Twitter was about to shut down the other night when the world realized that Adam Schefter is not just a media reporter, but a utility for the public. He carries the burden of football newsmaking the same way a lineman — no, not the kind you see in football — wakes up at 2 in the morning during a thunderstorm to raise his bucket to the sky and keep the lights on. Schefter’s tweets keep the social media world afloat, and we thank him for keeping Twitter safe for another night.
Let’s see what Schefter had for us today [loads Twitter, gets distracted by picture of Grey wearing aviators]. Here we go! Ja’Marr Chase is still out. The frack? I thought I was here for the public good? Who am I supposed to start now?
Maybe you’re like me and riding the Tyler Boyd train this week. Maybe you’re not like me and have some healthy running backs. Either way, let’s see if we can save your team as the playoffs approach.
The following players are OUT for Week 11 as of the time of writing:
| Name | Team | Pos |
|---|---|---|
| Deshaun Watson | CLE | QB |
| Ja’Marr Chase | CIN | WR |
| Pete Werner | NO | LB |
| JuJu Smith-Schuster | KC | WR |
| Jerry Jeudy | DEN | WR |
| Xavier McKinney | NYG | DB |
| Derek Stingley Jr. | HOU | DB |
| Gregory Rousseau | BUF | DL |
| Cole Holcomb | WAS | LB |
| Cameron Jordan | NO | DL |
| Tremaine Edmunds | BUF | LB |
| Mecole Hardman | KC | WR |
Week 11 Injury News and Roster Notes
Cooper Kupp: Sayonara my RazzBowl team! In my famous “Do as I say, not as I do example,” I took Cooper Kupp as my 1.04 pick in the RazzBowl this year. I didn’t like it then, and I don’t really like it now. I sure could use Austin Ekeler right now! Kupp underwent ankle surgery this week and was placed on Injured Reserve, which will cause him to miss at least 4 games. So, there goes our fantasy season, right? Kupp could miss the rest of the regular season, depending on how hard the Rams want to push for the playoffs. Oh wait, they’re 3-6. Sic transit gloria. I mean, if I’m you [thinks about all the Cheetos on the floor], I’m pretending like Kupp doesn’t touch the field again this year. The Rams are a mess. The Cam Akers thing. Stafford injured. Kupp on IR. It’s not a bad team, just very injured, and by the time Kupp is full speed again, the fantasy playoffs might have passed you by. If you can stash Kupp on IR and survive to the playoffs — great, you’re better than me! If you can’t, then it’s time to move on and prep for fantasy baseball. Allen Robinson had been pulling WR3 duty for a few weeks, and Van Jefferson was a fantasy WR3 in limited duty in 2021, so there’s life in the waiver wire here, but a ton of risk as well. Blech.
Ja’Marr Chase: Injured hip and hasn’t practiced this week, so ruled out for Sunday. He’s not on IR, so he could be back next week, or this week, or the week after next week. Tyler Boyd still available in a couple leagues — snag him!
Deshaun Watson: Well, the time has come for me to blurb about DW, and I’m not talking about Arthur’s little sister. Whether you roster Watson, is really up to your ethical code, ain’t it samurai? Let’s leave his character aside and think logically about whether you should start a quarterback who hasn’t played in the NFL in 2 years, has switched teams, has a wildly different coaching staff and receiving corps, and will likely be subject to every blitz we can imagine. Sure, that sounds like a great DFS play, right? I mean, if you’re in the Matt Ryan / Derek Carr streaming QB group, Watson is…a guy you could play. Watson is out until December 4 and can return in Week 13. So, given the frantic Turkey Day schedule, you’d want to add Watson this week if that’s your thing. Personally, I don’t see the immediate appeal of a guy who hasn’t touched the football field in 2 years. I mean, are you excited about Taylor Heinicke? Heinicke has finished as a startable QB in 12-team formats once this year and is rostered in 20% of leagues. That’s a somewhat fair comparison — guy who was out of football for a couple years, comes back for a different team, and comes in mid-year for some starts with a semi-adequate receiver corps. “But Heinicke was no Watson,” you say, as if it’s supposed to be some sort of threat. Yeah, he sure wasn’t Watson, in so many ways. Make your choice on Watson, but this is the week to do something if you’re choosing to “add.”
Keenan Allen: [insert “It’s Been 84 Years” GIF] Allen is back in the lineup, but I don’t know what to expect. He’s played two games this year and been non-startable in each of them. So…what do you want me to say? That your third round pick sucks? These things happen. Starting Allen is up to you this week — I’d say he slots into your WR2/WR3 spot if you don’t have anybody better. Mike Williams is back this week too, and he’s really been the WR1 for the Chargers this year. Williams gets my nod, while Allen gets my shrug.
