Those who have gotten to their championship game on the strength of Raheem Mostert's season will need to line up an alternative plan this week. Multiple sources are reporting that Mostert (knee) will be inactive at Baltimore today.
Some are taking this to mean that DeVon Achane is an automatic start, but I'm not viewing it along those line. Achane, who has a toe injury himself, gets a boost, but I think Miami will use Jeff Wilson a lot, and it will still be a tandem backfield. Looking at the Friday rankings, where we had Achane 31st (PPR) and Mostert (if active) 32nd, I think Achane moves up about 8 spots -- I'd start him ahead of Gus Edwards. Wilson, since his role is less certain, slots in around 37th. Still a very tough matchup for both these backs, and uncertain how they'll be used.
Other developments this morning:
There's optimism that JaMarr Chase (shoulder) will play versus Kansas City. A slight negative to Tee Higgins' value. Those players are ranked appropriately in the Friday update.
Both Isiah Pacheco (shoulder, concussion) and Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness) are expected to face Cincinnati. Pacheco might lose a little more work than usual to CEH, but I think he can be used as ranked.
Kenneth Walker (shoulder) is also expected to play for Seattle, as is DK Metcalf (back).
Jacoby Brissett (hamstring) is not expected to play against San Francisco. It will be Sam Howell, benched each of the last two weeks, back in the starting lineup for Ron Rivera's Commanders (for now). Awkward.
Jerry Jeudy (illness) should play, Marvin Mims (hamstring) probably won't.
Kyler Murray (illness) should play.
Alvin Kamara (illness) should play. Hopefully you're sensing a theme: sick players usually suit up. Medicine can make guys feel good enough to get through a 3-hour football game.
Puka Nacua (hip) should play.
Jordan Addison (ankle) is expected to play.
Cole Kmet (knee) is a gametime decision for the Bears. Can't be used without confirming he's active.
People are pretty worked up about the end of the Lions-Cowboys game. My two cents, not that it matters: everything isn't about the league fixing games to help one team or hurt another, or to appease Jerry Jones or screw the Lions. Sometimes it's as simple as NFL officials are incompetent and screw things up not because they're crooked but because it's a hard job and human beings make mistakes. An additional point is that it seems -- seems, I'll concede I might be wrong -- like the Lions were trying to disguise their intentions and fool the Cowboys into thinking a different player was eligible than actually was. Instead, they may have fooled the officiating crew, leading to the confusion. And after the first play was penalized, they should have kicked the extra point and gone to overtime, I could have used the extra stats. Either way, looks like the Lions got screwed, what's a week in the NFL without some team getting screwed though.
Good luck in all your matchups. If I see further significant updates, I'll post in the comments below.
--Andy Richardson