IDP Analysis: Injury Carousel Update

RISING

Malcolm Smith, OLB, SEA

While Bobby Wagner sits with a turf toe injury, Smith should step in as Seattle's second three-down linebacker next to K.J. Wright. Smith played every defensive snap for the Seahawks against the Rams, and he finished with 10 tackles (all solo) and a forced fumble on just 49 plays. He looks like a strong LB2 consideration for the duration of Wagner's absence, which could last another couple weeks. It's worth mentioning that Wright has also seen a bump up in his production with Wagner out, posting 17 tackles over the last two weeks.

Calais Campbell, (3-4) DE, ARZ

Campbell suffered an MCL injury against the Broncos back in Week 5, but it appears that the elite 3-4 end has a good chance to return to the field against the Eagles this week. He logged a limited practice Thursday and figures to do at least the same Friday, in which case he could be expected to play at least a limited role against the Eagles on Sunday. Against one of the more run-heavy offenses in the league, Campbell should get a good number of tackle opportunities if he suits up against Philadelphia.

Mychal Kendricks, (3-4) ILB, PHI

Nothing is certain at this point, but it generally looks like Kendricks has a good chance to return to the starting lineup this week after missing Philadelphia's last four games with a calf injury. Kendricks has been a limited practice participant all week, which is a big step forward since he hadn't practiced at all since suffering the injury. Once he's back on the field, the speedy Kendricks can be expected to produce at a rate of at least six tackles per game.

Ryan Shazier, (3-4) ILB, PIT

Shazier's rookie season has been highly disappointing so far due to an MCL injury he suffered back in Week 3. He missed the four games since then, but he returned to a full practice workload Thursday, making it seem as if he has a good chance to return to the starting lineup against the Colts on Sunday. Shazier is an unparalleled athlete and should secure a three-down role shortly after he returns to the field, so there is at least LB2 upside with him. He had 17 tackles (11 solo) in his first two games.

DeMarcus Lawrence, DE, DAL

Like Shazier, Lawrence is a promising rookie whose first season has mostly been a waste due to injury, but Lawrence's injury was more severe. He suffered a broken ankle back in July and was placed on the designated-for-return injured reserve, meaning he has yet to play in the NFL – not even the preseason. Still, he's expected to return to the field in Week 9, and the talented rookie should emerge as a starter sooner rather than later. He's mostly a player to merely monitor outside of dynasty and other deep IDP formats, however.

FALLING

Chandler Jones, DE, NE

Jones is one of the top IDP defensive linemen in the league, so his owners definitely felt stung after it was announced earlier this week that Jones would likely miss around a month with a hip injury. Jones had 26 tackles (five for a loss), 4.5 sacks and a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown in seven games prior to the injury, numbers that project to a total of 59 tackles and 10.3 sacks over 16 games. Unfortunately, Jones won't get the chance at 16. Durability troubles are nothing new for Jones, who had ankle issues earlier in his New England career and missed five games in his last season at Syracuse.

Brian Cushing, (3-4) ILB, HOU

Cushing's knee problems continue to disrupt his career, as his latest knee tweak figures to make him miss this week's game against Tennessee, and he might even be closer to week-to-week status than day-to-day beyond Sunday. Limited to about 74 percent of Houston's snaps this year while easing back in from 2013's season-ending knee injury, Cushing has a strong total of 50 tackles in seven games, but it looks like he might not be able to establish a true three-down role before the season is over without some good injury luck.

Matt Elam, S, BAL

It's still early in Elam's two-year career, so it might be too soon to call him a bust, but the early signs this season are not encouraging. The 2013 first-round pick has just 23 tackles in seven games, including just 10 in his last five games. Elam is losing playing time to all of rookie Terrence Brooks, Darian Stewart and Will Hill, finishing Sunday's game against Atlanta with just 22 snaps out of 66. With such a heavy rotation at the safety position in Baltimore, it seems like none of the four players are worth owning in most cases at the moment.

Brian Orakpo, (3-4) OLB, WAS

With just 24 tackles and a half-sack in seven games, Orakpo's IDP value was already close to zero, but a torn pectoral muscle suffered against the Titans on Sunday officially marks the complete negation of any IDP utility Orakpo might have had. It's the third time the talented but injury-prone pass rusher suffered a torn pectoral muscle, and now the tough-luck impending free agent will hit the open market as damaged goods.

Jon Beason, MLB, NYG

Beason is looking at the possibility of season-ending surgery for a toe injury, which means his season could be over after just four injury-plagued games in which he totaled 11 tackles. Beason was a strong in-season trade pickup for the Giants a year ago, totaling 93 tackles in 12 games, but this season never got off the ground. After missing all but five games over the 2011 and 2012 seasons, it's probably fair to wonder about whether Beason will play beyond this year, though he'll only be 30 in January. Jacquian Williams and Jameel McClain have been the busiest linebackers for the Giants this year.