It feels like updating injuries and COVID absences and returns is an hourly proposition. Much of the developments since our Friday update were discussed in the Saturday column or comments, but a few are filtering in this morning. Here are some of the bigger ones so far.
Adam Schefter reported that Lamar Jackson is unlikely to play today, but has a chance. Astute readers and those with a good grasp of words know that if you say someone is unlikely to play, that in itself means that there is a chance. But Jackson has an ankle injury and the only way you want to use the guy in a fantasy lineup is if he's able to run the ball some. Running quarterbacks with ankle injuries are not of interest to me, and the guy probably isn't playing. Tyler Huntley (pictured) should start.
Tony Pollard will test his foot in pregame warmups to see if he can play. He's a running back with a foot injury. He needs to be able to stand, plant, push off and otherwise use his foot at all times. Maybe he plays, but far more likely he either doesn't play, doesn't play much, or tries to play and leaves early. I would use Ezekiel Elliott. I wouldn't use Pollard under any circumstances.
The Cardinals activated Chase Edmonds from IR; he's playing. James Conner is also expected to play through his ankle injury. I would not want to use Edmonds in Standard scoring, and am a little wary of Conner in PPR -- value seems tied to scoring at some point. But given the favorable matchup, he should get some opportunities to score. Both guys have value. If, surprisingly, Conner is inactive, Edmonds would look even better, but that's not the expectation.
Odell Beckham, Jalen Ramsey and Darrell Henderson were all activated from the COVID list yesterday by the Rams. They should be able to play in Tuesday's game, barring something like, you know, getting COVID in the next 48 hours. Henderson and Sony Michel are ranked appropriately in Friday's rankings -- at the time the assumption was that Henderson would play. Beckham is also ranked appropriately.
DJ Moore (hamstring) is expected to play for Carolina. Not a great matchup, passing game, offense, or quarterback, but Moore is the No. 1 and should be good for some usable production.
Report that DeAndre Hopkins (knee) "could be back for the NFC Championship Game." Another way of putting it is, you can drop Hopkins in redraft leagues if you haven't already done so.
Leonard Fournette (ankle) is expected to play. Maybe he is limited, but I don't think there's enough concern there to put Ronald Jones into lineups.
Marquise Brown (illness) is expected to play against the Packers. Probably catching passes from Tyler Huntley. Sammy Watkins was placed on the COVID list, so he won't be playing, but nobody should have been starting Watkins anyway. His absence gives Rashod Bateman a boost, but still doesn't make him desirable.
If I see other major developments between now and 1 p.m. Eastern, I'll post in the comments below. Good luck today.
--Andy Richardson