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Welcome back to the Rookie Report! The long slog through the regular season is finally almost over. For most fantasy leagues, week 13 is the finale. You should know where you stand in your playoff pecking order. If your playoff spot or a bye week is on the line, there is some extra weight on the lineup decisions you make this week. Do you play it safe, or swing for the fences with a boom-or-bust option? At the end of the day, you have to make the final call on that, but I can at least offer a little help figuring out what to do with your rookies. A lot of rookies have been playing larger roles as the season has gone on, and it's likely that a rookie will play a part in determining the outcome of your week 13 matchup. Let's dive in and talk about what to expect this week...

Rookies to Start:

RB Ezekiel Elliott, DAL (Wk. 13: @Min.): Zeke is just too good to sit regardless of matchup, and this matchup isn't all that daunting. The Vikings have allowed 95+ rushing yards to opposing backs in 5 of their past 6 games, allowing 4.7 yards per carry to RBs over that stretch. They also rank a middling 16th in Football Outsiders' run defense DVOA stat, which measures efficiency. Elliott remains a locked-in RB1 this week.

RB Jordan Howard, CHI (Wk. 13: vs. SF): Howard demonstrated last weekend that he's still able to produce despite having Matt Barkley under center. The 49ers appeared to show improvement vs. the run on Sunday as they were able to slow down Jay Ajayi a bit, but they've still allowed the most fantasy points per game to opposing RBs and rank 30th in run defense DVOA. Howard has RB1 upside this week.

WR Michael Thomas, NO (Wk. 13: vs. Det.): Thomas got back on track in a big way in week 12 with over 100 yards and 2 scores, and the Saints are at home again this week. The Lions secondary is hardly a group to be afraid of, and no defense has been able to slow down Brees and company in Nola. The squeaky wheel should get the grease this week, so Brandin Cooks is likely to see some extra targets after his goose egg last weekend, but Thomas is a safe WR3. He's shown a very respectable floor with at least 4 catches and 40 yards in all 11 games this season, and he leads the team in targets, catches, receiving yards and TD grabs.

WR Sterling Shepard, NYG (Wk. 13: @Pit.): As I just mentioned above, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Shep wasn't targeted once last weekend after seeing at least 6 targets in each of the previous 9 games. Eli Manning apologized to Shepard this week, and I'd expect an overcorrection this weekend. The Steelers are nothing to sneeze at as a defense, allowing the 4th-fewest WR points per game on the year. Still, I expect Shep to see at least 8 targets this week and see him as a solid WR3, especially in PPR formats.

Borderline Rookies:

QB Dak Prescott, DAL (Wk. 13: @Min.): Prescott has been rock solid all year, but this week should be a real test. The Vikings rank 4th in pass defense DVOA, and have allowed fewer than 17 fantasy points to the opposing QB in all but one game (all point totals are in ESPN standard scoring). Dak, meanwhile, has scored at least 17 in 10 straight games. There is a chance for a decent day since Minnesota has allowed 2 passing TDs 3 times in the past 4 games, but I think this is the first time since week 1 that Prescott comes up short of the 17-point threshold. He's a borderline QB1 in 12-team leagues.

RB Devontae Booker, DEN (Wk. 13: @Jax.): I'd lean toward starting Booker this week, but his recent track record has been less than stellar. He has seen 24 carries in each of the past 2 games, the Jaguars rank 23rd in run defense DVOA, and Denver is a 5-point road favorite. The matchup and game script should work in Booker's favor, which gives him a great chance to finish as at least a low-end RB2.

RB Kenneth Dixon, BAL (Wk. 13: vs. Mia.): Dixon continues to see his share of the snaps and touches rise each week, and he's scored 7 fantasy points in 2 of the past 3 games. Miami ranks 19th in run defense DVOA and has allowed between 10 and 20 fantasy points to opposing RBs each week. Terrance West is more likely to get the goal line opportunities, but Dixon should get enough volume to finish right around where he did last week. He's a flex option with a decent floor, but a low ceiling.

RB Wendell Smallwood, PHI (Wk. 13: @Cin.): Smallwood wound up being a huge let down last week with Ryan Mathews out, but it wasn't entirely his fault. The Packers dominated time of possession, and the Eagles didn't have a single offensive snap when they were tied or leading. Smallwood and Sproles combined for just 12 carries with the negative game script (9 for Smallwood). The Bengals without AJ Green and Gio Bernard are much less likely to be playing from ahead, and Cincy allows the 12th-most RB points per game. Mathews should be out again, so I would expect Smallwood to lead the backfield in touches and to have more success than he did last week.

