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Just before the fantasy playoffs get underway, some of the biggest names in the NFL left prematurely during the Week 14 slate. Ankles betrayed a pair of star running backs and may keep two of the top-five quarterbacks out of action in the coming week. Let's dive into each player's status to see what the situation is as of Monday morning.
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Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Jackson was hit low on a play in the very beginning of the second quarter against Cleveland after attempting just four passes on the day. He was carted off the field on what appeared to be a lower-leg injury to the left side. Early speculation is that he suffered a high-ankle sprain but tests on Monday will reveal more.
Advice: Those hoping for a bounce-back game from the former MVP were left with nothing in their QB spot. The fact he couldn't walk off on his own power is a bad sign and the fact that Tyler Huntley looked good in relief, was actually able to pass the ball in addition to his incredible running ability, and nearly led the team to a comeback late could push the team to let Jackson rest even if the sprain isn't deemed severe. After dropping to 8-5 with a huge game hosting Green Bay in Week 15 on deck, Jackson might be pushed to play but the initial reaction to his injury would seem to indicate otherwise. Huntley is a risky replacement if his passing goes south but at least he brings a floor with his legs. It might be better to stream a QB like Tua Tagovailoa if available.
Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
If you tuned out football after the afternoon slate or didn't follow up on NFL news, you wouldn't know Allen was injured. He finished the overtime contest with Tampa seemingly unscathed but was wearing a walking boot in the postgame conference. Allen stated that he didn't feel an injury occur but that his ankle was extremely sore after the game. He will have tests done to determine the extent of his injury.
Advice: This is one to watch closely throughout the week based on practice reports. Like Jackson (above), mobility is a huge part of the QB's game. Allen ran for 109 yards in addition to throwing for 308 in the Week 14 loss and was poised to carry fantasy teams throughout the postseason, even if his own team is in danger of missing out. If he plays, he's a must-start. If not, Mitch Trubisky gets the nod and he... is not a must-start.
UPDATE: Rather than an ankle injury, Allen has a case of turf toe. This isn't likely to hold him out of the coming week's action, especially as the Bills grow increasingly desperate for a win to turn their season back around.
Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns
Fresh off the bye week in his second game back from injury, Hunt didn't last long before exiting with another one in Week 14. Hunt totaled four touches for 18 yards but left with an ankle injury and never returned. The team expressed optimism that it wasn't a serious issue but he is having an MRI done nonetheless which is worrisome.
Advice: Not again. Cleveland can't keep their offense on the field in one piece and this would be the second time this season that Hunt is knocked out of game action. We'll learn more by Monday evening but the Browns play the afternoon contest on Saturday so he will have to get in practice time by Thursday to have a realistic shot of suiting up so fantasy GMs need to hope the test comes back 100% clean.
UPDATE: Coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters that Hunt is unlikely to play on Saturday. Keep him benched but expect him to potentially return in Week 16. D'Ernest Johnson is not a must-start so long as Nick Chubb is around but he is worth stashing if you have the bench space.
Terry McLaurin, Washington Football Team
The day was already a bad one for Scary Terry and his fantasy stakeholders but a concussion suffered when he landed hard after a contested catch attempt wiped out his chances of redeeming a miserable Week 14 for Washington's offense. McLaurin never returned to the game and is currently in the concussion protocol.
Advice: We know how this goes. He could be good to go for Week 15 or it could take another week or two. Check in periodically to our News Desk to get the latest updates on his condition. Even if McLaurin can play, he'd be a very risky start against the Eagles with Darius Slay squaring off against him and the uncertainty at quarterback with Taylor Heinicke struggling before getting hurt himself.
D.J. Moore, Carolina Panthers
Moore left the game with a right knee injury before nearly being concussed by the blue medical tent on the sideline. According to reports, Moore was asking back in the game but his coach overRhuled him.
Advice: This doesn't seem to be a serious injury but the bigger concern is Carolina's offense. Moore came away with 84 yards on the day and was targeted 10 times for the second straight game but they're now playing musical chairs at quarterback between Cam Newton and P.J. Walker. The matchup with Buffalo's top-ranked pass defense, on the road no less, is another reason to be worried about Moore in Week 15, more so than his injury status.
UPDATE: Moore has been slapped with a "Day-to-Day" status which means he has a fair chance to play on Sunday.
Noah Fant, Denver Broncos
Little information has come out about Fant thus far but it appears he injured his left knee in the second half of the win over Detroit.
Advice: Fant had been mostly disappointing this season due to the run-heavy offensive scheme in Denver. Ironically, he led the team in receiving in Week 14 with 51 yards before getting injured and watching Albert Okwuegbunam score a touchdown with two minutes left in the game. If Fant is set to miss time, Albert O becomes a deep TE streamer and Fant can be considered a drop candidate.
Emmanuel Sanders, Buffalo Bills
Sanders exited the exciting contest against Tampa Bay with a knee injury and never returned. No details have been given as of yet on the severity of the injury.
Advice: Fantasy managers shouldn't care much about Sanders' status since he hasn't been fantasy-relevant for weeks now. The impact comes in the way of the other receivers getting more action in his absence. Gabriel Davis had been relegated to an occasional deep threat but he was busy in Week 14 with eight targets resulting in five receptions for 43 yards and a TD. Cole Beasley also becomes a Flex option in deeper PPR leagues. The Bills have to face New England again in Week 16 but then get a great matchup in Atlanta when fantasy championships are on the line.
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