Injuries

The running back position was hit hard this week. Dalvin Cook, Alvin Kamara and Miles Sanders join James Robinson in sitting out. Alexander Mattison will fill in for Cook, but hasn’t always looked good when doing so. However, this week he’ll face the atrocious Lions run defense. Get him in those DFS lineups!

The Rams need a win to stay in the playoff hunt, and will be down their quarterback in addition to Cooper Kupp. With Jared Goff sidelined, John Wolford will start under center instead of the maligned veteran Blake Bortles. The move is intriguing, as is Wolford’s player profile. As a senior for Wake Forest, the QB ran for 683 yards and 10 touchdowns. He posted a 10.96 (95th-percentile among qualified quarterbacks) Agility Score. Someone say Konami Code?

Melvin Gordon is a great play this week with Phillip Lindsay out. Gordon has played quietly well this season, ranking No. 14 among qualified running backs with 173 carries, No. 12 with 814 rush yards and No. 10 with nine total touchdowns. He also ranks in the top-13 at the position in Route Participation, Evaded Tackles and Big Runs. Gordon is a great value in DFS this weekend at $5600.

Christian McCaffrey will once again miss time, leaving the handcuff-of-the-year, Mike Davis, to do his thing. However, the Washington defense is stout versus the run. Speaking of the Washington Football Team, it appears likely they will be without Terry McLaurin. Now that everyone is finally coming to terms with Logan Thomas as a bonafide tight end, what better week to have him in a lineup.

Michael Thomas’ absences aren’t anything new this year. However, to lose him at playoff time when Drew Brees is returning is disheartening. Making matters worse, he appears set for IR, which would take him out for next week’s fantasy championship matches as well. With Marquez Callaway on the reserve himself, fantasy managers should again look to Tre’Quan Smith.

Myles Gaskin appears set to miss another week, which momentarily puts DeAndre Washington once again in the starters seat. Yuck. There is a chance, however, that one of the other Miami backs may return. As for Ronald Jones, he’ll miss Sunday’s game and Leonard Fournette will lead the charge in relief. Rookie Ke’Shawn Vaughn has yet to make a significant impact this season, but this Sunday may be as good a chance as any.

Regardless of the status of Houston’s banged up receivers, the name to watch here is Chad Hansen. Remember that guy? In Week 13, the 25-year old caught five of seven targets for 101 yards and a touchdown. The former fourth round pick also boasts a compelling player profile, featuring a 10.87 (88th-percentile among qualified wide receivers) Agility Score and a 10.16 (77th-percentile) Catch Radius. The guy is worth a dart throw in DFS and a stash on dynasty rosters.

It’s a shame Myles Gaskin will sit this Sunday out; there is an opportunity to shine. The Chiefs run defense is towards the bottom of the league, and Miami’s is good enough to slow the Patrick Mahomes led offense. In relief, DeAndre Washington steps in to face his former squad. His player profiler draws some intrigue, but nothing of consequence has ever come from his play.

Josh Jacobs’ absence from Sunday’s game opens the door for Devontae Booker. For his part, Booker has been involved in about every game in some capacity. The 28-year old even has a couple of double-digit point games. However, this Sunday he’ll see the bulk of the workload and will pay dividends. In limited action this year, Booker averages 5.1 (No. 2 among qualified running backs) True Yards Per Carry and 5.6 (No. 10) Yards Per Touch.

With Mark Andrews out in Baltimore, the newly acquired Luke Willson has an opportunity. It might be a one week thing, but with Lamar Jackson returning to the lineup Willlllllson is sure to see work. Forget not the man’s profile, no matter how long he’s been away from relevancy. It is loaded with intrigue.

Perhaps the biggest news of this list of players who will miss Week 12 due to injury is Todd Gurley. While he isn’t the same running back these days, he’s been solid for fantasy purposes. Brian Hill will assume lead duties in Gurley’s stead, and there’s plenty of reason to believe in him this week.

Tevin Coleman may be out in San Francisco, but Raheem Mostert was activated from the injured reserve, as was Jeff Wilson. There’s a good chance the pair hits the field this Sunday for the 49ers; Mostert would be a welcome sight for this offense. Matt Breida looks to be the starter against the Jets with Salvon Ahmed out and Myles Gaskin a week away from returning. Throw him in those DFS lineups.

Now on the injured reserve, Drew Brees will miss a minimum of three games to recover from his list of ailments. Taysom Hill has been announced the starter for this week, surprising many who assumed Jameis Winston would get the call. Coach Sean Payton has stated he views Hill in the same vein as Hall of Famer Steve Young. Do we actually get to see what Hill can do with an offense now? Either way, temper expectations for the Saints pass-catchers.

Not only is Drew Brees out, but multiple other starting quarterbacks may also miss Sunday’s action. Should Teddy Bridgewater sit, which seems likely, Carolina will turn to either P.J. Walker or Will Grier. The pair have split first-team reps this week. While Grier has some starting experience from last year, he wasn’t very good in those starts. Walker was the start of the brief XFL resurgence, and should get the nod. If so, he makes an intriguing DFS play based on his scrambling ability.

With David Johnson out in Houston, perhaps this Texans staff will give the other Johnson, Duke Johnson, an opportunity to shine. A reminder of his college production is in order; For Miami, the Duke posted a 33.0-percent (76th-percentile among qualified running backs) College Dominator Rating, 6.8 (90th-percentile) Yards Per Carry, and a 14.8-percent (93rd-percentile) Target Share. It’s been a while since those days, but this may be a proper chance for Johnson to prove his worth.

Preston Williams hits the inured reserve, taking a prime target away from newly-minted starting quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa. Look for tight end Mike Gesicki to benefit early on, as opposed to other receivers. Tight ends are like security blankets, right? However, one wideout to keep an eye on for the future is Kirk Merrit.

Kenyan Drake’s absence in Arizona can only mean one thing; get ready for a Chase Edmonds Dance Party! The third-year back is already enjoying a solid 2020 in his minimal role. Most impressive, he ranks No. 4 among qualified running backs with 222 receiving yards, No. 7 with 26 receptions and No. 9 with a 13.6-percent Target Share. Add in a full workload on the ground against Miami’s average run defense and it adds up to a big day for Mr. Edmonds.

With Myles Gaskin on IR, Matt Breida becomes the back to roster in Miami. Unfortunately for Breida, he is currently dealing with an injury of his own and will miss Week 9. That leaves Jordan Howard and Patrick Laird. YUCK! Avoid, avoid, avoid. Please. And go trade for Breida. Like NOW. Though Gaskin isn’t expected to miss more than a few weeks, the Week 9 Laird/Howard combo will leave the Fins clamoring for Breida’s return.

Should Mark Ingram, listed as doubtful with an ankle injury, sit out this week, Gus Edwards and rookie J.K. Dobbins will likely share the workload. Though Edwards has been good when given the opportunity, it is Dobbins’ time to shine. The future lead back of the Ravens will get his first chance to be the man in the Baltimore backfield, and will do wonders with it.

Dalvin Cook has had an up and down week, injury-wise, but he will be good to suit up for the Vikings come Sunday. The running back situation in Seattle isn’t quite as clear. Both Chris Carson and Travis Homer are game time decisions, leaving the possibility that rookie DeeJay Dallas will lead the team at the position. At 5-10 and 217-pounds, Dallas doesn’t quite have the speed that one would hope; but he is a productive runner and fits nicely in the Seattle scheme.