This may be the most important week to pay attention to the news all the way through the weekend. While plenty of teams like the Chiefs, Eagles and Rams have already told us they plan to sit some starters, others, like the Steelers, have been more circumspect. We could get news as soon as Friday, as well as injury updates on players like DeAndre Hopkins. The players below are listed roughly in the order I would seek to add them. Each player is listed along with his ownership percentage in Yahoo! leagues.
Malcolm Brown, RB, LAR (2%) – Brown should get most of the running back touches that would normally go to Todd Gurley. San Francisco’s run defense has been better of late, but Brown has displayed some talent this season.
Will Fuller V, WR, HOU (40%) and Braxton Miller, WR, HOU (0%) – DeAndre Hopkins is in danger of missing Sunday’s game against the Colts, and while Hopkins is the only Houston receiver you can trust with T.J. Yates at quarterbacks, the matchup certainly helps.
Terrance Williams, WR, DAL (14%) – Dez Bryant did not practice Thursday due to a knee injury, which he says he has been dealing with since Week 9. If Bryant is out, Williams would be the de facto No. 1 wide receiver in Dallas.
Wendell Smallwood, RB, PHI (4%) – Smallwood appears to be in line for most of Philadelphia’s running back snaps this week, as Jay Ajayi, LeGarrette Blount and even Corey Clement will all be rested. Smallwood looked good at times early this season, and it would not be shocking if he has a big game against the Cowboys.
Stevan Ridley, RB, PIT (0%) – Le’Veon Bell has not been ruled out yet, but that may be coming. Pittsburgh needs New England to lose to the Jets to have a chance at the number one seed, and even if that happens, there is a decent chance the Steelers can beat the Browns even while resting most of their starters. If Bell is out, Ridley should get plenty of work.
Patrick Mahomes, QB, KC (2%) – Alex Smith is second in fantasy points among quarterbacks this season, and there is a chance Mahomes is just as good a quarterback as Smith. I don’t love the matchup against Denver, Mahomes does have a big arm, and it would only take a couple of big plays to make your week.
Pharoh Cooper, WR, LAR (1%) and Josh Reynolds, WR, LAR (0%) – None of the Rams starting wide receivers are expected to see much playing time, but it is hard to know what to expect from their backups. I slightly prefer Cooper, but these are both dart throws, especially with Sean Mannion getting the start at quarterback.
Lance Kendricks, TE, GB (0%) – Richard Rodgers, Davante Adams and Jordy Nelson have all missed practice this week. Kendricks should be Green Bay’s starting tight end this week, and while that usually doesn’t have much value, it could if Adams and Nelson are also out.