Prime-Time First TD Bets — Monday Night Football, Week 16
Alex Christenson
There may not be the most overwhelming number of injuries to track heading into Sunday and Monday, but there are some that are important. With four games of Week 12 already played, managers have a better idea of what they will need to win their matchups this week.
Saturday Update
Darius Slayton, New York Giants
Perhaps Jalin Hyatt will get a little bit more playing time since Darius Slayton is doubtful, but the Giants have a messy receiver situation. Sterling Shepard, Isaiah Hodgins, Wan’Dale Robinson, Hyatt and Slayton all played at least 47% of the snaps last week, so you can’t feel confident with anyone. On top of that, no receiver was targeted more than four times past Slayton, who saw five targets.
Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams
Coach Sean McVay has said that Cooper Kupp will be active on Sunday, just one week after Kupp suffered an ankle injury and was forced out of the Seahawks game early. It’s been a minute since Kupp has done anything of note for fantasy, but perhaps this is the spot that wakes him up. After all, the Arizona defense is among the worst in the league, and Kupp did scorch them for 7/148/1 in the first meeting. Kupp being active also likely lowers the ceiling for Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell.
Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals
Michael Wilson has been ruled out of this game against the Rams, and Marquise Brown hasn’t practiced Thursday or Friday. While Brown appears to be up in the air, the player I’m focused on the most right now is Greg Dortch. Since the start of last season, Dortch has run 29 routes or more in seven games. In those games, he’s scored 13.3, 15.5, 17, 19.3, 22.3, 5.5 and 13.6 points in PPR settings. That would be an amazing return on his DFS salary, and it should put him in flex conversation in most leagues.
Jerick McKinnon/Mecole Hardman, Kansas City Chiefs
With the Chiefs already ruling out Jerick McKinnon, that could lead to a couple of extra targets for Isiah Pacheco. He’s already the clear alpha in the running back room for Kansas City, and this is a great matchup (Raiders defensive lineman Maxx Crosby is doubtful as well). Clyde Edwards-Helaire should be in line for about 5-8 touches to spell Pacheco in this matchup. The receivers will still be an absolute dice roll even with Mecole Hardman out, and that group is still trying to learn how to catch a ball.
Odell Beckham/Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens
Both receivers were full participants in practice on Friday, so the questionable status shouldn’t be too concerning at this point. Odell Beckham and Zay Flowers will be asked to do more in the passing game with Mark Andrews out as well, so it seems as though both players should suit up.
Original Week 12 Injury Report
Geno Smith/Kenneth Walker, Seattle Seahawks
The team that is most likely to be hampered by injuries in Week 12 could be Seattle since they play the 49ers on Thursday night. Kenneth Walker handled just four carries before dealing with a “legitimate” oblique strain, according to coach Pete Carroll. That doesn’t scream that Walker will be active for Thursday, and Zach Charbonnet handled 21 touches, including six receptions against the Rams. The yardage wasn’t impressive, but 20+ touches from a running back will hold a lot of appeal, even against the 49ers.
The other injury has a chance to sink Seattle’s offense overall. Geno Smith is dealing with a triceps injury that could keep him out of this Thursday’s contest. Drew Lock had to play on Sunday and only completed two passes for three yards on six attempts. Seattle could be severely hampered on Thursday, which could affect receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett in a very negative way.
Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers
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When the injury happened, it looked as though Aaron Jones had suffered a major knee injury based on his reaction. Fortunately, Jones was able to dodge a long-term knee injury and could be back as soon as this week. In his stead, AJ Dillon turned 14 carries into 29 yards and four receptions into 32 yards. Jones has missed a lot of time this year, and Dillon has not been able to be exciting in fantasy. He’s only had three games of double-digit fantasy points on the season and just one touchdown.
De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
This was among the most frustrating injuries of the week since De’Von Achane came off the IR, touched the ball twice and was done for the day. The reports for Friday seem to be that Achane has a chance to play, but he had to crush managers who put him into their lineups. If he’s out on Friday, Raheem Mostert should shoulder most of the load, and Jeff Wilson should be back in action. He was a healthy scratch on Sunday but would share snaps with Salvon Ahmed, who played 29% of the snaps Sunday. Ahmed handled just six touches but also found the end zone, while Mostert handled 22 carries and one reception.
D’Onta Foreman, Chicago Bears
D’Onta Foreman scored a touchdown early in the game, but that was about the extent of his action, as he left the game with an ankle injury. After that, Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson split snaps at 43%-33%, but Herbert had a huge edge in touches at 18-6. If Foreman misses time, I think we can expect Herbert to come back into his starting role, and Johnson will be a change of pace player.
Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams
It’s been a very challenging season for Cooper Kupp, as he missed four games with a hamstring injury and now is battling an ankle injury. It’s now four straight games that Kupp has crippled any lineup he’s in with under seven fantasy points. If he’s out, we can expect Puka Nacua to resume his role as the lead receiver, and Tutu Atwell would enter the flex conversation.
