Fantasy Football Today: Week 14 preview updates injuries and the biggest questions for each team

In Thursday’s newsletter, I asked a big question for each team in that evening’s game, and they were very similar questions: Would Chase Claypool be able to break out for the Steelers, and would KJ Osborn be able to do the same for the Vikings. And the answer Thursday night was an emphatic yes, as Osborn had three catches for 83 yards and a touchdown on nine targets while Claypool had eight catches for 93 yards on nine targets of his own. Both established themselves as the clear No. 2 options in their passing games, and both look like potential starters moving forward.

I’ve got the biggest question for every other team on the schedule in my Week 14 previews, as I’m switching things up with so much uncertainty around the league right now. Thursday had plenty of uncertainty too, with much of it centered around Dalvin Cook and his surprise return from injury, and of course, Cook absolutely went off, rushing for 205 yards and two touchdowns in one of the very best games of his career. It was a brilliant performance from a guy who didn’t even look like he was going to play 24 hours before the game. And you have to feel good about what that means for his value in the Fantasy playoffs. 

Those are the big takeaways you need to know about from Thursday’s game, but if you want more, check out Fantasy Football Today in 5, as Dan Schneier and I handed out some more thoughts on the game. But for now, it’s time to turn our sights to the rest of the Week 14 slate, and that’s what the rest of today’s newsletter is all about. My game previews have the biggest question for each team on the Week 14 schedule along with all the injury notes you need to know about to finalize your lineups. 

Make sure you’re ready for Sunday’s game with all of the FFT team’s preview content, too:  

• Week 14 Start ‘Em & Sit ‘Em: QB | RB | WR
• Starts, sits and sleepers for every game
• Cheat Sheets: PPR | Non-PPR
• Week 14 Position Previews: QB | RB | WR | TE
  
  
• My Week 14 Rankings: Flex Top 150 | QB | RB | WR | TE

🔍Week 14 game previews

There’s something to watch in every game on the NFL schedule every week, even if you have to squint to see it sometimes. This week, however, there are so many unanswered questions that it’s hard to settle on just one thing for each game. Here’s a look ahead at every Week 13 game, with some notes on what Vegas is expecting to see, some lineup help and one thing to watch for from each game:

All odds are via Caesars Sportsbook. 

Saints at Jets

• Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET
• Line: Saints -5.5; 43 O/U 
• Implied totals: Saints 24.25-Jets 18.75
• Injuries: Alvin Kamara (knee)/Taysom Hill (finger) — Kamara and Hill have both been full participants in practice and should be in the starting lineup for this game barring a setback. Both are viable starting options, although Kamara’s value would be impacted if Mark Ingram (COVID) was cleared before Sunday … Elijah Moore (quad) — Moore has now missed the first two days of practice this week, and all we’ve heard from the Jets is that Robert Saleh is “hopeful” Moore will play, which isn’t very much to go on at all. He’s day to day, but at this point you have to have an alternative ready to step in if Moore is out. If he plays, he’ll be a WR2, albeit a risky one as a result of the injury … Tevin Coleman (concussion) — Coleman was held out of practice both Wednesday and Thursday, and while it’s possible he could be cleared in time for Sunday’s game, at this point you should assume Ty Johnson and Austin Walter will handle the bulk of the Jets running back touches. Johnson should be the lead back and passing down’s option, but he’s just an RB3 in a tough matchup.  
• Saints’ big question: How involved is Alvin Kamara in the passing game? — 5.5 targets per game would be excellent for most running backs, but Kamara averaged 7.1 last season, so it’s been a source of disappointment to date. And that 7.1 average last season included four games with Taysom Hill at QB where he averaged just 4.0. With Hill in at QB, it’s fair to wonder if Kamara’s already diminished passing-game role might be even smaller, though if Hill doesn’t throw to Kamara, it’s fair to wonder who he would throw to. And, for what it’s worth, Hill did throw nine of his 41 passes to running backs last week with Kamara out. I’m still viewing Kamara as a must-start RB, but I’m not quite sure if I still view him as an elite, top-four type.
  
  
• Jets’ big question: Can Zach Wilson show us anything? — Wilson had a decent game in Week 13, but he still wasn’t great, and he remains the offense’s biggest issue. That hasn’t been enough to hold back Elijah Moore lately, but if Wilson could take a step forward down the stretch, that would make Moore even more interesting. My expectations aren’t super high this week.
  