Kadarius Toney: Available in 50% of leagues, and the Chiefs are missing JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman this week. Hint: Rudy’s system loves Toney this week. You should trust Rudy because he was FantasyPros’ #2 overall ranker last week.
Elijah Mitchell: So, uh…he out-touched Christian McCaffrey last week. Mitchell’s return from injury shouldn’t have played out like that, but with an incredible amount of usage over one of the top RBs in the league — and the guy the 49ers traded half a draft for — is worth noting. Definitely stuff Mitchell onto a bunch of your contrarian DFS lineups, and 12+ team fantasy football leagues can absolutely snag Mitchell for the bench/Flex spot this week.
OK friends! Let me know your questions down in the comments, and I’ll see you on Monday! If you’re a RazzBowl participant who made the cutline, remember that you’re setting your lineup this week. Good luck!
I traded Najee and Herbert for Kupp early in the year and felt like the genius I am lol. Ugh. So here’s the context:
I am 5-5 tied for fifth place in a 12 teamer. Prior to our playoffs, I will be favored in two matchups and a dog in two. 7-7 should squeeze me into the tourney.
I have to roll with Palmer and Toney this week at WR due to Kupp and Godwin on a bye. Somehow Jeudy hit the wire and I will put in a claim for next week.Who do I drop between Mattison and Watson/Brady?
I never carry two much less three QBs but grabbed Fields several weeks ago (genius side of me) and Watson last week. My other QB is Mr Crypto Tom Brady.
Fields has a bye week in 14 and a tough playoff schedule so I could see regression and the need to rely on Watson or Brady.
Team below:
Fields
Saquon, Dalvin
Godwin, Toney or Palmer
Flex – Zeke or Gus
Kittle
Bench: Rachaad, Mattison, Watson, Brady.
Palmer could be a cut after this week. WW include Landry, Nico, Slayton, MVS. Thoughts on this group?
Hey JC!
Yeah, at the time I think every single analyst on the planet would have traded Najee and Herbert for Kupp, especially with your RB depth. We all knew some Stafford regression was coming but wow — the guy is QB30 on the year on a per game basis. Might as well put me in at QB.
I’d start with the Mattison drop — I spent time listening to the Vikings’ announcer talking yesterday about the forward plans of the team, and they’re likely to use Hock more and more as he gets familiar with the offense and can make more passing plays. Mattison won’t get meaningful fantasy touches unless we see Cook miss significant time.
I see what Palmer looks like with the main players back on the Chargers. If Allen looks like he’s 100% and back to his traditional fantasy WR1 ways, then it’s fine to let him go, with Nico Collins being my top target there. If Allen looks cooked, Palmer might be the superior play ROS.
And yeah, what a year for Brady. Guy coulda ridden into the sunset and instead he we are watching his family, fortune, and career crash. Guy might have to play until he’s 50 to pay off his debts, a la Adrian Peterson. Who knows, but Brady and Watson are probably interchangeable ROS. Assuming Fields avoids injury, I’d prefer him as starting QB ROS. Good luck!
Thank you! I tried trading Zeke and/or Gus but our trade deadline was Wednesday and their health status was and is unclear. Our waiver deadline was Thursday which is odd I think being after the trade deadline. I missed on Watson but did get Toney. We shall see.
Tough call. Which 2 wr do I start out of r moore, g wilson, k toney? .5 ppr
Moore has been getting a lot of targets in the slot with or w/o murray but has a tough matchup.
G Wilson did well against NE last time w/o hall and no Davis. But this time nyj is at NE and belichick had a bye week to game plan.
Toney no further comment. You hit the key points.
Thanks
Hey Toolshed!
I mean, Mahomes has to throw it to somebody, right? I love upside, DEF attention will be on Kelce, running back situation is scary — this is Toney’s game to win. There’s huge potential, and I’m fine starting Toney knowing the risk, If he fails, at least I went big. For the second WR, I go with Wilson — the yards per catch/target have blown out of the water in recent weeks and that’s a good sign. Moore is probably a safer play, but I think Wilson is the more exciting play for this week. Good luck!
PPR Dynasty League
was offered Higgins for my ARSB
was also offered Higgins for my Olave
should I accept either trade? I love Olave and really prefer not to trade him but what do you guys think? Would you trade Higgins for ARSB or Olave??
In dynasty I think you stay the course. ARSB is gonna be the guy in DET and he’s got a higher overall ceiling than Higgins for both ROS 2022 and downstream in later years.
Olave is probably riskier than Higgins, but he’s producing comparable numbers with a weird QB situation. NOS probably goes QB hunting this off-season…and, of course, there’s a non-zero chance that Taysom Hill gets the QB nod, what with his contract having QB incentives. What a world! So for a safe play, acquire Higgins, but if you have a 2-3 year window, I stick with Olave right now because his overall ceiling is probably higher in that time period.
