| |  | | Tuesday, November 30, 2021 | | So, if you unplugged from the NFL world Monday, you missed out on a lot of news. A lot of big news. Like, "there goes my Fantasy season" kind of news. | | The biggest headline is that Christian McCaffrey's season is over after he was placed on IR for the second time. He was forced out of Sunday's game against the Dolphins because of an ankle injury, and while he was spotted in a walking boot after the game, there was no indication publicly that this was a big enough concern that it might end his season. However, testing Monday indicated that the damage was severe enough to be a season ender. | | That's now two straight season-ending injuries for McCaffrey, who has played just 10 games since the start of 2020. McCaffrey was excellent yet again this season despite the injuries, averaging 18.2 PPR points per game, but this does raise real questions about his ability to stay healthy at this point in his career. That puts Dynasty and Keeper players in a tough spot, but for what it's worth, if McCaffrey's 2022 price is depressed as a result of this even a little bit, I think this is a good opportunity to buy, because I still think he's the best player in Fantasy when healthy, and I'm not sure Derrick Henry or Jonathan Taylor has really bridged that gap. | | Of course, McCaffrey's injury put those of us with him in an especially tough spot for the rest of this season. The good news is, Week 13 actually isn't a bad week to need a running back on waivers, though that's in large part because of how many people are likely going to be looking for running back help thanks to other injuries around the league. | | Before we get to the top waiver-wire targets for Week 13 as well as your first look at my rankings for the week, let's run through all of the news you need to know about from Monday, because there's a ton to catch up on. And there's going to be a ton to stay up to date with all week long. | | | | And here's what we've got on tap in today's newsletter: | - 🏥Injuries, news, and notes
- ➕Top Week 13 Waiver Wire Targets
- 📈Week 13 Rankings📉
| | | | 🏥Injuries, news, and notes |  | | Here are the key news items from Monday you need to know about. | - Dalvin Cook (shoulder) is expected to miss at least two games -- Cook suffered a torn labrum in his left shoulder after dislocating it Sunday, according to reports. Vikings coach Mike Zimmer denied those reports when speaking to the press, so I suppose there is a glimmer of hope that Cook's injury is less serious than that, but at this point, you should expect to be without him for at least the next few weeks. Cook has had recurring shoulder issues going back to high school and has also reportedly been playing through a torn labrum in his other shoulder this season, so he's no stranger to this. There is, of course, always the possibility that Cook won't recover as quickly as expected, and with the end of the season looming, there's a lot of risk here at this point. But you've got to keep Cook stashed as long as there's a chance of him returning. Hopefully, you also stashed Alexander Mattison.
- Darrell Henderson strained his quad in Week 12 -- Henderson has dealt with a ton of minor injuries this season while missing just one game, and head coach Sean McVay downplayed the severity of this injury Monday. Maybe that means he'll be able to play through this one, but at this point, assume Sony Michel will start until we hear otherwise.
- Dan Campbell does not expect D'Andre Swift (shoulder) to play -- The exact quote was, "It's hard to say that you'd see him playing." So, I'm expecting Jamaal Williams to be the starting running back for the Lions and I'm viewing Swift as week to week -- hopefully he'll be back in Week 14, but I'm not counting on it right now.
- J.D. McKissic (head) was forced from Monday's game -- McKissic took a knee to the head during the fourth quarter of Monday's game and had to be carted to the locker room. It was a scary sight, but McKissic's agent tweeted after the game that McKissic was "all good," which is great news. Still, he'll have to be watched for concussion symptoms and is obviously at risk of missing Week 13 against the Raiders , especially with one fewer day to prepare.
- Deebo Samuel (groin) is week to week -- Samuel will miss 1-2 weeks with a strained groin, which can be interpreted as good news. Of course, it still means he won't play in Week 13, and you should probably assume Week 14 is out, as well. That puts Brandon Aiyuk in line for an even bigger role in upcoming matchups against the Seahawks and Bengals, and seeing as Aiyuk is averaging 10.5 yards per target since re-emerging as an every-down player in Week 8, that's a big opportunity. Aiyuk averaged 15.7 PPR points per game in the six games Samuel missed last season.
