The Loop Fantasy Football Update Week 5: Last-minute moves
Oct. 10—UPDATE: 10:39 a.m. Sunday
Well, the Vikings' Dalvin Cook gave it a go in pregame warmups, then headed to the locker room. He is out again, making it another Alexander Mattison day vs. Detroit.
Players who landed on the early inactives list include Miami wideout Devante Parker and Steelers WR James Washington.
Cleared to go today are Dallas RB Ezekiel Elliott and WR Amari Cooper, Denver WR Courtland Sutton, Detroit tight end T.J. Hockenson and Tampa Bay third-down back Gio Bernard.
UPDATE: 8:13 a.m. Sunday
Even though we stayed up way late last night watching the best boxing match of the past two decades (Fury-Wilder III via the miracle of free Twitter streaming), we're up early because of the morning start of Jets-Falcons in London in a few minutes.
The main news for the clash of these two titans is the depletion of Atlanta's receiving corps with Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage both out. Could be a big day again for former Viking Cordarrelle Patterson. As well as Jets QB Zach Wilson, going against that supple Falcons defense.
A few other moves have already been made for today's noon games. Detroit running back D'Andre Swift has been cleared to start against the Vikings. But still no word on the big kahuna in that game, the Vikings' Dalvin Cook.
Also cleared to start today are Cincinnati RB Joe MIxon, Arizona RB Chase Edmonds, and two from Washington, RB Antonio Gibson and WR Curtis Samuel.
We'll be back later with word on Cook, along with the rest of the early Week 5 roster decisions.
UPDATE: 12:34 a.m. Saturday
It's another week, and another must-win game for the Vikings. And another questionable designation for star running back Dalvin Cook.
The consensus No. 2 fantasy running back was limited again at Friday's practice, and it's very likely he will not be a 100 percent participant when the Vikings play host to the winless Lions on Sunday.
Cook managed only 34 yards in limited duty last week against Cleveland. Will he see much more action in a game the Vikings should win handily in spite of his limitations?
There's a fighting chance this will be a Kirk Cousins crazy-go-nuts game. And you might want to leave Cook on your bench if you have stronger options.
Even more doubtful is the consensus No. 1, Carolina's Christian McCaffrey. He returned to practice this week, but he is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against Philadelphia.
San Francisco will have to go without quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and tight end George Kittle in its must-win game vs. Arizona. Is Trey Lance worth a gamble? He might prove better as a fantasy QB than a real-life QB on Sunday.
Lots of big names ruled out in the past couple of days: Tennessee wideout Julio Jones, Tampa Bay tight end Rob Gronkowski, Atlanta WR Russell Gage and two Giants receivers, Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard.
Players listed as questionable on Saturday morning include Cincinnati RB Joe Mixon, Arizona running back Chase Edmonds, Washington RB Antonio Gibson, Detroit RB D'Andre Swift, Denver WR Courtland Sutton and Miami wideout Devante Parker.
On the positive side, Denver will have Teddy Bridgewater on Sunday in Pittsburgh, as the former Viking passed the concussion protocols.
Meanwhile, big news Friday came out of Seattle, where QB Russell Wilson underwent surgery on his significantly dislocated middle finger. He'll be out at least the next month, which will prompt an extended middle finger from many fantasy mavens counting on DangerRuss. It should also prompt them to try and find a replacement immediately, instead of waiting for next week's waiver period.
ORIGINAL POST: 10:03 a.m. Wednesday
The moment came late Sunday afternoon when San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo injured his calf, sending former North Dakota State Bison legend Trey Lance into the fray.
That meant that all five first-round quarterbacks of the Class of 2021 had moved into the No. 1 role with their teams.
Four of the five are expected to start this week, and Lance could make it an uneven five if Jimmy G is unable to go and the 49ers' torch is passed for at least one week.
What are the fantasy prospects for the five frosh? Depends on whether you're talking short-term, or the long haul:
Trey Lance (49ers) — Sure, his first two NFL completions went for touchdowns, but Lance hasn't exactly lit up the stat sheet. He's 10 for 19 for 162 yards and 3 TDs, and he ran seven times for 41 yards in his relief appearance against Seattle. The Niners desperately need to win at unbeaten Arizona this week, so they will go with Garoppolo if at all possible. Stay tuned.
Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars) — The Clemson dude who never lost a regular season game in high school or college is now 0 for ever as a pro. He's 29th in passer rating and has seven interceptions and five TD passes in his first four games. But at least he wasn't caught getting a lap dance in a Columbus bar like his coach.
