The gap between the Friday injury reports and Sunday morning inactives can often be a time of relative tranquility for Fantasy players, but that hasn't been the case this season. And it definitely isn't the case for Week 7, with a ton of big injuries still being tracked as of this morning.
But it's not just injuries that are going to lead to tough lineup decisions. We've got Christian McCaffrey set to make his 49ers debut just three days after being traded, making both him and Jeff Wilson pretty big question marks for Fantasy without knowing what kind of role they're facing. And then we got a report Sunday morning that Isaiah Pacheco is going to start for the Chiefs ahead of Clyde Edwards-Helaire after getting first-team reps this week during practice.
My preference would be to avoid the Chiefs backfield if I can, with Rapoport's report noting that Pacheco and Edwards-Helaire will likely split work, "with a splash of [Jerick McKinnon]." In a backfield averaging just 19.5 RB carries per game, I just don't think I'm particularly excited about the prospect of a continued split, whether Pacheco is the lead. He is absolutely a must-add, but he's more like an RB3 this week -- I think I'd start both 49ers back over him. You can check out my latest rankings in today's newsletter to help make those calls.
Of course, we've got our typically packed injury report to deal with, including the expected return of Gus Edwards -- which comes as J.K. Dobbins is expected to miss 4-6 weeks with a cleanup procedure on his knee. As Heath Cummings said on Twitter, there are "about a dozen mystery box RB situations", which makes setting your lineups even tougher than usual.
The Fantasy Football Today team is here to help. Jamey Eisenberg, Heath Cummings, and Dave Richard are live on CBS Sports HQ right now going over everything you need from every angle, including the latest up-to-date injury news live until kickoff.
And if you want more direct answers to your questions, we've got other opportunities to help: Go to Twitter and use the hashtag "#AskFFT", where our whole team will be answering questions all morning; and go to the FFT YouTube channel to chat with Adam Aizer, Frank Stampfl and I starting at 11:30. We'll be there right up until kickoff answering as many questions as we can, so make sure you're in the chat early to get your questions in.
For more Week 7 help, here's the rest of our preview content to get you ready:
- Week 7 Start 'Em & Sit 'Em: QB | RB | WR
- Starts, sits and sleepers for every game
- Cheat Sheets: PPR | Non-PPR
- Week 7 Position Previews: QB | RB | WR | TE
- Week 7 Rankings: Jamey | Dave | Heath
- My rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE
Week 7 Injury Report
Quarterbacks
- Out: Russell Wilson (hamstring), Baker Mayfield (ankle), Carson Wentz (finger; IR)
None of these come as a surprise this week, and it's not clear what kind of timetable we're looking at for Wilson. He's reportedly dealing with a Grade 2 tear, and while it's possible he plays through it in Week 8, the Broncos also have a bye in Week 9, and it might make sense to rest him through that. Brett Rypien is set to start for the Broncos, and I've learned my lesson about saying, "Well, it can't get worse," even with how bad the Broncos offense has been. It's a downgrade for the Broncos pass-catchers, though Courtland Sutton is still a viable WR2/3, I think.
- Questionable: Mac Jones (ankle)
Jones is questionable, but at this point, it seems like he's going to start -- he got all of the first-team reps in practice Saturday after missing three games with the injury. Jones isn't relevant in most leagues, and he's just a fringe QB2 in this one. If you can avoid using him, that's probably for the best, just in case, there is some kind of unforeseen setback between now and Monday night.
Probable: Dak Prescott (thumb), Tua Tagovailoa (concussion), Kenny Pickett (concussion)
Both Tagovailoa and Pickett cleared the concussion protocol and are expected to start Sunday night, while Prescott is making his return following his five-game absence due to thumb surgery. Tagovailoa and Prescott are top-10 QBs for me, though there is always risk in the first game back from a multi-week absence.
Running backs
There are all kinds of situations we're watching, but I'll just say this to kick off: I don't really have much interest in the Baltimore backfield. Yes, the Ravens are a very good rushing team and they've got a great matchup against the Browns, but they also spread carries around, and that seems especially true with Gus Edwards (knee) and Justice Hill (hamstring) coming back from injuries. I think I expect Kenyan Drake to be the lead back, but I don't think you can expect much more than a dozen carries or so in a best-case scenario. Drake is a fringe RB3, while Hill and Edwards are in the 40-50 range. I wouldn't be surprised if any of the three ended up being the lead back, and it might just be a hot-hand situation.
