UPDATE: 6:45 p.m. Saturday
Two big names top the injury updates this weekend. No. 1 running back Christian McCaffrey of the 49ers and Packers standout RB Josh Jacobs are listed as questionable. We’re guessing both will wind up going, but fantasy mavens counting on them in their playoff openers need to keep close watch in the morning.
A half-dozen notables have been ruled out for Week 15: Saints RB Alvin Kamara, Bengals receiver Tee Higgins, Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Commanders QB Jayden Daniels, Raiders QB Geno Smith and Cleveland TE David Njoku.
Dallas got good news when star wideout CeeDee Lamb cleared concussion protocol, so he’s good to go against the Vikings on Sunday night
The list of other still-questionables include Houston RB Nick Chubb, Washington RB Chris Rodriguez, Bears wideout Rome Odunze, Rams WR Davante Adams, Chargers WR Quentin Johnston, Commanders receiver Deebo Samuel and Dallas TE Jake Ferguson
Since we’re on the road, or the high seas to be specific, we won’t be updating when the early inactive lists come out Sunday morning. So keep an eye out for updates on your more “questionable” starters.
ORIGINAL POST: 6:00 a.m. Wednesday
Playoff time is here, as the powers of fantasy football leagues begin three weeks of battle for championship glories.
But for non-powers, including your Humble Narrator who missed the playoffs by (checks math) just ONE lousy Week 13 point, it’s time for our lesser postseason competition. Unless you’re Notre Dame and just quitting.
Whether you are playing for big bucks, or a fantasy Rate Bowl, you need to hunker down and pick your lineup. And a lot of notable NFLers that looked great in summer have faded dramatically in the fall. We’ll break down your Week 15 issues by position:
Running back — Worried about relying on subpar efforts from Breece Hall, Ashton Jeanty or Alvin Kamara? You might be better off grabbing Chicago’s Kyle Monangai (vs. Browns), Houston’s Woody Marks (vs. Cardinals) or Pittsburgh’s Kenneth Gainwell (vs. Dolphins).
Wide receiver — Some up-and-down playmakers are hard to trust this week. We’re alluding to the Eagles’ Devonta Smith, the Dolphins’ Jaylen Waddle and the Jags’ Brian Thomas Jr. Two really hot and widely available pass catchers are the Jags’ Jakobi Meyers and Cards’ Mark Wilson.
Tight end — Who has been more disappointing this season? The Chiefs’ Travis Kelce or the Ravens’ Mark Andrews? Neither looks as good this week as Cleveland rookie Harold Fannin Jr., who faces Chicago.
Quarterback — Obviously Indy’s Daniel Jones is now completely broken, and Washington’s Jayden Daniels is hardly fixed. Two QBs with great matchups this week are the Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence versus the Jets and the Giants’ Jaxson Dart against what’s left of Washington’s defense.
Kicker — There are plenty of reasons not to like the Chiefs’ Harrison Butker. Lack of scoring opportunities is now one of them. The Vikings’ Will Reichard is having a better season and will likely outscore the K.C. kicker in a possible shootout with Dallas.
Sitting stars
Seattle’s defense will be all over Indy running back Jonathan Taylor. But you’ll have to start him anyway and cross your fingers. … You can’t start any Commanders against the Giants, even Daniels or Terry McLaurin. … Carolina rookie WR Tetairoa McMillan will cool down against the Saints. … Two top tight ends will underperform in this key week: Vegas’ Brock Bowers versus Eagles and Cardinals’ Trey McBride against the Texans. … And the Chiefs-Chargers showdown has two usually excellent QBs that you probably can’t trust: Patrick Mahomes or Justin Herbert.
Matchup game
With two mediocre run defenses taking the field, both the Ravens’ Derrick Henry and Cincinnati’s Chase Brown will post big numbers this week. … Miami’s De’Von Achane, assuming he’s healthy, will continue his all-pro play against the Steelers. … Vikings’ Jordan Mason should find the end zone again versus Dallas. … In that same game, look for the old Justin Jefferson to return, finally. … Same for Detroit WR Amon-Ra St Brown against the Rams. … Three other receivers we expect to shine in Week 15: Dallas’ George Pickens versus Minnesota, Cincy’s Tee Higgins facing the Ravens and our old pal Stefan Diggs versus his old Buffalo pals.
Injury watch
Other than the Jones saga in Indianapolis that brought Philip Rivers out of retirement, the focus is on Pittsburgh wideout D.K. Metcalf, who is having what are politely being called “stomach issues.” … Notables considered questionable include three running backs (Giants’ Tyrone Tracy, Cards’ Emari Demercado and Texans’ Nick Chubb) and seven pass catchers (Cowboys‘ CeeDee Lamb, Cardinals’ Marvin Harrison Jr., Bears’ Rome Odunze, Bucs’ Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, and Falcons’ Drake London and Michael Pitts).
Deepest sleeper
Two words we were never expecting to promote here: Shedeur Sanders. Cleveland’s rookie fourth-stringer from the start of summer camp has been much less than “LEGENDARY.” But for fantasy mavens with playoff quarterback issues, a fellow coming off a 364-yard, three touchdown game might be palatable. And he’ll face no great defenses the next three weeks (Bears, Bills, Steelers).
The Thursday pick
Falcons at Buccaneers (-4½)
Pick: Buccaneers by 7
You can hear Kevin Cusick on Thursdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on X– @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.