WR Tyreek Hill, KC (Wk. 13: @Atl.): Hill put on a show on Sunday night, doing something not seen since Gale Sayers (rushing, receiving, and punt return TD all in one game). He's still a touchdown-dependent player in standard leagues since he averages under 10 yards per catch and is used extensively in the short passing game. Luckily for Hill, the Falcons rank 26th in pass defense DVOA on short throws, and he should see plenty of targets once again with Maclin's status still up in the air. He's a solid WR3 in PPR leagues, and closer to the WR3/4 borderline in standard formats.

WR Tyler Boyd, CIN (Wk. 13: vs. Phi.): Boyd has shown a safe PPR floor over the past two weeks with AJ Green and Gio Bernard being out, as he was targeted 8 & 9 times in weeks 11 & 12. The offense as a whole is less effective without AJ and Gio, so there isn't as much TD upside for Boyd, but he's still an intriguing WR3 option in PPR and standard leagues. The Eagles rank 2nd in pass defense DVOA, but their worst 4 games of the season in terms of WR points allowed have all been in the past 5 games.

WR Will Fuller, HOU (Wk. 13: @GB): Well, it looks like Fuller is finally recovered from the leg injury that has plagued him as he put up a 4-60 line last week and is slated to return punts in place of the injured Tyler Ervin this week. The Packers' secondary had been getting shredded weekly before looking better on Monday night. I'm not convinced that their struggles are behind them...they've allowed the 3rd-most WR fantasy points per game. Fuller is back to being an upside WR3 option this week. He's still a bit of a boom-or-bust play, but the possibility of a boom is back.

TE Hunter Henry, SD (Wk. 13: vs. TB): Henry played more snaps that Antonio Gates in week 12, and this week he faces a Tampa Bay defense that has allowed over 65 receiving yards to opposing TEs in 4 of the past 5 games. Henry is always a TD threat, and the yardage upside this week makes him a passable streamer in 12-team leagues if you're missing Gronk or Delanie.

Rookies to Sit:

QB Carson Wentz, PHI (Wk. 13: @Cin.): Wentz has been pretty consistently bad over the past 7 games, and the Bengals have allowed just 12 points per game to the opposing QBs in their 3 games since the bye. Wentz is just the QB23 on the year, and the Bengals are hardly an enticing matchup. Carson is a low-end QB2 at best this week.

QB Jared Goff, LA (Wk. 13: @NE): Goff has some upside this week against a Patriots defense that ranks just 28th in pass defense DVOA, but he's best left on the pine in most leagues. He's played just one good half of football in his first 2 starts, and Bill Belichick will be licking his chops to game plan for the rookie. I don't like his chances of making good on his upside.

RB Rob Kelley, WAS (Wk. 13: @Ari.): Kelley proved on Thanksgiving that he isn't going to overcome bad matchups unless he scores touchdowns, and he has another bad matchup this week. The Cardinals haven't been great against running backs overall this year, but they have been shutting them down at home. No opposing team's RBs have tallied more than 7 fantasy points in Arizona since the Patriots in week 1. You can do better than Kelley this week.

RB Paul Perkins, NYG (Wk. 13: @Pit.): Perkins has seen an increase in playing time over the past few weeks, but he's still totaled just 12 fantasy points in the past 4 games. The Steelers have allowed 7 fantasy points or fewer to the opposing RBs in 3 of their 4 games since the bye with the exception being the week they got shredded by Ezekiel Elliott. If the Giants get anything going with their backs this week, it'll likely be from Rashad Jennings.

RB Dwayne Washington, DET (Wk. 13: @NO): There is some touchdown upside for Dwayne this week against the Saints, but the Lions have proven there is no matchup too soft for the Lions' run game to fail against. The Saints are actually playing improved defense of late, allowing 10 fantasy points or fewer to opposing RBs in each of the past 3 games. Washington is no more than a TD dart throw.

WR Robby Anderson, NYJ (Wk. 13: vs. Ind.): The re-emergence of Quincy Enunwa last weekend limited Robby to just 2 targets against New England. There's no way to know if that number will go back up this week. You can't trust Anderson this week despite a plus matchup with the Colts.