  

Cowboys at Washington

• Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET
• Line: Cowboys -4.5; 48 O/U
• Implied totals: Cowboys 26.25-Washington 21.75
• Injuries: Tony Pollard (foot) — Pollard is dealing with a torn plantar fascia in his left foot and is considered a game-time decision. He hasn’t practiced this week, and you have to think this injury runs the risk of limiting Pollard’s explosiveness; given his still-limited role, and that makes it awfully hard to trust him. I wouldn’t start him this week unless I was completely desperate … J.D. McKissic (concussion) — McKissic was upgraded to a limited participant in Thursday’s practice, so he’s moving in the right direction. Even if he plays, I would have trouble viewing him as much more than a low-end RB3 even in PPR formats … Curtis Samuel (groin) — Samuel has been limited in practice so far, which isn’t a surprise. Even if Samuel plays, he’s logged just 20 snaps in each of the past two games with one carry, and can be safely ignored in most leagues until he proves otherwise … Ricky Seals-Jones (hip) — Seals-Jones has been limited both Wednesday and Thursday, so we’ll see if he’s cleared to play Friday. He could be a viable Fantasy streamer with Logan Thomas on IR, but he’s a risky one unless he is fully cleared. 
• Cowboys’ big question: Can Ezekiel Elliott get right? — Elliott has been clearly less than 100% for a long time, but it hasn’t really impacted his playing time all that much, though his touches have been limited at times. However, with Pollard dealing with that injury, they probably won’t have that luxury this week. You might be frustrated with Elliott at this point, but I won’t be able to bring myself to sit him.
  
  
• Washington’s big question: Can Antonio Gibson keep rolling? — Gibson benefited the past two weeks from McKissic’s absence, but he’s benefited even more from the Football Team‘s four-game winning streak. That’ll be tough to keep going against Dallas, but the hope here is he’s pulling a Jonathan Taylor and simply forcing them to use him more in all facets of the game. I’m not 100% convinced that’ll be the case, but you can’t sit him when Washington is finally using him like a true No. 1 RB.
  
  

Jaguars at Titans

• Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET
• Line: Titans -8.5; 43.5 O/U
• Implied totals: Titans 26-Jaguars 17.5
• Injuries: James Robinson (heel/knee) — Robinson was downgraded to out of Thursday’s practice, but that’s the same pattern he followed in Week 13, so I’m not too worried about him not playing. I am worried about what his role is, after Robinson was benched following a fumble last week and coach Urban Meyer blamed it on his lingering injuries. You just can’t trust that the Jaguars will do the right thing and treat him like a true lead back, though I would still view Robinson as an RB2, especially in PPR … Julio Jones (hamstring) — Jones is still on IR, so the Titans don’t have to give an official update on his practice status. We won’t know if he’s playing unless and until they activate him, but my preference would be to avoid using Jones until he proves he can get through a full game without issue and produce, but he’s in the lower-end WR3 range with obvious upside to go along with the risk … Jeremy McNichols (concussion) — McNichols has practiced without limitation the past two days, a good sign for his Week 14 status. That is a bad sign for Dontrell Hilliard‘s Fantasy value. We just don’t know how they’ll use those two, and unless we get some clarity before Sunday, I would have trouble starting either; D’Onta Foreman‘s status as the lead rusher seems safest, so he’s in the low-end RB2 discussion. 
• Jaguars’ big question: Can Trevor Lawrence close out strong? — Lawrence has been awful as a rookie, and the most concerning thing might be that he’s gotten significantly worse as the season has gone on — he hasn’t had multiple touchdown passes since Week 1 and has just one over the past five games combined, while averaging 5.2 yards per attempt. I think the offense around him is the issue more than anything, but Lawrence isn’t elevating things either, and that makes it tough to trust anyone here. James Robinson is the only player I want to start, and even he is iffy after being benched last week.
  
  
• Titans’ big question: Can they just get healthy? — Derrick Henry and A.J. Brown are on IR and Julio Jones has missed a lot more than he’s played so far, and that was basically supposed to be the entire offense. Jones has a chance to be a must-start guy if he can get and remain healthy, but at least for Week 14, I’m not quite ready to trust him.
  
