Free Agency and Injury report week 16 2019

The MVP Gets a Well-Earned Break

John Harbaugh announced a handful of Ravens would sit out Week 17 including Lamar Jackson. Robert Griffin III will draw the start in his place.

No player can replace Jackson but Giffin is well-equipped to emulate him and keep the Baltimore offense running in a similar fashion. As a backup, Griffin is massively underpriced in DFS and available on every waiver wire. He'll be the clear chalk this week and he's a solid pickup in season-long leagues if any are still running.
 

Seattle's Graveyard of a Backfield

Seattle's backfield is going to limp into the playoffs with Chris Carson, C.J. Prosise, and Rashaad Penny all out for the rest of the season. Travis Homer was the last back active for the Seahawks on Sunday, outside of fullback Nick Bellore. Homer carried the ball five times for 16 yards but was a standout in the receiving game. He led Seattle with six receptions which he turned into 26 yards.

Homer was in line for a massive workload but the Seahawks are now confirmed to be signing Marshawn Lynch. Lynch may not get the bulk of the work immediately but Homer's days as a workhorse back are already over.

Homer never topped 1,00 yards while at Miami University but he did come close in back-to-back seasons while averaging six yards per carry. He also added 405 receiving yards over his finals two seasons in college. With 4.48 wheels, Homer will be a sneaky play in Week 17 if his price isn't properly adjusted.
 

D.J. Moore Goes Down

D.J. Moore's breakout season may have come to an end on Sunday as he left with a concussion and did not return. The Panthers have nothing to play for but a good draft pick so they would be wise to let Moore start his offseason a week early.

If Moore doesn't suit up, Chris Hogan and Curtis Samuel will be the top options for Carolina. However, they both had that role on Sunday and did nothing with it. Will Grier inefficiently spread the ball out beyond his dump-offs to Chrisitan McCaffery: CMC caught 15 balls for 119 yards and no other Panther caught more than three passes. This offense is too dysfunctional under Grier or Kyle Allen to support anyone less talented than Moore or CMC.

Mark Ingram Unable to Return

Mark Ingram road the cart into the locker room after suffering a calf strain. The injury doesn't sound serious but the Ravens have the first seed clinched and may rest their starters in Week 17. Ingram will get to rest until Baltimore plays in the Divisional Round.

Gus Edwards was the clear lead-back with Ingram out and Edwards has quietly put together a nice season. Edwards has 582 rushing yards this year at 5.2 yards per carry. The only problem is that he has six receptions on the year. Justice takes that role as he caught three balls for 32 yards. Edwards caught just one.

Hill's role isn't large enough to trust and Edwards has a tough matchup against Pittsburgh next week, who is still fighting for a playoff spot.

Dwayne Haskins Jr. Sticks to the Sidelines

Dwayne Haskins suffered an ankle injury on Sunday and did not return. He wanted to take the field again but Dan Snyder and the medical staff did not allow him to return. The team announced that Haskins would not play Week 17 on Monday.

Keenum would normally be an upgrade but Haskins has played well as of late. He's completed 67.1% of his passes and averaged 8.1 yards per attempt over the past three games. Haskins has also thrown five scores to one interception. The swap to Keenum is a slight downgrade for Steven Sims and Terry McLaurin.

James Conner Injured...Again

Another week and another injury for James Conner. He left with a thigh injury and did not return.

Pittsburgh's backfield was a miserable affair without Conner:

• Kerrith Whyte Jr. - 6 carries
• Benny Snell Jr. - 7 carries
• Jaylen Samuels - 3 carries, 4 receptions

No back has a role even remotely worth considering when Conner is out.

Kyler Murray Injured in Cardinals' Upset

Kyler Murray exited Week 16 with a hamstring injury and did not return. He was listed as questionable with a hamstring injury in Week 13 but it did not cost him any time. It's possible that the last week of the season plays out similarly.

If Murray does sit, Brett Hundley would get the start. Hundley only threw the ball nine times as Arizona sat on a lead versus the Seahawks.

Kenyan Drake has 303 yards on the ground and six scores over the past two weeks. Arizona will probably lean on him in their final game of the year versus the Rams.

One Last Ride for Patrick Laird?

Myles Gaskin left late on Sunday and was not able to return in the Dolphins' overtime victory versus the Bengals.

Patrick Laird out-carried eight to four but was inefficient pe usual, going for 17 yards on the ground. He added one yard on his lone reception.

Miami gets New England next week and the Pats are still a win (or Kansas City loss) away from locking up a first-round bye. Don't expect much from any Miami back.

More Quarterback Controversy in Pittsburgh

Mike Tomlin sent Devlin Hodges to the bench after he threw two interceptions in his first nine attempts versus the Jets. He took the field once again as Mason Rudolph suffered a shoulder injury later on. It was announced on Monday that Rudolph would not play Week 17.

Neither passer has been able to sustain any level of success this season. You're not playing either in DFS or season-long and both severely hurt the projections for their receivers.

With Juju Smith-Schuster back in the fold, choosing between him, James Washington, and Diontae Johnson is no worth the payoff if you get it right.

Will Fuller's Woes Continue

Will Fuller suffered a groin injury on Saturday that is expected to keep him sidelined for the next 2-3 weeks. He could return for the Texans' first playoff game but a Divisional Round return is more likely.

Fuller has struggled with injury dating back to his time at Notre Dame. Add this one to the list.

Until he returns, Deandre Hopkins will shoulder the bulk of the targets for Houston, as he has done during Fuller's previous injuries. Kenny Stills will draw the start opposite Hopkins but, interestingly, his two games over 14 fantasy points have both come with Fuller in the lineup. This is more than likely just randomness and the uptick in volume should be a significant boost to Stills' fantasy stock.

Jamaal Williams Exits Monday Night

Jamaal Williams left with a shoulder injury versus the Vikings and did not return. However, the Packers had the game in hand and Aaron Jones was on a heater. There was little reason for him to return.

If he can't play next week, or the Packers choose to rest him for the playoffs, Aaron Jones would be in line to bury the Lions. Detroit has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing backs and Aaron Jones has a one-touchdown lead over Christian McCaffery as the two race for most touchdowns this year.