Week 7 began Thursday night, and it left no shortage of injury news. Philadelphia’s DeSean Jackson left the game early, needing help off of the field. Tests revealed a non-displaced fracture in his ankle, with a timetable to return of six to eight weeks. Devonta Freeman of the Giants suffered an ankle injury as well, though it seems he could be ready for Week 8.
While not the ideal start to the week injury-wise, this edition’s list of players isn’t overwhelming. That doesn’t mean there aren’t some big names involved, however. Both the Packers and the Saints head into Sunday’s matchups thin at certain positions, and Joe Burrow will be down a weapon. No need to delay any longer; into The Infirmary!
IR Bound
Zach Ertz– PHI (Ankle), Raheem Mostert– SF (Ankle)
ANALYSIS:
Ertz will join fellow tight end Dallas Goedert on the injured reserve list, leaving Richard Rodgers, Hakeem Butler and Jason Croom as the only healthy players at the position. None of the three excite, though Rodgers did have a solid game Thursday night, bringing in six of eight targets for 85 yards.
As banged up as the Eagles are, Rodgers should continue to see targets come his way and needs to be rostered. In San Francisco, it’s back to the Jerick McKinnon show while Mostert recovers from his ankle injury.
COVID-19 List
Dawson Knox– BUF, Sony Michel– NE, Emmanuel Sanders– NO
ANALYSIS:
It’s not just Knox that tested positive in Buffalo (and he was out with a calf injury as is), but the entire tight end room- save for Tyler Kroft. While this may seem like a sneaky DFS play, it’s more likely to be chalky. It’s also no given Kroft produces worth a damn. With Michel being out for the Patriots, Damien Harris should get a healthy workload this week against San Francisco.
As for Sanders, his absence is especially glaring for the Saints, with Michael Thomas set to miss yet another game. Fantasy managers can expect Tre’Quan Smith to be a focal point, but the name to watch here is Marquez Callaway.
Marquez Callaway Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
The undrafted rookie out of Tennessee boasts an intriguing player profile, with decent speed and a 127.6 (82nd-percentile among qualified wide receivers) Burst Score. There will be no better time for Callaway to impress.
OUT for Week 7
John Brown– BUF (Knee), Joe Mixon– CIN (Foot), Austin Hooper– CLE (Illness), Tyler Ervin– GB (Wrist), Tyler Eifert– JAX (Neck), Sammy Watkins– KC (Hamstring), Bryan Edwards– LV (Ankle/Foot), Michael Thomas– NO (Ankle/Hamstring)
ANALYSIS:
The big names here are Mixon and Thomas. In Cincinnati, the Bengals will roll out a combination of Giovani Bernard and Samaje Perine in Mixon’s stead. Trayveon Williams is a name to monitor, now that the second year back is officially active for the first time this season. At 5-8, 206-pounds, Williams runs a 4.51 (74th-percentile) 40-yard Dash. He posted a 34.5-percent (80th-percentile) College Dominator Rating with a 6.5 (83rd-percentile) College YPC mark. Stash this dude.
Trayveon Williams Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile w/ College Stats
As discussed previously, with Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders both out for New Orleans, the lead role falls to Tre’Quan Smith, with Marquez Callaway a potential surprise.
No Hooper for the Browns could mean big things for Harrison Bryant, despite David Njoku‘s presence. The rookie makes for a less chalky play in DFS then the aforementioned Tyler Kroft.
With Brown out in Buffalo, Gabriel Davis should see an uptick in snaps, another potential flyer for the week.
DOUBTFUL for Week 7
Jamison Crowder– NYJ (Groin)
ANALYSIS:
Whoever the quarterback for the Jets is on Sunday will be worse off with a Crowder absence. The wideout is not only talented, but reliable. The good news for the offense (if Jets fans can find anything), is that rookie Denzel Mims has been activated from IR and is set to make his debut against the Bills.
Denzel Mims Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
The youngster is exactly what this offense needs, and he should quickly establish himself as a top option.
QUESTIONABLE for Week 7
John Ross– CIN (Illness), Curtis Samuel– CAR (Knee), Aaron Jones– GB (Calf), Robert Tonyan– GB (Ankle), Justin Jackson– LAC (Knee), Julian Edelman– NE (Knee), Sam Darnold– NYJ (Shoulder), Jeff Wilson– SF (Calf)
ANALYSIS:
Jones has had a stellar start to the year, but it appears he will miss his first action of the season. Though questionable, reports state that Green Bay coaches are likely to hold him out. With Tyler Ervin also declared out, the Packers backfield will be led by Jamaal Williams. Rookie A.J. Dillon will see some work as well. Fellow Packer Tonyan has a good shot to play.
Check out Jamaal Williams on PlayerProfiler’s Updated Weekly Rankings and Projections:
For the Jets, a Darnold appearance would be beneficial. Wether they are “Tanking for Trevor” or not, the kid needs to play; if anything, to raise his trade value (which is difficult in itself) and get him the hell away from Adam Gase. Denzel Mims is a great addition to the lineup and should pay dividends for Darnold, and the offense immediately. C’mon, fellas. Give those Jets fans something to feel good about.
