It is still unclear whether top running backs Adrian Peterson and Maurice Jones-Drew will play on Sunday. Check out the other questionable fantasy-relevant players for Week 16.
Adrian Peterson’s participation in Thursday’s practice was limited due his leg and thigh injury that caused him to miss last week’s Monday night game. I would recommend picking up Vikings backup running back Toby Gerhart and stashing him on your bench until AP’s status becomes more certain.
Many fantasy owners are jumping on the Donald Brown bandwagon after his best game of the season last week. But Brown’s fantasy relevancy appears short-lived as Joseph Addai will likely suit up against the Raiders this week. Quarterback Peyton Manning has taken an unprecedented beating over the past few weeks. Addai provides better blocking and running than Brown, and should be the primary back for the Colts on Sunday. Oakland gives up the seventh most rushing yards per game, so even the pass-happy Colts should do some damage on the ground.
Maurice Jones-Drew sat out Thursday’s practice (knee) and his status for Sunday is unknown. Since this is the championship week for most fantasy owners, I recommend picking up Rashard Jennings and keeping him on your bench in case Jones-Drew is inactive for Week 16. The Redskins give up the sixth most rushing yards per game, so Jennings should have a fantasy-relevant day if he is the primary back.
Speaking of Jacksonville, Mike Sims-Walker missed his second straight practice due to a sprained ankle. MSW has three touchdowns in two games, so it would be unfortunate for him to miss the fantasy championship game after finding his groove in December. Similar to his hyphen brother – Maurice Jones-Drew, his status for Sunday will likely be known by the end of day on Friday.
Malcom Floyd has been very productive when on the field accumulating 660 yards and six touchdowns. The problem is that he has missed five of the last seven games. Last week his other hamstring kept him out of the contest and he has missed this Thursday’s practice.
Deion Branch missed Thursday’s practice with a knee injury. Although Buffalo is a great matchup for Branch, with a playoff spot already clinched, there is no need for the Patriots to risk aggravating the injury. Stay tuned for the Friday injury report, but if you have a fantasy-relevant Steeler or Panther player (playing in the Thursday game), you may want to insert him in Branch’s place.
After missing Wednesday’s practice with a knee injury, Peyton Hills participated on Thursday. He will play against a tough Baltimore run defense that kept RB stars Arian Foster and Rashard Mendenhall out of the end zone in week 13 and 14, respectively. Although Hillis did light up the Ravens for 144 rushing yards and a touchdown back in Week 3, Hillis has been on a touchdown drought in the last three weeks. Combine this with the improved Ravens defense, and the Browns’ bruising back has a tough challenge ahead of him. Hillis is too good to sit, especially in PPR leagues, but don’t expect him to carry your team like he has done in previous weeks.
According to Houston coach Gary Kubiak, Andre Johnson will officially be game-time decision this week. AJ is among the toughest receivers in the NFL and at this point appears likely to play against Denver. He does not need to be 100 percent in order to shred a Broncos defense that has given up the seventh most passing touchdowns in the NFL.
Written by Win My Fantasy League Senior Writer Justin Hasan (J-Has)