- Out: J.K. Dobbins (knee; IR), D'Andre Swift (ankle/shoulder), Joshua Kelley (knee; IR)
Swift's injury is obviously a big deal, and pre-game reports say he won't play despite having the extra time off from the bye week. I have real concerns about his ability to hold up to the kind of workload we want him to get. He's obviously a talented player, with a top-five upside for Fantasy, but I'm viewing him as more of a top-15 back when he gets back, given those questions.
- Probable: Jonathan Taylor (ankle), Nyheim Hines (concussion), Damien Harris (hamstring)
Technically, all three of these guys aren't even on the injury report this week, so they're going to play. I expect Taylor to get his typical role, and he's back to being a top-three back in Fantasy. Hines should get a few opportunities in the passing game, and while there's little to get excited about with him, I do think I'd start him over the Ravens, Chiefs, Panthers, and Commanders running backs in PPR.
Wide receivers
Keenan Allen is probably the biggest question mark at wide receiver heading into Week 7. He practiced on a limited basis all week, but he's going to be a game-time decision -- he wants to test it out before the game, but told reporters earlier in the week he's considering sitting this one out to give himself an opportunity to fully heal in the team's bye next week. I would probably prefer to avoid the headache since we likely won't know Allen's availability until 3 p.m. after most players have already locked. If he plays, he's a high-risk, high-reward WR2.
- Questionable: Keenan Allen (hamstring) Jaylen Waddle (shoulder), Rashod Bateman (foot), Tyler Lockett (hamstring), Hunter Renfrow (hip), Nelson Agholor (hamstring), Kendrick Bourne (toe), Josh Reynolds (knee), Jahan Dotson (hamstring), Marvin Jones (hamstring)
The first four are probably the only players you really need to worry about. If Waddle and Lockett are active, you're probably starting them, but there's some risk there; Bateman is more like a WR3, because he typically doesn't play a full snap share even when healthy. However, this Baltimore offense really misses his big-play abilities, and he's got high upside every week playing with Lamar Jackson, even on a snap count.
Josh Reynolds is a fringe WR3/4 if he plays, with DJ Chark already placed on IR with his own ankle injury. I don't know how much the Lions will lean on Reynolds with a healthy Amon-Ra St. Brown back to full strength, but Reynolds has 269 yards and a touchdown on 19 catches over the past three games so he's not the worst option.
- Out: Julio Jones (knee), Christian Watson (hamstring), Dyami Brown (groin), DJ Chark (ankle; IR), Randall Cobb (ankle; IR), Kadarius Toney (hamstring), Kenny Golladay (knee), Joshua Palmer (concussion)
None of these guys really matter most weeks, which is just fine with me. That means I don't have to write as much.
Tight ends
- Out: Darren Waller (hamstring), Logan Thomas (calf), Cameron Brate (neck), Donald Parham (concussion)
- Questionable: Mark Andrews (knee), John Bates (hamstring), Brevin Jordan (ankle), Durham Smythe (hamstring)
It would be a surprise if Andrews were unable to play. The other situation to know about is Pat Freiermuth (concussion), who has been cleared to play Sunday night and should be viewed as a top-12 TE. With Waller out, Foster Moreau is also in the top-12 TE discussion -- he averaged 3.7 catches and 41.3 yards in six games without Waller last season, which somehow puts him in the top-12 TE discussion.