TE Austin Hooper, ATL (Wk. 13: vs. KC): The Chiefs aren't quite as brutal a TE matchup as the Cardinals were for Hooper last week, but they're pretty close. KC has allowed just 2 TE scores, and have only allowed 60+ yards to the opposing tight ends 3 times. They've only allowed 60 yards AND a touchdown once. There are better streaming options available.

Rookies on Bye: QB Cody Kessler, CLE, RB Derrick Henry, TEN, WR Tajae Sharpe, TEN, WR Corey Coleman, CLE, WR Ricardo Louis, CLE, TE Seth DeValve, CLE

Deep League Sleepers, Stashes, and Cheap DFS Options:

RB Jalen Richard, OAK (Wk. 13: vs. Buf.): Richard has finally emerged as the clear RB2 in Oakland as DeAndre Washington was a healthy scratch against the Panthers, and the Buffalo Bills rank just 25th in run defense DVOA. It seems as though Latavius Murray has established himself as the workhorse for Oakland again, but Richard has averaged 7.5 touches per game over the past 4 games. While that type of volume doesn't lend itself to fantasy starter status, Richard has shown the big-play ability to be an interesting DFS tournament punt play. He's also a guy you should consider stashing as a handcuff if you own Murray.

WR Malcolm Mitchell, NE (Wk. 13: vs. LA): People might be expecting Mitchell to come back to earth a bit this week after scoring 3 TDs in the past two games with Chris Hogan and then Rob Gronkowski out. I think he extends the success another week. While it sounds like Gronk has a good shot of playing this week, I think it will be at far less than 100 percent and mostly as a decoy, and it's clear that Mitchell has earned Tom Brady's trust. Mitchell seems a natural fit for the role the Brandon LaFell played the last two years, and LaFell left a ton of big plays on the field last year because of drops. Mitchell isn't doing that so far. It helps Mitchell's outlook that the Rams have really struggled to defend WRs away from home, allowing 30+ fantasy points to the position in 4 of their 6 road games. I'm in on Mitchell this week as a boom-or-bust WR3.

WR Leonte Carroo, MIA (Wk. 13: @Bal.): Carroo's outlook really depends on the status of DeVante Parker this week. Parker left with a back injury on Sunday, and Carroo scored a touchdown on his only target as the fill-in. If Parker is out this week, I'd expect Carroo to assume his role in the offense, and that role has been bigger of late. DeVante has led the Dolphins in targets over the past 3 weeks, and averaged 82 receiving yards per game in that span. If he sits, Carroo becomes a really intriguing cheap option for DFS tournaments and a streaming possibility for the deepest of leagues.

WR Daniel Braverman, CHI (Wk. 13: vs. SF): I only list Braverman here as a gut call for DFS tournaments, or as a stash in deep PPR leagues. The Bears are desperate to find anyone who can catch the ball after suffering through a miserable 10 drops last Sunday, including 2 on the final series that each could have led to a Bears' win. Braverman caught 108 balls at Western Michigan last season, and showed sure hands in the preseason when given opportunities. He could play a prominent role as a slot receiver immediately, and Matt Barkley showed last weekend that he can actually throw it a bit. The weather conditions will be sloppy in Chicago (about 40 degrees and rainy), so the short passing game will be key, and that's an area where Braverman excels. I like his chances of recording 5+ catches.

That's all I've got for this week. Hopefully it helps with your all-important lineup decisions and helps you extend your season into the playoffs. Make sure to keep an eye on the injury reports throughout the week to make sure you don't start anyone who's out or winds up benched because the starter is back. If you have any specific questions or want to yell at me about anything above, feel free to hit me up on twitter and let me know (@Shawn_Foss). As always: Good luck, trust your gut, and have fun. It's just a game.

With the fantasy football playoffs upon us, it's time to set aside all the leagues you didn't advance in and forget about most of the bench players who you won't be starting. The playoffs (and coffee) are for closers! While you're getting ready for this week, make sure to check out the news and updates from week 13, this week's podcast and the Week 14 Rookie Report as well.

This week, despite where the experts rank Derek Carr, we think he should be in your lineup against KC. Dance with the one who brought you, as they say. At RB, be cautious when deciding to start Doug Martin, and it's also probably time to move on from Tim Hightower. At wideout, I know you've started him all year, but isn't it time that DeAndre Hopkins grabbed some bench? Finally, it's time to look for options other than Greg Olsen - he's not bad, but his offense is and he's currently on a streak of 4 games with less than 50 yards receiving. 

