NFL Week 14 Fantasy Football Injury Updates- Percy Harvin goes on the IR

     Heading into the fantasy playoffs, injuries can really hurt your chances of advancing if you have not properly stocked your bench to prepare for them.  There is some good news and some bad news in this weeks injury update. Let's start with the good news first.
     It looks like Ben Roethlisberger will be back on the field this Sunday. Roethlisberger practiced limited today for the first time since spraining his throwing shoulder in week 10 vs. the Chiefs. It appears to have went well and he is expected to start vs. the Chargers.  Whether you want to take your chances with him or not this week depends entirely on the other quarterbacks you have on your roster.
    Another positive going into week 14 is the status of Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Sidney Rice. Rice appeared to be knocked out cold on the final play of the Seahawks win over the Bears on Sunday. Rice caught a 13 yard pass from QB Russell Wilson and was hit hard as he dived into the end zone for the overtime win.  Rice had said that he passed the NFL protocol concussion tests, but the Seahawks were being cautious in evaluating Rice.  Rice does have a history of missing games due to concussions.  He practiced limited Wednesday and no issues were reported, so it's a pretty safe bet Rice will be good to go on Sunday.

WR Percy Harvin placed on IR

    And now for some bad news. Percy Harvin has been placed on injury reserve.  Harvin sprained his ankle in three places in week 9 vs. the Seahawks and hasn't played since.  He had practiced last Wednesday, but it did not go well.  Leslie Frazier, Head Coach of the Vikings, had stated earlier today that it was hard to say if Harvin would be able to play again this season.  I guess it wasn't that hard to say after all.  This is a big blow to those hoping to get the dynamic receiver back at some point in the fantasy playoffs. I know because I'm one of them!

RB LeSean McCoy's status in question

    LeSean McCoy is still suffering from concussion symptoms according to Eagles Head Coach Andy Reid.  McCoy obviously did not practice today and his status for Sunday's game vs. Tampa Bay is in question.  If you have McCoy on your roster, hopefully you picked up Bryce Brown when he went down.
    Bad news for those who picked up Ryan Broyles after the big game he had vs. Houston on Thanksgiving. Broyles tore his right ACL in Sunday's game vs. the Colts. He needs knee surgery and has been placed on injury reserve.
    Danny Amendola did not practice Wednesday. His injured right foot kept him out of the Ram's win vs. the 49ers and his status for this week's game vs. Buffalo is in question.  Wide receiver Chris Givens has become a favorite target of QB Sam Bradford while Amendola has been out and would be a good substitute if you don't have an viable option on your bench.

Bears LB Brian Urlacher is out vs. the Vikings

    Brian Urlacher has been ruled out this week with a hamstring injury and he may be out for the rest of the season. Urlacher is not what he used to be, but he definitely has a positive effect on the Bears defense. It will be interesting to see if they can maintain the same level of dominance they have had all season.  The Chicago Bears are by far the highest scoring defense in standard fantasy football leagues this year.