Another slow evolution of this column — now I’m listing every player who is questionable or doubtful and I’ll be filing them under “Would Start” or “Wouldn’t Start.” Many of these “questionable” designations are just formalities, but they should be ready to go. However, some of them, like Kelvin Benjamin should be ready to go — but I don’t know if you should be starting him even if he was 3,000% healthy. They’re also all sorted alphabetically so just slowly scan through each section with your fingers crossed that your player is filed under the “Would Start” heading.
If you’ve got specific questions about any of your players feel free to drop a comment or follow me on Twitter to throw a question my way: @KerryKlug
Would Start
Jay Ajayi, RB, Back: Reports have been back and forth. Early reports were saying that there was a “good chance” Ajayi was out week 3. Now, the head coach is saying he’s “day to day.” I’m thinking Ajayi will be in there against the Colts on Sunday.
Giovani Bernard, RB, Knee: Don’t blow this Gio! You’ve got your chance to earn some additional snaps and a great role in this offense when Mixon returns in a few weeks.
Alex Collins, RB, Illness: Just an illness. Unless the diarrhea worsens — he’ll be starting for the Ravens. Hopefully in the black pants.
Dalvin Cook, RB, Hamstring: It’s concerning that he didn’t practice at all yesterday, but I still think Cook will be starting against the Bills who have allowed the 30th most fantasy points to opposing RBs this season.
Jack Doyle, TE, Hip: Doyle played in 85% of the Colts snaps in week 2 and I think he’ll be at that rate again in week 3. How do I know that he’s played in 85%? Razzball’s depth charts of course!
Evan Engram, TE, Ankle: He’s a tight end — they’re always banged up. He’ll face the Texans this weekend who allowed 123 yards and a TD to Gronk in week 1. Gronk Engram ain’t, but he’s still a top-10 TE.
Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Hamstring: Nothing to see here. The Cardinals have come out and said that Larry Legend will be on the field — whether you should start him or not is another question. There’s a high likelihood Sam Bradford gets knocked out of this game by a Khalil Mack sack attack.
Leonard Fournette, RB, Hamstring: He’s back and (hopefully) better than ever! Throw him back in your line-up and reap the rewards!
Will Fuller, WR, Hamstring: Just like with his teammate Hopkins — Fuller will be starting against Big Blue.
Ted Ginn Jr., WR, Knee: I’m thinking this is much ado about nothing. Start Ginn again.
Marquise Goodwin, WR, Quadriceps: The fact that he’s been practicing even in a limited fashion leads me to believe he’ll be back in the starting line-up. He’ll be a solid starting option against a Chiefs secondary that has allowed 45 and 56 fantasy points respectively over the first two games.
T.Y. Hilton, WR, Quadriceps: Facing another team that got victimized by Ryan Fitzpatrick, the Eagles, I think Hilton could be in for a big game this weekend.
DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Ankle: He’s limited, but won’t be on Sunday. Get him in your line-up.
Julio Jones, WR, Calf: I don’t think this injury is anything more than a R&R day for Julio. He’ll be in there against the Saints who are dead last against WRs thanks to Ryan Fitzpatrick’s explosive week 1.
Jarvis Landry, WR, Knee: With a Thursday game, the Browns are probably just resting Landry so they’ll have their new clear WR1 ready to play since Josh Gordon was shipped off to New England.
Marshawn Lynch, RB, Shoulder: Beast Mode never gets got.
LeSean McCoy, RB,Cracked Rib Cartilage: Yikes! Somehow McCoy is expected to play through what sounds like a particularly gross injury. The bigger issue with McCoy is the baby mama drama for which his case is questionable.
Paul Richardson, WR, Shoulder/Knee: The fact that he had to get an MRI is concerning — even if it did come back clean. He still played through this same shoulder injury last week so I’m thinking he’ll be starting this weekend as well.
Aaron Rodgers, QB, Knee-MCL: The latest quote about this injury is that there are concerns that his knee might get worse. What do you do if you’re in the Packers front office? Start your hobbled franchise player against a Redskins defense that has allowed the fewest passing yards in 2018? Or rest him to secure your playoff future. I think Rodgers is too much of a gamer to miss any time — he’ll be in there to expose this Redskins secondary a bit.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Abdomen: A-S-J has P-L-A-Yed through this injury the past two weeks and he’ll D-O it A-G-A-I-N on Sunday.
Wouldn’t Start
Doug Baldwin, WR, Knee-MCL: Not expected to start, especially after Pete Carroll said Baldwin is “a little further away” from returning to the field.
Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Hip: Benjamin on an injury report?
I want nothing to do with him against the Vikings.
Devonta Freeman, RB, Knee: I feel like this ‘questionable’ designation should be ‘doubtful’ because there is a very little chance of seeing Freeman in uniform this weekend.
Antonio Gates, TE, Illness: He’ll be fine. But your team won’t be if you start him.
Josh Gordon, WR, Hamstring: Who knew photo shoots could be so dangerous? Gordon has been limited in practices and probably isn’t very familiar with the Belichick Bible yet, so I’d be hesitant to start him.
Derrick Henry, RB, Back: Limited in practice so he’ll be playing come Sunday. However, he’s facing the Jaguars at home and really hasn’t done anything this year that makes you think he’s a viable starting option for your team.
Alshon Jeffery, WR, Shoulder: He’s yet to be cleared for contact which means he’s yet to be cleared for playing time. I think the Eagles play it safe and bench him one more game.
Case Keenum, QB, Knee: He’ll play, but should you start him in 2 QB leagues? Against the Ravens who have allowed the second fewest total yards on the season?
Marlon Mack, RB, Hamstring: Even if Mack is playing for the Colts he shouldn’t be playing for the Sexual Thielens or whatever your team name is this year.
Marcus Mariota, QB, Elbow: Just like Derrick Henry, even if he plays — it’s against the #1 defense of the Jaguars. Easy sit.
T.J. Yeldon, RB, Ankle: He should be playing, but so should Leonard Fournette so Yeldon should be back to his change of pace back.