Rankings Updates
Quarterbacks
- Patrick Mahomes @SF
- Lamar Jackson vs. CLE
- Tom Brady @CAR
- Justin Herbert vs. SEA
- Joe Burrow vs. ATL
- Dak Prescott vs. DET
- Derek Carr vs. HOU
- Aaron Rodgers @WAS
- Tua Tagovailoa vs. PIT
- Trevor Lawrence vs. NYG
- Geno Smith @LAC
- Jared Goff @DAL
- Matt Ryan @TEN
- Marcus Mariota @CIN
- Daniel Jones @JAX
- Kenny Pickett @MIA
- Taylor Heinicke vs. GB
- Ryan Tannehill vs. IND
- Justin Fields @NE
- Jimmy Garoppolo vs. KC
- Mac Jones vs. CHI
- Jacoby Brissett @BAL
- Zach Wilson @DEN
- Davis Mills @LV
- Brett Rypien vs. NYJ
- P.J. Walker vs. TB
Running backs
- Saquon Barkley @JAX
- Austin Ekeler vs. SEA
- Jonathan Taylor @TEN
- Joe Mixon vs. ATL
- Leonard Fournette @CAR
- Josh Jacobs vs. HOU
- Derrick Henry vs. IND
- Breece Hall @DEN
- Aaron Jones @WAS
- Nick Chubb @BAL
- Kenneth Walker @LAC
- Dameon Pierce @LV
- Christian McCaffrey vs. KC
- Jamaal Williams @DAL
- Ezekiel Elliott vs. DET
- Travis Etienne vs. NYG
- Rhamondre Stevenson vs. CHI
- Raheem Mostert vs. PIT
- David Montgomery @NE
- Damien Harris vs. CHI
- Najee Harris @MIA
- Kareem Hunt @BAL
- AJ Dillon @WAS
- Jeff Wilson vs. KC
- Tyler Allgeier @CIN
- James Robinson vs. NYG
- Nyheim Hines @TEN
- Tony Pollard vs. DET
- Isaiah Pacheco @SF
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire @SF
- Chuba Hubbard vs. TB
- Khalil Herbert @NE
- Kenyan Drake vs. CLE
- Sony Michel vs. SEA
- Rex Burkhead @LV
- Michael Carter @DEN
- Dontrell Hilliard vs. IND
- Rachaad White @CAR
- D'Onta Foreman vs. TB
- Melvin Gordon vs. NYJ
- Mike Boone @DAL
- Brian Robinson Jr. vs. GB
- Antonio Gibson vs. GB
- J.D. McKissic vs. GB
- Jaylen Warren @MIA
- Caleb Huntley @CIN
- Mike Boone vs. NYJ
- Chase Edmonds vs. PIT
- Justice Hill vs. CLE
- Gus Edwards vs. CLE
- Samaje Perine vs. ATL
Wide receivers
- Tyreek Hill vs. PIT
- Ja'Marr Chase vs. ATL
- Davante Adams vs. HOU
- Chris Godwin @CAR
- Amon-Ra St. Brown @DAL
- CeeDee Lamb vs. DET
- Deebo Samuel vs. KC
- Michael Pittman @TEN
- Mike Williams vs. SEA
- Tee Higgins vs. ATL
- Mike Evans @CAR
- Jaylen Waddle vs. PIT
- Tyler Lockett @LAC
- Amari Cooper @BAL
- Jakobi Meyers vs. CHI
- Diontae Johnson @MIA
- Keenan Allen vs. SEA
- Brandin Cooks @LV
- DK Metcalf @LAC
- JuJu Smith-Schuster @SF
- Allen Lazard @WAS
- Courtland Sutton vs. NYJ
- Michael Gallup vs. DET
- Christian Kirk vs. NYG
- Rashod Bateman vs. CLE
- Curtis Samuel vs. GB
- Romeo Doubs @WAS
- Brandon Aiyuk vs. KC
- Hunter Renfrow vs. HOU
- Darnell Mooney @NE
- Drake London @CIN
- Josh Reynolds @DAL
- Garrett Wilson @DEN
- Chase Claypool @MIA
- Jerry Jeudy vs. NYJ
- D.J. Moore vs. TB
- Devin Duvernay vs. CLE
- Robert Woods vs. IND
- George Pickens @MIA
- Donovan Peoples-Jones @BAL
- Terry McLaurin vs. GB
- Darius Slayton @JAX
- Corey Davis @DEN
- Alec Pierce @TEN
- Tyler Boyd vs. ATL
- Wan'Dale Robinson @JAX
- Nico Collins @LV
- Tyquan Thornton vs. CHI
- Mecole Hardman @SF
- Mack Hollins vs. HOU
- Zay Jones vs. NYG
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling @SF
- DeVante Parker vs. CHI
- Richie James @JAX
- Trent Sherfield vs. PIT
- Kyle Philips vs. IND
- Russell Gage @CAR
- Noah Brown vs. DET
Tight Ends
- Travis Kelce @SF
- Mark Andrews vs. CLE
- George Kittle vs. KC
- David Njoku @BAL
- Kyle Pitts @CIN
- T.J. Hockenson @DAL
