The fantasy football playoffs are here as Week 14 kicked off with a high-scoring game between the Cowboys and Bears. There are several key players who will be game-time decisions today so it is vitally important that you keep checking for updates right up until lineups lock. So without further adieu, here is the next installment of the walking wounded.
Andre Ellington (RB-ARZ)
Andre Ellington has been officially ruled out for Week 14 with a hip injury. Arizona will likely have a rotation between Marion Grice and Stepfan Taylor running the ball against the Chiefs. Neither of them are great fantasy options, but if you are desperate for a replacement for Ellington then move one of them into your RB2 slot.
T.Y. Hilton (WR-IND)
Good news for T.Y. Hilton owners as he resumed full practice at the end of the week and will play on Sunday against Cleveland. Hilton was dealing with a hamstring injury but is all set to go. He could be in for a big game against the Browns so put him in your lineup as a WR2.
Julius Thomas (TE-DEN)
Julius Thomas is still listed as questionable with his ankle injury and his status for today’s game against Buffalo won’t be known until a few hours beforehand. This is clearly not helpful for fantasy GM’s since the Broncos play at 4:05 PM and lineups obviously have to be in before that. If you have a decent alternative option at tight end then I suggest you plug him in rather than take the chance on Thomas not playing and leaving a gaping hole in your starting lineup. If you don’t have another solid option, then take the chance.
Jerick McKinnon (RB-MIN)
After it sounded like McKinnon could be back this week, the Vikings announced that he needs to undergo season-ending surgery on his back. He rushed for 538 yards during his rookie season and should be fully recovered to become Minnesota’s featured running back in 2015 (since it is highly likely Adrian Peterson won’t be back). McKinnon can be dropped in all redraft leagues, but he is a keeper in dynasty leagues. Look for Matt Asiata and Ben Tate to share the workload running the ball for the Vikings.
Reggie Bush (RB-DET)
Reggie Bush is slated to start for the Lions on Sunday against Tampa Bay. Bush has been banged up for most of the season and has not produced much for fantasy GM’s. Joique Bell is still a better option, even coming off the bench.
DeSean Jackson (WR-WAS)
DeSean Jackson sustained a nasty leg injury last week and will be a game-time decision whether he plays. It appears as if the Redskins are preparing for him not to be play, but you should wait until the last minute for confirmation. With Colt McCoy back at quarterback, Jackson is a viable WR2 option.
Torrey Smith (WR-BAL)
Torrey Smith is listed as probable for today’s game against Miami. He has been dealing with an ankle injury since last week but he will likely play and should be in your lineups, especially in standard leagues. Roughly 21% of Smith’s catches have been for touchdowns this year.
Rashad Jennings (RB-NYG)
Rashad Jennings practiced a bit at the end of the week and traveled with the Giants to Tennessee, so there is a chance he will actually play this week. Unfortunately it will be a game-time decision so you need to monitor this closely. If Jennings plays, he is a solid RB2 option against an awful Titans’ defense. If he does not play, then Andre Williams becomes your alternative.
Isaiah Crowell (RB-CLE)
Isaiah Crowell is listed as questionable with a hip injury but is expected to play today against Indianapolis. He is a RB2 or Flex option as Cleveland looks to avenge a pitiful performance last week.
Doug Martin (RB-TB)
Doug Martin elicits groans from fantasy GM’s because of his disastrous past two seasons. But he is in line to start again for Tampa Bay on Sunday as Bobby Rainey will likely not play. Martin actually scored a touchdown last week, so he may be worth a flyer at a Flex position or if you are desperate for a RB2 due to injuries.
Michael A. Stein, Esq. is the Chief Justice of Fantasy Judgment, the industry's premier dispute resolution service, and is also the co-host of the Fantasy Alarm podcast. You can contact him at michael.stein@fantasyjudgment.com or on Facebook and Twitter (@FantasyJudgment),