Welcome back to the Rookie Report! We made it! Playoff season is finally here. Hopefully you've managed to secure a berth in the postseason and hopefully your team is headed in at full strength. If you are in, the rest of the weeks are do-or-die, so you want to make sure you play your best options. The rookie crop continued to make their presence felt last week, with a couple of new rookies coming up with their first fantasy points of the season. Cody Core caught a 50-yard pass against the Eagles, and Paul Turner filled in admirably for an injured Jordan Matthews on the other side of that game. Core's production likely won't be repeated in the next few weeks, but Turner may be able to make an impact if Matthews sits again. Let's talk about what to expect from Turner as well as the rest of the rookie crew in week 14...

Rookies to start:

RB Ezekiel Elliott, DAL (Wk. 14: @NYG): There aren't really any good numbers to back up the call to start Zeke, at least with regard to his opponent. The Giants have a pretty solid run defense that held Elliott to 51 yards on 20 carries in week one, and Zeke may soon be hitting the rookie wall. Still, he leads the league in rushing by over 200 yards and has scored more than 10 fantasy points in every single game this year (All point totals are in ESPN standard scoring). He's a must-start as always.

RB Jordan Howard, CHI (Wk. 14: @Det.): The Lions have been pretty good at slowing down opposing running backs, allowing the 7th-fewest points per game to the position, but some of that is due to teams throwing on them because of their porous secondary. The Lions still rank just 25th in Football Outsiders' run defense DVOA stat which measures defensive efficiency. Teams just haven't tried to run on them enough. That shouldn't be a problem for Howard, who has seen at least 15 carries in 8 of the past 9 games. That volume should make him an easy RB2 this week with some upside for more.

WR Malcolm Mitchell, NE (Wk. 14: vs. Bal.): With Gronk (and possibly Danny Amendola) done for the season, Mitchell's role is here to stay. The Ravens have allowed the 9th-most WR points per game thanks to allowing 18 TDs to them, and Mitchell has seen 18 targets in the two recent games the Pats played without Gronkowski. He's averaged nearly 10 yards per target in those games. Mitchell should have WR2 upside this week.

WR Michael Thomas, NO (Wk. 14: @TB): Last week was a disappointing one for Thomas, but he has still put up at least 4 catches and 40 yards in every game this season. The Bucs have been playing improved defense over the past month, but they're far from a matchup to be afraid of. I'd expect the Saints' pass offense to get a little back on track this week and Thomas should be a WR3 with a safe floor and plenty of upside.

Borderline Rookies:

QB Dak Prescott, DAL (Wk. 14: @NYG): Dak has scored fewer than 17 points just twice all season: Last Thursday against the Vikings (10 points) and in week one against the Giants (also 10 points). The Giants have remained stingy versus QBs since, allowing the 3rd-fewest QB points per game, but Dak has certainly improved since week one. It's a tough matchup to be sure, so 12-15 points is a reasonable expectation, and if he is able to score any more than 15 he'd likely be a low-end QB1. He's worth consideration as a floor play if you don't like your other options.

RB Rob Kelley, WAS (Wk. 14: @Phi.): Kelley is a touchdown-dependent flex option this week. He's scored in single-digits in 3 of his past 4 games (the 3 he didn't score a TD in), but head coach Jay Gruden did say he'd like to get Kelley more involved. Unless that involves more opportunities in the passing game or Washington playing from ahead instead of behind, I don't know how much more volume there is for him to gain. The Eagles rank 9th in run defense DVOA, but they have allowed a rushing score in 3 straight games. If Kelley manages to find paydirt, he'll return RB2 value. If he doesn't, he'll be closer to a low-end RB3.

RB Devontae Booker, DEN (Wk. 14: @Ten.): Booker has been a let down lately as a starter scoring in the single digits in 4 straight games. The Titans have been decent against the run, allowing under 65 RB rush yards in 6 of the past 8, and Booker hasn't really been supplementing his fantasy days with receiving production. He also may lose a little work to Justin Forsett, who was just signed this week. Forsett had the most success of his career with Gary Kubiak as his offensive coordinator, and he knows the offense. I think Booker has at least one more week of seeing the starter's workload, and that volume should keep him flex-worthy.

