The Sunday morning injury reports are coming in, and there are some significant developments. The biggest is that D'Andre Swift, out since Week 3 with a shoulder injury, is expected to be inactive again. And the Kansas City backfield is also being shaken up.
Swift being out, if that holds true, makes Jamaal Williams (pictured) look like a top-15 type of back. (Our Friday Update shows where Williams ranks with Swift inactive.) Craig Reynolds becomes a potential option in deeper leagues, although he's only had one good game in that No. 2 role. Detroit is on the road against an excellent Dallas defense, although at least it's been more vulnerable to the run than the pass.
Kansas City is apparently shaking up its running back depth chart. Isiah Pacheco is expected to start at running back, ahead of Clyde Edwards-Helaire. So where to rank Pacheco? Originally we had Edwards-Helaire at about 27-28 in PPR and Standard. I think it makes sense to rank Pacheco a little bit higher than that, because presumably CEH will be playing less in the offense, having been demoted, than Pacheco might have. For me Pacheco would be around 20-22. Keep in mind that Jerick McKinnon will still be playing in a lot of passing situations (Pacheco has caught only 2 passes; both last week, at least), and CEH might still have a role. But I think starting Pacheco carries similar risk and upside to the other running backs ranked in that 20-22 area, for example Kenyan Drake and Travis Etienne.
Tyler Lockett (hamstring) is expected to play for Seattle. We didn't rank him on Friday, because he looked pretty iffy to play. Lockett didn't practice all week. He actually practiced more last week, then caught 2 passes for 17 yards. I think there's more risk than reward in starting the guy.
Hunter Renfrow (hip) is expected to play. He got in a limited practice on Friday. As with Lockett, seems like more risk than reward here.
The Ravens activated Gus Edwards (knee) off the PUP list. I don't think it's a given he's active for the game against Cleveland, and doubt he plays much if he is. But a slight ding to Kenyan Drake and Justice Hill, under the possibility he gets 5-7 carries.
Russell Wilson (hamstring) is out, Brett Rypien will start. Wilson hasn't been playing well enough for this to be seen as a dramatic downgrade to Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy, but it's at least a slight one due to the uncertainty. Rypien has made one NFL start, two years ago (also against the Jets, interestingly enough), with decent numbers, but it's a different year, different offense, different defense, etc.
Green Bay activated Sammy Watkins off IR, and placed Randall Cobb on it. Watkins might be a top-3 WR for the Packers this week (but not a guy I'd want to start).
If I see anything else major this morning, I'll post in the comments below. And will try to answer questions involving injuries as I see them.
--Andy Richardson
33 Reader Comments:
Robert McKinlay
Andy Richardson
Braulio Sanchez
Andy Richardson
Brad Sullivan
Mister International
Andy Richardson
Craig Smith
Don McCown
Mike Gibbons
Thanks for your up to date info, we were able to pick Pacheo up in both leagues.
Andy Richardson
Damien Harris practiced fully all week. Some question over how carries will be distributed between him and Rhamondre, but he can be considered healthy, unless the Patriots are making him practice fully while hurt.
Don, the rankings have Williams 3rd, but only slightly behind Jones. So kind of a gut feel on those two for you.
Mike, considerable uncertainty with both those players. We can really only guess how much McCaffrey will play. I personally would rather start McCaffrey, but Pacheco is safer and would appear higher in the rankings.
Craig Smith
MICHAEL ALLEN
Mike Gibbons
veronica sumpter
Andy Richardson
David Hogshire
Andy Karr
Andy Richardson
Ed Fogarty
DANIEL HORT
Mitchell Ross
Andy Richardson
Swift officially inactive.
Good luck all
Ed Fogarty
Jack Sandler
Andy Richardson
Thomas Ammerman
Dave Sjogren
MATT WARFIELD
Mister International
James Fares
veronica sumpter
veronica sumpter