Another week, another NFL Sunday riddled with injuries. Among the numerous murky backfields in the league currently, we can now add the Lions, 49ers and Eagles. Other notable performances came from the Titans who recorded 42 points against the Texans and the Giants and Falcons who both netted their first W. Also worth mentioning that the Cardinals looked like a well-oiled machine against the Cowboys and on the off chance that Christian Kirk is not rostered in you league, you should pick him up.
Boston Scott- On Sunday, Miles Sanders suffered a knee injury leaving the Eagles backfield wide open for the next three to four weeks. In steps Boston Scott. Scott received 49 percent of snaps Sunday, a majority coming after Miles Sanders left to the locker room. Scott is a dynamic player who got a lot of usage last year down the stretch, the only issue is his size. Standing at 5-foot-7-inches, 207 pounds, it is hard for me to see Scott as an every down back. In Week 1 when Miles Sanders was also out, Scott received only 52 percent of snaps. So look for the Eagles to run a backfield by committee, that means rostering Corey Clement may be worth it.
Scoville Units: Savina Habanero- 350,000
Jerick McKinnon/Jamichael Hasty/Jeff Wilson- In his second week back from injury, Raheem Mostert suffered a high left ankle sprain, leading him straight to the IR.
So let’s try this again.
For the next three to four weeks the 49ers backfield is wide open, between Jerick McKinnon, Jamichael Hasty and Jeff Wilson carries have to go somewhere. My first choice by far is McKinnon, but assuming he is still rostered for his production in weeks one through four, I’d say the next best option is Hasty. Hasty was the third-string back on Sunday due to Wilson being scratched with a quad injury. In the time without Mostert, Hasty received nine carries on 20 percent of snaps for 37 yards. I think Hasty is more talented than Wilson and if you can snag McKinnon that is the best case scenario.
Scoville Units: Pepper Spray- 3,000,000
Adam Humphries- The Titans were an offensive powerhouse on Sunday against the Texans, producing notable fantasy performers at every position. Of Derrick Henry, Ryan Tannehill, A.J. Brown, Anthony Firkser and Adam Humphries, two are on the wire. One of which is Humphries. With Corey Davis out, Humphries put together a pretty good day catching six of six targets for 64 yards and a touchdown. This is a continuation of a productive year for Humphries where he has at least six targets and five catches in all but one game where he caught four. Even with Corey Davis coming back this week I see Humphries as a great option especially in PPR formats.
Scoville Units: Fatali- 325,000
Demarcus Robinson- Last week I called for a big day from Mecole Hardman with Sammy Watkins out the next couple weeks, I’ll admit I was wrong. Instead of the big week that I had hoped for from Hardman, Robinson decided to be the guy. Robinson caught five of six targets for 69 yards. Despite Clyde Edwards-Helaire running for 161 yards on Monday, the Chiefs are a pass heavy high flying offense, any Chiefs second receiver is worth the roster spot as long as Watkins is out.
Scoville Units: Jalapeno- 8,000
Cole Beasley- Stefon Diggs is not the only fantasy relevant receiver, the other one is Cole Beasley. Beasley is not defined by his less-than-desirable rap and hip hop album that he released in 2018, he is also a legitimately good slot receiver. Cole Beasley has always been a startable fantasy option on bye weeks based on his surplus of targets and catches, he is like a poor man’s Julian Edelman. This year that same production has been consistent. In full PPR formats, Beasley has produced at least ten fantasy points every single week. With a promising match up against the Jets this week, Beasley might not just be a must roster, he may also be a must start.
Scoville Units: Ghost Pepper- 1,041,000
Anthony Firkser- Jonnu Smith has undoubtedly been a great fantasy tight end and a key part of the Titans offense this year. He’s a talented player, who honestly looks a lot like a wide receiver when he is on the field. Unfortunately, Smith suffered a minor ankle sprain early in the Titans Week 6 contest that held him out for the rest of the game and with all of the praise that I just gave Smith, Firkser did the exact same thing. Catching eight passes for 113 yards and a score, Firkser was the TE1 last week. Firkser showed enough production to warrant the Titans being cautious with Smith next week. Coming up against the Steelers who just lost MLB Devin Bush, if Smith is out Firkser has to be hammered into lineups.
Scoville Units: Chocolate Habanero- 577,000
