Fantasy football live rankings Week 14: Latest injury news, updates impacting start-sit decisions today

Matt Lutovsky

Fantasy football live rankings Week 14: Latest injury news, updates impacting start-sit decisions today image

Unless you were facing Bailey Zappe or Hunter Henry (highly unlikely), you're probably not staring at a big deficit after Thursday night's snooze-fest. Ezekiel Elliott got his owners off to a fast start, but pretty much all of the other big names disappointed. Will Sunday's Week 14 action be more of the same, or will the stars shine with a trip to the fantasy football playoffs on the line for many?

Unfortunately, two more byes (Cardinals, Commanders), some worrisome weather, and a host of notable injuries are working against us. Isiah Pacheco (shoulder), Dalton Schultz (hamstring), Christian Watson (hamstring), and Tyler Higbee (neck) have already been ruled OUT, while "questionable" players like Trevor Lawrence, Kenneth Walker III, Aaron Jones, Geno Smith, Amari Cooper, Taysom Hill, Chris Olave, Breece Hall, and Travis Etienne are forcing fantasy owners to stay on their toes right up until kickoff.

That's where we come in. We'll be here to help all morning, reacting to injury news, monitoring the active/inactive lists for any surprises, watching the weather, and providing start 'em, sit 'em advice based on all the latest developments. 

Fantasy football live news for NFL Week 14

Live updates will begin at 9 a.m. ET.

Injury updates for NFL Week 14

Saints' beat reporter Nick Underhill reported on Friday that Derek Carr (concussion, rib, shoulder) has cleared concussion protocol and will start against the Panthers. He's only a viable fantasy option in superflex and 2-QB leagues.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Saturday afternoon that Amari Cooper (concussion) has cleared concussion protocol and will play against the Jaguars. Consider him a WR3 given Cleveland's QB issues.

Bleacher Report's Jordan Schultz reported Saturday afternoon that Geno Smith (groin) will be a true game-time decision. Between the injury, tough matchup, and late-afternoon kickoff, we'd advise against counting on Smith in your lineup. Moreover, Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf become much riskier if Drew Lock is under center. Metcalf is still worth starting given his high ceiling, but Lockett is best left on benches.

Texans' beat reporter Aaron Wilson reported late Saturday night that Noah Brown (knee) is expected to play against the Jets. Brown should see a decent number of targets with Tank Dell (ankle) out, but between the brutal matchup and weather worries, he's no more than a deep-league flex, at best.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported late Saturday night that Trevor Lawrence (ankle) is expected to play against the Browns, but a final decision won't be made until after pregame warmups. Given the matchup and Lawrence's limited mobility, he's not a recommended start in 12-team leagues, but his presence will help Jacksonville's pass-catchers maintain their usual value.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported late Saturday night that Breece Hall (ankle) is expected to play against the Texans. Hall has seen a lighter workload lately, but he's still a decent RB2 in the favorable matchup.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported late Saturday night that Travis Etienne (ribs) is expected to play against the Browns. Despite the tough matchup, Etienne is still a low-end RB1/high-end RB2.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported late Saturday night that both Kenneth Walker III (oblique) and Zach Charbonnet (knee) are expected to play against the 49ers. Walker will be a high-end flex, while Charbonnet is best left on benches given the tough matchup. 

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported late Saturday night that Taysom Hill (foot, hand) is not expected to play against the Panthers. His absence should mean a few more targets for Juwan Johnson and a few more carries for Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams, but only Kamara is worth starting from that group.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported late Saturday night that Chris Olave (illness) is expected to play against the Panthers. He won't be 100 percent, but he's still worth starting with Rashid Shaheed (thigh) and Taysom Hill (foot) expected to be OUT.

NOTABLE OFFICIAL EARLY INACTIVES: Taysom Hill, Rashid Shaheed, Dalton Schultz, Jonathan Taylor, Tyler Higbee

NOTABLE OFFICIAL EARLY INACTIVES: Trevor Lawrence, Derek Carr, Breece Hall, Travis Etienne, Amari Cooper, Chris Olave, Noah Brown, Tyler Boyd

WEEK 14 INJURY UPDATES:
QBs | RBs | WRs/TEs | Aaron Jones

Playing time updates for NFL Week 14

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning that Joe Flacco will start again in place of a banged-up Dorian Thompson-Robinson (concussion). Flacco isn't worth starting in single-QB leagues, but he helps the value of Cleveland's other skill players.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning that Austin Ekeler will split carries with Joshua Kelley and Isaiah Spiller, and that the Chargers will "ride the hot hand." We'd still expect Ekeler to lead the way and consider him a must-start given the matchup against Denver's league-worst defense, but Kelley has potential flex value.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning that Clyde Edwards-Helaire will start for the Chiefs and split RB snaps with Jerick McKinnon. Both have flex value against Buffalo, with McKinnon better suited for PPR leagues and CEH slightly better suited for standard leagues.