Thank you!!!!!
Hey EWB…good stuff as always. So, if you liked my start/sit questions last week maybe you’ll love this weirdo…
I’m in a 1/2 ppr, 1QB (4 pt) league where some of the other managers seem to have lost their minds this week and I got a bunch of free upgrades from their drops. Not complaining.
In order to scoop up everybody sitting out there that I wanted, I’m now heading into Sunday with no DST and I have to drop somebody by tomorrow to pick one up and reconcile my roster. I’m going to wait as long as possible and try to stash a guy on waivers and get him back next week when I can flush Jimmy G.
I think the following are locked in: Stream Garoppolo/Hold Tua thru bye, start Chubb, Ekeler, Montgomery, Kittle, CeeDee, and M Williams (unless he has a setback).
That leaves me with having to drop one of the following hoping to stash him on waivers this week: Hockenson, Sutton, Gibson, Mooney, J Meyers or M Carter.
Normally I wouldn’t have 2 TEs and that would be the drop but boy would it be nice to (hopefully) go into playoffs with Hock & KIttle both locked up. I feel like one of the receivers is the answer because even if I don’t get him back there are still other good options out there. So, drop Sutton because Denver is terrible? Drop Mooney because people under-rate him and I might get him back? Drop Hockenson or Kittle because holding 2 TEs is stupid? Any thoughts?
Thanks, man!
Hey Bob!
2 TEs is a totally fine strategy! Personally, I have no concern holding on to Hock and the Vikings are airing it out every week because they have no defense. Hock’s been a top fantasy TE since joining the Vikes, and I wouldn’t let him go whatsoever — that’s just giving your opponents ammunition.
Of your potential drops, I send Jakobi Meyers flying to the waiver wire — he’s extremely volatile and he wouldn’t start over Mooney or Sutton in most situations, so he’s like a third string backup.
Hope that helps!
That’s a really good thought. I tend to look at Meyers as a safety hold I can always throw in to cover byes and last-minute injuries, but that’s really only true in my full ppr leagues, if that. In 1/2 ppr he’s kinda just a guy, now that I really look at it. Thanks, man!
Do you like Pacheco over Brian Robinson? I worry about how many touches Pacheco gets vs Robinson, you going with upside versus volume? Thanks!
On the whole, Andy Reid is pretty bad for fantasy RB usage — he tends to be volatile with his usage, and CEH is healthy. Kind of the same frustration we see with Shanahan in SF, except less volume and less consistency. What a recommendation! With that, I stick with Robinson — we’re seeing things click a bit more, and WAS is using the 2-RB system, what with not having much of an offense. :)
TE question. I have Kelce and am looking deep into the playoffs. The worry is that good players on good teams tend to sit in the later rounds of fantasy. Our league has no IR spots and I was able to snag Njoku a few weeks ago off of waivers but he is taking up valuable roster space with no IR spots. Is he worth holding into for the remainder of the season, looking for help in the final games or maybe look to grab someone like Hurst, Kmet(not sure how long he will be available) or maybe McBride when the time comes?
That’s a fair question. Njoku looks like he’s ready to go, and if you can make it week 13, it’s worth rolling the dice on Watson relying on a TE as his #2/3 target option. Kmet and Hurst are in the same streamable category, so I wouldn’t look at them so much on name value, but as fliers on a weekly basis. So, Njoku as long as you can and hopefully ROS, and the other guys are your streamers as needed, taking the favorable matchup when possible.
Howdy Blair!
Full ppr, 10 tm thoughts on some add/ drops
1.) hold Or drop Gallup? If drop available WRs are Jarvis Landry, nico Collins, DJ Chark , Duvernay, Mack hollins, Skyy Moore, Tyquan Thornton
This week I need Jimmy G due to my Tua’s bye Week . Next week for waivers do I drop Jimmy g for Deshaun Watson? Or best available flex player?
Thanks!
Oh slayton is available too
Same as next comment — Slayton has some upside but would prefer Collins. Good luck!
Hey Water Boy!
Drop Gallup — if he turns it around that’s great but he’s unusable right now. Would prefer Collins right now followed by Landry, but any of those guys can be streamed throughout the ROS.
Jimmy G is…not awful this year. Maybe something about losing your job kicks you in the butt? I mean he’s not stellar, but he’s definitely in QB2 range. I’d prefer Jimmy G over Watson — there’s too much risk on the Browns to get excited about Watson from a stats-based point of view.
Good luck!
ROS Sutton or Marquise Brown?
Hollywood! Barring a return to form of Mr. Unlimited, Hollywood is the way to go there.
