Is Marquise Brown playing Thursday night? Fantasy injury update for Saints-Cardinals Thursday Night Football

Matt Lutovsky

Is Marquise Brown playing Thursday night? Fantasy injury update for Saints-Cardinals Thursday Night Football image

Marquise Brown has been one of the few bright spots for the Cardinals this season, but a foot injury has his status in doubt for Arizona's Week 7 Thursday Night Football showdown with the Saints. Brown's health issues coincide with the return of DeAndre Hopkins (suspension), who will be a must-start in fantasy football lineups regardless of whether Hollywood plays. However, if the latter is out, it opens the door for a potential waiver-wire sleeper like Rondale Moore to make his way into early-week start 'em, sit 'em discussions. 

We'll continue to update this article with news on Brown until the official active/inactive report comes out on Thursday around 6:50 p.m. ET.

Is Marquise Brown playing Thursday night Week 7? 

UPDATE: ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Monday afternoon that Brown's left foot injury could "potentially be season-ending." For now, fantasy owners should stash him on their IR, but Brown obviously won't be playing anytime soon.

UPDATE 2: NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Monday that an MRI on Brown's left foot revealed a "small, non-surgical fracture" that will likely cost the receiver at least six games. Ultimately, that's good news compared to the report from Schefter that indicated Brown could be shut down for the rest of the season.

Brown injured his left foot late in Arizona's Week 6 loss against Seattle. He was seen leaving the locker room in a walking boot after the game, and despite negative X-rays, Browns was reportedly walking with a noticeable limp. With a short turnaround ahead of Thursday night's game against New Orleans, Brown figures to be "questionable," at best.

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Hollywood has impressed in his first season in Arizona, catching 43-of-68 targets for 485 yards and three TDs. In a favorable matchup against a Saints' defense that entered Week 6 allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to WRs before getting ripped up by Ja'Marr Chase, Brown would be a must-start WR2 with WR1 upside. If he's active, he's still a must-start, but the injury coupled with the return of DeAndre Hopkins dims his outlook slightly.

WEEK 7 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

If Brown is out, Rondale Moore would get a big bump in value. The second-year pass-catcher has seen 23 targets over the past three games and established himself as a solid PPR option. Moore figures to lose targets with Hopkins back, but obviously if Brown is out, he still has WR3 upside. A.J. Green and Greg Dortch have some single-game DFS value if Brown is out, but neither can be trusted in season-long leagues because of target uncertainty. The same is true for recent acquisition Robbie Anderson, who likely will see limited snaps if he suits up on Thursday. That said, the trade for Anderson might indicate that Brown will miss multiple weeks.

WEEK 7 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

Kyler Murray would still have QB1 value if Brown is inactive, though being without his favorite target this season doesn't figure to help the struggling signal-caller. Arizona still has a solid array of weapons with Hopkins, Moore, and TE Zach Ertz, so start Murray as you normally would.

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.