Elite wide receivers are dropping like flies. Both Calvin Johnson and A.J. Green are dealing with injuries that will most likely force them to miss game action.
Johnson aggravated a high right ankle sprain on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills and will likely need some time to recover.
"Any time you're dealing with an ankle, you've got to run, you've got to cut, you've got to do all those things," Johnson said. "It makes it tough. Just a lot of treatment that goes into it. Takes some time to rest and get off your feet as well."
Detroit Lions coach Jim Caldwell has said that he will "strongly" consider sitting Johnson this week against the Minnesota Vikings in order to get his star receiver healthy.
"It's one of those deals where we take it week by week," Caldwell said. "He's a veteran. He knows his body better than anyone, and the doctors will confer and kind of give us their prognosis."
Green, meanwhile, aggravated a nagging toe injury during practice this week and had to be carted off the field. Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com said the injury "could potentially take him out of multiple games."
"Since a visit with another foot specialist is also planned, it's hard to see him being ready for Sunday, but he did play seven days after leaving the Atlanta game early," Hobson wrote. "It's believed the MRI again showed no tears or breaks, but he's obviously still having discomfort in the ligament under the sesamoid bone in the ball of the foot underneath the big or great toe."
"At this point it's all speculation because his foot is in the hands of doctors. So anything is on the table pending what they prescribe for treatment, ranging to more treatments while playing, to shutting him down for a few weeks, or maybe longer," Hobson said.
I may not be a doctor or a team trainer, but I am a fantasy football owner, and I know this isn't good news for anyone. Matthew Stafford and Andy Dalton owners should consider looking at backup QB options.
As for Johnson and Green owners, these injuries are sure to bump up the value for Lions receiver Golden Tate and Bengals receiver Mohamed Sanu, as well as running back Giovani Bernard. Tate is coming off back-to-back games with at least 116 yards, and should see that trend continue with an increase in targets should Johnson fail to suit up.
ESPN's Coley Harvey weighed in on the fantasy beneficiaries of Green's absence.
"After Green left just six playing into that game [week two] because the toe injury flared up, Cincinnati started putting the ball in running back Giovani Bernard's hands," Harvey wrote. "Not only did Bernard have a productive day rushing for 90 yards, he also ended up as the team's most productive and most targeted pass-catcher...Receiver Mohamed Sany could step in for Green. Sanu caught three passes for 84 yards - including a clutch and timely 76-yard touchdown - during the win over the Falcons. Sanu also completed a pass, giving the Bengals a measure of versatility without Green that could still make them dangerous."
