The last three times Washington has played the Giants neither team has scored more than 20 points, and it looks like theycould be headed for another one of those kind of games. The Giants have ruled out Odell Beckham for Sunday’s game.
Washington, of course, has Mark Sanchez operating behind an injury-riddled offensive line, probably making this one of the uglier games of the week.
While the Beckham injury hurts New York’s offense, however, it dramatically increases the value of Sterling Shepard and Evan Engram. Those guys have some receiving ability, and they’ll be more heavily utilized with Beckham out.
Shepard has largely been a disappointment this year, but an increase in targets should jack up his production. When Beckham missed over half of the 2017 season, Shepard had a couple of monster games – 11 for 142 at San Francisco, and 11 for 139 and a touchdown in a late-season loss to the Eagles. Yesterday we had him outside the top 60 in all formats. Now he’s looking more like a top-25 wide receiver.
Engram has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury, but he’s healthy now. With the team likely using him more, he’s looking like a good candidate for top-10 numbers.
On the downside, the Giants still have Eli Manning at quarterback, and they still have a lesser offensive line. But we’re liking Shepard and Engram.
With these being substantial changes, we have re-worked the projections for the Giants. The revised projections are being loaded into the site and can be accessed through the custom rankings area.
The Monday night teams have also announced their injuries.
Doug Baldwin is the most notable name. He didn’t practice all week because of a hip injury, and they’re calling him a game-time decision. Typically when players don’t practice, they don’t play. But with Baldwin, two weeks ago a groin injury kept him out of practice all week, then he went out and looked fine on the field, catching 5 passes for 39 yards at Carolina. He’s a warrior-type guy who prides himself on playing. We can’t guarantee it, but if we had to guess one way or the other, we would expect Baldwin to be in the starting lineup.
Chris Carson has a dislocated finger, but he looks good to go. He’s practiced fully the last two days and isn’t even on the injury report.
Seattle’s No. 2 tailback, Rashaad Penny, apparently tweaked his ankle in practice today. He wasn’t mentioned on Thursday or Friday and is listed as a full participant today, but he’s questionable on the injury report.
Seattle won’t have linebacker K.J. Wright (knee) or road-grading guard D.J. Fluker (hamstring).
Minnesota won’t have cornerback Trae Waynes (concussion) or blocking tight end David Morgan (knee).
Stefon Diggs (knee) was a limited participant in practice all week, but they say he’s playing. (He’s not even listed on the injury report.)
MINNESOTA VIKINGS at SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
OUT: WR Chad Beebe (hamstring), TE David Morgan (knee), CB Trae Waynes (concussion)
QUESTIONABLE: LB Eric Kendricks (rib)
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
Thursday: WR Chad Beebe (hamstring), LB Eric Kendricks (rib), TE David Morgan (knee), CB Trae Waynes (concussion)
Friday: WR Chad Beebe (hamstring), LB Eric Kendricks (rib), TE David Morgan (knee), CB Trae Waynes (concussion)
Saturday: WR Chad Beebe (hamstring), TE David Morgan (knee), CB Trae Waynes (concussion)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Thursday: WR Stefon Diggs (knee)
Friday: WR Stefon Diggs (knee)
Saturday: WR Stefon Diggs (knee), LB Eric Kendricks (rib)
FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Thursday: G Mike Remmers (back), CB Xavier Rhodes (hamstring), WR Brandon Zylstra (foot)
Friday: G Mike Remmers (back), CB Xavier Rhodes (hamstring), WR Brandon Zylstra (foot)
Saturday: CB Holton Hill (finger), G Mike Remmers (back), CB Xavier Rhodes (hamstring), WR Brandon Zylstra (foot)
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
OUT: LB K.J. Wright (knee)
DOUBTFUL: G D.J. Fluker (hamstring)
QUESTIONABLE: WR Doug Baldwin (hip), RB Tre Madden (chest), RB Rashaad Penny (ankle)
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
Thursday: WR Doug Baldwin (hip), T Duane Brown (ankle), G D.J. Fluker (hamstring), DE Dion Jordan (knee), LB K.J. Wright (knee)
Friday: WR Doug Baldwin (hip), G D.J. Fluker (hamstring), LB K.J. Wright (knee)
Saturday: WR Doug Baldwin (hip), G D.J. Fluker (hamstring), LB K.J. Wright (knee)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Thursday: RB Chris Carson (finger), LB Shaquem Griffin (knee), S Shalom Luani (quadricep), RB Tre Madden (chest), DT Shamar Stephen (foot)
Friday: DT Shamar Stephen (foot)
Saturday: RB Tre Madden (chest)
FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Friday: T Duane Brown (ankle), RB Chris Carson (finger), LB Shaquem Griffin (knee), DE Dion Jordan (knee), S Shalom Luani (quadricep), RB Tre Madden (chest)
Saturday: T Duane Brown (ankle), RB Chris Carson (finger), LB Shaquem Griffin (knee), DE Dion Jordan (knee), S Shalom Luani (quadricep), DT Shamar Stephen (foot)