RB Kenneth Dixon, BAL (Wk. 14: @NE): Terrance West stepped back into the 1A role in this backfield in week 13, but Dixon still managed to put up 77 scrimmage yards. The Patriots have limited opposing RBs to the 6th-fewest fantasy points per game, but Dixon could have an opportunity to make an impact in the passing game. New England has allowed the 4th-most RB receptions and the 5th-most RB receiving yards. Dixon lacks TD upside, but he's a decent PPR flex option this week.

WR Tyler Boyd, CIN (Wk. 14: @Cle.): Boyd has averaged 5 catches for 60 yards and has scored one TD in 3 games without AJ Green, and this week he gets to face the hapless Browns. 60 yards is likely Boyd's floor in this one, and there is a decent amount of upside for a score. He's a WR3 option in PPR leagues, but a dicier play in standard leagues.

WR Sterling Shepard, NYG (Wk. 14: vs. Dal.): Shepard's low yardage totals have been concerning, but he's found the end zone in 4 of the past 5 games, and his quarterback publicly apologized to him for the lack of targets he got in the other game. The target floor should be safe again, and the Cowboys rank 27th in pass defense DVOA and have allowed over 190 receiving yards to the opposing receivers in 4 straight games. He still needs a TD to hit his ceiling, but won't kill you in PPR if he only hits his floor.

WR Will Fuller, HOU (Wk. 14: @Ind.): Fuller remains a boom-or-bust option as he squares off against the struggling Colts' secondary this weekend. He's shown life with 119 yards in the past 2 games, and the Colts have allowed 10 WR scores in the past 5. Brock Osweiler's poor play will always be a drag on Fuller's outlook, but he's worth considering if you're a big underdog this week. His wheels always make him a threat for a long TD.

TE Hunter Henry, SD (Wk. 14: @Car.): Henry is pretty much just a touchdown dart throw if you use him as a streamer at this point. Antonio Gates has seen the bulk of the targets to Chargers' TEs, and Henry saw just one last Sunday. There is some reason for optimism with Henry since the Panthers allow the most points to TEs in the league, but hopefully you have better options with your season at stake.

Rookies to Sit:

QB Carson Wentz, PHI (Wk. 14: vs. Was.): You can make a case to play Wentz in 2 quarterback leagues if you're desperate. Washington has allowed 18+ QB points in 5 straight games after only allowing that amount once in the first 7. Wentz went in the tank for a handful of weeks earlier this season, but he has started to rebound with an average of 14 points per game in his past 3. He's still hard to trust with your season on the line, but he has come back from the depths of the unusable.

QB Jared Goff, LA (Wk. 14: vs. Atl.): The Falcons allow the most QB points per game in the league, and just recently lost their top corner Desmond Trufant for the season, and I still can't recommend that you start Goff. The Rams' passing offense has been abysmal all year, and half of the touchdown passes that the Falcons have allowed were in the first 4 weeks of the season. Goff has played just one decent half and scored 28 fantasy points through 3 starts. If he is able to crack double-digits it will be a successful day.

QB Cody Kessler, CLE (Wk. 14: vs. Cin.): It looks like it will actually be Robert Griffin III under center this week, and it's probably the right call for the Brownies. Kessler just doesn't have the arm strength to be viewed as Cleveland's QB of the future, so they may as well use these final weeks to see what Griffin still has left.

RB Paul Perkins, NYG (Wk. 14: vs. Dal.): The Cowboys allow the fewest rushing attempts in the league, and the looming return of Shane Vereen would cut into his pass-catching chances. Even if Vereen isn't back yet, Perkins would still be a long shot for 10 touches.

RB Wendell Smallwood, PHI (Wk. 14: vs. Was.): There is some sleeper appeal for Smallwood. Washington allows the 4th-most RB points per game and ranks 30th in run defense DVOA, but Ryan Mathews is set to return to practice on Wednesday. Wendell put up just 56 yards on 17 carries in 2 games with Mathews out, so to expect much improvement with Mathews back would be a mistake.

WR Tyreek Hill, KC (Wk. 14: vs. Oak.): Jeremy Maclin is expected to practice in full this week, which means Hill won't be funneled targets the way he has been. He's averaging just 9.6 yards per catch on the season, so he needs either volume or a touchdown to be useful. The volume will certainly drop this week. He's a TD dart throw against the Raiders.

