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| Sunday, December 5, 2021 |
| This is The Week of the Backup Running Back, which also means you're probably missing some lineup stalwarts. And running back is probably in better shape than wide receiver right now -- and don't even get me started about the state of quarterbacks right now . It's rough out there, and there are a bunch of injuries we're still watching as of Sunday morning. |
| You probably have questions, and we have answers. 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 13 Start 'Em & Sit 'Em: QB | RB | WRStarts, sits and sleepers for every gameCheat Sheets: PPR | Non-PPRWeek 13 Position Previews: QB | RB | WR | TEMy Week 13 Rankings: Flex Top 150 | QB | RB | WR | TE |
| Week 13 Injury Report |
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| Quarterbacks |
| Out: Jalen Hurts (ankle), Justin Fields (ribs), Daniel Jones (neck) |
| Hurts was limited throughout the week but just never got well enough to play through the injury. At this point there doesn't seem to be much concern that this is a multi-week injury, and Hurts tried to get cleared Sunday morning, so I expect him back next week. Gardner Minshew is going to start for the Eagles in Hurts' place, which should lead to a bit more passing volume for the Eagles receivers, if nothing else. |
| Expected to play: Kyler Murray (ankle) |
| The Cardinals tried to keep the mystery going, but it always seemed like this would be the week Murray made his return when he was back at practice before the bye. He's back to must-start status, though I'd be surprised if Murray ran much at this point -- Murray has just two games with more than 30 rushing yards this season anyway. |
| Running backs |
| Out: Dalvin Cook (shoulder), D'Andre Swift (shoulder), Melvin Gordon (out), David Johnson (illness), J.D. McKissic (concussion), Jordan Howard (knee), Phillip Lindsay (ankle), Damien Williams (calf), Trey Sermon (ankle) |
| For the most part, we knew about these absences well before Sunday, and Alexander Mattison, Jamaal Williams, and Javonte Williams are all pretty much must-start running backs for me this week. The most interesting situation here might actually be the Texans running backs with Johnson out. All of a sudden, Rex Burkhead is the only active running back for the Texans right now who has had a carry this season. He could be in line for a huge role, and while I don't think he's a great player -- and Houston is decidedly not a great offense -- it wouldn't surprise me at all if he had 15 carries and five targets this week. If you missed out on the more trustworthy of the replacement options, Burkhead is worth considering if you're desperate. |
| Legitimately questionable: Darrell Henderson (quad), James Robinson (heel/knee), Boston Scott (illness), Alex Collins (abdomen) |
| It sounds like Henderson is more on the doubtful side of questionable, but because that game doesn't kick off until 4:05, we just don't know officially. I feel pretty comfortable locking Sony Michel into my starting lineup based on what we've heard, and he's a top-15 RB for me this week. You could get the rug pulled out from under you if Henderson is active unexpectedly, but the Rams have only practice squad RB Mekhi Sargent behind Michel, so he should be in line for a massive role in a game the Rams should win pretty handily. He had 20 carries and four targets in his lone start back in Week 3. |
| Robinson is more on the probable side of questionable, it seems, but he kicks off in that same late window, thus the question mark. I would be fine keeping him in my lineup as a top-20 option, though maybe add Carlos Hyde as an insurance policy just in case. Or, you know, Michel, if he's available. |
| Scott looked like he might be a must-start option at the beginning of the week, but now it looks like Miles Sanders figures to be the lead back. Scott should still have a fine role if he plays, but he's more of an RB3 for me. Collins will probably be just a role player even if he plays -- Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning that Adrian Peterson is expected to start and be the lead runner for the Seahawks despite only signing to the practice squad Wednesday. I would have to be pretty desperate to start Peterson -- I would rather have Burkhead, for one -- but if you are, he's there. |
