10 Predictions For Stars Returning From Injury
The 2013 season saw several Pro Bowlers go down with season-ending injuries and it was one of the more injury-plagued fantasy seasons in recent history. To help you identity how each player will recover this year, here are predictions for 10 stars who will be returning from a major injury in 2014.
10. WR Danny Amendola, New England Patriots
10. WR Danny Amendola, New England Patriots
Games Missed In 2013: 4
Injury: Groin
Amendola has once again been turning heads during OTAs. He is over the nagging groin injured that limited him most of last year and the veteran seems ready to be a reliable target for QB Tom Brady to look for over the middle of the field. Amendola will worth keeping tabs on as a WR4 or WR5 this summer.
2014 Predictions: 69 receptions, 826 yards, 5 TDs
9. QB Jake Locker, Tennessee Titans
9. QB Jake Locker, Tennessee Titans
Games Missed In 2013: 9
Injury: Foot
Locker missed the second half of the 2013 season with a nagging Lisfranc injury. The team plans on holding him out until training camp to make sure to he completely recovered and this is the make-or-break year for the former first round pick.
2014 Predictions: 212/360 2,509 yards, 14 TDs 13 INTs
8. QB Sam Bradford, St. Louis Rams
8. QB Sam Bradford, St. Louis Rams
Games Missed In 2013: 9
Injury: Torn ACL
Bradford will be returning from a torn ACL, and similar to what RG3 went through last year, the veteran will also struggle to get comfortable in the pocket. Bradford finally has a running game to lean on and the speed of WR Tavon Austin will help the quarterback stretch the field.
2014 Predictions: 270/480 3,300 yards, 15 TDs, 17 INTs
7. WR Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts
7. WR Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts
Games Missed In 2013: 9
Injury: Torn ACL
Wayne tore his ACL during Monday Night football and missed games due to injury for the first time in his career. He is sitting out OTAs this year in order to be 100% healthy for training camp and there is nothing to suggest that he will miss anymore time this year. Wayne is a veteran wideout and will once again be a reliable WR3 to pick up.
2014 Predictions: 85 receptions, 1,082 yards, 6 TDs
6. WR Percy Harvin, Seattle Seahawks
6. WR Percy Harvin, Seattle Seahawks
Games Missed In 2013: 15
Injury: Hip
Harvin proved he was healthy by hauling in 45 receiving yards in the Super Bowl to go along with a jaw-dropping 87-yard kickoff touchdown. He will be healthy from Day one this year and will have a much more productive fantasy campaign in 2014.
2014 Predictions: 77 receptions, 912 yards, 6 TDs, 230 rushing yards, 2 TDs
5. WR Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons
5. WR Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons
Games Missed In 2013: 3
Injury: Ankle/Hamstring
White missed time last season for the first time in his prestigious career. Luckily, White ended the year by hauling in 502 yards and two touchdowns in the final five games of the regular season. White will become the ultimate possession wideout again for QB Matt Ryan too look for and the veteran will easily eclipse the 1,000-yard mark in 2014.
2014 Prediction: 84 receptions, 1,106 yards, 8 TDs
4. WR Wes Welker, Denver Broncos
4. WR Wes Welker, Denver Broncos
Games Missed In 2013: 3
Injury: Concussions
Welker led the league with nine touchdown catches through the first eight games of the 2013 season, but his numbers suffered drastically throughout the year after a midseason concussion. He should be healthy this year, though, and walk back into a WR2 spot in all fantasy formats.
2014 Predictions: 83 receptions, 1,118 yards, 9 TDs
3. WR Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers
3. WR Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers
Games Missed In 2013: 10
Injury: Broken Leg
Cobb was simply another Packer that ended up on the injury report last season, as he broke his leg in Week 9 and missed the remainder of the season. Cobb will be ready to get back to work this fall and will instantly become the favorite target over the middle for QB Aaron Rodgers.
2014 Predictions: 86 receptions, 1,224 yards, 9 TDs
2. RB Arian Foster, Houston Texans
2. RB Arian Foster, Houston Texans
Games Missed In 2013: 8
Injury: Back
Foster was a major letdown last year. He was drafted within the top-five picks in most formats, but he barely played throughout the year due to a back injury. He will come with a lot of negative stigma this summer as a result. Luckily, he won't have to fight with Ben Tate for carries anymore and should see a steady dose of carries around the goal line.
2014 Predictions: 242 rushes, 1,089 yards, 10 TDs
1. WR Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons
1. WR Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons
Games Missed In 2013: 11
Injury: Foot
Jones saw his 2013 season derailed by a foot injury and it caused the popular fantasy wideout to be shutdown for the year. Luckily, he has had an entire offseason to rehab and will quickly reclaim his spot among the top-10 fantasy wideouts.
2014 Predictions: 86 receptions, 1,255 yards, 11 TDs