Many fantasy owners in single-QB leagues are hoping to get Lamar Jackson back this week, and some are likely hoping Jimmy Garoppolo or Justin Fields can play in Week 17, as they are some of the top streaming options for the fantasy championship. They'll all be important in two-QB/superflex leagues and will affect Week 17 fantasy rankings. Get the latest updates on each player.
For the latest on ailing RBs Dalvin Cook, D'Andre Swift, James Conner, and Elijah Mitchell, go here; for more on ailing pass-catchers Travis Kelce, Darren Waller, Mike Evans, and Pat Freiermuth, click here; for news on injured WRs Elijah Moore and Adam Thielen, click here; for updates on more injured RBs, including Clyde Edwards and Jordan Howard, go here. For all the latest fantasy news, follow us on Twitter @SN_Fantasy.
WEEK 17: Best waiver wire pickups
Lamar Jackson injury update
Jackson (ankle) missed his second straight game in Week 16, and with Tyler Huntley on the reserve/COVID list, Josh Johnson started for Baltimore. We assume Huntley will clear COVID protocols and get the start against the Rams if Jackson can't play, but we'll have to see later in the week how this situation progresses. Jackson hasn't practiced since sustaining his ankle injury in Week 15, so practice reports on Tuesday and Wednesday will help us get an idea of his status.
We currently have Jackson as our QB12, and it seems his floor has never been lower. He would be riskier than he's ever been thanks to his injury and overall lack of production in the weeks prior to his injury. He's also set the face the No. 6 defense against fantasy QBs. All that said, he's a dice roll, but if he's healthy, we know he has overall QB1 upside. If he can't play, it would be tough to trust Huntley or Johnson in this matchup in anything other than two-QB/superflex formats.
WEEK 17 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Jimmy Garropolo injury update
Garropolo (thumb) has been diagnosed with a torn UCL and a fractured bone in his right (throwing) thumb. It's clearly he could miss Sunday's game against Houston, but we don't know much at this time. He's primed to be one of the best streaming options, so his availability could be very impactful. We'll have to see how he progresses this week.
Speaking on backup Trey Lance, Kyle Shanahan said he's improved over the past month while running the scout team and has looked his best over the past month. This could be an early hint that Lance has real potential to start in this game, or it could ultimately mean nothing. However, we can't deny the fact Lance would be a very intriguing gamble against Houston with his rushing upside and a loaded offense to work with. Garropolo currently ranks as our QB14, and while Lance may be ranked a step below if he starts, his upside is actually much higher.
WEEK 17 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Justin Fields injury update
Fields (ankle) was out for Week 16 against the Seahawks and will likely be "questionable" heading into Week 17 against the Giants. Fields is another QB we identified as a top streaming option this week, but if there aren't a ton of QBs taken away due to COVID or injuries, he won't have much of an impact in single-QB leagues. We know that can happen, though, so we want to have as many solid options at our disposal. Practice reports later in the week will tell us more about Fields' condition, but Nick Foles would get another start if he's out.
Fields ranks as our QB18 in a neutral matchup with the Giants thanks to his rushing floor. This game could ultimately be a low-scoring, uneventful affair, so he's certainly a gamble.