  

Falcons at Panthers

• Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
• Line: Panthers -2.5; 41.5 O/U
• Implied totals: Panthers 22-Falcons 19.5
• Injuries: There are no relevant injuries we’re following in this one.
• Falcons’ big question: Can they get Kyle Pitts going? — In his Week 14 Starts, Sits, Sleepers, and Busts column, Dave Richard noted how Pitts’ issue of late isn’t necessarily even that opposing defenses are just keying in on him — Matt Ryan just didn’t look his way on two key end zone opportunities last week. It’s hard to have much faith in Pitts at this point, with just three games of 70-plus yards, but I personally wouldn’t be able to bench a guy with his kind of potential when he’s still getting six-plus targets nearly every week. There just aren’t nearly enough good tight ends.
  
  
• Panthers’ big question: How does the RB split play out? — When Christian McCaffrey went down last time, Chuba Hubbard averaged 17.8 carries and 3.6 targets per game, so he seems like a relatively safe choice, right? Well, not necessarily, given Ameer Abdullah‘s usage in the passing game of late — Abdullah has at least four targets in four of the past five games and played more than double Hubbard’s snaps in Week 12. Hubbard should be the lead runner, but Abdullah’s passing game role really limits his value, and might be enough to make Abdullah the preferred start against certain matchups. Just maybe not Atlanta in Week 14. However, Hubbard is just a low-end RB2 or RB3 for me.

Ravens at Browns

• Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
• Line: Browns -2.5; 43 O/U
• Implied totals: Browns 22.75-Ravens 20.25
• Injuries: David Njoku (COVID) — Njoku was placed on the COVID list Tuesday, and if he isn’t cleared, Austin Hooper figures to take on a larger role against a defense allowing the highest target share to tight ends. That still doesn’t make me want to trust Njoku, but he’s in the streaming discussion.
• Ravens’ big question: Can Lamar Jackson get right? — I understand being frustrated with Jackson’s play of late, I really do. And maybe I’m just too stubborn when it comes to changing my viewpoint on players. However, I just have a hard time thinking that a guy who entered this season with a career 7.2% touchdown rate as a passer is all of a sudden going to have a 3.8% mark moving forward, which is what Jackson has during his past six games. It’s been frustrating, but Jackson is still running at an elite level and somehow doesn’t have a touchdown on the ground in that stretch either. His role is still incredibly valuable, and I’ll bet on the track record being more indicative than anything else.
• Browns’ big question: Can Baker Mayfield get healthy? — There’s only so much this passing game can do even when Mayfield is right, because they just aren’t going to throw it much, but things have been especially bad this season. Jarvis Landry has an opportunity to be a must-start Fantasy WR, but unless Mayfield plays better, it won’t matter. For now, he’s a WR3 for me.  

Seahawks at Texans 

• Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
• Line: Seahawks -8.5; 41 O/U
• Implied totals: Seahawks 24.75-Texans 16.25
• Injuries: Alex Collins (abdomen) — Collins has been limited both Wednesday and Thursday, but we expect him to return at this point. If he does, it’s not clear what kind of role he’ll be returning to after Rashaad Penny and Adrian Peterson split the lead back duties last week. I think Penny is the only one of these guys I would be interested in using, but he’s still just a low-end RB3 in what will likely be a split backfield situation anyway … DK Metcalf (foot/illness) — The foot has been a non-issue for a while, so we’re just watching the illness here. He should be able to play Sunday, presumably, but just keep an eye on it … Tyrod Taylor (wrist) — Taylor was originally designated “week to week” at the beginning of the week, but he’s practiced in full both days and taken first-team reps, with coach David Culley saying they haven’t made a decision on the starting spot. I’m still assuming Davis Mills will start, but it’s not assured yet. Neither would be worth using in Fantasy outside of two-QB leagues either way.
• Seahawks’ big question: Can DK Metcalf get back on track? — You kinda have to bet on it, right? His track record isn’t terribly long, but it’s enough to make me believe that a bad stretch isn’t a reason to bet against him and Russell Wilson. Wilson and Metcalf haven’t been able to get on the same page often enough since Wilson’s return from his injury, but they’re also averaging just 4.6 yards per target, and that’s unsustainably low. Metcalf has eight targets in three of those four games, and I’m just going to bet on that volume eventually leading to a monster game.
  
  
• Texans’ big question: Is there anything to get excited about for the future? — No. But there hasn’t been anything to get excited about all season. You’re just hoping Brandin Cooks can close the season out well — he’s averaged about three PPR points per game more with Davis Mills at QB than Tyrod Taylor so far this season. And maybe Nico Collins can close out the season strong — he might be the only skill player on this offense with a chance to still be here in two years.
  