- Darren Waller (knee) is week to week -- Waller avoided a long-term injury, but I'm assuming he'll sit out Sunday's game against Washington at this point. Foster Moreau figures to see a significant role if Waller is out -- more about him in the top waiver targets.
- Jalen Hurts is dealing with a sore ankle -- This is one to monitor when the Eagles kick off the week of practice Wednesday, and hopefully it's nothing more than just a little soreness. Hurts has a great matchup on the way against the lowly Jets in Week 13 and is a must-start QB as long as he's active.
- Dan Arnold (knee) will miss 4-6 weeks -- This effectively ends Arnold's season for our purposes. You can drop him, and it'll be interesting to see what happens with his contract this offseason, because Arnold emerged as a go-to target for the Jaguars and could be a Fantasy sleeper in this offense if he's still around in 2022.
| | It wasn't all bad news Monday, as we did get some positive updates on the following players: | - Aaron Rodgers (toe) does not plan to have surgery -- That is per Ian Rapoport, who did add a "at this time" to the report. Rodgers is dealing with a fracture and any surgery would likely have required him to miss some time, so hopefully he can just avoid any kind of setbacks and play through whatever pain might be there. For what it's worth, the injury doesn't seem to have slowed Rodgers down -- he has six touchdowns in his past two games despite the injury.
- Taysom Hill (foot) seems likely to start in Week 13 -- Hill was a full participant in practice Monday and took first-team reps at QB, with Rapoport reporting that Hill is likely to start over Trevor Siemian Thursday against the Cowboys. He'll have to make it through practice without issue, of course, as he is reportedly dealing with plantar fasciitis in his foot. Hill recently signed an incentive-laden contract that pays him more if he emerges as the Saints starting QB, and now they're going to give him the opportunity.
- Alvin Kamara (knee) was a limited participant in Monday's practice -- And Hill could have his best weapon back, as Kamara returned to practice for the first time since Week 9. Kamara will have to get through the next two days without incident, and we'd love to see him mix in a full practice to really feel confident, but Kamara will be worth starting in all Fantasy leagues if he's active. Mark Ingram, who missed Week 12 with an ankle injury, was able to practice without limitations Monday, so at least he'll be back.
- Ezekiel Elliott (knee) was a full participant -- There were reports over the weekend that Elliott might sit out Week 13 to give his nagging knee injury a chance to fully heal, but Monday's participation report doesn't seem to lend much support to that theory. I wouldn't be surprised to see Elliott's snaps and touches limited, though that might create a worst-case scenario for Fantasy, where we don't know whether he or Tony Pollard is worth trusting in a very tough matchup against the Saints. Elliott is more of an RB2 for me this week if he plays, while Pollard remains in that high-upside Flex range.
- CeeDee Lamb (concussion) was a full participant -- Lamb looks on track to return for Thursday's game, and he should be joined by Amari Cooper, who is eligible to return from the COVID-19 list prior to the game.
| | |  | Hopefully, this week's waiver options will be able to make an impact, and there are a few who certainly have the opportunity. Before we get the guys who are more widely available, it's worth noting that, if you are in one of the 22% of CBS Fantasy leagues where Alexander Mattison is available, you need to do everything you can to get him on your roster. He's locked into a huge role with Cook out and was nearly my No. 1 RB for Week 13 against the Lions. He's the kind of player you spend a max FAB bid on if he's available. Chuba Hubbard ... isn't. | You can find Jamey's entire breakdown here. We're gonna need the help: | | Jamey Eisenberg's top targets | - Boston Scott, RB, PHI (38%) -- Scott certainly benefits if Miles Sanders is out in Week 13, but his value doesn't solely depend on that, which is what makes him a potentially more valuable waiver-wire add. If Sanders is out this week, Scott is a potential top-12 RB against the Jets, but even if Sanders does play -- or if he misses just one week before returning -- Scott could be a useful Fantasy option with a pretty great schedule to close out the season.
