With the final week of the 2019 fantasy season upon us, we’ve got a shortened Ambulance Chasers column, due to the fact that there aren’t a lot of fantasy-relevant players still left, with many teams out of contention, and therefore, a lot of players out of contention too. While we’ve only got to focus on a handful amount of players left, there are a few trouble spots that we should be aware of…
So let’s dive right into it.
Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas (Throwing Shoulder)
While Prescott was limited in Wednesday’s practice with a shoulder issue, what’s troubling is that it’s the first time Prescott has ever been a limited participant in practice in his career, and backup QB Cooper Rush took the majority of first team snaps in replacement. Prescott also reportedly told Michael Gallup mid-game last Sunday that he “wasn’t going to throw the RPO no matter what the read was.” Prescott will likely spend a majority of the week on the sidelines in practice as he tries to get healthy for this Sunday. To keep hope alive for his fantasy owners, this is a must-win game for the Cowboys against the Eagles this week, so it would shock me if he isn’t able to go.
Daniel Jones, QB, Detroit (Ankle)
While Giants coach Pat Shurmur did say last Friday that Eli could start the team’s final two games, Jones worked with the starters at Wednesday’s practice, suggesting that he could get the start under center this week against Washington. It’s something to monitor leading up to Sunday.
Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota (Shoulder)
Cook exited Week 15 against the Chargers with a shoulder injury, and didn’t return for the rest of the game. Speaking on Monday, coach Mike Zimmer said “Yeah, it feels good today” when asked if Cook could play though his injury. It sounds like he’ll be ready to go for Monday night against the Packers, and with Alexander Mattison’s status up in the air, Mike Boone should be in line as the backup if Cook somehow can’t suit up.
Josh Jacobs, RB, Oakland (Shoulder)
According to Raiders beat writer Vic Tafur on Twitter, Jon Gruden will be holding out Jacobs this week against the Chargers, in hopes that he can go in the season finale against Denver. In the meantime, backup DeAndre Washington should step in as the lead back.
Jordan Howard, RB, Philadelphia
After missing last week’s game against Washington, Howard remains “status quo” with his shoulder injury, according to coach Doug Pederson. In other words, nothing has really changed, and Howard has yet to be cleared for contact. It isn’t looking likely that Howard will play on Sunday, leaving this backfield up to Miles Sanders and Boston Scott.
Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay (Hamstring)
After being carted off last Sunday against Detroit, not only has Godwin not practiced this week so far, but Bruce Arians admitted on Monday that his hamstring injury “doesn’t look good”. Godwin isn’t likely to play on Saturday against the Texans, meaning he can be dropped if owners need the roster space for the final week of the fantasy season.
D.J. Chark, WR, Jacksonville (Ankle)
Chark never came close to playing last week, after being ruled out on the Friday before their Week 15 matchup against Oakland. Heading into this week, however, coach Doug Marrone said Chark was “cleared to get on the field and do some running and cutting” on Monday.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Pittsburgh (Knee)
Like last week, JuJu remains “questionable” for Week 16 with a knee injury, and while he’s been a limited participant for Wednesday’s practice, he isn’t really worth holding onto for this Sunday due to a likely limited role in a limited offense with Duck Hodges. You can safely drop him, even if he goes.
Greg Olsen, TE, Carolina (Concussion)
Olsen was cleared from the league’s concussion protocol to start the week, meaning he should be at full health for Week 16 and 17, even though he might not be the most attractive fantasy options thanks to the emergence of rookie Ian Thomas.
I’ll be back on Saturday for the final 2019 edition of “Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em”!
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