The one injury I’m watching most closely this week is Joe Flacco’s. I know he’s only owned in around 20% of leagues, but it’s not him I’m concerned about — it’s Lamar Jackson. The 2016 Heisman winner actually had an even better 2017 than his 2016 and would’ve won the award back to back if it weren’t for the crazy breakout of Baker Mayfield. If you’re a Tom Brady owner looking for a good bye week replacement — keep an eye on the Ravens QB situation. Either way Flacco goes I think a Ravens QB is due for a big game.
Joe Flacco, QB, Hip: Didn’t participate on Wednesday, but head coach John Harbaugh said that Flacco doesn’t need to practice in order to start. I’m honestly hoping he doesn’t play because I want to see what backup Lamar Jackson has to offer. The Bengals had 51 points hung on them by Drew Brees and the Saints in week 10 so there is a highly exploitable match-up here. My take: Won’t play. If he does somehow play though — he does enter the streaming conversation against the Bengals.
Peyton Barber, RB, Ankle/Shoulder: Being that he was a limited participant instead of a non-participant is good news for me. My take: Will start, bench him. The Giants have been pretty generous against the run allowing the 9th most fantasy points to RBs, but a lot of that has come from the most receiving TDs in the league (6.) This is not part of Barber’s repertoire — he only has 9 receptions on the entire season.
James Conner, RB, Concussion: Conner practiced fully on Wednesday which is great news. Technically he hasn’t been cleared from the NFL’s concussion protocol, but I think that is just a matter of time. My take: Will play, start him. The most surprising top-5 RB of all time!
Royce Freeman, RB, Ankle: Now three weeks rested after missing week 8, 9 and the week 10 bye, I think Freeman should back in uniform for the Broncos. That’s the good news. My take: Will play, bench him. The bad news? This is Phillip Lindsay’s team now and Freeman had lost snaps even before the injury. Sorry Freeman faithful.
DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Foot: He never practices on Wednesdays. My take: come on.
Marvin Jones, WR, Knee: Luckily no ligament damage after being removed from the Lions week 10 loss to da Bears. He didn’t participate in practice on Wednesday and things are looking a little iffy in Marvin’s room. My take: Won’t play. I think they’re going to play it save here.
Jordy Nelson, WR, Knee: Another WR, another bone bruise. No practice for Jordy on Wednesday and I’m thinking it’ll be like Marvin Jones. My take: Won’t play. Even if he does, he hasn’t been relevant since week 6.
Cam Newton, QB, Shoulder: This has been happening for a while now. They’re resting his injured shoulder so he can last the whole season. My take: Will play, start him.
Greg Olsen, TE, Foot: Just like his teammate Newton, Olsen will get extra rest days at practice to maintain his health over the whole season. My take: Will play, start him.
John Ross, WR, Groin: Limited at practice with the injury that caused him to miss 5 weeks in a row — this is obviously just a maintenance thing. My take: Will play, flex him if desperate. He still might be nursing this injury a bit and faces a tough Ravens secondary who have allowed the second-fewest receiving yards to WRs.
Mohamed Sanu, WR, Hip: Scrolling through Sanu’s news blurbs he’s been dealing with this injury for weeks now, but he hasn’t missed a game all season. My take: Will play, flex him if desperate. The Cowboys have held opposing WRs to the 4th fewest fantasy points this season.
Adam Thielen, WR, Back: Fresh off a bye, I’m thinking this is a little precautionary. He was a limited participant at practice on Wednesday which should quickly turn to full participant by game time. My take: Will play, start him!
Sammy Watkins, WR, Foot: Well I got this one completely wrong last week — hopefully I get it right now. Andy Reid is saying that there is a “good chance” Watkins plays in week 11 so I’m going to trust that report. My take: Will play, start him in what could become one of the most exciting games of the season.