- Robert Tonyan @WAS
- Gerald Everett vs. SEA
- Pat Freiermuth @MIA
- Evan Engram vs. NYG
- Foster Moreau vs. HOU
- Daniel Bellinger @JAX
- Hayden Hurst vs. ATL
- Mike Gesicki vs. PIT
- Cade Otton @CAR
- Tyler Conklin @DEN
- Kylen Granson @TEN
- Hunter Henry vs. CHI
- Greg Dulcich vs. NYJ
- Cole Kmet @NE
- Will Dissly @LAC
- Jonnu Smith vs. CHI
- Noah Fant @LAC
- Harrison Bryant @BAL
Flex
- Saquon Barkley @JAX
- Austin Ekeler vs. SEA
- Jonathan Taylor @TEN
- Tyreek Hill vs. PIT
- Joe Mixon vs. ATL
- Leonard Fournette @CAR
- Ja'Marr Chase vs. ATL
- Davante Adams vs. HOU
- Chris Godwin @CAR
- Josh Jacobs vs. HOU
- Derrick Henry vs. IND
- Amon-Ra St. Brown @DAL
- Travis Kelce @SF
- CeeDee Lamb vs. DET
- Breece Hall @DEN
- Aaron Jones @WAS
- Nick Chubb @BAL
- Deebo Samuel vs. KC
- Mark Andrews vs. CLE
- Michael Pittman @TEN
- Mike Williams vs. SEA
- Kenneth Walker @LAC
- Tee Higgins vs. ATL
- Dameon Pierce @LV
- Mike Evans @CAR
- Keenan Allen vs. SEA
- Christian McCaffrey vs. KC
- Jamaal Williams @DAL
- Jaylen Waddle vs. PIT
- Ezekiel Elliott vs. DET
- Tyler Lockett @LAC
- Travis Etienne vs. NYG
- Amari Cooper @BAL
- Jakobi Meyers vs. CHI
- Diontae Johnson @MIA
- Rhamondre Stevenson vs. CHI
- Brandin Cooks @LV
- DK Metcalf @LAC
- Raheem Mostert vs. PIT
- David Montgomery @NE
- JuJu Smith-Schuster @SF
- Allen Lazard @WAS
- Courtland Sutton vs. NYJ
- Michael Gallup vs. DET
- Damien Harris vs. CHI
- Najee Harris @MIA
- Christian Kirk vs. NYG
- Rashod Bateman vs. CLE
- Kareem Hunt @BAL
- Curtis Samuel vs. GB
- Romeo Doubs @WAS
- Brandon Aiyuk vs. KC
- Hunter Renfrow vs. HOU
- AJ Dillon @WAS
- George Kittle vs. KC
- Darnell Mooney @NE
- David Njoku @BAL
- Drake London @CIN
- Kyle Pitts @CIN
- T.J. Hockenson @DAL
- Josh Reynolds @DAL
- Garrett Wilson @DEN
- Jeff Wilson vs. KC
- Chase Claypool @MIA
- Jerry Jeudy vs. NYJ
- Tyler Allgeier @CIN
- D.J. Moore vs. TB
- Devin Duvernay vs. CLE
- James Robinson vs. NYG
- Robert Woods vs. IND
- Robert Tonyan @WAS
- Gerald Everett vs. SEA
- Nyheim Hines @TEN
- George Pickens @MIA
- Donovan Peoples-Jones @BAL
- Evan Engram vs. NYG
- Tony Pollard vs. DET
- Isaiah Pacheco @SF
- Foster Moreau vs. HOU
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire @SF
- Daniel Bellinger @JAX
- Terry McLaurin vs. GB
- Darius Slayton @JAX
- Corey Davis @DEN
- Alec Pierce @TEN
- Chuba Hubbard vs. TB
- Khalil Herbert @NE
- Hayden Hurst vs. ATL
- Tyler Boyd vs. ATL
- Wan'Dale Robinson @JAX
- Mike Gesicki vs. PIT
- Kenyan Drake vs. CLE
- Josh Palmer vs. SEA
- Sony Michel vs. SEA
- Cade Otton @CAR
- Tyler Conklin @DEN
- Rex Burkhead @LV
- Michael Carter @DEN
- Nico Collins @LV
- Dontrell Hilliard vs. IND
- Tyquan Thornton vs. CHI
- Mecole Hardman @SF
- Mack Hollins vs. HOU
- Zay Jones vs. NYG
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling @SF
- DeVante Parker vs. CHI
- Rachaad White @CAR
- D'Onta Foreman vs. TB
- Richie James @JAX
- Trent Sherfield vs. PIT
- Kyle Philips vs. IND
- Melvin Gordon vs. NYJ
- Mike Boone @DAL
- Brian Robinson Jr. vs. GB
- Kylen Granson @TEN
- Russell Gage @CAR
- Antonio Gibson vs. GB
- Hunter Henry vs. CHI
- J.D. McKissic vs. GB
- Jaylen Warren @MIA
- Caleb Huntley @CIN
- Noah Brown vs. DET
- Mike Boone vs. NYJ
- Chase Edmonds vs. PIT
- Olamide Zaccheaus @CIN