Fantasy football strategy, rankings, and podcasts

For more in-depth analysis and discussion of these injury scenarios, tune in to the Fantasy Finish Line Podcast, Week 5 Preview: Moving right along..

QUARTERBACKS

Mitchell Trubisky (shoulder) – Yes, I’m calling him Mitchell. It’s the least I can do for a guy that is being outplayed by his backup Chase Daniel and is clearly not living up to expectations so far in 2019. The injury was to the left (non-throwing) shoulder and happened early in the game against the Vikings in Week 4. He was stretched out trying to recover a fumble with his left arm in front of him as a player from the opposing team landed on top of him with all their weight. The resulting injury to labrum was confirmed by an MRI and shouldn’t cause Trubisky to miss much more time but may force him to wear a shoulder brace for the rest of this season. Adam Schefter suggests that we’ll see Trubisky in Week 7, following the Bears’ week 6 bye. So far this year, Trubisky has thrown 3 TDs, all in the same game and all to Taylor Gabriel. He’s had 2 interceptions in that same time period. Trubisky provides an athletic element that Chase Daniel does not have, but he is performing at a very low level this year. Based on Daniel’s ability to run the Bears’ offense, Neither Trubisky’s absence nor his return should greatly affect the performance of skill-position players over the next few weeks.

Josh Allen (concussion) – The helmet-to-helmet hit that knocked Allen out of the game against the Patriots looked rough. Going up against the Titans on Sunday, Allen should have enough time to get healthy for the game, but it’s a situation to monitor. Otherwise, it’s Matt Barkley time against Tennessee and that’s not good for anyone in Buffalo.

Gardner Minshew (knee) – Minshew was limited in practice (Wednesday) with a knee injury but there’s currently no reason to think that will affect him suiting up against the Panthers on Sunday. Minshew mania is still alive and kicking.

RUNNING BACKS

Jamaal Williams (concussion) – Williams was hit violently last Thursday and taken off the field on a spine board. He did not practice today (Wednesday) and it’s likely that Aaron Jones will get the lion’s share of work whether or not Williams is able to practice later this week. It’s nice that he’ll get some extra time to go through the concussion protocol since he was injured on Thursday Night Football in Week 4, but there aren’t any other RBs on the depth chart currently that are worth discussion.

Marlon Mack (ankle) – Mack had an ankle injury in Week 4 but was able to return to the game for snaps still after originally coming off the field. After the game he said that he would play in Week 5 vs. Kansas City, but newsflash: it’s not up to Mack. He did not practice today (Wednesday), so he’ll need to practice sometime later this week in order to suit up. Jordan Wilkins (3% owned) has been more than serviceable in short yardage situations in the past (averaging 5.6 YPC in 2018), and Nyheim Hines (20% owned) has proven that he can be a PPR asset as long as he is out there for enough snaps (63 receptions for 425 yards on 81 targets last year). Especially going up against Kansas City, there could be fantasy value available on the wire here for teams with injury problems or bye-week issues if Mack can’t get healthy.

Tevin Coleman (ankle) – Coleman (70% owned) has been trucking around in a walking boot for a few weeks now, but it appears that he’ll practice this week and so he may suit up as early as Week 5 against the Browns on Monday Night Football. A high-ankle sprain carries a usual timetable of 2-6 weeks depending on severity, so this is all within the realm of possibility. During his absence, we’ve seen all of the 49ers running backs (Matt Brieda (82% owned), Raheem Mostert (29% owned), Jeff Wilson (6% owned)) putting up yards and touchdowns, but it’s likely that some clarity will return to the backfield situation with both Coleman and Breida healthy.  

WIDE RECEIVERS

Davante Adams (toe) – 10 passes for 180 yards, what a spectacular night for Adams against the Eagles. He did, however, injure his right big toe quite severely by getting it caught in the turf. Turf toe has several grades of severity and according to the reports that I’ve read from experts in the medical field as well as beat reporters close to the team, we’re looking at an absence of 2-4 weeks. That may put Adams back in play in Week 8 or 9 if recovery goes well. In the meantime, Marquez Valdes-Scantling (70% owned) and Geronimo Allison (32% owned) will certainly see more snaps, but neither is particularly exciting. Way under-the-radar is Jake Kumerow (0% owned), who just started practicing in full after an injury earlier this season, has only logged 9 receptions in the NFL, but has shown a lot of chemistry with Rodgers and is technically Adams’ direct backup. Hey, if you want to throw caution to the wind...

Christian Kirk (ankle) – A right ankle sprain has sidelined Kirk which is not great news for fantasy owners after enjoying a considerable number of targets consistently from QB Kyler Murray. As Kirk will likely miss at least 1-2 weeks for a low-grade ankle sprain and Damiere Byrd (hamstring) is also not likely to suit up against the Bengals, it looks like Larry Fitzgerald and Keesean Johnson (1% owned) will see their targets increase so both will be viable fantasy players this week along with David Johnson, of course. Look out for Andy Isabella (1% owned) who has been pushed down the depth chart so far this year but has the tools and talent to show up as soon as he becomes a major part of the offense. Could be soon.

Jarvis Landry (concussion) – Landry had his biggest day ever last week but went out with a concussion in the second half. Keep watch to see if he’ll be able to play or not, the Browns play on Monday Night Football and they could certainly use another sure-handed receiver.

Kenny Stills (hamstring) – Stills was becoming one of Watson’s favorite targets after being traded to the Texans from Miami earlier this year. Soft tissue injuries like these will sometimes take a while to heal, and although he did eclipse Keke Coutee (17% owned) on the depth chart while Coutee was battling injury, the reverse may happen now as Coutee is healthy. Don’t sleep on a guy that was a standout for some of last year and has shown great chemistry with Deshaun Watson. Going up against the Falcons, Coutee could have 100+ yards if Stills sits this one out.

TIGHT ENDS

T.J. Hockenson (concussion) – Hockenson looked great last week as he pulled in a TD and 27 yards early in the game against the Chiefs, but he later fell hard on his head and shoulder after attempting to leap over an opponent and suffered a concussion. The latest news from Adam Schefter is that he won’t be put on the IR, but there’s no estimate on his return to the practice field. I’d count him out, possibly for a few weeks. We’ll know more after the Lions’ bye week.