Free Agency and Injury report week 12 2019

By Kyle Dvorchak

Another Receiver Bites the Dust in Miami

The Dolphins have done a fantastic job losing this season but they've also lost a number of players and that's difficult for any team, even one that mat be less averse to losing than most. Jakeem Grant was carted off the field with a leg injury and did not return. Typically, when a team has to bring out the cart, it's a bad sign for that player.

Allen Hurns and Albert Willson split the work as Miami's No. 2 receiver opposite Devante Parker until Wilson exited with a rib injury. The duo saw seven targets each but Hurns brought in a touchdown.

If Wilson is able to play next week, neither receiver is likely to separate themselves from the other by a significant margin. That means the both receivers are going to cut into eachothers fantasy value enough to rob either of any real consideration.

Allen Hurns would be the clear No. 2 option if Wilson can't suit up and he would have some fantasy value as a deep flyer.

Mason Rudolph Benched for Devlin Hodges

Pittsburgh's offense was going nowhere under Mason Rudolph. Had they played a team that wasn't the worst in the NFL by a wide margin, the Steelers would have lost. Luckily for Pittsburgh, they faced the Bengals and went to Devlin Hodges before it was too late.

Hodges went for 33 more yards on five fewer passes. He also threw Pittsburgh's only touchdown while Rudolph threw a pick.

Hodges was better than Rudoph but he still led an offense that was not conducive to fantasy points outside of a lone 79-yard touchdown score. Once Juju Smith-Schuster returns James Washington can head back to the bench on fantasy rosters. Juju is no more than a fringe-starter in this version of the Pittsburgh offense.

Carson Wentz's Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Carson Wentz exited briefly versus the Seahawks but the day was lost long before that. He was intercepted twice and fumbled the ball twice as well. He ended with 256 yards and a touchdown but the optics weren't good. He missed a number of routine throws and looked like a non-starting level passer.

Wentz has been mediocre throughout the season and now his weapons are degraded. Philadelphia was without Nelson Agolhor, Alshon Jeffery, Jordan Howard, and left tackle Lane Johnson. The Eagles get Miami next week in the perfect get right spot so Wentz is still worth a start next week. He's clearly not the MVP passer from two years ago though.

Hunter Renfrow Exits with a Rib Injury

Hunter Renfrow left Week 12 with a rib injury and did not return. It was later revealed that this injury is lung puncture and a broken rib. Renfrow may be done for the season.

Renfrow had come on in recent weeks with four straight games of 40 or more yards. Before that streak he hadn't hit the 40 yard mark once. The rookie's performances came directly at the expense of Darren Waller.

During Renfrow stretch of 40-yard outing Waller averaged 45.3 yards per game. Prior to Renfrow's breakout Waller averaged 80.8 yards.

Waller should return to his former glory while Renfrow recovers.

Ryan Finnley Joins Mason Rudolph

This really makes very little difference to the Bengals offense. Dalton was bad but Finnley was worse. Going back to Dalton is a marginal improvement but you're not starting Dalton or anyone else on this offense outside of Tyler Boyd and Joe Mixon.

Boyd wasn't awful efficient with Dalton under center before and that likely won't change. This offense is going to sputer through games regardless of who's under center. Boyd and Mixon are solid plays because of how many touches they see but after them, keep moving with this offense.

Eric Ebron Heads to IR

The Colts lost their target-leader with Eric Ebron on IR. The veteran tight end had 52 targets on the year and 495 air yards as well. Ebron wasn't playing a ton of snaps but he was coming in to exclusively run routes. He was a receiving-specialist tight end and his loss is a major boon for Jack Doyle.

Doyle had taken the back-burner to Ebron in recent weeks and his fantasy value was next to zero. Now, with Ebron out of the picture, Doyle is a viable streaming option at tight end. Zach Pascal may also survive T.Y. Hilton's return because of the volume left behind by Ebron. Pascal is a deep flex option.

Golden Tate in Concussion Protocol

Golden Tate entered concussion protocol after his Week 12 game versus the Bears. Tate has seen a 22.8% target share and played 71.2% of his snaps in the slot. If Tate can't clear concussion protocol, it's shaping up to be a good time to have Sterling Shepard on your roster.

Shepard was cleared of his concussion and should be able to suit up this week. He would likely take over Tate's role in the slot and may of the target that come with that job.

Darius Slayton would also be guaranteed a spot on the field in 2WR sets. Staying on the field and running as many high-leverage routes as possible is crucial for Slayton's weekly value.