NHL Best Bets for Tuesday (11/19)
Kenneth Le
It can be hard to prep for fantasy football during training camp and the preseason. Things happen every day that might be a huge deal for fantasy … or might be no deal at all. Sometimes we can figure it out, but sometimes it’s just a matter of paying attention to what happens to know what might matter just so things don’t slip through the cracks.
So each day in this space, we’ll take a trip through the top news and takeaways around the league’s training camps to offer up what fantasy managers need to know as we head through draft season and into the 2022 NFL regular season.
JuJu Smith-Schuster “Turned the Corner” on Knee Soreness
JuJu Smith-Schuster has reportedly been dealing with knee soreness for over a week now, but his knee problems actually date back to his days in Pittsburgh. At just 25 years old, there shouldn’t be too much concern, especially with Andy Reid insisting he’ll be fine for Week 1.
It looks like Smith-Schuster will operate as Patrick Mahomes’ No. 1 wide receiver when the season begins, although it’s tough to feel overly confident in any of the wideouts considering they’re all new to Kansas City. If JuJu is limited by this lingering knee problem or misses time, there are plenty of other pass-catchers who could step up. Still, managers draft him with confidence in the middle rounds as long as he’s in line to play.
David Montgomery Eying Return, Khalil Herbert Out
After dealing with an undisclosed injury for a couple weeks, Bears starting running back David Montgomery is ramping up his activity at practice this week and has a chance to play in the team’s final preseason game. Meanwhile, his backup Khalil Herbert missed practice Tuesday after exiting early Sunday and logging limited work Monday.
Some fantasy analysts and NFL reporters think Herbert is poised to challenge Montgomery for touches, if not the starting job, in 2022. Both players have dealt with their own injuries this offseason, but there’s been no indication that either’s Week 1 status is in jeopardy. Montgomery is going in the infamous “RB Dead Zone” in fantasy drafts while Herbert is being taken in the double-digit rounds. Montgomery should hold onto the starting job, as he’s been among the league-leaders in rush share and snap percentage over the past several years when healthy.
Michael Gallup Not Yet Placed on PUP
Plenty of players were moved from the active PUP to the reserve PUP list Tuesday, but Cowboys receiver Michael Gallup wasn’t one of them. The absence of that move could be an indication that Gallup has a chance to play within the first four weeks of the regular season.
The Cowboys can still make the move any time before Aug. 30, so best ball players and early redraft managers who took Gallup will have to hold their breath for another week. If he does make it back within the first four weeks, he could prove to be one of the biggest draft steals of 2022. He’d most likely jump in as the No. 2 receiver immediately in an offense that scored the most points in the NFL last year.
Rhamondre Stevenson Impressing with Receiving Ability
The Rhamondre Stevenson hype train keeps on chugging, this time on the receiving track, where everyone hopes it will go. With the coaching staff impressed by his pass blocking and his hands, Stevenson seems poised to carve out a role in the Patriots offense.
Whether that role is alongside Damien Harris or supplanting him is yet to be seen, but being put in a position to catch passes out of the backfield would certainly make the 230-pound running back a lot more valuable. Since James White’s retirement, there has been plenty of speculation regarding who will take over as the receiving back in New England. Stevenson is the most fun option from a fantasy perspective, but Ty Montgomery and Pierre Strong are still very much in the mix.
Jameson Williams Sent to Reserve/NFI List
Rookie wideout Jameson Williams was officially placed on the reserve/NFI list Tuesday, meaning he will miss at least the first four games of the Lions’ season.
Considering he tore his ACL in January, this news doesn’t come as a surprise and is more of a formality from a fantasy perspective. It will be interesting to see how Williams progresses throughout the remainder of his rehab, though, as he’ll look to find his niche in a solid Detroit receiving corps. Until his return, second-year standout Amon-Ra St. Brown and offseason acquisition DJ Chark will serve as Jared Goff’s top wide receivers.
Gus Edwards Out for 4 Weeks
Despite being almost a year removed from his ACL injury, Gus Edwards was moved to the reserve PUP list on Tuesday, meaning he’ll miss at least the first four weeks of the season.
His fellow running J.K. Dobbins has also been rehabbing slowly from the same injury, but Dobbins appears on track to stay off the PUP. However, Dobbins isn’t a lock to play in Week 1. If both Edwards and Dobbins miss time, Mike Davis and Tyler Badie are likely the next men up in the Baltimore backfield. If Dobbins plays while Edwards misses time, he’ll have the chance to take total control of a backfield that he split with Edwards during his rookie season.
