#FantasyDoctor Dr. Selene Parekh talks major injuries; Kelvin Benjamin and more

Are you a Fantasy Football buff and plan on winning your league this year? Well we have brought you some in depth analysis from Dr. Selene Parekh aka The Fantasy Doctor.

Counting Benjamin out: Panthers receiver tears ACL 

http://youtu.be/EcFbSojhcgU

What happened: Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin tore the ACL in his left knee during practice on Wednesday. He will miss the entire 2015 season. It will take him 9-11 months to get back into game form, but should be well for the 2016 season.

Player/team outlook: Benjamin had a huge rookie season last year and was the clear #1 WR in Carolina. This injury is a major setback for him and the team, which now needs Devin Funchess to step up in his first pro season.

Fantasy recommendation: Benjamin’s injury has major impact for other players too. Besides Cam Newton likely losing some passing numbers, tight end Greg Olsen could find himself with extra defensive coverage if none of the other WRs can draw more attention. The replacement talk is about Funchess, but don’t be afraid to use a late pick on Jarrett Boykin, who had some nice moments with the Packers until the emergence of Davante Adams.

Real McCoy? Bills RB dealing with hammy

http://youtu.be/1t-nYqlIrhw

What happened: Bills running back LeSean McCoy sustained a hamstring injury during Tuesday’s practice. Reports indicate he should be ready to play in the season opener, but keep a close eye on him. If he doesn’t produce or has lost some explosiveness, be concerned that this injury shows up again later in the season.

Player/team outlook: McCoy and the Bills have to be careful with this injury. He’s likely looking at a ton of carries this year, but can’t do anything productive with a bad hammy.

Fantasy recommendation: McCoy is likely coming off the board during the second round of 12-team drafts. There’s no need for that to change unless information starts to come out that he’s not healing as expected.

Talk to the hand: Jaguars TE Thomas out for preseason 

What happened: Jaguars tight end Julius Thomas broke his right hand in a preseason game. It’s hopeful he’ll be back in time for the start of the season.

Player/team outlook: Thomas is being held out of the rest of preseason action as Jacksonville hopes he can begin the year on the field. The Jaguars invested a lot in Thomas and this injury significantly hampers his development with QB Blake Bortles.

Fantasy recommendation: Even prior to the injury, there wasn’t a need to draft Thomas as high as he went last season as he’s not in the same type of offense. His draft status likely remains unchanged as there are around 6 to 10 tight ends worthy of being drafted before him.

Sleeper Candidate

Eddie Royal, wide receiver, Chicago Bears 

When the Bears signed wide receiver Eddie Royal this offseason, the move went under the radar to many. Royal’s production has come in spurts throughout his career, but that could change in 2015.

Royal delivered when he was put into action last season in San Diego, putting up his best numbers since his rookie campaign of 2008. He also has a nose for the end zone as he recorded 15 TDs over the last two years.

In that rookie season of ’08 in Denver, Royal’s QB was Jay Cutler and his WR coach was Adam Gase. He’s reunited with them now as Gase is Chicago’s offensive coordinator.

Royal has potential to deliver high upside WR2 type numbers even though he’s coming off the board in late WR3 to lower spots in most drafts.

Overtime

Some extra advice and ways to stay in the game!

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