Weather updates for NFL Week 14

For a full breakdown of all of the Week 14 weather worries, click here

There isn't any snow in this week's forecast, but there's plenty of wind and rain. Rams-Ravens will likely get the worst of it, with potentially heavy rain at times and winds in the 15-20-mph range. Texans-Jets could see similar conditions, but the wind and rain likely won't be quite as severe (though there could be a lightning delay). Lions-Bears and Colts-Bengals will see 20-plus-mph winds, while Jaguars-Browns could see some moderate showers. It's tough to recommend sitting any "must-starts" in the respective passing games, but be careful with the kickers in the windy games and don't take any chances with secondary receivers.

Who should I start in fantasy football today?

Advice based on 12-team, half-point PPR leagues

The recommendations below are from Vinnie Iyer's Week 14 start 'em, sit 'em column.

Must-starts

QB: Dak Prescott, Cowboys (vs. PHI), Jalen Hurts, Eagles (at DAL), Josh Allen, Bills (at KC), Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (vs. BUF), Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins (at TEN), Lamar Jackson, Ravens (vs. LAR), Brock Purdy, 49ers (vs. SEA)

RB: Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (vs. SEA), Alvin Kamara, Saints (vs. CAR), Rachaad White, Buccaneers (at ATL), Zack Moss, Colts (at CIN), Saquon Barkley, Giants (vs. GB), Bijan Robinson, Falcons (vs. TB), Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions (at CHI), David Montgomery, Lions (at CHI), Austin Ekeler, Chargers (vs. DEN), Tony Pollard, Cowboys (vs. PHI), Joe Mixon, Bengals (vs. IND), Travis Etienne, Jaguars (at CLE), Raheem Mostert, Dolphins (vs. TEN), Josh Jacobs, Raiders (vs. MIN), Breece Hall, Jets (vs. HOU), Derrick Henry, Titans (at MIA), Kyren Williams, Rams (at BAL), Kenneth Walker, Seahawks (if he plays, at SF), Javonte Williams, Broncos (at LAC)

WR: Tyreek Hill, Dolphins (vs. TEN), CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (vs. PHI), A.J. Brown, Eagles (at DAL), Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (at CHI), Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals (vs. IND), Keenan Allen, Chargers (vs. DEN), Justin Jefferson, Vikings (at LV), Stefon Diggs, Bills (at KC), DeVonta Smith, Eagles (at DAL), Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers (vs. SEA), Deebo Samuel, 49ers (vs. SEA), Mike Evans, Buccaneers (at ATL), DJ Moore, Bears (vs. DET), Michael Pittman Jr., Colts (at CIN), Chris Olave, Saints (vs. CAR), Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (vs. TEN), Courtland Sutton, Broncos (at LAC), Puka Nacua, Rams (at BAL), Calvin Ridley, Jaguars (at CLE), Davante Adams, Raiders (vs. MIN), Nico Collins, Texans (at NYJ), DK Metcalf, Seahawks (at SF), Zay Flowers, Ravens (vs. LAR), Garrett Wilson, Jets (vs. HOU), Tyler Lockett, Seahawks (at SF), Tee Higgins, Bengals (vs. IND)

TE: Travis Kelce, Chiefs (vs. BUF), T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (at LV), Sam LaPorta, Lions (at CHI), George Kittle, 49ers (vs. SEA), Jake Ferguson, Cowboys (vs. PHI), Dalton Kincaid, Bills (at KC)

D/ST: Steelers (vs. NE), Browns (vs. JAX), .49ers (vs. SEA), Ravens (vs. LAR), Saints (vs. CAR), Texans (at NYJ), Dolphins (vs. TEN)

Smart sits

QB: Gardner Minshew (at CIN), Matthew Stafford (at BAL), Geno Smith (at SF), Josh Dobbs (at LV)

RB: James Cook (at KC), D'Andre Swift (at DAL), Gus Edwards (vs. LAR), Jerome Ford (vs. JAX), Kareem Hunt (vs. JAX), Keaton Mitchell (vs. LAR), Roschon Johnson (vs. DET)

WR: DeAndre Hopkins (at MIA), Rashee Rice (vs. BUF), Adam Thielen (at NO), Chris Godwin (at ATL), Jakobi Meyers (vs. MIN), Josh Downs (at CIN)

TE: Evan Engram (at CLE), David Njoku (vs. JAX), 

D/ST: Cowboys (vs. PHI), Jets (vs. HOU), Colts (at CIN), Eagles (at DAL), Buccaneers (at ATL)

Read more coverage from Sporting News' team of fantasy football experts, including Week 14 rankings for PPR and standard formats, sleepers, busts, DFS picks, and other projections below.

