Martellus Bennett, Cecil Shorts Injury Updates
Chicago Bears star tight end Martellus Bennett is listed as questionable on the team’s official injury report after missing practice on Friday, and that’s the most important practice of the week. Buffalo Bills star wide receiver Sammy Watkins is active today after missing practice on Thursday and Friday following a groin aggravation on Wednesday, but he was able to play after looking good in pre-game warm-ups today. Bennett will have to do the same tonight before facing the rival Green Bay Packers in a marquee matchup, and it’s definitely a grudge match for the Bears following their blowout loss earlier this year.
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Bears head coach Marc Trestman has shown that he’s perfectly willing to play star players who haven’t practiced enough, but Bennett will have to prove he’s healthy. He certainly sounds optimistic about his injury after stating that he feels more probable than questionable, but the talk doesn’t matter; his status hinges on his ability to make the Bears feel comfortable with playing him, and that hinges on what he does in pre-game warm-ups.
Per Rotoworld’s Adam Levitan, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Bennett is essentially a toss-up against the Packers today, and he confirmed that the prime red zone threat is a game-time decision. He’s highly questionable, and fantasy owners should have started a different TE to be safe- such is the issue with Sunday Night Football games.
Jacksonville Jaguars starting wideout Cecil Shorts was always expected to play today, and he is indeed active after being listed probable with a hamstring injury. The probable listing seemed a bit generous at the time, since Shorts always struggles with hamstring injuries and aggravated the issue again on Wednesday before missing practice on Thursday. His ability to practice on Friday allowed him to suit up, but the number of targets he gets against the Dallas Cowboys today is a complete guess, as he’s had just 11 receptions in the three games since going off for ten catches and 103 yards against the rival Tennessee Titans back in Week 6.