Mac Jones (Patriots) — Jones was the last first-rounder back in May, but he has clearly been the No. 1 rookie QB of the fall. While he has only four TD passes, he has completed 70 percent of his passes. And he wasn't embarrassed in his high-profile matchup in last Sunday night's Brady Bowl.
Zach Wilson (Jets) — What a difference a week makes. After struggling badly in his previous
two games, the former Brigham Young wiz led the Jets to an upset win over Tennessee, with 297 passing yards and two TDs. In fact, it's not completely crazy to consider picking Wilson up on waivers this week and starting him vs. Atlanta.
Justin Fields (Bears) — The former Buckeye also had a Week 4 revival, albeit vs. the lowly Lions. Fields completed only 11 passes but tallied 209 yards. And that was enough to likely secure another start this week in Las Vegas, unless Andy Dalton becomes suddenly healthy. The world awaits coach Matt Nagy's next move with bated breath.
SITTING STARS
Cincinnati QB Joe Burrow has been hot, but he will cool off without a sufficient running threat vs. Green Bay. ... Philadelphia has pretty much given up on Miles Sanders, and you should too against Carolina. ... Same goes for the putrid Miami offense and RB Myles Gaskin vs. the mighty Buccaneers. ... Pittsburgh's Najee Harris will be kept in check by the Broncos. ... Chargers RB Austin Ekeler, who starred Monday night, will be less prolific vs. Cleveland on Sunday. ... San Francisco tight end George Kittle will continue to struggle vs. the unbeaten Cardinals. ... And while you should still start all your Chiefs stars, they will have less-than-glorious stats in their matchup against Buffalo's No. 1 defense.
MATCHUP GAME
The Kirk Cousins MVP Express, which was derailed last week by Cleveland, gets back on track thanks to Detroit. ... Rams QB Matthew Stafford will rebound this week against Seattle's league-worst defense, and that's also good for receivers Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods. ... New Orleans QB Jameis Winston will also look better vs. Washington ... It's OK to put Giants RB Saquon Barkley back in your starting lineup. He'll continue his revival vs. Dallas ... Jacksonville RB James Robinson will run so well against Tennessee that people will forget, for a second or two, the embarrassment that is Urban Meyer. ... New England RB Damien Harris, against lowly Houston, will atone for his -4-yard performance against Tampa Bay. ... And the Colts should be able to throw well vs. Baltimore, so you can count on WR Michael Pittman.
INJURY WATCH
Just as Chicago RB David Montgomery was looking like a star, he injures his knee. He'll be out 4-5 weeks, so former Chief Damien Williams has a great opportunity to shine. .... Cincinnati's Joe Mixon is said to be week to week with an ankle injury, so fellow Oklahoma alum Samaje Perine moves up to No. 1 there. ... Miami WR Will Fuller has a broken finger, but that offense is too broken to use him anyway. ... Carolina RB Christian McCaffrey is stiil out, and players sidelined for a while last week include Jaguars WR D.J. Chark and Saints backup RB Tony Jones Jr,, while Tampa Bay TE Rob Gronkowski remains doubtful, ... Players listed as questionable include Rams RB Darrell Henderson, Seattle RB Chris Carson. San Fran running back Elijah Mitchell and tight end George Kittle, Tennessee receivers A.J. Brown and Julio Jones, Steelers WR Chase Claypool, Giants wideout Sterling Shepard, Washington TE Logan Thomas and Rams tight end Tyler Higbee,
THE DEEPEST SLEEPERS
While high-ranked tight ends have proved disappointing, from George Kittle to Kyle Pitts to Logan Thomas, two appear to be having breakout seasons. Dallas' Dalton Schultz has effectively emerged as the Cowboys' No. 3 receiving threat, with 20 catches for 201 yards and three touchdowns. In Buffalo, Dawson Knox has become a TD machine, reaching paydirt on 20 percent of his targets. His four TDs have him tied for second in the league, trailing only Kupp.
THE THURSDAY PICK
Rams at Seahawks (+2 1/2 ):
Pick: Rams by 4
BREAKING NEWS
We'll be updating our column, based on the latest injuries and innuendo, right up until Sunday's kickoff. Go to TwinCities.com/theloop.
You can hear Kevin Cusick on Wednesdays on Bob Sansevere's "BS Show" podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on Twitter — @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.
