Kenny Golladay (hip), Deebo Samuel (hamstring), and Zach Ertz (ankle) have all missed time in recent weeks. Golladay and Ertz are currently on IR while Samuel already had a stint on IR earlier in the season, and their uncertain statuses are creating some tough start 'em, sit 'em decisions for fantasy football owners, especially with three games on Thursday during this short week. Here's how the injuries to these pass-catchers will impact waiver wire strategy and both our Week 12 fantasy WR rankings and TE rankings.
For updates on Chris Carson, Myles Gaskin, and D'Andre Swift, click here; for the latest on Christian McCaffrey, Austin Ekeler, and Raheem Mostert, go here. For all the latest fantasy news, follow us on Twitter @SN_Fantasy.
WEEK 12 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Is Kenny Golladay playing this week?
Golladay hasn't played for the Lions since suffering a hip injury in Week 8 against the Colts. Playing on a short week in Week 12, he could end up being truly "questionable," and after being estimated as a limited participant on the Lions' Monday practice report, that will only further muddy the waters on his status.
Since Monday's report was only an estimate, it will be important for fantasy owners to actually see whether Golladay is practicing in the next two days. Granted, these will mostly be walkthroughs, but if Golladay is listed as a non-participant in any of these, he will probably have to miss one more week. Conversely, if he stays limited or improves to full participation, he may have a chance to play.
If Golladay ends up having to sit out, Marvin Jones and Marvin Hall will continue to be the top two receivers for the Lions. Jones would have WR2 upside after having logged four TDs in his past four games while Hall would be a speculative boom-or-bust flex play.
WEEK 12 FANTASY: Top pickups | FAAB planner | Buy-low, sell-high
Is Deebo Samuel playing this week?
Before the 49ers' Week 11 bye, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan indicated that he was "hopeful" that Samuel (hamstring), among others, could return to action for San Francisco, per NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco. Samuel (hamstring) has been out since suffering the injury in Week 7 against the Patriots and has played in just four games this season. That's a good sign that Samuel should be back either this week or next, barring a setback.
If Samuel plays, he can be started given the dearth of other offensive weapons in the 49ers receiving corps. In the event that Samuel is out, Brandon Aiyuk would continue to get a bulk of the targets from Nick Mullens, provided that he is activated off the COVID list before Sunday's game. If Samuel plays and Aiyuk is out, then Samuel could end up being a startable receiver because he would get most of the targets from Mullens.
WEEK 12 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Is Zach Ertz playing this week?
UPDATE: Eagles coach Doug Pederson said Ertz is "trending in the right direction" for Monday night.
On Nov. 16, the Eagles designated Ertz (ankle) to return from IR, which opened a 21-day practice window for him to potentially return to action. However, before the Eagles' Week 11 game against the Browns, Eagles coach Doug Pederson said that Ertz "probably needs a little more time" and wouldn't be activated for Week 11, per NBC Sports Philadelphia's Reuben Frank. However, Pederson didn't say anything about Week 12, so Ertz playing in that contest remains a possibility.
The Eagles play on Monday Night Football, so a decision on Ertz may not be made until later in the week. He could be held out for one more game depending on how he does in practice, so it will be crucial to keep an eye on how he does this week. He won't be listed on any practice reports since he is still on IR, but there will be reports about how he's doing throughout the week.
If Ertz can't return in Week 12, Dallas Goedert should still be a TE1 after logging five catches for 77 yards and a TD against the Browns. Once Ertz returns, the duo will each have a chance to serve as top-12 TEs and starters in an Eagles offense that is desperately looking for some consistent receiving weapons.