| Likely in: Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness), Josh Jacobs (ankle) |
| I'm willing to trust both as lower-end starting running backs, though Jacobs is probably my preference if I had to pick one. Neither ranks higher than Michel, Mattison, or either of the two Williams(es?) for me, however. |
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| Wide receivers |
| Out: Deebo Samuel (groin), Allen Robinson (hamstring), Sterling Shepard (quad), Kadarius Toney (quad), Marquise Goodwin (foot), Keelan Cole (COVID), Danny Amendola (knee)Legitimately questionable: Corey Davis (groin), DeSean Jackson (calf), Curtis Samuel (groin), John Ross (illness), Chris Conley (illness) Expected to play: DeAndre Hopkins (hamstring), Odell Beckham (hip), DeVante Parker (shoulder), Brandin Cooks (illness) |
| Hopkins is a tough one, because we just don't know how limited he'll be, if at all, in his first game since Week 8. I've got him ranked around 20th, which is just about where he ranks in per-game scoring, so I'm expecting him to play a pretty typical role this week. The thing that makes it especially tough to go away from Hopkins is his chances of scoring a touchdown -- he has seven in eight games, and if he is going to have any limitations this week, you would think they would still try to use him in the red zone. Hopkins is a risk, but it's one I'm probably going to take where I have him, given the state of the position. |
| And the same is true of Beckham. The injury is a concern, but he appeared to suffer it last week and still played all but one snap for the Rams. Maybe they won't need to use him much if they get out ahead of the Jaguars early, but I'm willing to keep Beckham in my lineup unless he's a surprise inactive. If that happens, Van Jefferson would be a more interesting option and might end up in my top 30 at WR. |
| Tight ends |
| Out: Darren Waller (knee), Adam Shaheen (knee)Questionable: Jack Doyle (knee), Ricky Seals-Jones (hip), Kyle Rudolph (ankle) |
| With Waller out, Foster Moreau is a top 12 tight end for me. He played every snap in Week 7 when Waller was out and ran a route on 30 of 34 pass plays, catching six for 60 yards and a touchdown. He figures to have a similar role this week-plus. |
Updated rankings
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| Here are my latest rankings as of Sunday morning: |
| Quarterback |
| Lamar Jackson @PITJosh Allen vs. NETom Brady @ATLPatrick Mahomes vs. DENKyler Murray @CHIJustin Herbert @CINMatthew Stafford vs. JAX Derek Carr vs. WASKirk Cousins @DETTua Tagovailoa vs. NYGJoe Burrow vs. LACRussell Wilson vs. SFTaylor Heinicke @LVTyrod Taylor vs. INDBen Roethlisberger vs. BALCarson Wentz @HOUGardner Minshew @NYJTeddy Bridgewater @KCTrevor Lawrence @LARMatt Ryan vs. TENJared Goff vs. MINJimmy Garoppolo @SEA |
| Running back |
| Jonathan Taylor @HOUAustin Ekeler @CINNajee Harris vs. BALAlexander Mattison @DETJoe Mixon vs. LACLeonard Fournette @ATLCordarrelle Patterson vs. TEN Jamaal Williams vs. MINJames Conner @CHIJavonte Williams @KCElijah Mitchell @SEAAntonio Gibson @LVDavid Montgomery vs. ARISony Michel vs. JAXMiles Sanders @NYJJosh Jacobs vs. WAS Saquon Barkley @MIAMyles Gaskin vs. NYGJames Robinson @LARClyde Edwards-Helaire vs. DENRex Burkhead vs. INDDevin Singletary vs. NEDevonta Freeman @PITDamien Harris @BUFBoston Scott @NYJ Ty Johnson vs. PHIRhamondre Stevenson @BUFKenyan Drake vs. WASDeejay Dallas vs. SFTevin Coleman vs. PHIAdrian Peterson vs. SFMatt Breida vs. NEDarrel Williams vs. DEN Qadree Ollison vs. TENNyheim Hines @HOULatavius Murray @PITRonald Jones @ATLJeff Wilson @SEAMike Davis vs. TENBrandon Bolden @BUFDevontae Booker @MIA Samaje Perine vs. LACKhalil Herbert vs. ARIGiovani Bernard @ATL |
| Wide receivers |
