By Chet Gresham – @ChetGresham
Posted Nov. 12, 2016.
Follow @walterfootball for updates.
Rob Gronkowski returned to practice this week, but has yet to practice without a non-contact jersey. He is listed as questionable and the Patriots and Jets play in the late games Sunday. Without full contact in practice, I’m leaning toward him being out this week. Martellus Bennett should be in play for a bounce-back game in a matchup, which should press the Patriots to throw the ball against the weak Jets pass defense instead of running it against their strong run defense.
LeSean McCoy practiced all week and is ready to start and get the lead-back work against the Jaguars. With Sammy Watkins not fully back, Robert Woods out and Mike Gillislee out, McCoy will likely be the motor for the offense.
Ryan Mathews didn’t practice this week, but since the Eagles play Monday night against the Packers, there’s a slim chance he could get work in on Saturday. I expect they hold him out and give Wendell Smallwood his snaps though and the Packers have been weak against the run of late.
Jeremy Maclin will miss another week. Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce have seen the biggest uptick in targets while Maclin has been out. They get a tough matchup in Denver, but will continue to be useful in fantasy as the lead targets.
Tevin Coleman is no longer on the injury report and will play against Arizona. He should get his regular amount of touches, but will be in a tough matchup.
Mark Ingram has yet to pass concussion protocol, but has practiced all week. Tim Hightower would get the start and bulk of the work if Ingram weren’t able to go.
Todd Gurley missed Friday’s practice with an illness, but all indications are that he’ll be fine to face the Saints. His upside isn’t nearly as good as it was last season, but he’s still a must-start this week.
Julius Thomas is out against the Bills. This matchup isn’t very good for the Jaguars as it is, but Allen Robinson should see extra targets to his already high target share, which should keep his upside high.
Travis Benjamin practiced all week and will start against the Texans. It’s not a great matchup and Benjamin could still have some lingering effects from his knee. I’d play it safe where you can with him.
Michael Floyd injured his hamstring in practice Wednesday and then didn’t practice Thursday or Friday. Coach Bruce Arians calls him a game-time decision, but it looks more likely that he won’t go. John Brown and J.J. Nelson would get bumps in targets while Larry Fitzgerald remains the No. 1 target.
Jay Cutler won’t play this week, so Matt Barkley will get the start. Barkley will likely dink and dunk as best he can, but the Bears’ offense should be based on how well Jordan Howard can move the chains.
Jarvis Landry practiced in a non-contact jersey this week, but coach Adam Gase says he will play against the 49ers. It’s a good matchup and Landry has been playing with this shoulder injury for a while. Hopefully the week of no contact helped.
Sammy Watkins looks as if he’ll be active this week, but offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn says that Watkins isn’t ready for a lot of snaps yet. If you picked him up, you’ll likely need to wait until next week for a full game from him.
Robert Woods is out this week, while Percy Harvin missed practices due to an illness. Harvin should be able to go and will see an increased workload. Marquise Goodwin and Justin Hunter along with Harvin will see the most snaps this week.
T.J. Yeldon didn’t practice at all, but is listed as questionable. Chris Ivory will get the start and the majority of the work in Buffalo.
Christine Michael says he has enough of the playbook down to contribute Monday night. Michael is still just a backup and we don’t even know if he’s ahead of Ty Montgomery. James Starks will remain the starter and the only back to use this week for the Packers. Of course, the Eagles defense has been tough, and Starks’ upside is capped.
Earl Thomas is doubtful and Michael Bennett is out for the Seahawks as they travel to Tampa Bay. Jameis Winston has been playing well of late and this is a spot he might be able to step up in a tough matchup. Consider him in GPPs in DFS.
Jimmy Smith is doubtful to play against the Bengals. His absence should help Brandon LaFell as it did Dez Bryant last week.
Desmond Trufant is listed as questionable and has a decent chance of missing this game. If he does, upgrade Larry Fitzgerald in what could be a high-scoring affair.
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