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| Sunday, December 12, 2021 |
| There are so, so many injury question marks entering Sunday, in addition to a bunch of players we already know are out for this week like Elijah Mitchell, D'Andre Swift, Jamaal Williams, Darrell Henderson, Keenan Allen, and Darren Waller. That is, trust me, an incomplete list, and it doesn't even touch the likes of T.J. Hockenson or Brandin Cooks whose status is up in the air. The first thing you should do this morning is check your lineups against our injury updates in today's newsletter to make sure you're not going to be left high and dry. |
| 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 14 Start 'Em & Sit 'Em: QB | RB | WRStarts, sits and sleepers for every gameCheat Sheets: PPR | Non-PPRWeek 14 Position Previews: QB | RB | WR | TE
My Week 14 Rankings: Flex Top 150 | QB | RB | WR | TE |
| Week 14 Injury Report |
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| Quarterbacks |
| Out: Daniel Jones (neck), Andy Dalton (hand) |
| Jones still hasn't been cleared for contact despite practicing on a limited basis all week. Until that happens, he won't be playing. |
| Expected to play: Justin Fields (ribs), Mike Glennon (concussion) |
| Fields would have started even if Dalton were expected to be active, since he was cleared to return earlier in the week. He's a lower-end QB2 against the Packers, although with his rushing potential, there's also upside to be top-12 if the passing production is there ... Glennon will start for the Giants, but expectations should be fairly low. The only hope here is he can deliver the ball on target enough times to Saquon Barkley and Sterling Shepard. |
| Running backs |
| Out: Elijah Mitchell (concussion/knee), D'Andre Swift (shoulder), Jamaal Williams (COVID), Mark Ingram (COVID), Tony Pollard (foot), Darrell Henderson (COVID), Kenyan Drake (ankle), Tevin Coleman (concussion), J.D. McKissic (concussion), Travis Homer (calf), Adrian Peterson (back), Jalen Richard (COVID), Ty Montgomery (COVID) |
| Alright, so that's a lot of guys ruled out, especially with COVID. In some of these cases -- with Pollard, Ingram, Henderson, and McKissic, specifically -- there really isn't any question of who will step up, because those teams have must-start Fantasy backs already in place. Just make sure you have Sony Michel active this week. In order of preference, here's how I am viewing the replacement options among these other situations: |
| Jeff Wilson Jr. @CINTy Johnson vs. NOGodwin Igwebuike @DENJemar Jefferson @DENJaMycal Hasty @CINRashaad Penny @HOUAlex Collins @HOU Austin Walter vs. NO |
| Legitimately questionable: Chase Edmonds (ankle) |
| We probably won't know Edmonds' status until Monday, which makes it all but impossible to even consider starting him. You could keep him in a flex and start someone like Van Jefferson if he's out, but I think you should probably just start Jefferson and Beckham over Edmonds anyway. Edmonds could be a solid contributor down the stretch, but I want to see how they use him before I trust him. |
| Likely in: Joe Mixon (illness), Melvin Gordon (hip) |
| Mixon didn't practice all week but is expected to play, and I'm assuming he'll more or less have his typical role. There's some risk that he won't have that role or will have to leave the game early, but based on what we know right now, I think you have to start him as usual. And Gordon is a viable RB2 for a great matchup against the Lions. I think Javonte Williams is the better start, but both are in my top-24 and are separated by just a few spots. It's possible Williams' play in Week 13 earned him a lion's share of the RB work moving forward, but until we see it happen, I have to assume it'll still be a fairly even split here. |
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| Wide receivers |
| Out: Keenan Allen (COVID), Kadarius Toney (quad), Corey Davis (abdomen), Elijah Moore (quad), Marquise Goodwin (foot), Randall Cobb (abdomen), Anthony Schwartz (concussion)Legitimately questionable: Lil'Jordan Humphrey (hamstring), Curtis Samuel (groin)Expected to play: Deebo Samuel (groin), Julio Jones (hamstring), Tee Higgins (ankle), Allen Robinson (hamstring), Kenny Golladay (ribs), Sterling Shepard (quad), Brandin Cooks (back), Mike Williams (COVID) |