  

Raiders at Chiefs

• Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
• Line: Chiefs -9.5; 48 O/U
• Implied totals: Chiefs 28.75-Raiders 19.25 
• Injuries: Darren Waller (knee/back) — Waller has been unable to practice this week, so it sure looks like he’s not going to play Sunday. Foster Moreau remains a viable streamer as long as Waller is out … Josh Jacobs (ankle) — Jacobs has been limited both Wednesday and Thursday, however he has played through this injury before, and I’m not sure why this week would be any different. With Kenyan Drake (ankle) out for the season and Jalen Richard on the COVID list, Jacobs could be in line for a massive workload and is a must-start RB. 
• Chiefs’ big question: Can they figure out the offense? — They certainly did last time they faced the Raiders, which was, stunningly, Patrick Mahomes‘ only multi-touchdown game since Week 6. He had five in that game, so that was a bit of making up for lost time, but he followed it up with zero touchdowns and two interceptions over his next two games. The deep ball just hasn’t been there for the Chiefs for more than half the season at this point, and while Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce are must-start options even in that context, the overall upside of the offense has been heavily muted. If they struggle again this week, I might finally be on board with at least considering sitting Mahomes.
  
  
• Raiders’ big question: Can Derek Carr get going? — Carr’s season took a turn for the worse when Henry Ruggs was released, and he has just one multiple-touchdown game in his past five. Losing Darren Waller last week certainly didn’t help. The Raiders need someone besides Hunter Renfrow to step up, and I’m just not sure if Bryan Edwards is ever going to be that guy.
  
  

Giants at Chargers

• Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
• Line: Chargers -10; 43 O/U
• Implied totals: Chargers 26.5-Giants 16.5
• Injuries: Keenan Allen/Mike Williams (COVID) — Allen tested positive for COVID Monday, while Williams was ruled to be a close contact. Both could play this week, but Williams seems more likely — he just has to return a negative test on Saturday to be cleared, while Allen needs two at least 24 hours apart. If Williams plays and Allen doesn’t, he’s a WR2. If neither plays, Josh Palmer and Jalen Guyton become intriguing WR4 candidates … Daniel Jones (neck) — Jones remains limited in practice, but until he’s cleared for contact, he won’t play. Mike Glennon (concussion) was upgraded to a limited participant Thursday, so there’s a chance he plays. If not, Jake Fromm will see his first regular season NFL action … Sterling Shepard (quad) — Shepard was limited both Wednesday and Thursday, so it looks like he’s got a chance to return. It’s not clear if he’ll be ready for a full workload even if he is, but Shepard has been the top target for the Giants whenever he’s been healthy, so he’ll be an intriguing dice roll if he plays … Kadarius Toney (oblique) — Toney would also be interesting if he is able to play, albeit more like a high-upside, low-floor WR4 than anything else. He’s flashed real upside in a few big games, but injuries derailed his potential breakout, and it’s not clear whether he’d be ready for a full snap share immediately upon his return … Kenny Golladay (ribs) — Golladay was also upgraded to a limited practice Thursday, so it’s at least possible the Giants could have their full receiving corps back for this week. Golladay would probably be last in my rankings among this trio if they all play, and I probably wouldn’t want to use him even if one sits out and he plays. 
• Chargers’ big question: Is Mike Williams back? — Obviously, this question depends on Williams’ status for the game, but if he can avoid a positive test by Sunday, he should be fine to play. And it could be an interesting test, as he has shown signs of bouncing back after a pretty miserable mid-season slump. If he can handle being the No. 1 target without Allen, that still wouldn’t guarantee he’ll be a must-start Fantasy option — his issue has been an inconsistent role as much as anything — but if he struggles this week, I’m not sure how you can be confident in him when Allen is back.
  
  
• Giants’ big question: Can they get Saquon Barkley going? — They aren’t going to have many better opportunities than against the Chargers, who are allowing the sixth-most Fantasy points to opposing running backs and the second-most rushing yards. However, with the offense around him still looking like a disaster, Barkley still has a tough road ahead of him.
  