Awesome post! When do you see JUJU and Leonard Fournette coming back?
https://pikul14.wixsite.com/my-site/post/week-11-starts-and-sits
Lenny’s going this week. Juju is in concussion protocol and could be anywhere from 1-2 more weeks on average
This part of the fantasy season are where champions are made. It’s always hard seeing major contributors like Kupp go down but depth is typically what always wins fantasy championships.
I agree! My Kupp start required me to go Aaron Jones/David Montgomery as RBs…and then the Packers decided to put every ounce of their playbook into a failing ARog and the Bears decided it was 3 RB time (which is a good and natural choice).
Shout out to everybody who has depth!
Happy Sunday!
Need a sleeper D With upside this week:
Steelers d vs bengals : TJ watt is back which should help & Steelers D played well week 10 vs saints . Burrow is still there with mixon, Boyd & Higgins but should be a tough AFC north match up
Broncos D home in Mile high vs raiders
Week 4 when these teams faced off in Vegas broncos D only had 5 fantasy pts . Fast forward to week 11 there’s no waller , no renfrow. Josh jacobs had a monster game week 4, carr held to 188 passing yds. Broncos D have been solid & week 4 was there worst fantasy season
Thanks man!
It’s between Philly D who I have but they’ve been run on & get JT today & mclaurin had a big game on MNF. Flip side Suh is playing today As well
As Linval Joseph maybe that helps the run D
Matt Ryan vs raiders last week 0 INT, 0 fumbles lost & 222 passing yards. Could this be a trap game for Philly D
Just to check in, we’ve got Steelers, Broncos, or Philly?
I mean, I’d prefer Philly — Jeff Saturday’s win vs the Raiders had a minimal chance of occurring, but if it happened, of course it would happen vs the Raiders. The Eagles are a different team entirely and have the best chance at a good outcome. If not Philly, I probably give a slight edge to Steelers, with Broncos coming in third. All good options. Good luck!
Yes sir : Philly vs Pittsburgh vs Denver. I have Philly D & the other two are FA’s .
I definitely don’t feel confident in dropping Philly D I don’t think I could get them back next week
I could drop Gallup for Steelers for this matchup
My opponent has a ton of 1pm guys
His team
QB Dan Jones 1pm
RB1 kamara 1pm
RB2 rhamondre 1pm
WR1 AJ brown 1pm
WR2 Mooney 1pm
WR3 Tyler Boyd 4pm
TE Conklin 1pm
His D Bengals 4pm
Flex rondale Moore MNF
Kicker koo 1pm
IDP Roquan smith 1pm
My team
Jimmy G MNF
RB1 Dalvin cook 4pm
RB2 miles sanders 1pm
WR1 Justin Jefferson 4pm
WR2 davante adams 4pm
WR3 Sutton 4pm
Flex between MVS/ Pacheco SNF
D Philly 1pm
TE Kittle MNF
Kicker mine has a bye will pick later
IDP leaning Nick Bosa MNF
Good luck on that FLEX pick! Definitely DFS brain there — do they pass or run, make your guess!
But yeah, I go with Philly D (Rudy says so too) and let the players do the work. You can drop Gallup if you like but don’t overthink it — you don’t need Steelers DEF today, so drop Gallup for, whatever upside player you see lol.
Thanks!
I may be crazy but kinda thinking dropping Gallup for OBJ he’s meeting with giants & Cowboys after thanksgiving & of course those teams face off on thanksgiving . The main thing how is his knee? I haven’t seen videos of him training but he’s gotta be in shape . Flip side let’s say he signs shortly after thanksgiving he’ll prob need a solid 2 weeks to get up to speed on the playbook
It’s a sensible move — OBJ has about the same floor as Gallup, with WR2 upside. Basically, OBJ’s upside prediction is…Gallup as he was supposed to be, lol
Is Kupp a drop as he is expected to miss 6-8 weeks? League has no IR spots. Could replace with Sutton, Allen or Robinson.
Yeah, I’d drop Kupp in a no IR league, unless you’re a stacked and undefeated team and can withstand the 0 on your bench every week.
Kupp’s out a minimum 4 but I think we’re trending toward longer unless the Rams somehow pull off a 4 game win streak (which would be 125% of their current yearly win total lol).
Would prefer a Sutton replacement, although we’ll find out today if Allen is actually healthy. If you have to make a move before lock, I’d probably take Sutton.
Good luck!
Also, the Kupp drop is contingent on if you’re OK giving that ammo to another team — Kupp in the fantasy championships in week 17 would be nice, but if you’re not making it to the championships unless you drop Kupp…there’s your answer. Good luck!
Thank you! Always appreciate your insight.
What a week for injuries. I played against Najee and Monty both of whom seemed to be losing their grip in their own backfield – only to have injuries to their backfield mates propel them to great days. Also, I have Toney in my lineup. Good times!