It's Sunday morning and football kicks off in a couple of hours, with one pretty concerning overnight report. Adam Schefter is reporting that Josh Jacobs (calf, illness) is a true gametime decision, as opposed to a fake one I guess.
(Ian Rapoport felt the need to put his own twist on things, calling Jacobs "up in the air." Perhaps this was a subtle reference to the fact that Green Bay's flight was delayed 5 hours taking off for Arizona, with the team ultimately switching planes.)
Presumably, because illness seldom keeps players out, the calf injury is the bigger concern here. This is weird, because Jacobs practiced fully on Friday. Either he had a setback with the calf injury during Saturday's walk-through, or the illness is significant. Guys going from full practices on Friday to gametime decision on Saturday night is pretty unusual.
If Jacobs winds up inactive, Emanuel Wlson would be the recommended fill-in. He's been the primary change-of-pace so far, with Chris Brooks the No. 3. If Jacobs sits, I think we'd get about 70-30 (maybe a little more) Wilson, with Brooks the change-of-pace and getting some receiving work.
We had Jacobs as a top-5 option on Friday. Looking at the rankings, if he's inactive, I think Wilson would show up well below that -- 17-20 range. As in, I would not start Wilson over the guys we have ranked 15th-16th (PPR), but would consider it once we're getting to Skattebo-Mason-Dowdle range: bad matchups, committees.
In other news:
- Tampa Bay wideouts. Both Mike Evans and Emeka Egbuka are questionable with hamstring injuries. Evans is considered likely to play and Egbuka has a real chance to play. My two cents: 1) If you're planning on using either or both, make sure you have a Plan B from the same game -- Sterling Shepard a good one, Tez Johnson a not quite as good one, Isaac TeSlaa a guy I saw suggested somewhere who is not actually viable, do not use a guy who has 5 targets in six games. 2) Evans practiced fully on Saturday. That makes him, in my opinion, safe to use. Egbuka practiced on a limited basis on Saturday. That makes him, in my opinion (sorry, I'm trying to be thorough here), risky to use. He could be active and play limited snaps, for example, or aggravate the injury.
People need to make decisions they are comfortable with for their teams. I have Egbuka in three leagues and he's benched; I'm starting someone else today.
From yesterday, Deebo Samuel (heel) is out. Washington's top 2 wideouts should be Luke McCaffrey and Chris Moore. Discussed in the comments of my column yesterday, but to sum: I would start McCaffrey. I think he should be ranked in the 30s as their likely No. 1 wideout. Moore we had ranked in the 60s and he moves up to the 50s, but I personally would be looking at other players on other teams, despite the hugely favorable matchup in Dallas. Also, Zach Ertz (shoulder/calf/old) is expected to play, and should be a top-2 target.
D'Andre Swift (groin) is expected to play.
Brock Bowers (knee, doubtful) is not expected to play. One might even say he's doubtful to play.
Kyler Murray (foot) is not expected to play for Arizona, should be Jacoby Brissett at quarterback, as expected.
Christian Kirk (hamstring) has been ruled out for Monday's Texans game at Seattle. Xavier Hutchinson would benefit but is not a recommended option.
Stefon Diggs (chest) is expected to play.
If I see any other major developments before the early kickoffs, I'll post in the comments below.
--Andy Richardson
24 Reader Comments:
Mark Peterson
Andy Richardson (Fantasy Index)
Scott Anderson
Rich Wiegard
Andy Richardson (Fantasy Index)
Craig Johnson
Andy Richardson (Fantasy Index)
Craig Johnson
Wendell Robinson Marvin Harrison Romeo Dobbs. 1/2 ppr. Need1
Craig Smith
Jake Frack
Scott Fitch
Andy Richardson (Fantasy Index)
Craig S, Dowdle and Sutton are virtually identical. For me Wilson is 3rd, but I’d rank him about where Dowdle is. We’re talking fractions of a point separating these guys so just go with the one you feel best about. On my team I’d probably start Dowdle, but it’s more of a hot hand choice than analytical.
Craig Smith
Andy Richardson (Fantasy Index)
Scott we had Pollard projected a little better than Otton on Friday; when it seemed Evans wouldn’t play. No promises but nothing has occurred to move Otton higher so
Scott Fitch
Craig Johnson
David Hogshire
Mike Conway
Andy Richardson (Fantasy Index)
David of those ugly choices I'd start Jennings and cross my fingers he doesn't pick up yet another injury walking out of the locker room
David Hogshire
Russ Neis
Mark Rapley
Scott Fitch
Andy Richardson (Fantasy Index)