  

Lions at Broncos

• Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
• Line: Broncos -10; 42 O/U
• Implied totals: Broncos 26-Lions 16
• Injuries: T.J. Hockenson (hand) — Hockenson had his left hand wrapped up and didn’t practice Thursday, which is definitely not a great sign after he was limited Wednesday. We’ll need to keep a close eye on his status Friday, but at this point it looks like there is real risk of Hockenson not playing … D’Andre Swift (shoulder) — Swift has not practiced this week and seems all but assured to be out Sunday. Jamaal Williams figures to be the lead back in his absence, though Godwin Igwebuike handled the majority of the passing work in Week 13 and may do so again, limiting Williams’ appeal … Melvin Gordon (hip) — Gordon has practiced on a limited basis so far, and seems to be on track to play in Week 14, which complicates Javonte Williams‘ hoped-for breakout. Given the matchup, I think both Gordon and Williams can be viable RB2 options for this week, but if Gordon does end up sitting, Williams is a top-10 RB and a must-start option.
• Lions’ big question: Can Amon-Ra St. Brown and Josh Reynolds step up? — There’s been an opportunity for someone — anyone — to step up in this passing game since Week 1, and nobody has done it consistently enough to matter for Fantasy. That’s why I’m sort of skeptical of St. Brown: He’s been there all season and had been largely irrelevant before having 86 yards and a touchdown in Week 13. Reynolds was held without a catch in his first game in Week 11, but has seven for 139 yards with a touchdown over his past two. If you’re desperate, he’s a better option than St. Brown in my eyes.
  
  
• Broncos’ big question: Has Javonte Williams done enough to be the lead back? — With Gordon expected back, the question is whether they’ll return to the previous roughly 50-50 split after Williams’ massive Week 13 game. My expectation is it’ll be something like that, but given the matchup against the Lions, I think both should be worth starting. But Williams should have more upside of the two.
  
  

49ers at Bengals

• Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
• Line: 49ers -1.5; 48.5 O/U
• Implied totals: 49ers 25-Bengals 23.5
• Injuries: Elijah Mitchell (concussion/knee) — Mitchell has yet to practice this week and looks likely to be out at this point. Jeff Wilson (knee) was upgraded to a full practice Thursday, so I would expect he’ll play, and will probably be the lead rusher for the 49ers ahead of JaMycal Hasty. Hasty should handle passing downs, but Wilson rushed for 371 yards in his final three starts of 2020 and had 19 carries in his only one in 2021, so I would bet on him being the primary rusher — and he’s a borderline RB2 in that role … Deebo Samuel (groin) — Samuel has not practiced this week, so while Kyle Shanahan expressed hope that he would play earlier this week, I’m assuming he won’t right now … Joe Mixon (illness) — Mixon has missed both days of practice so far, which is just a little bit concerning. I’m still assuming he’ll play, but you want to add Samaje Perine just in case he doesn’t — Perine would be an RB2 if Mixon was held out … Tee Higgins (ankle) — Higgins was upgraded to limited following Wednesday’s missed practice, a good sign for his chances of returning. Joe Burrow (finger) was also upgraded and figures to play. 
• 49ers’ big question: Can you trust Brandon Aiyuk? — “Trust” probably isn’t the word most of you would use after Aiyuk’s disappointing six-target showing in Week 13 without Samuel, and with Samuel still potentially able to return, it’ll be even tougher to trust Aiyuk. But I think you should probably do it. Even if Samuel plays, the 49ers’ willingness to use him at running back has opened up opportunities for Aiyuk to remain relevant, and even last week wasn’t so bad — 8.5 PPR points in a down week isn’t atypical even for a good wide receiver. I don’t think Aiyuk is a must-start, but given the overall issues at the position, I would probably find it pretty hard to go away from him, too.
  
  
• Bengals’ big question: Has Tee Higgins surpassed Ja’Marr Chase? — I think he probably has — he has more targets this season in the games they’ve shared, at least. However, I don’t know if it matters much. Chase has been frustrating of late, but that really isn’t Higgins’ fault, unless you think Higgins is the reason Chase is averaging just 5.2 yards per target over the past five games. There’s plenty of room for both to coexist, and I basically view both as No. 1 Fantasy WRs right now, assuming Joe Burrow’s pinky injury isn’t a serious issue.
  
  

Bills at Buccaneers

• Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
• Line: Buccaneers -3.5; 53.5 O/U
• Implied totals: Buccaneers 28.5-Bills 25
• Injuries: There are no Fantasy relevant injuries of note here. 
• Bills’ big question: Do any of the running backs matter? — Zack Moss was inactive in Week 12 and then active in Week 13, so who knows how they’re going to use him at this point. Devin Singletary had 15 carries but only one target in the game Moss missed, a 31-6 win, so it’s not like you can really trust him. Moss still seems to have the most upside thanks to passing game and goal-line work, but he doesn’t do enough of either consistently enough to be anything more than an RB3, and I don’t see that changing.
  