| The biggest decisions here revolve around Samuel and Julio Jones. Both are expected to play, but can you really trust them? I say yes in Samuel's case, but not with as much confidence as I would say under normal circumstances seeing as he's had just one day of practice over the past two weeks. With Jones, I think my preference would be to sit him and see how he reacts to his first game action since Week 9. He's been dealing with this injury since Week 3, so let him prove he's healthy if you can afford to. I'm sitting him for Russell Gage in one league. |
| The other interesting case here is Shepard. He has played just five games, none since Week 8, but he has a 28% target share on the season despite leaving two of those five games early with injuries. The Giants have been playing him primarily out of the slot and peppering him with targets, and if that continues, he's going to be a pretty excellent Fantasy option -- he's averaging 13.9 PPR points per game despite, again, leaving two of his five games early with injuries. There is risk of re-injury and of playing with Mike Glennon, but I'm viewing Shepard as a WR2 for this one. |
| Tight ends |
| Out: Darren Waller (knee), Harrison Bryant (ankle), David Njoku (COVID)Likely out: T.J. Hockenson (hand)Questionable: Ryan Griffin (ankle), Brevin Jordan (hand)Expected to play: Hayden Hurst (ankle) |
| Hockenson is doubtful, but since the Lions don't play until 4:05, we don't know that he's officially out. Assume he is, and if you need a fill-in, Austin Hooper seems like the best widely available option, given the absences of Bryant and Njoku. He's worth starting this week, as is Foster Moreau in Waller's absence. |
Updated rankings
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| Here are my latest rankings as of Sunday morning: |
| Quarterback |
| Josh Allen @TBTom Brady vs. BUFLamar Jackson @CLEKyler Murray vs. LARDak Prescott @WASJustin Herbert vs. NYGAaron Rodgers vs. CHI Patrick Mahomes vs. LVMatthew Stafford @ARICam Newton vs. ATLTaysom Hill @NYJRussell Wilson @HOUJoe Burrow vs. SFTaylor Heinicke vs. DALTeddy Bridgewater vs. DET Derek Carr @KCRyan Tannehill vs. JAXJustin Fields @GBMatt Ryan @CARZach Wilson vs. NO |
| Running back |
| Austin Ekeler vs. NYGLeonard Fournette vs. BUFAlvin Kamara @NYJJoe Mixon vs. SFEzekiel Elliott @WASAntonio Gibson vs. DALCordarrelle Patterson @CAR Josh Jacobs @KCAaron Jones vs. CHISony Michel @ARIDavid Montgomery @GBSaquon Barkley @LACNick Chubb vs. BALJavonte Williams vs. DETJames Robinson @TENJames Conner vs. LAR Kareem Hunt vs. BALDevonta Freeman @CLEMelvin Gordon vs. DETClyde Edwards-Helaire vs. LVChuba Hubbard vs. ATLJeff Wilson @CINAJ Dillon vs. CHIAmeer Abdullah vs. ATL Ty Johnson vs. NOD'Onta Foreman vs. JAXGodwin Igwebuike @DENDontrell Hilliard vs. JAXJemar Jefferson @DENTony Pollard @WASJaMycal Hasty @CINDarrel Williams vs. LVRashaad Penny @HOU David Johnson vs. SEARex Burkhead vs. SEATony Jones @NYJAlex Collins @HOUMike Davis @CARChase Edmonds vs. LARAustin Walter vs. NODevin Singletary @TBZack Moss @TB Samaje Perine vs. SFCarlos Hyde @TENRonald Jones vs. BUF |
| Wide receivers |
| Davante Adams vs. CHITyreek Hill vs. LVCooper Kupp @ARIStefon Diggs @TBCeeDee Lamb @WASChris Godwin vs. BUFD.J. Moore vs. ATL Mike Evans vs. BUFJa'Marr Chase vs. SFTee Higgins vs. SFDeebo Samuel @CINMarquise Brown @CLETyler Lockett @HOUD.K. Metcalf @HOUMike Williams vs. NYGAmari Cooper @WAS Hunter Renfrow @KCTerry McLaurin vs. DALDeAndre Hopkins vs. LARSterling Shepard @LACOdell Beckham @ARIBrandin Cooks vs. SEABrandon Aiyuk @CINJerry Jeudy vs. DETJarvis Landry vs. BAL Jamison Crowder vs. NOVan Jefferson @ARIRussell Gage @CARJulio Jones vs. JAXDarnell Mooney @GBMichael Gallup @WASTyler Boyd vs. SFLaviska Shenault @TENMarvin Jones @TEN Kenny Golladay @LACMarquez Valdes-Scantling vs. CHIJosh Palmer vs. NYGAmon-Ra St. Brown @DENMecole Hardman vs. LVRashod Bateman @CLECole Beasley @TBTim Patrick vs. DET Courtland Sutton vs. DETChristian Kirk vs. LAR |
