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| Sunday, December 19, 2021 |
| Alright, straight to business. In case you missed it, three games were re-scheduled this week: Raiders at Browns from Saturday to Monday and then Seahawks at Rams and Washington at Eagles from Sunday to Tuesday. There are still a whole bunch of players on the COVID list from those games who could be activated by Monday afternoon, which leaves a lot up in the air. However, as a general piece of advice, if you have a player who is legitimately questionable from the Monday or Tuesday games -- including Vikings at Bears -- you're probably better off finding a replacement from one of the 10 games on Sunday to slide in your lineup instead. |
| Obviously, that could mean passing up on the upside of an Adam Thielen or Tyler Lockett, but it also means avoiding a potential zero. Given the kind of uncertainty we're dealing with -- even with new, more lenient return-to-play protocols -- it's best to take control where you can rather than leaving your outcome up to fate or chance. It stinks that the Fantasy playoffs are being marred by these issues, but you have to take life as it comes, you know? |
| Obviously, I think it goes without saying that you probably have a lot of questions at this point. The first thing you should do is read the rest of this newsletter for all the injury updates and my latest rankings. The next thing you should do is reach out directly to us for help. Adam Aizer, Frank Stampfl and I are going live on the Fantasy Football Today YouTube channel at 11:30 to answer as many of your questions as we can -- literally hundreds of them. Come watch the stream, get your questions in, and let's get you some answers. |
| And, of course Jamey Eisenberg, Dave Richard, and Heath are on CBS Sports HQ until kickoff of the 1 p.m. games to answer your questions and keep you updated on all of the news you need to know on the FFT live show. You can also go to Twitter and use the hashtag "#AskFFT", where our whole team will be answering questions all morning. That's what Sunday morning is all about. |
| Here's the rest of our preview content to get you ready, and check out my updated position rankings at the bottom of the newsletter to help with any early lineup dilemmas you may have: |
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Week 15 Start 'Em & Sit 'Em: QB | RB | WRStarts and Sits, Sleepers and BustsCheat Sheets: PPR | Non-PPRWeek 15 Position Previews: QB | RB | WR | TE
My Week 15 Rankings: Flex Top 150 | QB | RB | WR | TE |
| Injury report and rankings updates |
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| Quarterbacks |
| Injury Report |
| Out: Daniel Jones (neck) |
| Jones still hasn't been cleared for contact despite practicing on a limited basis all week. Until that happens, he won't be playing. |
| Questionable: Lamar Jackson (ankle), Jalen Hurts (ankle), Baker Mayfield (COVID), Case Keenum (COVID), Taylor Heinicke (COVID), Kyle Allen (COVID), |
| Per Adam Schefter's early Sunday morning report, Jackson is "unlikely" to play, but still has a chance. With this being a 4:25 ET game, six of Sunday's games will already have been played before we found out about Jackson's status, so unless you have someone in a later game you can swap in, you're probably better off avoiding Jackson. |
| Hurts, on the other hand, is expected to play. He got a full practice in Friday, and with the Eagles game being moved back to Tuesday due to Washington's COVID outbreak, he should be in good shape to play. He's still a top-12 QB for me, though the risk of him suffering a setback or not being cleared make it worth considering a Sunday alternative if you have one. |
