As the first weekend of fantasy playoffs approaches, we’ve got some positive news from Washington, where Redskins TE Jordan Reed (shoulder) was limited in Thursday’s practice. Head coach Jay Gruden said Thursday that Reed "looked good out there today" and added about Reed’s playing status, “He’s still a little sore. Right now I have absolutely no idea.”
However, Reed is "optimistic" that he’ll be ready to play, noting that Sunday’s divisional matchup with the Eagles might be too important to miss. Keep your backup option handy, but for now let’s plan to see Reed on the field.
In other news ...
Julio Jones (toe) hasn’t practiced this week, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution is concerned enough to post this article about how the Falcons might deal with Jones’ absence. With Mohamed Sanu (groin) also in danger of missing the game, the team’s top three receivers would be Taylor Gabriel, Justin Hardy and Aldrick Robinson. Gabriel is speedy and explosive and all, but would you want to start him in a fantasy playoff game without the rest of the Rams’ defense keying on Jones? Me neither. If Jones is active, I think you have to start him, risky as it might sound.
The Saints were missing WR Michael Thomas (foot) and RB Mark Ingram (toe, knee) from Thursday’s practice. Don’t panic unless Thomas misses practice again on Friday.
Did you start Derek Carr or the Raiders’ wide receivers on Thursday night? If so, I hope your fantasy team can survive their flop against the Chiefs. The only happy fantasy owners this morning are those who started Latavius Murray or Tyreek Hill. Jeremy Maclin’s return didn’t hurt Hill at all.
Bucs offensive coordinator Todd Monken spoke earlier this week about a "little bit more of an expanded role" for RB Jacquizz Rodgers. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to know exactly what that’s going to mean in terms of the workload split between Rodgers and Doug Martin (never mind the return of Charles Sims). I’m moving Martin to RB20 in this week’ rankings (behind Rob Kelley), and Rodgers to RB35 (ahead of Darren Sproles).
As expected, Robert Griffin III will start at quarterback for the Browns on Sunday. In Week 1, Griffin completed 12 of 26 passes for 190 yards with an interception, and ran five times for 37 yards. Terrelle Pryor caught three passes for 68 yards on seven targets; Corey Coleman was 2-69 on five targets, and Gary Barnidge was targeted twice without any results. Pryor still seems like a reasonable fantasy start in Week 14, but the others are shaky.
The Eagles want to get their running game going, and RB Ryan Mathews will be back to help after a two-game absence. They’re hosting the Redskins, who have allowed a putrid 4.6 yards per carry.
The status of Jaguars RB Chris Ivory (hamstring) is "wait and see," according to head coach Gus Bradley, but he sounds like a no-go for Week 14. Even though T.J. Yeldon should be busy, starting him against the Vikings sounds like a dicey proposition for fantasy owners. In three games without Ivory this season, Yeldon has 42 carries for 122 yards, and 15 receptions for 67 yards.
Broncos QB Trevor Siemian (foot) split reps with Paxton Lynch on Thursday, and might be ready to go at Tennessee. Also, the Broncos expect new RB Justin Forsett to play right away. Maybe not enough to have significant fantasy value, but possibly enough to annoy Devontae Booker’s owners.
Dolphins WR DeVante Parker (back) was limited at Thursday’s practice, but he played through the injury last week, and should be expected to do so again.
Good luck in Week 14, folks! Send me a tweet (@jhalpin37) if you have any questions.