WR Tajae Sharpe, TEN (Wk. 14: vs. Den.): The Broncos allow the fewest points in the league to opposing WRs, and Sharpe's two double-digit fantasy outputs came against teams allowing the 4th-most (Green Bay) and 14th-most (Indy) points to the position. The increased volume Sharpe has seen lately has been promising, but he's a wide receiver to avoid this week.

Deep League Sleepers, Stashes, and Cheap DFS Options:

QB Paxton Lynch, DEN (Wk. 14: @Ten.): Lynch has struggled in his opportunities to start, but he should actually be a decent QB2 streamer this week if Siemian remains sidelined. The Titans' defense has allowed 18+ fantasy points to QBs in 7 straight games and allowed multiple TD passes in each as well. Despite his struggles, I like Lynch's chances of taking advantage of a plus matchup if he gets the opportunity. The Titans did get shredded by Matt Barkley the week before their bye.

RB Derrick Henry, TEN (Wk. 14: vs. Den.): This is a great opportunity for the Titans to play some smashmouth football and run it a ton. The Broncos are the stingiest pass defense in the league in terms of yards, TDs, passer rating, and pass defense DVOA, but they rank just 26th in run defense DVOA. If the Titans are smart, they'll use a pretty healthy mix of both DeMarco Murray and Henry. The Heisman winner is mostly only in play for DFS tournaments as a punt play, but don't be surprised if he has a bigger day than expected, and you should absolutely own him if you own Murray.

RB Jalen Richard, OAK (Wk. 14: @KC): Richard remains a handcuff for Latavius Murray, and he has weekly touchdown upside with DeAndre Washington vanquished to the land of healthy scratch each gameday. The Chiefs are one of 5 teams that have allowed 4 or more receiving TDs to running backs, and Murray has zero TD catches on the year.

WR Corey Coleman, CLE (Wk. 14: vs. Cin.): Coleman will be a volatile option with RG3 under center this week. Griffin did show the ability to throw deep during the preseason, but didn't make it far enough into the regular season to be able to showcase that again. Coleman has averaged nearly 9 targets per game since returning from a broken hand, but who knows how many he'll see with RG3 inserted. Like Will Fuller, Coleman is an interesting option if you are a big underdog this week because his talent gives him really nice upside.

WR Robby Anderson, NYJ (Wk. 14: @SF): Robby has been the most targeted Jets' WR with Bryce Petty at quarterback, and Petty was just announced as the starter for the remainder of the season. Anderson faces off with the 49ers this week, and San Francisco is allowing the 2nd-most points per game to opposing WRs. Efficiency hasn't been a strong suit for Anderson, with just 4 catches on 12 targets last week, but he did score his first TD and should be a decent WR3 streamer in deep leagues.

WR Paul Turner, PHI (Wk. 14: vs. Was.): Turner is only in play if Jordan Matthews sits again. Washington ranks 20th in pass defense DVOA, and Turner hauled in 6 catches for 80 yards on 8 targets last week with Matthews out. He's only in play for really deep leagues even if J-Matt does sit.

That's all I've got for this week. Hopefully it helps you with your tougher lineup decisions and helps you advance to the next round. Be vigilant about checking the injury report througout the week to make sure your players are all going to suit up, and that the guys ahead of them on the depth chart don't suit up by surprise. Feel free to hit me up on twitter if you have any specific questions or just want to yell at me about anything written above. As always: Good luck, trust your gut, and have fun. It's just a game.

Alright, let me just catch my breath. There, got it. What is the most stressful thing about playing fantasy football besides what to grill on game-day? Watching one of the players on your bench get injured and not knowing what happened, just how long they'll be out, and how it may affect your team (and others' teams as well!) down the road. Disclaimer: of course these injuries are hardest on the actual player themselves, this is just a game, etc! All of that being said, here's a rundown of the major injuries that occurred in Week 1 and my take on the dominoes that may fall because of those injuries.

For more in-depth analysis and discussion of these injury scenarios, tune in to the Fantasy Finish Line Podcast, Week 2 Preview: A Deep Dive.

• Nick Foles (broken left clavicle) – My understanding is that Foles underwent surgery with a plate and screws, which will allow for an earlier return... six to eight weeks, like the injury to Aaron Rodger’s throwing shoulder in 2017. The good news for Foles was that this injury was to his non-throwing shoulder, which should limit the amount of time spent on the sideline. In the meantime, Gardner Minshew (3% owned, Yahoo leagues) will serve as his replacement with Josh Dobbs as the backup. Minshew was just drafted this year in round 6 (178^th overall) and put on a good show against the Chiefs (22/25, 275 yards, 2 TD) and could end up being a QB2 in Superflex leagues. We’ll certainly find out what he’s made of this week against Houston.

