited by every quarterback it faces.
Willie Snead, (Hamstring), Questionable
Snead returned to the field last week but served in a limited role out of the gate. New Orleans kept him on a snap count with him on the field for just 27.3 percent of snaps, but that should change this week against the Green Bay Packers. While Snead's hamstring may not be at 100 percent yet, his level of involvement at practice continues to improve and his snaps should increase as a result. Green Bay's defense can be exploited and Snead offers the ability to put up some big numbers.
Keenan Allen, (Shoulder), Questionable
Allen suffered an unfortunate fall at practice on Thursday and landed on his shoulder. As a result, the team immediately sat him for the remainder of practice and held him out for Friday's practice as well. For now, Allen is expected to play, but fantasy owners will want to keep an eye on the news alert come Sunday morning.
DeVante Parker, (Ankle), Doubtful
While Parker showed improvement this week with a report that his ankle felt "much better", Miami has yet to clear him to return to the practice field. While missing an entire week of practice isn't a certainty to keep a player out, fantasy owners should be prepared for Parker to miss his second consecutive week.
Kelvin Benjamin, (Knee), Questionable
Concern grew in Carolina after Benjamin missed consecutive practices on Wednesday and Thursday. It led to head coach Ron Rivera's admitting some concern to reporters on Thursday. But Benjamin returned to the practice field on Friday and now the chances of him suiting up against the Chicago Bears seems a little more likely. For now, Benjamin is a game-time decision and fantasy owners should have a secondary option ready.
Stefon Diggs, (Groin), OUT
Last Wednesday, Diggs seemed optimistic he wouldn't miss any time due to the groin injury he suffered in Week 5. Now he has missed two straight weeks of practice and Sunday will mark the second-consecutive game he missed.
It's a blow to fantasy owners as Diggs posted some of the best numbers in football prior to Week 5. But Minnesota is taking a cautious approach after a groin injury hampered Diggs for much of last season. Minnesota has its bye in Week 9, so it's very possible Diggs misses Week 8 as well.
Patrick Peterson, (Quadriceps), Questionable
Peterson aggravated his quadriceps injury last week and missed a significant portion of the game. But he returned to practice this week and made the trip to London, making it very likely he suits up against the Los Angeles Rams. He should match up against Sammy Watkins and shut him down throughout the game.
Stephon Gilmore, (Concussion), OUT
As the New England Patriots gear up for an Atlanta Falcons offense ready to turn around their season and get Julio Jones more involved, the Patriots will have to do it without their top cornerback. Gilmore, who also missed Week 6 with a concussion, will be inactive for Sunday Night Football. Jones matchup against a lesser Patriots' cornerback puts him in position for a turnaround game.