- Jamaal Williams, RB, DET (55%) -- If you only need a running back for Week 13, Williams would probably be my preference, however. If Swift's shoulder keeps him out this week, Williams might be in line for 20 touches in Week 13 against the Vikings. The Lions throw 28% of their targets to running backs and Williams would likely play 75% of the snaps with Swift out. Swift has been an elite Fantasy option in this offense, and while Williams isn't the same kind of playmaker, he's still more than capable of being a must-start option if the opportunity presents itself.
- Sony Michel, RB, LAR (41%) -- And Michel isn't far off. He had 20 carries in Week 3 with Henderson out, and that was against a Buccaneers team that many teams have just avoided trying to run against. The Rams should have a healthy lead to protect against the Jaguars in Week 13, so Michel seems like a very good bet to approach 20 carries yet again.
- Taysom Hill, QB, NO (12%) -- Hill averaged 24.6 points per game in four starts last season, and it looks like he's going to be back in that role in Week 13 against the Cowboys after taking first-team snaps in practice Monday. Hill's rushing -- and especially his strength near the goal line -- makes him a potential must-start Fantasy QB, but there is one question hanging over him: Is he actually healthy? Hill didn't see the field in either Week 11 or Week 12 and has been listed on the injury report with a foot injury in recent weeks, with reports indicating he is dealing with plantar fasciitis. That's an injury you can play through -- and Hill practiced in full Monday -- but if it limits his rushing abilities even a little bit, Hill loses appeal very quickly. He's a potential top-12 QB and the top streaming target this week for sure, however.
- Foster Moreau, TE, LV (0%) -- We'll see if Darren Waller's knee sprain keeps him out this week, but Moreau is worth chasing on waivers if it does. Moreau is a very good athlete who has been productive when given the opportunity, including when he dropped 18 PPR points in a start with Waller out in Week 7 earlier this season. The Raiders won't use him exactly like they would use Waller, but he'll likely be the No. 2 option in the passing game behind Hunter Renfrow and would be a borderline top-12 TE against a Washington defense that has struggled against the pass this season.
| | | | 📈Week 13 Rankings📉 |  | Here's where things stand for me in my first run through of the Week 13 rankings for PPR leagues. You can find Jamey, Dave, and Heath's rankings right here: | | | | Quarterbacks | - Lamar Jackson @PIT
- Josh Allen vs. NE
- Tom Brady @ATL
- Jalen Hurts @NYJ
- Patrick Mahomes vs. DEN
- Dak Prescott @NO
- Kyler Murray @CHI
- Justin Herbert @CIN
- Matthew Stafford vs. JAX
- Derek Carr vs. WAS
- Kirk Cousins @DET
- Taysom Hill vs. DAL
- Tua Tagovailoa vs. NYG
- Joe Burrow vs. LAC
- Russell Wilson vs. SF
- Taylor Heinicke @LV
- Tyrod Taylor vs. IND
- Ben Roethlisberger vs. BAL