• Tevin Coleman (high-ankle sprain) – Coleman was injured in the first play of the game. Typical. He won’t be going on IR and is expected to miss at least a few games. In the meantime, the 49ers will use Matt Breida, and Raheem Mostert (10% owned) in a greater capacity from week-to-week. We know who Breida is from last year, able to handle a little bit of everything he’s called upon to do and putting up 153 rushes for 814 yards and 3 TDs (5.3 YPC) and 27 receptions for 261 yards and 2 TDs. That said, everyone is still sleeping on Mostert – he has averaged 6.7 YPC over his career, had 9 carries for 40 yards in Week 1, and a 15-yard TD that was canceled due to a flag. Breida always seems to be on the verge of coming out of the game, so Mostert should be on fantasy rosters everywhere.

• Joe Mixon (sprained right ankle) – Mixon did not participate in practice on Wednesday. Looks like he’s headed for a game-time decision on Sunday. If he doesn’t play, Giovani Bernard (36% owned) has been, and will be a great fill-in starter. He’s had practice at this role and does just fine. With Rodney Anderson going to IR and Mixon starting off the season injured, Bernard’s fantasy production will just go up from here.

• Derrius Guice (meniscus sprain/tear) – Guice injured his other, non-ACL knee in Week 1. Guy can’t catch a break. The team is still trying to figure out whether he will need surgery. Adrian Peterson (53% owned) will be starting at RB once again for the foreseeable future and , but the guy we need to talk about here is Chris Thompson (36% owned) who caught 7-of-10 targets for 68 yards in Week 1. He needs to be owned as a bench stash in PPR leagues at the very least. There is no one else on the depth chart worth discussing right now, so Thompson should be in line for enough playing time to be fantasy relevant this year.

 Listen to the Fantasy Finish Line, 9/11/2019: Week 2 Preview: A Deep Dive

• Tyreek Hill (sternoclavicular joint) – Looks like 4-6 weeks out for Hill, but it could be more if rehabilitation doesn’t go as expected. No worries for Patrick Mahomes, though, as he can just fill-in-the-blanks at this point with whatever healthy receivers are on the squad, plus Travis Kelce. At this point, Sammy Watkins is the #1 WR (9 -of-11 targets for 198 yards and 3 TDs in Week 1) and it doesn’t look like that will be changing anytime soon. Apparently fully healthy for the first time since his rookie year in 2014, Watkins should be an every-week WR1 in the Chiefs offense. Congrats to those of you who snagged him in your drafts! With Hill out an extended time, Mecole Hardman (27% owned) was targeted heavily on waiver wires this week and we’ll surely see what he can do against the Raiders. Keep in mind he didn’t catch any passes in week 1 – temper expectations. Demarcus Robinson (1% owned) is my pick for the under-the-radar guy that gets a boost from this whole situation, not Hardman.

• Hunter Henry (tibial plateau fracture) – The good news is that this shouldn’t require surgery, the injury is to the left knee (as opposed to the right knee ACL tear from last year), and there are some new techniques to inject calcium into the fracture area to enhance healing and speed up his return. It’s not likely, though, that he’ll return before 4-6 weeks of recovery. Virgil Green (1% owned) is the next man up, but he has never been fantasy relevant. No, it’s more likely that we either see the return of Antonio Gates, or the Chargers simply redistribute Henry’s targets to Austin Ekeler and Mike Williams, mostly. Williams is notably also out with a knee injury and questionable for Sunday’s matchup with the Lions. Ouch, Chargers.

• Sterling Shepard (Concussion) – Cody Latimer, Bennie Fowler, and J. Jones would make up the Giants’ receiving core if Shepard can’t be cleared in time for week 2’s matchup vs. the Bills. Just more targets for Evan Engram and Saquon Barkley, I suppose.

• Devin Funchess (broken collarbone) – Say what you will about Funchess, but he was still involved in this offense with 5 targets in week 1. With Funchess out until at least week 10, Parris Campbell (5% owned) should be forced to step up and we should see even more passes to the TE tandem of Eric Ebron and Jack Doyle.