Week 14: Game Time Decisions
The Thursday night game provided plenty of fantasy fireworks (for a change), but Brandon Marshall owners took a bottle rocket to the groin with the news that he'll be lost for the season after suffering a collapsed lung and broken ribs.
Many backfields are depleted as we enter the first round of the fantasy playoffs for most leagues. Andre Ellington has been ruled out because of a hip pointer, and the Cardinals are expected to employ a committee approach consisting of Stepfan Taylor and Marion Grice against Kansas City. Vikings RB Jerick McKinnon (back) won't play again this season, but backup Matt Asiata is a pedestrian talent who is averaging just 3.3 yards per carry and faces a stiff test this week against the Jets' stout run defense. DeAngelo Williams broke a finger in Week 13 and has been ruled out, which puts Jonathan Stewart on the RB2 radar against the Saints' pathetic run defense. Raiders RB Latavius Murray has been cleared to return from his concussion, but the most incompetent coaching staff in recent memory apparently intends to continue to employ a committee approach in its backfield. It's very possible the Raiders have been trading coaching strategies with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Colts TE Dwayne Allen hasn't played since Week 9 due to an ankle injury, but he is expected to return this week, which is not music to the ears of Coby Fleener owners. Fleener has exceeded 125 yards receiving in two of the past three games but is not an advisable option this week as he'll be splitting targets against a Browns defense that has allowed only three scores to tight ends this season.
We don't cover many defensive injuries in this article, but Colts cornerback Vontae Davis (concussion) has been ruled out, which makes Browns WR Josh Gordon a borderline must-start in daily games.
In this article, we profile a few players dealing with bumps and bruises that could keep them in street clothes for the coming week. When scouting injuries, fantasy owners should remember the wise words of Allen Iverson: "We talkin' about practice." Those who don't practice on Fridays are usually not advisable fantasy options. Be sure to sign up for the Scout Forums and check the game-day inactive posts starting at about 11:30 a.m. Eastern on Sunday to determine whether the players profiled below should remain in your fantasy lineups.
RB Isaiah Crowell, ---
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The former five-star recruit and later bust at the University of Georgia is dealing with a hip injury and was limited in Friday's practice. However, the Browns' coaching staff hasn't expressed much concern about his playing status. In the past two games, Crowell has 30 touches for 132 yards while Terrance West has 23 for 107 yards. Crowell has played at least 60 percent of the snaps in three straight weeks and should produce solid RB2 numbers against an Indianapolis defense that has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points, including 13 scores, to opposing running backs. If Crowell can't play, the Browns' backfield would be a question mark as Westcoughed up a critical fumble in last week's loss to the Bills and might actually be a healthy scratch Sunday.The Browns signed Shaun Draughn this week, and Glenn Winston, an undrafted rookie who looked decent enough in the preseason, could get some touches if the coaching staff concludes it can't trust West due to his ball security issues.
RB Rashad Jennings, ---
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Jennings made the trip to Tennessee with his teammates Saturday, but his availability to play remains in doubt. He did claim that if he made the trip he would suit up, but the coaching staff might have other ideas in a lost season. Jennings suffered a sprained ankle against Jacksonville and sat out the Giants' final two drives drives. After the game, he claimed that he was unable to re-enter the game since he couldn't press down on his ankle. He missed Wednesday and Thursday practices but was able to complete a limited Friday session and is trending towards being in uniform for a dream matchup versus a floundering Titans run defense that has allowed 832 rushing yards and seven RB touchdowns over their past five games. If Jennings sits out, Andre Williams would become a touchdown-dependent RB2 as the rookie has five scores but is averaging just 2.9 yards per carry.
WR Larry Fitzgerald, ---
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Fitzgerald has been one of the more durable receivers in the league as the past two weeks have represented the first games he's missed since 2007. Head coach Bruce Arians confirmed that Fitzgerald has still not fully recovered from the Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee, but he was a full participant in Friday's practice and is trending towards returning to face Kansas City as Arizona looks to break their two-game losing skid. With Drew Stanton under center, it's difficult to trust any of the Cardinals' pass-catchers as Arizona has scored a touchdown on just three of their past 29 drives. Plus, Kansas City allows the 10th-fewest fantasy points per game to the wide receiver position.
WR DeSean Jackson, ---
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Jackson reportedly has a bruised right fibula and was absent for the entire practice week. Still, he's tentatively expected to play against St. Louis, but Washington doesn't have much to play for, so that could change. Jackson is the only player in the league with double-digit receptions of at least 40 yards (10), but this leg injury could affect his ability to get down the field. If Jackson is inactive, Andre Roberts could be worth a roll of the dice in deeper leagues considering he's had some recent success versus St Louis. He's recorded at least eight catches and 90 yards in two of his last three meetings with the Rams.
WR Roddy White, ---
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White suffered an ankle injury in Week 12 and sat out the following week's win over Arizona. Harry Douglas filled in nicely, finishing with nine catches for 116 yards, but his fantasy relevance won't last long if White is able to play. He was able to practice on Saturday and proclaimed himself good to go for the Monday Night contest in Lambeau Field. The 33-year-old is having a solid season after an injury-plagued 2013 resulted in his first season with fewer than 1,000 yards since 2006. The Packers have allowed 16 passing scores to the wide receivers, tied for the second-most in the league, and White has scored four touchdowns in his last six meetings with Green Bay. Although he's likely to have his starting WR duo at his disposal, Matt Ryan owners should temper expectations as Green Bay's defense has been much better at home, holding opposing quarterbacks to a completion percentage of 56 -- the best home mark in the league.