| As for the COVID situations, the Browns players are less likely to be cleared due to their Monday start, but they do have until 2 p.m. Monday to be activated, so that situation remains fluid. The Washington players have a little more time to be cleared, but you are probably best avoiding them anyway. |
| Week 15 QB Rankings |
| Josh Allen vs. CARKyler Murray @DETTom Brady vs. NOAaron Rodgers @BALDak Prescott @NYGMatthew Stafford vs. SEATua Tagovailoa vs. NYJ Kirk Cousins @CHIJalen Hurts vs. WASJustin Fields vs. MINTaysom Hill @TBTrevor Lawrence vs. HOUBen Roethlisberger vs. TENJimmy Garoppolo vs. ATLTyler Huntley vs. GB Ryan Tannehill @PITJoe Burrow @DENCam Newton @BUFTeddy Bridgewater vs. CINMatt Ryan @SFRussell Wilson @LARGarrett Gilbert @PHIDerek Carr @CLE |
| Running backs |
| Injury Report |
| Out: Elijah Mitchell (concussion/knee), D'Andre Swift (shoulder), Jamaal Williams (COVID), Kareem Hunt (COVID/ankle), Adrian Peterson (back), Carlos Hyde (concussion), Alexander Mattison (COVID), Phillip Lindsay (COVID) |
| The list of players ruled out this week is actually shorter at running back than it was last week, and there aren't really any surprises. Jeff Wilson will be the lead back in Mitchell's absence yet again, and I'm expecting more than 13 carries this time around -- Jimmy Garoppolo probably won't be throwing it 41 times. He's in the RB2/3 discussion. |
| For the Lions, we saw Craig Reynolds unexpectedly step up as the lead rusher last week, as he had 11 carries for 83 yards and added two catches for 16. Godwin Igwebuike had eight carries and no targets, a disappointing showing after he was the clear passing down option alongside Williams the previous week. Neither is a recommended starter against the Cardinals, but if you are desperate, Reynolds is probably the better option based on what we saw last week? |
| Legitimately questionable: Tony Pollard (foot), J.D. McKissic (concussion), Alex Collins (COVID), Rex Burkhead (hip) |
| Pollard is going to try to give a go, and if he can make it through pre-game warmups, he is expected to be active. He's playing through a torn plantar fascia and was able to practice on a limited basis Thursday and Friday, so he should be out there. I would expect he'll get a handful of snaps, but any hopes of him overtaking Ezekiel Elliott as the lead back at this point seem pretty slim thanks to the injury. |
| Likely in: James Conner (ankle), Chase Edmonds (ankle), Javonte Williams (knee), Melvin Gordon (thumb), Leonard Fournette (ankle), Darrell Henderson (COVID) |
| It sounds like for both the Cardinals and Broncos, both players are going to play. For the Broncos that should mean we continue to see close to a 50-50 split, and both are in the RB2 discussion against the Bengals, who do represent a somewhat tough matchup. For the Cardinals, their backfield split is a bit less clear. Edmonds was the clear passing downs back before their injury, but Conner has been quite impressive in the passing game himself. If he can hold on to even some of that role while continuing to dominate in the red zone, he could remain a must-start Fantasy RB. For now, I'm viewing Conner as more of a mid-range RB2, while Edmonds is in the RB3 range. |
| Fournette is expected to play, but it'll be interesting to see if Ronald Jones spells him a bit more than normal. However, with Giovani Bernard out, Fournette should continue to see the passing game work, which makes him a must-start option in a Tom Brady offense. |
| And Henderson's role is one of the big questions for this week. He was activated from the COVID list, so he should be good to go this week. However, after dominating touches and snaps for much of the season, Sean McVay has talked about the need to mix Henderson and Sony Michel up. What that will look like is pretty hard to know right now, so I'm going to assume Michel will be the lead back this week, with Henderson more like an RB3. It could go the other way, or one of them could dominate snaps -- that's how McVay has historically operated, FWIW -- so it's not the worst idea to avoid them both if you have options with more clarity. Especially since things can change between now and Tuesday evening. |
