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Sunday morning injury updates

Swift not expected to play

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

Belews Creek, NC
2022-10-23T13:36:44Z
Any word on Mark Andrews being active?

Andy Richardson

Port Chester, NY
2022-10-23T13:44:35Z
He’s expected to play yes

Braulio Sanchez

Norwalk, CT
2022-10-23T14:04:28Z
is Pacheco worth picking up since I have Jeff Wilson and E. Mitchell?

Andy Richardson

Port Chester, NY
2022-10-23T14:08:13Z
You can cut Mitchell in favor of Pacheco

Brad Sullivan

Beverly, MA
2022-10-23T14:08:23Z
Full pt ppr D Harris or Pacheco?

Mister International

Macomb, MI
2022-10-23T14:15:52Z
Standard scoring idk which two to start between Aaron Jones, Josh Jacobs, Damien Pierce

Andy Richardson

Port Chester, NY
2022-10-23T14:17:34Z
I like Harris a little more but they are very similar

Craig Smith

Humble, TX
2022-10-23T14:19:27Z
Did Harris get in a Full Practice yesterday? I have to decide for a Flex position in a Half-PPR format - Harris or J. Meyers??

Don McCown

Port Washington, WI
2022-10-23T14:21:32Z
Andy, Yesterday you were kind enough to suggest Aaron Jones & Damion Pierce as the "2 of 3" I had asked you about starting in an ESPN scoring system league where the PPR is 1 half point - excluding Najee Harris. Well I'm at it again, bugging you with the very same question. This same league I also have Jamaal Williams so with Swift being declared OUT today - which 2 of 3 is best: A. Jones, D. Pierce, or Jamaal Williams? Thank you very much, Sir.

Mike Gibbons

Riva, MD
2022-10-23T14:27:10Z
Andy, 1 half point PPR, Mc Caffrey or Pacheo?
Thanks for your up to date info, we were able to pick Pacheo up in both leagues.

Andy Richardson

Port Chester, NY
2022-10-23T14:43:10Z
MI, you bench the one we've got ranked 10 spots below the other two.

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

Humble, TX
2022-10-23T14:48:34Z
What are Waddle's chances of playing tonight?

MICHAEL ALLEN

San Diego, CA
2022-10-23T14:54:32Z
Any word on Keenan Allen?

Mike Gibbons

Riva, MD
2022-10-23T14:58:54Z
Thanks Andy, I also have D Harris in the mix and it sounds like you like him over Pacheco?

veronica sumpter

Brooklyn, NY
2022-10-23T15:01:41Z
should i play pickens over kirk

Andy Richardson

Port Chester, NY
2022-10-23T15:09:36Z
Mike, Yes on Harris. Veronica, we have Kirk considerably higher. Michael, Allen might play but too risky for me to use him, personally. Craig, I've seen no new info on Waddle from Friday's update. Questionable, might play but at less than 100 percent.

David Hogshire

Plymouth, MN
2022-10-23T15:12:34Z
Would start Watkins over Hardman?

Andy Karr

Newton, IA
2022-10-23T15:17:15Z
I’d like to know where the news was earlier this week that Pacheco was working with the first team. Did any of the beat reporters mention this at all? If so, I completely missed it. I dropped him on Saturday needing roster space and assuming he’d be low usage again this week (and KC on the bye after that). Less than 12 hours later he’s named the starter and they now report “he’s been running with the first team all week” Extremely frustrating.

Andy Richardson

Port Chester, NY
2022-10-23T15:29:34Z
There was no report of first-team reps before Rapoport being told it this morning, at least not that I've seen or can find. The Kansas City Star didn't report it; beat reporters don't get to see all of practices. Rapoport certainly doesn't watch practices, but since he works for the NFL, he was likely told this by somebody who works for the team.

Ed Fogarty

Pittsburgh, PA
2022-10-23T15:37:07Z
I am happy to be having this problem and can't believe I need to ask this but.... 1/2 PPR. Need to sit one: Chubb, Breece, Rhamondre, Monty, Pacheco. I assume my decision is between Monty vs Pacheco?

DANIEL HORT

Bronx, NY
2022-10-23T15:37:12Z
Pierce or McCaffrey? Tight league where every point counts. My other RB is Saquon

Mitchell Ross

Darien, CT
2022-10-23T15:41:11Z
Hubbard or Drake RoS half ppr?

Andy Richardson

Port Chester, NY
2022-10-23T15:44:29Z
I'd use Pacheco. Pierce and McCaffrey are not close in rankings. Hardman ranked over Watkins among wide receivers I wouldn't want to start.

Swift officially inactive.

Good luck all

Ed Fogarty

Pittsburgh, PA
2022-10-23T15:44:46Z
Would you drop Jerick McKinnon to pick up Chuba?

Jack Sandler

Oldsmar, FL
2022-10-23T15:55:38Z
Mistah Richardson-- with Drake now splitting with 2 - if that-since 1 guy just said Justice (who I could've picked up but didn't) will be getting all the receptions- should I now bench Drake for Curtis Samuel? I also have Chubba Bubba Hubbard- but I am not starting him vs. Bucs. Been trying to trade Drake all morning- no takers :(

Andy Richardson

Port Chester, NY
2022-10-23T16:01:21Z
Anybody who says they know how the Ravens are going to use their running backs is either guessing or is John Harbaugh. Since Drake and Samuel were nearly identical in the projections anyway go ahead and use Curtis.

Thomas Ammerman

Midland, MI
2022-10-23T16:01:45Z
PPR - Etienne, J. Williams, or Mostert - Pick 1

Dave Sjogren

Leland, NC
2022-10-23T16:04:07Z
Hi Andy - In a .8 PPR, I need to start one from Claypool, Mooney, Lockett, D Schultz. The rankings indicate Mooney, slightly ahead of Schultz. Do you agree? Or does Lockett being announced as active make him a better choice?

MATT WARFIELD

Hanover, PA
2022-10-23T16:07:54Z
Andy - I don’t even think Harbaugh knows. Lol.

Mister International

Macomb, MI
2022-10-23T16:09:28Z
Andy - I took your advice thanks. Another question since I didn't see him on the rankings. Now that Sammy Watkins is playing would you put him over Drake London?

James Fares

New Lenox, IL
2022-10-23T16:25:06Z
Andy - Any word on if Mac Jones or Bailey Zappe will start for NE tomorrow night? I know Jones took the bulk of reps at Saturday's practice and is on track to return as the starter, but you never know with Belichick.

veronica sumpter

Brooklyn, NY
2022-10-23T16:36:16Z
you guys are awesome..thank you

veronica sumpter

Brooklyn, NY
2022-10-23T16:40:58Z
1 last question david montgomery or d.Harris or mostert
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