Good Morning! This past week of fantasy football injury roulette was not a fun one for many team owners out there. I am covering 15 players in my list below, many of which are likely on a team in your league. I go over each situation and try to give you a vibe on the value of their replacements.
QBs: Lamar Jackson, Justin Fields
RBs: Saquon Barkley, Ezekiel Elliott, Michael Carter, Devontae Booker, Jordan Howard, Rashaad Penny
WRs: Ceedee Lamb, AJ Brown, Tyler Boyd, Jamal Agnew, Marcus Johnson
TEs: Rob Gronkowski, Eric Ebron
Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson (QB) - It was believed on Friday as the team entered the weekend that Lamar was past his illness. But it would go for a second wind over the last two days, resulting in him being a surprise inactive against the Bears on Sunday. Tyler Huntley started the game and did enough to get the win. He threw an interception, and totaled 259 yards through the air and on the ground.
Chicago Bears: Justin Fields (QB) - The rookie took a big hit against the Ravens, knocking him out of the game midway through yesterday. It was revealed later on via x rays he did not break any ribs, but it may be a situation similar to Tua Tagovailoa earlier in the year. This all becomes pain management going forward and honestly the team may be better off with Andy Dalton leading. Dalton can give Fields a look or two that he wouldn’t be able to see from the sidelines otherwise. Dalton threw for <50%, but did score two touchdowns and made it a game at the end.
Cincinnati Bengals: Tyler Boyd (WR) - Quite possibly the most underrated receiver in the league, Boyd has averaged over 80 receptions the last three seasons and nobody talks about him. Even as the WR3 in this offense he’s on pace for 70/775. Nevertheless, he left the game on Sunday with cramping. I doubt it’s more severe than just that, being a cramp. If for some reason it is something more serious, Auden Tate will be the guy joining the fray. Tate has been banged up the last few weeks, and had a streak of four straight with a target earlier in the season.
Dallas Cowboys: Ezekiel Elliott (RB)/Ceedee Lamb (WR) - Heading into the premiere day of the season for the Cowboys, they may be without both Zeke and Lamb. Lamb left with a concussion, which pretty much eliminates him from Thanksgiving Day as far as I’m concerned. Elliott was rolled up on and did not return to the game. Tony Pollard is one of the better backups in the league and I wouldn’t be shocked if he was given the start on such a short turnaround in Week 12. Pollard has averaged over 5.5 yards per carry this season and is on pace for 1200 total yards even as a backup. Gallup and Cedrick Wilson are the top two healthy receivers on the team. Gallup has twelve receptions on 22 targets this season in three games played, totaling 122 yards. Wilson is on a 45/600 pace this season.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Jamal Agnew (WR) - The electric gadget player was injured after four touches yesterday against the 49ers. He left the game and would not return with a hip injury. It’s hard to replace what he provides on the squad, putting up a 600 total yard pace through receiving and rushing. Tavon Austin could take the job over if need be. When he came out of college many years ago, Tavon was considered a player with similar projected impact. Austin has 47 receptions over the last five seasons.
New York Giants: Saquon Barkley (RB)/Devontae Booker (RB) - Neither back was able to muster up a full practice this past week, despite getting through each in a limited fashion heading into MNF with Tampa. I imagine that Saquon will make his return tonight. The star rusher injured his ankle many weeks ago and was on pace for over 1300 total yards at the time. During his absence, Booker has been able go at a 1500 total yard pace impressively enough. It makes you wonder if they should do a bit of a time share to start things off so neither come away with a setback tonight.
New York Jets: Michael Carter (RB) - The rookie back was injured midway through the contest against the Dolphins, suffering an ankle issue. He had been crushing the porous Miami run defense, going for a season high 7 yards per carry. Ty Johnson is the backup and he only totaled 13 yards on two touches. Tevin Coleman mustered 18 yards on six. They will need to figure out a way to replace Carter’s impact if the team doesn’t want to fall apart down the stretch. Johnson is on pace for over 700 total yards this season.
Philadelphia Eagles: Jordan Howard (RB) - Without Kenneth Gainwell for the first time this season, Howard was given an opportunity behind Miles Sanders against the Saints yesterday. Howard seems rejuvenated as a rusher, averaging 5.4 yards per carry since his return from the practice squad. Unfortunately, he was hampered in the third quarter, suffering a knee injury. I imagine this will result in Gainwell returning to the committee with Sanders and Boston Scott. Sanders is the lead back amongst the running back corps in Philly, on a 1100 total yard pace if it wasn’t for his injuries. Gainwell is on pace for over 550 total yards this season as a rookie. Scott is on a 625 pace, not nearly as much of a threat out of the backfield as Gainwell though.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Eric Ebron (TE) - The veteran tight end left the game last night with a knee injury and did not return. Prior to his exit he did score a touchdown though, one of his three receptions on the night. Pat Freiermuth is the starter, the rookie had scored a touchdown of his own. What I like about the rookie going forward is the number of targets he’s received. This was the fifth game in a row with at least six targets for him.
Seattle Seahawks: Rashaad Penny (RB) - I am not shocked at all by seeing Penny injured once again. The guy is just not meant to play a lengthy career in this league given his injury history. Penny touched the ball twice prior to exiting with a hamstring issue. Alex Collins is the starter for the remainder of the season and now DeeJay Dallas will back him up as a rusher. Dallas scored a touchdown yesterday as part of his five touches where he totaled 27 yards. Travis Homer also will factor into the backfield but mainly as a pass catcher if at all.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rob Gronkowski (TE) - The star tight end seemed 100% and good to go heading into the weekend prior to MNF with the Giants. But it seems that he may have suffered a setback on Saturday as he didn’t practice. The team did not mention him by name but I believe he’s a game time decision. Cameron Brate and OJ Howard have split the tight end role over the last several weeks in Gronk’s place. Brate receivers more targets than Howard but Howard is more reliable and predictable. I wouldn’t start either too be fair.
Tennessee Titans: AJ Brown (WR)/Marcus Johnson (WR) - Both wideouts started the game on the outside for the Titans and neither were there when it came to a close. Brown suffered both a hand and chest injury, whereas Johnson has a hamstring issue. This gave Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Dez Fitzpatrick opportunities to showcase what they have to offer. NWI had over 100 receiving yards on eight targets, now on pace for 45/500 if he had played in each contest thus far. Fitzpatrick is the team’s 4th round pick from this past year's draft, a guy they snuck onto their practice squad. Dez scored a touchdown on one of his six targets, bringing in three in total.