| Week 15 RB Rankings |
| Dalvin Cook @CHIAlvin Kamara @TBNajee Harris vs. TENJoe Mixon @DENNick Chubb vs. LVLeonard Fournette vs. NOCordarrelle Patterson @SF Josh Jacobs @CLESaquon Barkley vs. DALEzekiel Elliott @NYGJames Robinson vs. HOUAntonio Gibson @PHIDavid Montgomery vs. MINDevonta Freeman vs. GBMyles Gaskin vs. NYJMichael Carter @MIA James Conner @DETJavonte Williams vs. CINSony Michel vs. SEAMiles Sanders vs. WASAJ Dillon @BALAaron Jones @BALMelvin Gordon vs. CIND'Onta Foreman @PITChuba Hubbard @BUF Jeff Wilson vs. ATLRashaad Penny @LARDarrell Henderson vs. SEAChase Edmonds @DETAmeer Abdullah @BUFCraig Reynolds vs. ARIGodwin Igwebuike vs. ARIMike Davis @SFJeremy McNichols @PIT David Johnson @JAXCorey Clement @NYGDevin Singletary vs. CARZack Moss vs. CARTy Johnson @MIARex Burkhead @JAXJaMycal Hasty vs. ATLDontrell Hilliard @PIT Kenneth Gainwell vs. WASDevontae Booker vs. DAL |
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| Wide receivers |
| Out: DeAndre Hopkins (knee; IR), Emmanuel Sanders (knee), Kadarius Toney (oblique/COVID), Jaylen Waddle (COVID), Sammy Watkins (COVID), Breshad Perriman (COVID), Marquise Brown (foot), John Ross (COVID), Eqanimeous St. Brown (concussion)Legitimately questionable: Adam Thielen (ankle), Tyler Lockett (COVID), Jarvis Landry (COVID), Allen Robinson (COVID), Terry McLaurin (concussion), Sterling Shepard (calf), Lil'Jordan Humphrey (hamstring), Curtis Samuel (groin), Josh Reynolds (thigh), Allen Robinson (COVID), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (back), Quez Watkins (COVID), Anthony Schwartz (concussion)Expected to play: Marquise Brown (non-COVID illness), D.J. Moore (hamstring), |
| As you can tell, it's kind of a mess this week. The Monday and Tuesday games have some big names whose status is completely up in the air, and if you've got to make the decision right now, you probably can't take the risk on Lockett, Thielen, or Landry; I'm a bit more optimistic about McLaurin because he was able to practice in full Saturday, however with the top two QBs on the roster still in doubt, he's probably not worth the risk either, unless you can pivot to someone like Van Jefferson or DeVonta Smith. |
| One bit of good news we got from those delayed games is that Odell Beckham was activated off the COVID list, so he should be good to go. I'm viewing him as more of a low-end WR2 with upside, with Van Jefferson ranking just behind him. I rank D.J. Moore in the same range, while Marquise Brown is a bit lower -- he'd be in that range if Lamar Jackson were to play, however. |
| Week 15 WR Rankings |
| Davante Adams @BALCooper Kupp vs. SEAJustin Jefferson @CHIStefon Diggs vs. CARChris Godwin vs. NODiontae Johnson vs. TENDeebo Samuel vs. ATL Hunter Renfrow @CLECeeDee Lamb @NYGJa'Marr Chase @DENTee Higgins @DENMike Evans vs. NOBrandin Cooks @JAXAmari Cooper @NYGD.K. Metcalf @LAR DeVante Parker vs. NYJAmon-Ra St. Brown vs. ARID.J. Moore @BUFMichael Pittman vs. NEChase Claypool vs. TENJerry Jeudy vs. CINRussell Gage @SFOdell Beckham vs. SEABrandon Aiyuk vs. ATL Van Jefferson vs. SEAJulio Jones @PITTerry McLaurin @PHIDeVonta Smith vs. WASMarquise Brown vs. GBGabriel Davis vs. CARA.J. Green @DETMichael Gallup @NYGCole Beasley vs. CAR Jakobi Meyers @INDK.J. Osborn @CHIJamison Crowder @MIADarnell Mooney vs. MINLaviska Shenault vs. HOUMarvin Jones vs. HOUSterling Shepard vs. DALChristian Kirk @DET Tyler Boyd @DENRashod Bateman vs. GBKenny Golladay vs. DALAdam Humphries @PHINico Collins @JAXTim Patrick vs. CINDonovan Peoples-Jones vs. LV |
