It's Sunday morning and the injury reports are filtering in. There are also weather situations and the half-trade people have probably heard about. Let's get to it.
The Cardinals have traded away Marvin Harrison. The popular guess is that it's to the Houston Texans, but it may just be a guess. He's not playing this week regardless. A few quick thoughts. One, a change of scenery can only help Harrison, but I think it's fair to say at this point he is simply not the player anyone thought when he was selected 4th overall. I don't think he's going to Houston or Kansas City or wherever and start cranking out 1,000-yard seasons.
Harrison's departure moves Kendrick Bourne up to the No. 2 spot at wide receiver, at least for the moment. For this week, I think he shows up around 40th in PPR, facing the horrific Lions pass defense. But let's not get crazy about Bourne. He's been playing 60 percent of the snaps all along, and has caught a total of 4 passes in the last three weeks, same as Harrison. Harrison's departure doesn't open up a massive target share that's going to result in Bourne putting up 75-80 yards every week. He looks better and seems particularly solid this week, but talking about dropping quality players to secure Bourne going forward doesn't seem like a good idea.
Ladd McConkey is not expected to play for the Chargers. Quentin Johnston is out. We already had Tre Harris in our top 20, the Chargers have to throw to someone. But Denver-LAC seems likely to be lower-scoring, the Chargers have three running backs they'll be throwing to, and I think Oronde Gadsden looks like a decent option; somewhere between 15th and 20th in PPR looks about right.
Ashton Jeanty (foot, ankle) is, according to Ian Rapoport, "hopeful to play today." I despise reports like this, which tell us absolutely nothing. Of course he's "hopeful." Apparently he's going to test things out in pregame warmups and the team will make a decision. I have Mike Washington, and I'd like to use him if Jeanty doesn't play. But I guess we're not going to get official word for a while. It is a 1 p.m. Eastern game at least. Forced to choose right now, I'd guess that Jeanty isn't playing and Washington can be used as ranked on Friday "if starter."
Same game, Rhamondre Stevenson is expected to play. Expected is a way more useful word than "hopeful."
While I'm complaining about injury reporting, here's another one. Terry McLaurin (hamstring) is "a true gametime decision." Isn't "gametime decision" enough here? Are there "false" gametime decisions? Irritating. Maybe I need more coffee. Or less. Whatever. McLaurin may or may not play, probably shouldn't be counted on. Antonio Williams probably the No. 1 and belongs in the 25-30 range at wide receiver this week. If McLaurin is out, which could be either true or false.
Justin Jefferson (ankle) and Jordan Addison (hamstring) remain questionable. Jefferson seems more likely to play, but possible both will. I would use Jefferson, and am a little nervous about Addison. But if he's active, seemingly he'll be able to play.
DJ Moore was practicing in a noncontact jersey yesterday and is questionable for tomorrow night. Moore hasn't missed a start in five years, and I suspect that's important to him so he'll be active and playing in some capacity. I would not want to chance him, but it does make Keon Coleman a bit trickier to trust.
Rico Dowdle (toe) is unlikely to play. Nobody was going to start Dowdle anyway, but now Jaylen Warren is safer as a top 10-15 running back this week.
Zay Flowers (foot) is expected to play. I would use him as ranked on Friday.
Alvin Kamara (back) is expected to play.
Adam Schefter reports there are doctors around the NFL who believe Jayden Daniels will likely reinjure his elbow at some point. I'm not a doctor, but I also believe this since it happened to Daniels just last year.
A weather note. Apparently it's not bad enough to be in New Jersey watching the Browns and Jets play football, but it's also going to be raining. Winds of just 10 mph, so that's not too bad, but wet conditions might be a little better for running than passing. Judkins and Braelon are already ranked pretty favorably. If I were deciding between the main receivers for each team with players ranked similarly, maybe I'd go with the other one. But I don't think conditions are going to be so bad that I'm sitting down Garrett Wilson for a much lesser player. All the guys ranked near Denzel Boston have injury concerns of their own. But there is going to be some steady rain so I'll recommend avoiding the weather if you've got a similar option with the likes of Boston, Concepcion, Fannin and Sadiq. Presumably nobody is using either quarterback.
Good luck today.
--Andy Richardson
