UPDATE: 11:24 p.m. Saturday Another elite running back has been put on the sidelines, with Seattle’s Kenneth Walker being deemed unavailable. This could be promising for those banking on a significant performance from Zach Charbonnet; however, for many, it signals it’s time to make a late waiver move. Those monitoring the Vikings Kicker situation, Will […]
UPDATE: 11:24 p.m. Saturday
Another elite running back has been put on the sidelines, with Seattle’s Kenneth Walker being deemed unavailable. This could be promising for those banking on a significant performance from Zach Charbonnet; however, for many, it signals it’s time to make a late waiver move.
Those monitoring the Vikings Kicker situation, Will Reichard was brought back on Saturday, while John Parker Romo is no longer in the picture, at least temporarily. Therefore, Reichard can be confidently played on Sunday against Atlanta.
UPDATE: 2:22 p.m. Saturday
Much of the fantasy updates from the last day have centered around running backs, and the news isn’t favorable.
New York Jets RB Breece Hall has been declared out for the upcoming game in Miami, as his already underwhelming season continues to fade. He’ll be sidelined alongside the Bears’ Roschon Johnson and the Raiders’ Zamir White.
Another prominent RB, Seattle’s Kenneth Walker III, is viewed as highly questionable for Sunday’s evening game in Arizona. He’s likely to play, but probably at a reduced capacity.
Three marginal pass-catchers have been ruled out for Week 14: the Chiefs’ Mecole Hardman, Cleveland’s Cedric Tillman, and Philadelphia tight end Dallas Goedert.
ORIGINAL POST: 8:45 a.m. Wednesday
There are tough bye weeks, and then there are these season-altering bye weeks. This could be the latter for numerous teams aiming for a win in the last week of the fantasy regular season.
Six teams are off this week: Baltimore, Washington, Houston, Indianapolis, Denver, and New England. How severe is that? We’ll evaluate the fallout by position and suggest some alternatives to help fill significant talent gaps with potential last-minute pickups:
Running back
Out: Derrick Henry, Joe Mixon, Jonathan Taylor, Brian Robinson Jr., Rhamondre Stevenson.
In: Isaac Guerendo stands as the last available option in San Francisco and will see plenty of action against Chicago. Other solid choices include the Chargers’ Kimani Vidal against the Chiefs, Giants’ Tyrone Tracy Jr. vs. Saints, and Carolina’s Jonathan Brooks against Philly.
Quarterback
Out: Lamar Jackson, Jaylen Daniels, C.J. Stroud, Bo Nix, Anthony Richardson, Drake Maye.
In: Indeed, we’re advising you to place your trust in the unpredictable Jameis Winston as Cleveland battles Pittsburgh once more. An even better recommendation would be Dallas’ Cooper Rush against the struggling Bengals defense. Or New Orleans’ Derek Carr against the Giants.
Wide receiver
Out: Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Terry McLaurin, Cortland Sutton.
In: Carolina’s Adam Thielen has developed into a favorite target for Bryce Young and will be active against the Eagles. Cleveland’s Jerry Jeudy put on a show in Denver on Monday night and is expected to perform well again in Pittsburgh. We also like the Browns’ Elijah Moore and the Titans’ Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.
Tight end
Out: Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, Dalton Schultz, Zach Ertz.
In: Miami’s Jonnu Smith has been a standout recently and is up against the tough Jets defense. You can also expect solid performances from the Packers’ Tucker Kraft (vs. Lions) and the Bengals’ Mike Gesicki (vs. Cowboys).
Kicker
Out: Ka’imi Fairbairn, Justin Tucker, Wil Lutz, Zane Gonzalez.
In: Three kickers to consider this week are the Saints’ Blake Grupe (vs. Giants), the Titans’ Nick Folk (vs. Jaguars), and the Dolphins’ Jason Sanders (vs. Jets).
Sitting stars
Cleveland RB Nick Chubb primarily watched Jerome Ford on Monday night in Denver and may see limited action against the Steelers. … Carolina RB Chuba Hubbard has cooled down and will remain inactive against the Eagles. … It will take some time before Chiefs RB Isaiah Pacheco is back to full strength, definitely not this week against the Chargers. … Three star receivers we’re cautious about this week: the Giants’ Malik Nabers vs. New Orleans, Miami’s Tyreek Hill against the Jets, and the Niners’ Deebo Samuel facing Chicago. … The Vikings’ T.J. Hockenson is likely to stay out of the end zone again vs. Atlanta. … Packers QB Jordan Love will face challenges against NFC-leading Detroit, and Chicago QB Caleb Williams will find it tough to recover from last week’s poor performance as the Bears go up against the struggling 49ers.
Matchup game
The most promising rookie receiver currently is the Chargers’ Ladd McConkey, and he is expected to shine again against Kansas City. … Two outstanding runners are set to continue their impressive play: Cincinnati’s Chase Brown against Dallas and Arizona’s James Connor vs. Seattle. … Steelers coach Mike Tomlin believes WR George Pickens needs some maturity, and he might show it for a while against Cleveland. … Jets WR Devonte Adams will receive significant attention from Aaron Rodgers in Miami. … One of the top tight ends will once again be busy: the Cardinals’ Trey McBride against Seattle. … Pittsburgh QB Russell Wilson will continue to show improvement against Cleveland, and the Vikings’ Sam Darnold is poised to have a strong outing against Atlanta’s weak defense.
Injury watch
Christian McCaffrey’s lost season concluded last Sunday in Buffalo, and the Niners have also lost RB Jordan Mason. … Saints’ versatile player Taysom Hill is also out for the remainder of the season. … This week’s list of questionable includes three running backs (Bucs’ Bucky Irving, Packers’ Josh Jacobs and Bears’ Roschon Johnson), three quarterbacks (Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence, Bucs’ Baker Mayfield and Rams’ Matthew Stafford), and numerous pass catchers (Dallas’ CeeDee Lamb, Seattle’s D.K. Metcalf, Eagles’ Devonta Smith, Cleveland’s Cedric Tillman, Green Bay’s Romeo Doubs, Bills’ Keon Coleman, Rams’ Demarcus Robinson, Dallas tight end Jake Ferguson, and Buffalo TE Dalton Kincaid).
Deepest sleeper
Out of the depths of the Las Vegas running game last week emerged Sincere McCormick. The second-year back recorded 12 carries for 64 yards in his first significant performance with the Raiders on Black Friday due to the absences of Zamir White and Alexander Mattison. If they are both sidelined again this week, it will be McCormick facing Tampa Bay’s struggling defense.
The Thursday pick
Packers at Lions (-3½):
Prediction: Lions by 7
You can catch Kevin Cusick on Wednesdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. Follow Kevin on Twitter — @theloopnow. He can be contacted at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.
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