| Tight ends |
| Out: Darren Waller (knee), T.J. Hockenson (hand; IR), Questionable: Tyler Higbee (COVID), Austin Hooper (COVID), Harrison Bryant (ankle), Brevin JordanExpected to play: Zach Ertz (hamstring) |
| Both Higbee and Hooper would be fine options if they play, but unless you have an alternative (like Tyler Conklin, Cole Kmet, or Ricky Seals-Jones) you could slide in if they are inactive, you're better off avoiding them. |
| Week 15 TE Rankings |
| Mark Andrews vs. GBGeorge Kittle vs. ATLRob Gronkowski vs. NOKyle Pitts @SFMike Gesicki vs. NYJDallas Goedert vs. WASRicky Seals-Jones @PHI Dawson Knox vs. CARDalton Schultz @NYGTyler Conklin @CHIZach Ertz @DETFoster Moreau @CLEPat Freiermuth vs. TENGerald Everett @LARCole Kmet vs. MINJames O'Shaughnessy vs. HOU David Njoku vs. LVNoah Fant vs. CINEvan Engram vs. DALAlbert Okwuegbunam vs. CINC.J. Uzomah @DENGeoff Swaim @PIT |
| Flex Top 150 |
| Dalvin Cook @CHIDavante Adams @BALAlvin Kamara @TBLeonard Fournette vs. NOCooper Kupp vs. SEANajee Harris vs. TENJustin Jefferson @CHIJoe Mixon @DENNick Chubb vs. LV Cordarrelle Patterson @SFJosh Jacobs @CLESaquon Barkley vs. DALStefon Diggs vs. CARChris Godwin vs. NOEzekiel Elliott @NYGDiontae Johnson vs. TENJames Robinson vs. HOUDeebo Samuel vs. ATLAntonio Gibson @PHI David Montgomery vs. MINMark Andrews vs. GBDevonta Freeman vs. GBMyles Gaskin vs. NYJMichael Carter @MIAHunter Renfrow @CLEJames Conner @DETJavonte Williams vs. CINCeeDee Lamb @NYGJa'Marr Chase @DEN George Kittle vs. ATLSony Michel vs. SEATee Higgins @DENMiles Sanders vs. WASMike Evans vs. NOBrandin Cooks @JAXAmari Cooper @NYGAJ Dillon @BALD.K. Metcalf @LARDeVante Parker vs. NYJ Rob Gronkowski vs. NOAmon-Ra St. Brown vs. ARIAaron Jones @BALD.J. Moore @BUFMelvin Gordon vs. CINChase Claypool vs. TEND'Onta Foreman @PITJerry Jeudy vs. CINRussell Gage @SFOdell Beckham vs. SEA Brandon Aiyuk vs. ATLChuba Hubbard @BUFJeff Wilson vs. ATLRashaad Penny @LARDarrell Henderson vs. SEAVan Jefferson vs. SEAChase Edmonds @DETJulio Jones @PITKyle Pitts @SFTerry McLaurin @PHI DeVonta Smith vs. WASMarquise Brown vs. GBMike Gesicki vs. NYJGabriel Davis vs. CARAmeer Abdullah @BUFA.J. Green @DETMichael Gallup @NYGCole Beasley vs. CARTyler Conklin @CHIK.J. Osborn @CHI Craig Reynolds vs. ARIGodwin Igwebuike vs. ARIJamison Crowder @MIADarnell Mooney vs. MINLaviska Shenault vs. HOUMarvin Jones vs. HOUSterling Shepard vs. DALChristian Kirk @DETTyler Boyd @DENMike Davis @SF Rashod Bateman vs. GBDallas Goedert vs. WASJeremy McNichols @PITKenny Golladay vs. DALRicky Seals-Jones @PHIDawson Knox vs. CARAdam Humphries @PHIDavid Johnson @JAXNico Collins @JAXTim Patrick vs. CIN Tyler Higbee vs. SEADonovan Peoples-Jones vs. LVDalton Schultz @NYGRondale Moore @DETCorey Clement @NYGDevin Singletary vs. CARZach Ertz @DETBraxton Berrios @MIAFoster Moreau @CLE Bryan Edwards @CLEZack Moss vs. CARTy Johnson @MIAPat Freiermuth vs. TENGerald Everett @LARLaquon Treadwell vs. HOUCole Kmet vs. MINMarquez Valdes-Scantling @BALCourtland Sutton vs. CINRobby Anderson @BUFKeelan Cole @MIAJames O'Shaughnessy vs. HOUDavid Njoku vs. LVNoah Fant vs. CINMarquez Callaway @TBSammy Watkins vs. GBRex Burkhead @JAXJaMycal Hasty vs. ATLDontrell Hilliard @PIT Kenneth Gainwell vs. WASAllen Lazard @BALFreddie Swain @LARDeAndre Carter @PHIEvan Engram vs. DALDevontae Booker vs. DALCurtis Samuel @PHIPeyton Barber @CLEMatt Breida vs. CAR Jordan Howard vs. WASDeeJay Dallas @LARSamaje Perine @DENLatavius Murray vs. GBAlbert Okwuegbunam vs. CINNick Westbrook-Ikhine @PITTajae Sharpe @SFAlbert Wilson vs. NYJ Olamide Zaccheaus @SFDarius Slayton vs. DALTony Jones @TBC.J. Uzomah @DENGeoff Swaim @PITJames Washington vs. TEN |
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