Tight end
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| Travis Kelce vs. LVGeorge Kittle @CINMark Andrews @CLERob Gronkowski vs. BUFKyle Pitts @CARDalton Schultz @WASFoster Moreau @KC Noah Fant vs. DETTyler Higbee @ARIZach Ertz vs. LARDawson Knox @TBAustin Hooper vs. BALJared Cook vs. NYGGerald Everett @HOUJames O'Shaughnessy @TENRicky Seals-Jones vs. DAL Cole Kmet @GBO.J. Howard vs. BUFEvan Engram @LAC |
| Flex Top 150 |
| Austin Ekeler vs. NYGDavante Adams vs. CHILeonard Fournette vs. BUFAlvin Kamara @NYJJoe Mixon vs. SFTyreek Hill vs. LVEzekiel Elliott @WASAntonio Gibson vs. DALCooper Kupp @ARI Cordarrelle Patterson @CARStefon Diggs @TBJosh Jacobs @KCAaron Jones vs. CHISony Michel @ARICeeDee Lamb @WASDavid Montgomery @GBSaquon Barkley @LACTravis Kelce vs. LVChris Godwin vs. BUF Nick Chubb vs. BALD.J. Moore vs. ATLJavonte Williams vs. DETJames Robinson @TENMike Evans vs. BUFJa'Marr Chase vs. SFTee Higgins vs. SFGeorge Kittle @CINDeebo Samuel @CINMarquise Brown @CLE Tyler Lockett @HOUJames Conner vs. LARKareem Hunt vs. BALD.K. Metcalf @HOUDevonta Freeman @CLEMike Williams vs. NYGAmari Cooper @WASMelvin Gordon vs. DETHunter Renfrow @KCTerry McLaurin vs. DAL Clyde Edwards-Helaire vs. LVDeAndre Hopkins vs. LARMark Andrews @CLERob Gronkowski vs. BUFSterling Shepard @LACOdell Beckham @ARIBrandin Cooks vs. SEABrandon Aiyuk @CINJerry Jeudy vs. DETChuba Hubbard vs. ATL Jarvis Landry vs. BALJamison Crowder vs. NOVan Jefferson @ARIJeff Wilson @CINRussell Gage @CARAJ Dillon vs. CHIKyle Pitts @CARAmeer Abdullah vs. ATLJulio Jones vs. JAXDalton Schultz @WAS Ty Johnson vs. NODontrell Hilliard vs. JAXD'Onta Foreman vs. JAXDarnell Mooney @GBMichael Gallup @WASTyler Boyd vs. SFGodwin Igwebuike @DENJemar Jefferson @DENTony Pollard @WASLaviska Shenault @TEN Foster Moreau @KCMarvin Jones @TENJaMycal Hasty @CINKenny Golladay @LACDarrel Williams vs. LVRashaad Penny @HOUMarquez Valdes-Scantling vs. CHIDavid Johnson vs. SEAJosh Palmer vs. NYGNoah Fant vs. DET Amon-Ra St. Brown @DENMecole Hardman vs. LVRashod Bateman @CLETyler Higbee @ARICole Beasley @TBTim Patrick vs. DETZach Ertz vs. LARCourtland Sutton vs. DETChristian Kirk vs. LARRex Burkhead vs. SEA Bryan Edwards @KCAlex Collins @HOUMike Davis @CARDawson Knox @TBEmmanuel Sanders @TBRondale Moore vs. LARChase Edmonds vs. LARLaMical Perine vs. NOA.J. Green vs. LAR Austin Hooper vs. BALJared Cook vs. NYGKeelan Cole vs. NODevin Singletary @TBMohamed Sanu @CINZack Moss @TBDeonte Harris @NYJGerald Everett @HOUSamaje Perine vs. SF James O'Shaughnessy @TENRicky Seals-Jones vs. DALCole Kmet @GBMarquez Callaway @NYJAllen Lazard vs. CHISammy Watkins @CLENick Westbrook-Ikhine vs. JAXDonovan Peoples-Jones vs. BALCarlos Hyde @TEN Darius Slayton @LACO.J. Howard vs. BUFEvan Engram @LACRandall Cobb vs. CHITony Jones @NYJRonald Jones vs. BUFNico Collins vs. SEACurtis Samuel vs. DALAdam Humphries vs. DAL Ty Montgomery @NYJDevontae Booker @LACLaquon Treadwell @TENJalen Guyton vs. NYGRobby Anderson vs. ATLDanny Amendola vs. SEADemarcus Robinson vs. LVTajae Sharpe @CAR Peyton Barber @KCOlamide Zaccheaus @CARDeeJay Dallas @HOUGeoff Swaim vs. JAXByron Pringle vs. LVLatavius Murray @CLEC.J. Uzomah vs. SFTavon Austin @TEN Mekhi Sargent @ARIKhalil Herbert @GBZay Jones @KCQadree Ollison @CARNick Vannett @NYJAnthony Firkser vs. JAXWendell Smallwood vs. DALDamiere Byrd @GB |
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| | | | | Army vs. Navy on CBS | | NFL on CBS | The college football regular season concludes with one of the oldest and most respected rivalries in sports: the annual Army/Navy game. It's an armed forces matchup you don't want to miss, live on CBS at 3 PM ET!
Watch Live
| | Week 14 of the NFL on CBS features several huge games that will shape the playoff race. In the early matchups, the Raiders take on the Chiefs, and the Ravens meet the Browns. Then, Josh Allen and the Bills battle Tom Brady’s Bucs. Tune in Sunday starting at 1 PM ET to catch your local game live!
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