Four straight weeks of double-digit fantasy points has David Njoku trending upwards in the top TE pecking order. He was a limited participant on Wednesday which leads me to believe that he’ll be playing (and eating) this weekend. His opponent, the Steelers, have allowed double-digit points to TEs for 5 straight weeks and Njoku will make that 6 despite only catching 3 passes for 13 yards in week 1 against the Steelers. It’s a whole njew Njoku in week 8! My take: Will play, start him.
Geronimo Allison, WR, Hamstring: The fact that he practiced at all leads me to believe that he’s going to return from his three week absence. My take: Will play, flex him if necessary. He has a tough opponent in the Rams, but a QB God in Aaron Rodgers.
Robby Anderson, WR, Ankle: No practice on Wednesday for Anderson which doesn’t look good. Then, the Jets went out and signed Rishard Matthews which looks even worse. My take: Won’t play, but even if he does you have to imagine he’ll be limited.
Peyton Barber, RB, Ankle: Barber had a fantastic 20 fantasy point game in week 6, but has 18 points in the other 5 games he’s played. My take: Won’t play, but if he does I wouldn’t start him anyway.
Giovani Bernard, RB, Knee-MCL: Bernard hasn’t played since week 4 when Joe Mixon wasn’t a threat to his snaps. My take: Won’t play. I think the bye week in week 9 gives them an extra week to rest Bernard.
Randall Cobb, WR, Hamstring: Hot off the bye week I’m thinking Cobb returns from the injury that’s held him out since week 3. My take: Will play, but bench him. He has a tough match-up, may be limited and Rodgers could be looking at other pass-catchers.
Dalvin Cook, RB, Hamstring: I don’t understand Cook’s questionable tag for this week when all signs are pointing to another missed game for Cook. My take: Won’t start.
Jack Doyle, TE, Hip: He may be back, he may not. None of that really matters though — Eric Ebron is the third highest scoring TE in PPR leagues and there might not be many targets even if Doyle plays. My take: Won’t play. Even if he does: bench him.
Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Hamstring: He’s the oldest WR in the game. This was probably just a day of rest for ol’ Larry. Fitz scored his first double-digit fantasy game since way back in week 1 and had his first TD catch. This bodes well for him heading into an exploitable match-up against the 49ers. My take: Will play, flex him if necessary.
Royce Freeman, RB, Ankle: The fact that this is a high ankle sprain is a big issue. That type of injury usually lingers for a few weeks. My take: Won’t play. If he does play, he’s barely flexible since Phillip Lindsay has taken the RB1 crown out in Denver, but the Chiefs have given up so many fantasy points to RBs that if Freeman does somehow play — he could have some flex value.
Leonard Fournette, RB, Hamstring: The doubtful tag should tell you everything you need to know. Then, the Jags went out and traded for Carlos Hyde. It’s frustrating that he’s only played in two of their seven games this season, but if they hold him out for week 8 you can be hopeful that he’ll return after their week 9 bye to help set you up for your playoff run. My take: Won’t play.
Jimmy Graham, TE, Knee: Jimmy Graham has been questionable since he debuted in 2010. I’m thinking this is a 32 year old veteran rest day. My take: Will play, start him.
Rob Gronkowski, TE, Back: Gronkowski is always going to miss at least one game a season — hopefully he got that one out of the way. The frustrating thing here is that the Patriots are playing on Monday night so you could be rolling the dice on him. My take: Will play. However, get ready to go out and grab the Bills TE on Monday if necessary (Charles Clay.)
Cooper Kupp, WR, Knee-MCL: Another doubtful tag that’s speaking volumes. My take: Won’t play.
Marlon Mack, RB, Ankle: Limited = likely. I’m thinking Mack is good to go for Sunday. My take: Will play, start him against the Raiders who are having a fire…sale and will probably have a time of possession of around 48 seconds.
LeSean McCoy, RB, Concussion: Just like Gronkowski there’s some risk involved if you wait to see McCoy’s injury status. He’s in the concussion protocol — which isn’t the latest Chris Hemsworth movie — so it’ll be tough waiting to see if he’s cleared or not. My take: Will play, start him if necessary. The Patriots haven’t been great against the run — even though McCoy hasn’t been great at the run.
Sony Michel, RB, Knee-MCL: Another doubtful tag. My take: Won’t play.
Cam Newton, QB, Shoulder: This injury is being classified as “general soreness” if it gets to the point of colonel soreness then I’ll start to get worried. My take: My jokes are corny. My football take: Will play, start him.
Greg Olsen, TE, Foot: Olsen (and the two guys under him in this article) are probably going to be here every week so I might have to remove them at some point. They’re old old/oft-injured so they’ll be getting recovery days early in the week. My take: Will play, start him.
Adrian Peterson, RB, Ankle: There you have it — thank you Coach Jay Gruden for being real with it. He came out and said that Peterson will regularly get Wednesdays off for the rest of the season. Farewell Peterson! My take: Will play, start him.
Paul Richardson, WR, Shoulder: The reigning king of this column, for the first time all season Richardson actually didn’t play after his questionable injury tag. He was limited in practice on Wednesday which makes me think we’ll see him Wednesday against the Giants. My take: Will play, flex him against the Giants who just got rid of two of their starters on defense (so far.)
Seth Roberts, WR, Concussion: Roberts was one of the highlights in my waiver column that gets released every Tuesday. With Amari Cooper gone I’m liking Roberts over Martavis Bryant to get some additional targets. My take: Will play, flex him. It’s hard to say with the concussion tag — but I’m optimistic.
Allen Robinson, WR, Groin: This injury limited Robinson to only 1 catch for 4 yards in week 7 so this is an injury to watch extremely closely. He already has one DNP on Wednesday so keep an eye on the Bears practice reports going forward. My take: Won’t play, but if he does you can continue him a strong start option against the weak Jets secondary. Very risky, however, after his disappointing week 7.
Golden Tate, WR, Ankle: Limited at practice, I’m thinking this questionable tag is a veteran recovery day. Nothing to worry about here. My take: Will play, start him.
Carson Wentz, QB, Back: Quarterback I feel like is the easiest position to write about in this column. Questionable, limited in practice, it doesn’t matter — your team’s QB will always be in there. My take: Will play, start him.
