The Minnesota Vikings did not just get beat by the Arizona Cardinals Sunday night, they were manhandled. And worse than the actual loss itself was that the team was physically beat up in the process.
Tight end Visanthe Shiancoe was used sparingly due to injured ribs and will likely be a game-time decision next week. Offensive lineman Phil Loadholt hurt his shoulder and his status for Week 14 is unknown.
The gravest injury was suffered by middle linebacker E.J. Henderson. He had surgery on a broken leg not long after the game. His season, and perhaps even his career, may be over.
The fantasy implications are subtle in the short term. Without Shiancoe, Minnesota’s passing attack becomes a little less dimensional. Without Loadholt, the running game will suffer. Without Henderson, the Vikes could be playing from behind a little more frequently than they have been.
The Cardinals-Vikings verdict was one of three upsets on the weekend. Miami surprised New England with a 22-21 triumph and a resurgent Oakland Raiders team edged the reeling Pittsburgh Steelers 27-24.
The Dolphins’ Chad Henne made some big fantasy noise, throwing for 335 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. The Raiders’ Bruce Gradkowski also posted good numbers, totaling 308 yards with three touchdown passes. Of the two, Henne is more likely to post better numbers the rest of the way.
Injury update: There were no major injuries to any quarterbacks reported this week. Houston’s Matt Schaub apparently dislocated his non-throwing shoulder against Jacksonville but was able to return to the game after it was popped back into place.
Running backs and wide receivers also emerged fairly healthy from Week 13. Kansas City RB Jamaal Charles left his game with a shoulder injury but returned with a brace on his elbow. Pittsburgh wideout Hines Ward strained a hamstring late in Sunday’s game and is questionable for Thursday. St. Louis receiver Donnie Avery dinged his shoulder but continued to play and Chicago WR Devin Hester strained his calf but is considered probable.
Players to jettison: New Orleans Saints kicker John Carney was benched before Sunday’s game and probably won’t be back unless new kicker Garrett Hartley has a melt down.
New Orleans Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey started strong this season but, since Week 8, is averaging just 2.6 receptions and less than 30 yards per game without a touchdown. He should no longer be in anyone’s starting lineup.
It’s time to sit Seattle wideout T.J. Houshmandzadeh on your bench. He has just 87 yards on 11 receptions and no touchdowns over his last three games.
Philadelphia running back LeSean McCoy has not lived up to expectations in the absence of injured starter Brian Westbrook. McCoy seems to be sharing carries with Leonard Weaver and Eldra Buckley and doesn’t have much value.
Since throwing for 233 yards and five touchdowns in Week 7, Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer has been nearly invisible. There’s no way he should be a fantasy starter and there are probably better options as a back-up on your waiver wire, too.
Players to pick up: San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith is benefiting from his team’s spread offense and is worthy of a roster spot on many teams. He has thrown for 769 yards and seven touchdowns with one interception over the last three games.
If you’re in a points-per-reception league, and you’re in dire need of help at running back, you might want to consider Cleveland’s Jerome Harrison. Although he rushed for only 35 yards on 10 carries Sunday, he had seven receptions for 62 yards and two scores. His bigger gains have come on screen passes.
Don’t look now, but it appears Davone Bess has moved ahead of Ted Ginn Jr. as Miami’s No. 1 wide receiving option. On Sunday against the Patriots, Bess caught 10 passes for 117 yards and a touchdown.
Two other young receivers who flashed Sunday were Washington’s Devin Thomas and Oakland’s Louis Murphy. Thomas caught seven passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns against the Saints while Murphy had four receptions for 128 yards and two TDs against Pittsburgh.
Jim Rueda is the Free Press sports editor. To contact him, call 344-6381 or e-mail him at jrueda@mankatofreepress.com.
