Fantasy Football News & Views posts twice weekly: Warmup kick-starts your fantasy football planning, and Last Looks makes sure you’re ready to roll out your rosters.
Thursday night’s game between the Bears and the Cowboys certainly kicked off an exciting start to Week 14. On paper (and from a fantasy perspective), the Bears’ win against the Cowboys doesn’t seem as tragic for Dallas as it actually was. This is good news for fantasy owners who started Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott and wide receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup.
But if you saw the game, you know that the Bears killed it, and wide receiver Allen Robinson was the man. I’ll take a humble right now for calling out Robinson as a potential bust. Running back David Montgomery should have gotten that dubious honor.
But let us now look ahead to Sunday’s games. There are a number of injuries with fantasy implications to consider before you set your lineups.
Injury Update
Out
Jets running back Le’Veon Bell (illness) appeared on the injury report and has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Dolphins. Bilal Powell and Ty Montgomery are expected to share the backfield load in Bell’s absence.
Steelers running back James Conner (shoulder) and wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) have been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Cardinals. Benny Snell and Jaylen Samuels will be the main backfield targets in Conner’s absence, and Smith-Schuster’s absence will give James Washington and Diontae Johnson another go at leading Pittsburgh’s receiving corps.
Lions wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (calf) is out again, and tight end T.J. Hockenson (ankle) has been placed on season-ending injured reserve. This paves the way for tight end Jack Doyle to have a big game against the Buccaneers.
Rams tight end Gerald Everett (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday’s game versus the Seahawks. Tyler Higbee will be the primary tight end in Everett’s absence.
Giants tight end Evan Engram (foot) has been ruled out for Monday’s game against the Eagles.
Dolphins running back Kalen Ballage (Achilles) has landed on injured reserve, which will give Patrick Laird an increased workload. Week 14 presents a tough matchup against the Jets, however, so keep Laird on your radar as a potential sleeper.
Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (back) is out for Sunday’s game against the Vikings, and it is unlikely he will play again this season. David Blough will continue as starting quarterback, which will make it difficult to trust any Lions skill player. However, wide receiver Marvin Jones bucked the odds last week when he turned in respectable numbers with Blough at the helm. In Week 7, Jones went wild with 93 yards and four touchdowns against the Vikings.
Chiefs running back Damien Williams (ribs) has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Patriots and running back Darrel Williams (knee) was placed on injured reserve on Thursday. Without either Williams available, LeSean McCoy, Darwin Thompson and Spencer Ware will be the top available backs.
Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (concussion) is out for Week 14. He was able to practice in a limited capacity this week, however, so a return for Week 15 against the Seahawks is not out of the question. If you need to find a replacement for Olsen, consider streaming someone other than Panthers tight end Ian Thomas, such as Vance McDonald, Tyler Higbee, Mike Gesicki or Jacob Hollister.
Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (ankle) will not play in Week 14 but has been seen doing individual work on the side field, so a return this season is not entirely out of the question.
Doubtful
Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen (hamstring) is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Lions. Tight end Kyle Rudolph will continue to see more passing-game usage while Thielen remains out.
Questionable
Texans wide receiver Will Fuller (hamstring) ended the practice week with a questionable tag, as he was only a limited participant. Fuller’s status will be clarified at 11:30 a.m. EST on Sunday when the inactive list is released.
Patriots wide receivers Julian Edelman (shoulder) and Mohamed Sanu (ankle) both are questionable for Week 14’s game against the Chiefs.
Eagles running back Jordan Howard (shoulder) has been practicing on a limited basis, but his status remains questionable for Monday night’s game against the Giants. If Howard is out, Miles Sanders will once again be the lead back in a favorable matchup.
Ravens wide receiver Marquise Brown (ankle) is listed as questionable but is expected to play in Sunday’s game against the Bills. This doesn’t necessarily mean you should play him.
Active
Colts running back Marlon Mack (hand) and wide receiver Parris Campbell (hand) will be available for Sunday’s game against the Buccaneers.
Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (chest) is not listed on the final injury report for Sunday’s game against the Lions.
Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (shoulder) and tight end Austin Hooper (knee) will be available for Sunday’s game against the Panthers.
49ers running back Matt Breida (ankle) does not carry an injury designation for Sunday’s game against the Saints.
Giants wide receiver Golden Tate (concussion) has cleared the concussion protocol and will be active for the Monday night game against the Eagles.
Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em?
The suggestions below do not include the match-proof players that have claimed permanent residence in your starting lineups, if you’re fortunate enough to own them (Lamar Jackson, Christian McCafferty, Michael Thomas and the rest of the usual suspects).
And, as I’ve mentioned before, don’t get too cocky with your flex and streaming players. You should have your fantasy privileges revoked if you bench wide receiver Courtland Sutton for Zach Pascal just because Pascal may be included on a “Start ‘Em” list.
Quarterback
Start
- Ryan Tannehill, Titans (vs. Raiders)
- Aaron Rodgers, Packers (vs. Redskins)
- Carson Wentz, Eagles (vs. Giants) – Monday night
- Sam Darnold, Jets (vs. Dolphins)
- Ryan Fitzpatrick, Dolphins (vs. Jets)
Sit
- Gardner Minshew, Jaguars (vs. Chargers)
- Derek Carr, Raiders (vs. Titans)
- Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers (vs. Saints)
- Drew Brees, Saints (vs. 49ers)
Running Back
Start
- Devonta Freeman, Falcons (vs. Panthers)
- Austin Ekeler, Chargers (vs. Jaguars)
- Kareem Hunt, Browns (vs. Bengals)
- Miles Sanders, Eagles (vs. Giants) – Monday night
- Benny Snell, Steelers (v. Cardinals)
Sit
- Tevin Coleman, 49ers (vs. Saints)
- Marlon Mack, Colts (vs. Buccaneers)
- Ronald Jones, Buccaneers (vs. Colts)
- Latavius Murray, Saints (vs. 49ers)
- LeSean McCoy, Chiefs (vs. Patriots)
Wide Receiver
Start
- DeVante Parker, Dolphins (vs. Jets)
- Alshon Jeffrey, Eagles (vs. Giants) – Monday night
- Jarvis Landry, Browns (vs. Bengals)
- Jamison Crowder, Jets (vs. Dolphins)
- Deebo Samuel, 49ers (vs. Saints)
Sit
- Emmanuel Sanders, 49ers (vs. Saints)
- Carlos Hyde, Texans (vs. Broncos)
- Terry McLaurin, Redskins (vs. Packers)
- Brandin Cooks, Rams (vs. Seahawks)
- D.J. Chark, Jaguars (vs. Rams)
Tight End
Start
- Jack Doyle, Colts (vs. Buccaneers)
- Jared Cook, Saints (vs. 49ers)
- Vance McDonald, Steelers (vs. Cardinals)
- Kyle Rudolph, Vikings (vs. Lions)
- Tyler Higbee, Rams (vs. Seahawks)
Sit
- Noah Fant, Broncos (vs. Ravens)
- Jimmy Graham, Packers (vs. Redskins)
- Jared Cook, Saints (vs. 49ers)
- Darren Fells, Texans (vs. Broncos)
Kicker
Start
- Matt Gay, Buccaneers (vs. Colts)
- Ka’imi Fairbairn, Texans (vs. Broncos)
- Jake Elliott, Eagles (vs. Giants) – Monday night
- Younghoe Koo, Falcons (vs. Panthers)
Sit
- Brandon McManus, Broncos (vs. Texans)
- Mike Badgley, Chargers (vs. Jaguars)
- Jason Myers, Seahawks (vs. Rams)
- Zane Gonzalez, Cardinals (vs. Steelers)
Defense
Start
- Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Giants) – Monday night
- Minnesota Vikings (vs. Lions)
- Green Bay Packers (vs. Redskins)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Cardinals)
- Houston Texans (vs. Broncos)
Sit
- Buffalo Bills (vs. Ravens)
- New Orleans Saints (vs. 49ers)
- Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Patriots)
- Denver Broncos (vs. Texans)
Now go set your lineups, enjoy some football, and maybe you’ll find yourself in the playoffs next week.