WEEK 14 FANTASY ADVICE: Sleepers | Busts

WEEK 14 DFS: DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks

WEEK 14 TOOLS: RotoBaller "Who To Start?" tool | Draft Sharks' Week 14 projections

Fantasy football rankings Week 14

Below are Sporting News' updated fantasy football rankings for Week 14. Rankings based on full-point PPR scoring.

Quarterback

Rank    Player
1    Josh Allen, Bills @ Chiefs
2    Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins vs. Titans
3    Dak Prescott, Cowboys vs. Eagles
4    Jalen Hurts, Eagles @ Cowboys
5    Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs vs. Bills
6    Lamar Jackson, Ravens vs. Rams
7    Jared Goff, Lions @ Bears
8    C.J. Stroud, Texans @ Jets
9    Brock Purdy, 49ers vs. Seahawks
10    Jordan Love, Packers @ Giants

Click here for more QBs

Running back

Rank    Player
1    Christian McCaffrey, 49ers vs. Seahawks
2    Austin Ekeler, Chargers vs. Broncos
3    Travis Etienne, Jaguars @  Browns
4    De'Von Achane, Dolphins vs. Titans
5    Raheem Mostert, Dolphins vs. Titans
6    Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions @ Bears
7    Alvin Kamara, Saints vs. Panthers
8    Saquon Barkley, Giants vs. Packers
9    David Montgomery, Lions @ Bears
10    Breece Hall, Jets vs. Texans
11    Bijan Robinson, Falcons vs. Buccaneers
12    Josh Jacobs, Raiders vs. Vikings
13    Rachaad White, Buccaneers @ Falcons
14    Tony Pollard, Cowboys vs. Eagles
15    Kyren Williams, Rams @ Ravens
16    Joe Mixon, Bengals vs. Colts
17    Javonte Williams, Broncos @ Chargers
18    Derrick Henry, Titans @ Dolphins
19    D'Andre Swift, Eagles @ Cowboys
20    Jaylen Warren, Steelers vs. Patriots

Click here for more RBs

Wide receiver

Rank    Player
1    Tyreek Hill, Dolphins vs. Titans
2    CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys vs. Eagles
3    Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions @ Bears
4    A.J. Brown, Eagles @ Cowboys
5    Keenan Allen, Chargers vs. Broncos
6    Justin Jefferson, Vikings @ Raiders
7    Stefon Diggs, Bills @ Chiefs
8    Mike Evans, Buccaneers @ Falcons
9    Michael Pittman Jr., Colts @ Bengals
10    Davante Adams, Raiders vs. Vikings
11    Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers vs. Seahawks
12    Nico Collins, Texans @ Jets
13    Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals vs. Colts
14    Cooper Kupp, Rams @ Ravens
15    Chris Olave, Saints vs. Panthers
16    DK Metcalf, Seahawks @ 49ers
17    Garrett Wilson, Jets vs. Texans
18    DeVonta Smith, Eagles @ Cowboys
19    DJ Moore, Bears vs. Lions
20    Puka Nacua, Rams @ Ravens
21    Deebo Samuel, 49ers vs. Seahawks
22    Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins vs. Titans
23    DeAndre Hopkins, Titans @ Dolphins
24    Amari Cooper, Browns vs. Jaguars
25    Calvin Ridley, Jaguars @ Browns

Click here for more WRs

Tight end

Rank    Player
1    Travis Kelce, Chiefs vs. Bills
2    T.J. Hockenson, Vikings @ Raiders
3    Sam LaPorta, Lions @ Bears
4    David Njoku, Browns vs. Jaguars
5    Dalton Kincaid, Bills @ Chiefs
6    George Kittle, 49ers vs. Seahawks
7    Isaiah Likely, Ravens vs. Rams
8    Cole Kmet, Bears vs. Lions
9    Jake Ferguson, Cowboys vs. Eagles
10    Dallas Goedert, Eagles @ Cowboys

Click here for more TEs

Defense/Special teams

Rank    Player
1    Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Patriots
2    Detroit Lions @ Bears
3    San Francisco 49ers vs. Seahawks
4    Jacksonville Jaguars @ Browns
5    Houston Texans @ Jets
6    New Orleans Saints vs. Panthers
7    Indianapolis Colts @ Bengals
8    New England Patriots @ Steelers
9    Cleveland Browns vs. Jaguars
10    Miami Dolphins vs. Titans

Click here for more D/STs

WEEK 14 STANDARD RANKINGS:
RBs | WRs | TEs | Kickers

Matt Lutovsky

Matt Lutovsky Photo

Matt Lutovsky has been a writer and editor for The Sporting News since 2007, primarily writing about fantasy sports, betting, and gaming.