| Cooper Kupp vs. JAXTyreek Hill vs. DENKeenan Allen @CINStefon Diggs vs. NEJustin Jefferson @DETDiontae Johnson vs. BALChris Godwin @ATL Marquise Brown @PITMike Evans @ATLTyler Lockett vs. SFJa'Marr Chase vs. LACOdell Beckham vs. JAXD.K. Metcalf vs. SFAdam Thielen @DETJaylen Waddle vs. NYG Brandon Aiyuk @SEATerry McLaurin @LVTee Higgins vs. LACDeAndre Hopkins @CHIDarnell Mooney vs. ARIMichael Pittman @HOUDeVonta Smith @NYJJerry Jeudy @KCHunter Renfrow vs. WAS Brandin Cooks vs. INDChase Claypool vs. BALElijah Moore vs. PHIJakobi Meyers @BUFCole Beasley vs. NEKenny Golladay @MIAMike Williams @CINVan Jefferson vs. JAX T.Y. Hilton @HOUMarvin Jones @LARMecole Hardman vs. DENJamison Crowder vs. PHITyler Boyd vs. LACLaviska Shenault @LARCourtland Sutton @KCRashod Bateman @PITChristian Kirk @CHI Russell Gage vs. TENAmon-Ra St. Brown vs. MINEmmanuel Sanders vs. NETim Patrick @KC |
Tight end
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| Travis Kelce vs. DENMark Andrews @PITRob Gronkowski @ATLGeorge Kittle @SEAT.J. Hockenson vs. MINMike Gesicki vs. NYGKyle Pitts vs. TEN Dallas Goedert @NYJLogan Thomas @LVPat Freiermuth vs. BALFoster Moreau vs. WASDawson Knox vs. NENoah Fant @KCTyler Higbee vs. JAXJames O'Shaughnessy @LAR Cole Kmet vs. ARIZach Ertz @CHITyler Conklin @DETJared Cook @CINEvan Engram @MIAHunter Henry @BUFGerald Everett vs. SFO.J. Howard @ATL |
| Flex Top 150 |
| Jonathan Taylor @HOUAustin Ekeler @CINNajee Harris vs. BALAlexander Mattison @DETTravis Kelce vs. DENCooper Kupp vs. JAXJoe Mixon vs. LACLeonard Fournette @ATLTyreek Hill vs. DEN Cordarrelle Patterson vs. TENKeenan Allen @CINStefon Diggs vs. NEJustin Jefferson @DETJamaal Williams vs. MINDiontae Johnson vs. BALJames Conner @CHIJavonte Williams @KCElijah Mitchell @SEAChris Godwin @ATL Antonio Gibson @LVDavid Montgomery vs. ARISony Michel vs. JAXMiles Sanders @NYJJosh Jacobs vs. WASSaquon Barkley @MIAMark Andrews @PITMarquise Brown @PITMike Evans @ATLTyler Lockett vs. SF Myles Gaskin vs. NYGJa'Marr Chase vs. LACOdell Beckham vs. JAXD.K. Metcalf vs. SFAdam Thielen @DETJaylen Waddle vs. NYGBrandon Aiyuk @SEAJames Robinson @LARTerry McLaurin @LVTee Higgins vs. LAC DeAndre Hopkins @CHIDarnell Mooney vs. ARIMichael Pittman @HOUDeVonta Smith @NYJJerry Jeudy @KCHunter Renfrow vs. WASRob Gronkowski @ATLBrandin Cooks vs. INDGeorge Kittle @SEAChase Claypool vs. BAL T.J. Hockenson vs. MINElijah Moore vs. PHIJakobi Meyers @BUFCole Beasley vs. NEClyde Edwards-Helaire vs. DENKenny Golladay @MIAMike Williams @CINVan Jefferson vs. JAXRex Burkhead vs. INDMike Gesicki vs. NYG Devin Singletary vs. NET.Y. Hilton @HOUDevonta Freeman @PITKyle Pitts vs. TENDallas Goedert @NYJDamien Harris @BUFMarvin Jones @LARLogan Thomas @LVMecole Hardman vs. DENJamison Crowder vs. PHI Boston Scott @NYJFoster Moreau vs. WASTyler Boyd vs. LACTy Johnson vs. PHILaviska Shenault @LARCourtland Sutton @KCRashod Bateman @PITChristian Kirk @CHIRhamondre Stevenson @BUFRussell Gage vs. TEN Dawson Knox vs. NEKenyan Drake vs. WASDeejay Dallas vs. SFAmon-Ra St. Brown vs. MINTevin Coleman vs. PHIAdrian Peterson vs. SFEmmanuel Sanders vs. NETim Patrick @KCNoah Fant @KCTyler Higbee vs. JAX James O'Shaughnessy @LARCole Kmet vs. ARIMatt Breida vs. NEA.J. Green @CHILaquon Treadwell @LARZach Ertz @CHIMohamed Sanu @SEATyler Conklin @DETJared Cook @CIN Nelson Agholor @BUFDarrel Williams vs. DENEvan Engram @MIAQadree Ollison vs. TENHunter Henry @BUFNyheim Hines @HOURondale Moore @CHISammy Watkins @PITLatavius Murray @PITZach Pascal @HOU Darius Slayton @MIARonald Jones @ATLGerald Everett vs. SFBryan Edwards vs. WASKendrick Bourne @BUFNico Collins vs. INDK.J. Osborn @DETJeff Wilson @SEADanny Amendola vs. IND Mike Davis vs. TENDemarcus Robinson vs. DENCurtis Samuel @LVByron Pringle vs. DENBrandon Bolden @BUFO.J. Howard @ATLTajae Sharpe vs. TENOlamide Zaccheaus vs. TENDevontae Booker @MIA Samaje Perine vs. LACPreston Williams vs. NYGTavon Austin @LARDevin Duvernay @PITKhalil Herbert vs. ARIDamiere Byrd vs. ARIDeAndre Carter @LVGiovani Bernard @ATLPhillip Lindsay vs. NYG Quez Watkins @NYJMarquise Goodwin vs. ARIAlex Collins vs. SFC.J. Uzomah vs. LACMekhi Sargent vs. JAXTrent Sherfield @SEA |
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