This NFL season has been a wild one. In many ways this season has felt like more of the same, but in many other ways it has also been remarkable. The parity, among other things, in the league this year has led to fascinating results. There has been shocking upsets, road teams are winning are at a higher clip, and no squad has truly solidified themselves as the “Top Dog.” There is still much to be determined in the remaining weeks to come. For now, we sit at Week 11, with fantasy postseasons inching closer.
This is another one of those “don’t rest on your laurels” check points. The payoff to the grind of it all is in sight. And in a week with a blank IR room and only the Rams and Broncos on BYE, there is still much to discuss. For example, the Seahawks announced Chris Carson will have neck surgery, officially ending his season. The backfield will continue on as it has been, with Alex Collins leading the way. On the plus side, Big Ben returns from the Covid list (admittedly not as big of a deal nowadays). With both good news and bad, The Infirmary is here to provide the essentials for fantasy managers.
IRD
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire– KC (Knee), RB Tony Jones– NO (Ankle), RB Miles Sanders– PHI (Ankle)
All three backs will return this week to help their squads. Darrell Williams has played well in the lead role for the Chiefs, so there’s no guarantee Edwards-Helaire walks into a size-able workload. One would hope Sanders gets the same workload the Eagles handed out in his absence, but that’s also no guarantee. The one guarantee here? Jones steps back into a No. 2 role with the Saints, behind Mark Ingram this time around.
IR
About as empty as this place will get.
OUT
WR DeAndre Hopkins– ARI (Hamstring), WR Marquise Brown– BAL (Thigh), WR Miles Boykin– BAL (Finger), WR Anthony Schwartz– CLE (Concussion), WR Amari Cooper– DAL (Covid), RB Jermar Jefferson– DET (Ankle), RB Aaron Jones– GB (Knee), RB Alvin Kamara– NO (Knee), WR Ty Montgomery– NO (Finger), WR Sterling Shepard– NYG (Quad), WR Denzel Mims– NYJ (Covid), RB JaMycal Hasty– SF (Ankle), WR Antonio Brown– TB (Ankle), RB Jeremy McNichols– TEN (Concussion), TE Ricky Seals-Jones– WAS (Hip)
The banged up Cardinals will head into this Sunday under-manned, yet again. The quarterback is still in question, but whoever ends up under center will be without Hopkins. Fortunately, the Cards are plenty deep at the WR position. Christian Kirk, A.J. Green and Rondale Moore are on boom game alert. The Cowboys have great receiver depth, as well. The sudden loss of Cooper to the Covid list certainly hurts, but a now-returned Michael Gallup is primed for a big role in his absence.
Rashod Bateman is primed for a big game, as well, with Hollywood sitting out. He’s seen a 27.7 percent Target Rate since entering the lineup, good for No. 17 at the position. Not to mention, he’s facing off against the No. 26-ranked pass defense. The Bucs will be without AB again, and face Tom Brady’s nemesis- the New York Football Giants. This offense needs to step it up. Speaking of the G-Men, they’ll be without Shepard. Once again, it’s Kadarius Toney time.
In beat-up-backfield news, McNichols is out for Tennessee. Future Hall of Famer Adrian Peterson and journeyman D’Onta Foreman led the team in rushing last Sunday, and look to do so again. Kamara will once again be out, which is never good for the Saints or fantasy football in general. The Packers will also be without their star running back, as Jones takes a seat with an MCL sprain. No worries, A.J. Dillon will handle the load while Jones is out. The second-year back rumbled for 66 yards and two touchdowns in relief last week against the Seahawks. He’ll be a big part of the offense come Sunday in the Twin cities. Patrick Taylor will provide depth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPXM5oyKsSM
DOUBTFUL
WR Allen Robinson II- CHI (Hamstring), QB Jared Goff– DET (Oblique), WR Allen Lazard– GB (Shoulder), QB Zach Wilson– NYJ (PCL), RB Elijah Mitchell– SF (Finger)
Goff looks set to miss this week, which will put Tim Boyle in the drivers seat for Detroit. This might be interesting, if not for Boyle’s boring profile and the fact that it’s the Lions. D’Andre Swift is in for another strong workload, even if fellow back-mate Williams suits up. Things aren’t looking good for Mitchell to start for the 49ers on Sunday, so expect Trey Sermon truthers to once again appear from the bushes. Yes, they are still out there. However, this is shaping up to be the Jeff Wilson show, at least for a week.
QUESTIONABLE
QB Kyler Murray-ARI ( Ankle), QB Colt McCoy-ARI (Pectoral), WR Devin Duvernay– BAL (Knee), RB Latavius Murray– BAL (Ankle), WR Auden Tate– CIN (Thigh), WR Donovan Peoples-Jones– CLE (Groin), RB Jamaal Williams– DET ( Thigh), RB James Robinson– JAX (Heel/Knee), RB Jalen Richard– LV (Ribs), RB Justin Jackson– LAC (Quad), QB Taysom Hill– NO (Foot), RB Saquon Barkley– NYG (Ankle), RB Devontae Booker– NYG (Hip), WR Curtis Samuel– WAS (Groin)
Murray looks on track to play Sunday, and the fantasy world will rejoice if he indeed hits the field. It’s tough to rely on those receivers when another is behind center for the Cards. It’d also be nice to see Barkley back, but with a Monday Night game it’s hard to trust the situation, particularly with Booker also questionable. JRob should be good to go for the Jags, but Carlos Hyde is a suitable replacement this week if not. Lastly, if People’s-Jones sits for Cleveland, Rashard Higgins is the next man up.
CONCLUSION
It’s shaping up to be a fun Sunday with Super-Cam starting again, a shootout in KC and the potential boom games from a couple of rookie wide receivers. The Infirmary caught a slight breather this week being a little less occupied. Maybe not much less, but enough to matter. Enjoy Sunday, for no one knows what the week may bring…
