Championship week is here, people! It’s been a long season and all in the fantasy world have been grinding their little hearts out. Many were lost along the way, suffering defeats both predictable and surprising. For those that have made it this far, there is not much advice left to give. At this point, there’s no changing what’s been working. However, the injuries (and the COVID) are still going strong.
Week 17 doesn’t appear as bad as some other weeks when it comes to the injury factor, but there’s still plenty of bad news. There always is. Quarterback has taken the biggest hit this week, with a few notable ones sidelined. Ankle injuries galore and COVID chaos do their part, as The Infirmary prepares managers for the final Sunday of the fantasy season.
IR
RB Darrell Henderson– LAR (Knee), WR Adam Thielen– MIN (Ankle)
Henderson’s absence only further solidifies that the Rams backfield is his. At least for now. Cam Akers is unlikely to play this week, but he’s back with the team. That in itself is quite remarkable and a testament to Akers. While he’s sure to help the Rams during their playoff run, there’s naught he can do for fantasy managers. Michel on the other hand, is setup for a big game this week against a banged up Baltimore squad.
As for Thielen, it’s a shame his ankle injury took a turn for the worse after attempting to come back and play on it. Normally, the advocating of K.J. Osborn would make sweet music; but not this week. No, this week the Vikings travel to Lambeau field to take on the Packers. Oh, and they’ll be doing it with Sean Mannion at quarterback since Cousins is out with COVID. While Mannion isn’t completely inept, it’s a tough spot to be in. It may be a good week to avoid Vikings players.
OUT
QB Teddy Bridgewater– DEN (Concussion), WR Tim Patrick– DEN (Covid), WR Jerry Jeudy– DEN (Covid), RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire– KC (Shoulder), TE Darren Waller– (Back/Covid/Knee), TE Jared Cook– LAC (Covid), QB Kirk Cousins– MIN (Covid), WR Tre’Quan Smith– NO (Chest), WR Kadarius Toney– NYG (Shoulder), WR Darius Slayton– NYG (Covid), WR Elijah Moore– NYJ (Covid/Quad), RB Tevin Coleman– NYJ (Covid), RB Miles Sanders– PHI (Hand), WR Julio Jones– TEN (Covid), RB Antonio Gibson– WAS (Covid/Hip)
CEH, Miles and Gibson will miss the week, and the situations behind them are mostly yuck. Sure, there’s some good with Derrick Gore and Darrel Williams in Kansas City, but the Philly backfield could be a three-headed monster come Sunday. Boston Scott, Kenneth Gainwell and Jordan Howard (if cleared) will all be involved. For Washington, Jaret Patterson was named the starter with Jonathan Williams adding depth. It’s all just a bit yucky…
DOUBTFUL
QB Jared Goff– DET (Knee), WR Jamison Crowder– NYJ (Calf), QB Jimmy Garoppolo– SF (Thumb)
It appears as though it’s Trey Lance time in San Francisco.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIpKtvwTnF8
Only the gutsiest (or most desperate) of managers will be starting Lance in Championship Week, but what say you to $4800 on Draft Kings? Seems like a few lineups need to be made featuring the rookie QB.
QUESTIONABLE
WR Rondale Moore– ARI (Ankle), RB James Conner– ARI (Heel), QB Lamar Jackson– BAL (Ankle), WR Marquise Brown– BAL (Illness), WR Devin Duvernay– BAL (Ankle), WR Emmanuel Sanders– BUF (Knee), QB Justin Fields– CHI (Ankle), RB Kareem Hunt– CLE (Ankle), WR Courtland Sutton– DEN (Illness), RB Melvin Gordon– DEN (Thumb), RB Javonte Williams– DEN (Knee), RB David Johnson– HOU (Covid/Quad), RB Cam Akers– LAR (Achilles), TE Tyler Conklin– MIN (Hamstring), WR Jakobi Meyers– NE (Thigh), RB Damien Harris– NE (Hamstring), WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey– NO (Illness), RB Mark Ingram II- NO (Knee), RB Jordan Howard– PHI (Stinger), RB Elijah Mitchell– SF (Knee), RB Alex Collins– SEA (Abdomen), WR Mike Evans– TB (Hamstring), WR Antonio Brown– TB (Ankle), WR Curtis Samuel– WAS (Hamstring)
Jackson is a game time decision for Baltimore, but chances are we see another game from Tyler Huntley, who has been impressive when on the field this year. The game is on the early slate, so his status should be known sooner rather than later.
If Jackson sits, Huntley is a perfectly capable starter. In week 15, he threw for two touchdowns while also running for another two. Not even Lamar has done that. After the quarterbacks, it gets much less stressful. It appears as though most tagged questionable are likely to play this week.
CONCLUSION
Well, this is it. The end. The finale. Fin. After this week, we can all just sit back and enjoy the NFL playoffs. No more setting lineups, no more trade offers. And hopefully, no more stress. Next year will arrive before we know it, though. So, win those Championships and enjoy some time away from fantasy. Just know you may sleep soundly; The Infirmary will open its doors once again for the 2022 season. Thanks for joining in on the ride this year, Mad Caps. Until we meet again…