- Carson Wentz @HOU
- Trevor Lawrence @LAR
- Teddy Bridgewater @KC
- Matt Ryan vs. TEN
- Jared Goff vs. MIN
- Daniel Jones @MIA
| | Running backs | - Jonathan Taylor @HOU
- Austin Ekeler @CIN
- Najee Harris vs. BAL
- Alexander Mattison @DET
- Joe Mixon vs. LAC
- Alvin Kamara vs. DAL
- Leonard Fournette @ATL
- Cordarrelle Patterson vs. TEN
- Ezekiel Elliott @NO
- Antonio Gibson @LV
- James Conner @CHI
- Elijah Mitchell @SEA
- David Montgomery vs. ARI
- Saquon Barkley @MIA
- Sony Michel vs. JAX
- Josh Jacobs vs. WAS
- James Robinson @LAR
- Jamaal Williams vs. MIN
- Myles Gaskin vs. NYG
- Boston Scott @NYJ
- Melvin Gordon @KC
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire vs. DEN
- Javonte Williams @KC
- Devonta Freeman @PIT
- Tony Pollard @NO
- Alex Collins vs. SF
- Damien Harris @BUF
- Devin Singletary vs. NE
- Ty Johnson vs. PHI
- David Johnson vs. IND
- Rhamondre Stevenson @BUF
- Deejay Dallas vs. SF
- Kenyan Drake vs. WAS
- Darrel Williams vs. DEN
- Nyheim Hines @HOU
- Latavius Murray @PIT
- Rex Burkhead vs. IND
- Jeff Wilson @SEA
- Tevin Coleman vs. PHI
- Kenneth Gainwell @NYJ
- Matt Breida vs. NE
- Jaret Patterson @LV
- Mark Ingram vs. DAL
- Brandon Bolden @BUF
- Qadree Ollison vs. TEN
- Ronald Jones @ATL
- Devontae Booker @MIA
- Giovani Bernard @ATL
| | Wide receivers | - Cooper Kupp vs. JAX
- Tyreek Hill vs. DEN
- Keenan Allen @CIN
- Justin Jefferson @DET
- Diontae Johnson vs. BAL
- Stefon Diggs vs. NE
- Chris Godwin @ATL
- Mike Evans @ATL
- CeeDee Lamb @NO
- Marquise Brown @PIT
- Tyler Lockett vs. SF
- Ja'Marr Chase vs. LAC
- Odell Beckham vs. JAX
- Brandin Cooks vs. IND
- D.K. Metcalf vs. SF
- Adam Thielen @DET
- Jaylen Waddle vs. NYG
- Amari Cooper @NO
- Terry McLaurin @LV
- Tee Higgins vs. LAC
- DeAndre Hopkins @CHI
- Brandon Aiyuk @SEA
- Michael Pittman @HOU
- Jerry Jeudy @KC
- Hunter Renfrow vs. WAS
- Chase Claypool vs. BAL
- DeVonta Smith @NYJ
- Jakobi Meyers @BUF
- Elijah Moore vs. PHI
- Darnell Mooney vs. ARI
- Cole Beasley vs. NE
- Michael Gallup @NO
- Kenny Golladay @MIA
- Mike Williams @CIN
- Van Jefferson vs. JAX
- Marvin Jones @LAR
- Mecole Hardman vs. DEN
- Jamison Crowder vs. PHI
- Tyler Boyd vs. LAC
- Laviska Shenault @LAR
- Courtland Sutton @KC
- Rashod Bateman @PIT
- Christian Kirk @CHI
- Russell Gage vs. TEN
- Amon-Ra St. Brown vs. MIN
- Emmanuel Sanders vs. NE
- Tim Patrick @KC
- Marquez Callaway vs. DAL
| | Tight ends | - Travis Kelce vs. DEN
- Mark Andrews @PIT
- Rob Gronkowski @ATL
- George Kittle @SEA
- T.J. Hockenson vs. MIN
- Mike Gesicki vs. NYG
- Kyle Pitts vs. TEN
- Dalton Schultz @NO
- Logan Thomas @LV
- Foster Moreau vs. WAS
- Dallas Goedert @NYJ
- Noah Fant @KC
- Tyler Higbee vs. JAX
- Dawson Knox vs. NE
- James O'Shaughnessy @LAR
- Tyler Conklin @DET
- Jared Cook @CIN
- Evan Engram @MIA
- Zach Ertz @CHI
- Cole Kmet vs. ARI
- Hunter Henry @BUF
- O.J. Howard @ATL
- Juwan Johnson vs. DAL
- Gerald Everett vs. SF
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