Quarterback
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (Cleared Concussion Protocol)
The Ravens rookie QB left Week 13’s game against the Falcons after taking a shot to the head but quickly cleared the concussion protocol. Some say he passed the test too quickly indicating the Ravens QB re-entered the game without going through all the proper procedures , but we’re not here to speculate…
Fantasy Impact: The Ravens are riding on a three game winning streak since their rookie passer took over for the injured Joe Flacco but the Ravens receivers haven’t done much of anything in terms of fantasy production. As long as Jackson is under-center, expect a lack of stats for his pass catchers.
Running Back
James Conner, Pittsburgh Steelers (leg)
The Steelers rusher went down int he 4th Quarter with what looked to be a serious lower leg injury. Conner was evaluated on the field for a while before making his way to the sidelines and eventually to the locker-room. After the game, Coach Mike Tomlin said X-Rays indicated nothing was broken and that Conner suffered a leg contusion. Conner will undergo an MRI on Monday but there has been no update regarding those results as of this writing. Tomlin seems to think the injury should not be considered serious.
Fantasy Impact: Rookie Jaylen Samuels filled in for Conner late in the 4th Quarter, rushing twice for five yards and added three catches for 20 yards and a TD. Samuels would be an MUST ADD pick-up if Conner misses any action in the future weeks.
Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks (finger)
Seahawks leading rusher dislocated his finger during the team’s Week 13 win over the 49ers but is expected to be fine.
Fantasy Impact: Carson is leading the Seattle backfield in snaps but it still remains a committee with rookie Rashaad Penny earning more of a workload. Carson isn’t expected to miss anytime due to his finger.
Matt Breida, San Francisco 49ers (ankle)
Fantasy managers were scratching their heads during the 49ers Week 13 game against the Seahawks as they watched Matt Breida sit on the sideline for much of the game except for a few plays when fellow RB Jeff Wilson went to the locker-room. After the game, Head Coach Kyle Shanahan said Breida aggravated his ankle injury during pre-game warmups. It explains why Wilson was the primary ball carrier for San Fran.
Fantasy Impact: Breida has been consistent in his fantasy production and in PPR formats a really good Flex option but he can’t seem to stay healthy. Expect limited practices and a Questionable Tag for Breida in Week 14. If Breida misses any action, Wilson would get a big bump in our rankings.
Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens (ankle)
The Ravens rusher headed into Week 13 with the Questionable tag due to an ankle injury and had to leave action against the Falcons to get treated on the sidelines. However Ravens Coach John Harbaugh did not give any update on Edwards’ health after the game.
Fantasy Impact: Reasonable to make an assumption that Edwards aggravated his ankle injury and as a result will likely be limited in practice this week. Kenneth Dixon and Ty Montgomery would get a boost in workload if Edwards were to miss any time.
Wide Receiver
AJ Green, Cincinnati Bengals (foot)
A toe injury kept Green out of action since Week 8 but was back for the first time in Week 13 only to go down with another foot/toe injury. The Bengals top receiver was carted off the field and was very emotional during his exit. It appeared Green knew his season was over but that has not been made official yet.
Fantasy Impact: Look for Tyler Boyd, John Ross, and CJ Uzomah to see an increase in targets with Green now out.
Tight End
Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers (foot)
A foot injury in Week 1 kept Olsen out of action through Week 6 and it appears he further aggravated his injury, with initial reports indicating he ruptured his plantar fascia, which would be the end of this season (possibly he retires after the year). He’s been relatively unproductive the last month, catching just five passes the last three weeks, and will now miss the rest of the 2018 season.
Fantasy Impact: Rookie Ian Thomas is the next man up in the Panthers tight end spot but he isn’t really fantasy relevant. Instead look for the Panthers receivers to get more targets.