  
• Buccaneers’ big question: Is there really any risk here at all? — Sure! They’ve got a 44-year-old quarterback. But, when the only real risk you can point to for an offense is that their quarterback, who is on pace for his second 40-touchdown season in a row, is old, that kind of says it all. Injuries can happen to any offense, but as long as the principals stay healthy, this offense should keep rolling, even against a tough matchup like Buffalo this week.
  
  

Bears at Packers

• Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
• Line: Packers -12.5; 43 O/U
• Implied totals: Packers 27.75-Bears 15.25
• Injuries: David Montgomery (shoulder/groin/glute) — Montgomery is banged up, but was upgraded to a limited practice Thursday, so I’m assuming he’ll be playing. Make sure Khalil Herbert isn’t available in your league just in case, because he proved he can be a borderline RB1 if he gets a chance to start … Allen Robinson (hamstring) — Robinson has been limited in practice and seems on track to start Sunday. Not that you’re using him for Fantasy even if he does … Davante Adams (hamstring) — Adams has been limited the past two days of practice, but it isn’t expected to keep him out as of yet. With Randall Cobb likely out for several weeks following surgery, Marquez Valdes-Scantling is a WR3 candidate even with Adams expected to play. 
• Bears’ big question: Will they continue to feature David Montgomery in the passing game? — Montgomery got nine targets in Week 13 and it helped him have his best game of the season. However, he’s barely been targeted with Fields at QB — a side effect of Fields’ scrambling abilities, no doubt. And now he’s dealing with a litany of injuries to worry about. I’m hopeful he’ll be a big part of the passing game, but with Robinson and Fields back, it’s hard to be confident. He’s still a lower-end RB1 or high-end RB2, but I’m worried.
  
  
• Packers’ big question: How does the RB split play out? — I’m operating under the assumption that Jones, now three weeks removed from his knee injury, will be the lead back this week. But I don’t think he’ll necessarily be the lead RB like he was early in the season. AJ DIllon has been too good to not get double-digit touches, and the real concern is that Dillon will particularly take goal-line looks and targets, given how good he’s been in both facets. That makes Dillon a viable lower-end RB2, while Jones is more of a high-end RB2.
  
  

Rams at Cardinals

• Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET
• Line: Cardinals -2.5; 51.5 O/U
• Implied totals: Cardinals 27-Rams 24.5
• Injuries: Cooper Kupp (toe) — Kupp was limited Thursday in a walkthrough session, and this is the first time we’re hearing about this injury. That makes it worth watching, but at this point there’s no sign that it’s going to keep him out for Sunday … Darrell Henderson (thigh) — Henderson was limited Thursday, which is an upgrade over where he was on the first day of practice last week … Chase Edmonds (ankle) — Edmonds was designated to return from IR Thursday and returned to practice, so it looks like he’s got a chance to play. Hopefully we’ll find out before Sunday’s lineups lock. 
• Rams’ big question: Is Darrell Henderson still the lead back? — It looks like Henderson will be back this week, but Sean McVay sure made it sound like Michel has done enough to have a role moving forward. That would be a departure from how McVay has used his running backs over the past year; dating back to Cam Akers‘ emergence as the lead back, the Rams have pretty much been a one-RB system as long as the lead back has been healthy. I’m wondering whether Henderson’s role might end up being limited at some point due to his inability to stay healthy, but will McVay have the patience for a multi-back approach if Henderson is running well? I don’t have a ton of faith in that, so I’m moving Michel down to the lower-end RB2 range; I probably wouldn’t trust Henderson unless we got some kind of indication he was going to be the lead back before kickoff.
• Cardinals’ big question: How does the RB split play out? — This question ultimately may not be relevant until next week if Edmonds isn’t activated, but it’s worth asking now for the impact it could have on Conner’s value down the stretch. And it’s mainly a question in the passing game, as Edmonds had 37 targets through Week 8 to just five for Conner. However, Conner has been pretty great in the passing game over the past four games, with an 88% catch rate and 10.3 yards per target, and has actually been the more effective receiver than Edmonds for their careers. I’m assuming the pre-injury status quo will return, with Conner becoming a touchdown-or-bust option in an offense that generates a ton of touchdown opportunities, but it’s not a fait accompli.