By: WeKnowFantasy
Big injuries hit again in week 10 with some huge fantasy implications. Cooper Kupp looks to be on the shelf for quite a few weeks with what looks like a high ankle sprain. Fellow wideout Juju Smith-Schuster left the game with a scary looking concussion while Zach Ertz – the TE3 on the season headed into the week – suffered a season-ending knee injury. Leonard Fournette left with what seems to be a non-serious hip injury and Jerry Jeudy jacked up his ankle yet again. These are just a few major injuries that occurred this week. Luckily the folks at WeKnowFantasy are here to let you know where to turn if any of these injuries bit you. Read on for more info:
Week 11 Suggestions
Quarterback
Taylor Heinicke (Washington Commanders) - Owned in 14% of ESPN leagues
Week 11 Matchup: @HOU
I typically write this article during Monday Night Football, so Heinicke is playing as I write this and is looking quite good early on. Heinicke has stepped in and played respectably since Carson Wentz went down with a broken finger. In three games prior to Monday night, Heinicke has thrown five touchdowns and cracked 200 passing yards twice. He’s putting up respectable numbers and gets to take on Houston this coming week. The Texans have been stingy against the pass this season, but that’s mainly because they haven’t faced very good quarterbacks. The only two QBs to post 20+ point performances on Houston this season are Jalen Hurts and Justin Herbert. The other QB’s the team has faces? Malik Willis, Justin Fields (before he got good), Trevor Lawrence, Derek Carr and Russell Wilson. Heinicke may be able to bring some value as a streamer this week.
Other options: Ryan Tannehill (8%), Matt Ryan (7%).
Running Backs
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Rachaad White (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) - Owned in 24% of ESPN leagues
Week 11 Matchup: BYE
Did you pick him up last week when I told you to? Well, why the hell not?! Let me quote myself by saying “Rumor has it White may overtake Leonard Fournette as the lead back in the Tampa backfield sooner rather than later.” And “Grab White while you can and hope he earns a shot to start in the near future.” Well, the future seems to be now. Fournette got banged up with a hip injury which led White to 22 carries for 105 yards, both career highs. He's still out there and you’ll have to dump a load of FAAB to afford him this week, but snag him if you can, even going into a bye week. Listen to me this time!!
Isiah Pacheco (Kansas City Chiefs) - Owned in 23% of ESPN leagues
Week 11 Matchup: @LAC
Nobody has been more hot and cold this season than Pacheco. He’s been on and off my roster more times than I can count, but I can’t ignore 16 carries for 82 yards in a win against the Jaguars. Other Chiefs running backs got just two carries. Pacheco isn’t active in the passing game – that’s Jerick McKinnon’s specialty – but in standard leagues Pacheco has to be owned and can maybe even be played. He takes on the Chargers this week who have been just atrocious against the run, allowing seven rushing touchdowns over their last four games and over 175 rushing yards in three of those four games.
Other options: Jaylen Warren (12%), Gus Edwards (34%).
Wide Receivers
Donovan Peoples-Jones (Cleveland Browns) - Owned in 22% of ESPN leagues
Week 11 Matchup: @BUF
I’m pretty sure I’ve written about DPJ before, but in case I haven’t he is worth a pick-up. Last week he was targeted many times by Jacoby Brissett, hauling in five of nine targets for 99 yards. He’s the clear-cut WR2 on this team that will be getting Deshaun Watson back in the near future, which should certainly give a small boost over Brissett. Grab DPJ now and feel free to play him if you’re in a pinch.
DeAndre Carter (Los Angeles Chargers) - Owned in 9% of ESPN leagues
Week 11 Matchup: vs. KC
Keep an eye on the Chargers injury reports this week because this pickup is only worth while if Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are still out. Last week with both big names out for LA, Carter caught a touchdown pass as part of his four receptions for 64 yards. Carter has received a steady target share all season long, though his usage has increased a bit with the Chargers injury struggles. In a game against Kansas City coming up, the Chargers will likely be forced to throw the ball a bit, giving Carter a decent opportunity to post a nice line again.
Take a look for Kadarius Toney on your waivers before anything else. He is owned in 48% of ESPN leagues and would be your best option. With Mecole Hardman on the mend from injury and Juju Smith-Schuster likely to miss at least one game with a concussion, Toney will have a big role on a high-powered offense. Spend big on him if you can get him. Also take a look at Van Jefferson and Ben Skowronek this week. Someone will have to step up and take over the targets vacated by the Cooper Kupp injury.
Other options: Kadarius Toney (48%), Van Jefferson (7%).
Tight End
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Cole Kmet (Chicago Bears) - Owned in 39% of ESPN leagues
Week 11 Matchup: @ATL
It may finally be time for Kmet to break out. With Justin Fields looking better than ever, Kmet has been taking advantage. Over the last two weeks Kmet has racked up nine receptions for 115 yards and four touchdowns, moving him all the way up to the TE7 on the season. I would ride the wave here and keep using Kmet while he’s hot. I’d have no issue starting him this week against the Falcons.
Other options: Foster Moreau (12%), Juwan Johnson (8%).