Sunday Morning Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em: Josh Adams, Marlon Mack, Stefon Diggs & More

by Eric Stashin (aka The Rotoprofessor)

Just hours before the start of Week 13′s Sunday action I know many people have questions running through their heads. Who should I start? Who should I sit?  Let’s take a look at how some of the recent news changes things:

Josh Adams – Philadelphia Eagles – Running Back
The Eagles play on Monday night, making this situation that much trickier for fantasy owners looking for clarity with playoff berths hanging in the balance.  Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer/Daily News tweeted on Saturday:

Josh Adams was added to the injury report with a hip injury. He’s QUESTIONABLE for Monday.

— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) December 1, 2018

You never like to see this type of news popping up late in the week and now there’s significant questions to try and answer:

1. How real is the risk that he sits? (It appears to be very real)
2. Do you have a viable alternative? (With a Monday night start, limiting your alternatives, chances are no)
3. How many touches would he lose to the returning Darren Sproles anyways?

You put it all together and if you have a solid option playing on Sunday you’d be better served to take the conservative route and avoid the risk.

Verdict – Sit ‘Em

Marlon Mack – Indianapolis Colts – Running Back
After suffering a concussion last week it appears that Mack is going to clear the concussion protocol and play today.  According to Adam Schefter (via Twitter):

Colts’ RB Marlon Mack, listed as questionable for Sunday due to a concussion, is expected to play vs. Jaguars, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 2, 2018

Mack draws a Jacksonville defense that has allowed the second fewest points per week to opposing running backs overall, and even while their season has spiraled they’ve remained strong (3.8 YPC and 4 rushing TD).  They’ve also stopped Mack in recent weeks, as he took 12 carries for 29 yards in Week 10.  It’s not to say that Mack is unusable, but based on the matchup he’s more of a FLEX play as opposed to a must start option.

Verdict – Sit ‘Em (desperation RB2/FLEX)

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Gus Edwards – Baltimore Ravens – Running Back
A full practice on Friday would lead you to believe that Edwards is ready to roll today and continue what has been an impressive run:

• Week 11 (vs. Cincinnati) – 17 carries for 115 yards and 1 TD
• Week 12 (vs. Oakland) – 23 carries for 118 yards

While Edwards could lose some touches to Ty Montgomery, Edwards and Lamar Jackson have proven to be an impressive backfield combination.  Taking on an Atlanta defense that’s allowed the fourth fewest points per week to opposing running backs there’s a lot to like, though they have given up a large chunk to pass catchers (695 yards, 4 TD).  With the injury and the risk that Montgomery takes on a large role there is some risk, but the upside is too high.  Barring a change this morning consider him a locked in RB2.

Verdict – Start ‘Em

Stefon Diggs – Minnesota Vikings – Running Back
The Vikings don’t play until 4:25 PM EST so we unfortunately may not have complete clarity on Diggs’ status prior to the early games, after he missed practice time early in the week due to a knee injury.  That said according to Adam Schefter (via Twitter) is reporting:

Vikings’ WR Stefon Diggs, listed as questionable for Sunday to a knee injury, is expected to play against the Patriots, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 2, 2018

Diggs did have a limited practice on Friday, so things had been trending in this direction.  With the matchup against the Patriots and what has the potential to be somewhat of a shootout it makes sense to utilize Diggs, who has at least 77 yards and 1 TD in three straight games.  Barring some unexpected news, be prepared to use him.

Verdict – Start ‘Em

A.J. Green – Cincinnati Bengals – Wide Receiver
Green returns this week after being removed from the injury report.  The question is what can we expect from him, having not played since Week 8 and returning to Jeff Driskel at quarterback instead of the injured Andy Dalton.  That’s obviously a downgrade to his potential, though the Denver Broncos were torched by the Steelers’ wide receivers in Week 12 (28 receptions, 323 yards, 1 TD).  Obviously those numbers are going to excite you, but can we realistically expect the Bengals to throw the ball enough to get close to that?

Not just is Driskel in at quarterback, but we also know that the offense is going to filter through Joe Mixon and the running game.  Mixon is coming off a day where he turned 21 touches into 155 yards and should be the featured weapon, while Tyler Boyd has emerged and could be the go to option for Driskel (7 receptions for 85 yards and 1 TD in Week 12).

Normally a WR1, given these risks you’d be better off valuing Green as a mid-level WR2 for this week.

Verdict – Start ‘Em (viable option, but downgrade to WR2)

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LeGarrette Blount – Detroit Lions – Running Back
With Kerryon Johnson out in Week 12 Blount was utilized as the feature back, turning 19 carries into 88 yards and 2 TD against the Chicago Bears.  That had to have been a surprising performance, with Chicago still being ranked as the second best defense against opposing running backs overall this season.  Things don’t get easier against the Los Angeles Rams, though they have struggled in recent weeks:

• Week 8 (vs. Green Bay) – 101 rushing yards, 2 TD
• Week 9 (at New Orleans) – 115 rushing yards, 2 TD
• Week 10 (vs. Seattle) – 163 rushing yards, 1 TD
• Week 11 (vs. Kansas City) – 70 rushing yards

You would think that the Lions will try to control the clock, utilizing Blount in the process.  That should lock him in as a viable RB2 in all formats.

Verdict – Start ‘Em (viable RB2)

Adam Humphries – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Wide Receiver
With DeSean Jackson ruled out, Humphries and Chris Godwin should see additional opportunities to produce (Jackson has been targeted 23 times over the past three weeks, with 7+ targets per game).  Even with Jackson in the lineup Humphries has been able to produce, with 50+ yards in six of his past seven games and 4 TD over his past four games (he’s had TD in three of the four).

Carolina is often seen as an imposing defense, but over the past four weeks they’ve allowed the second most points to opposing wide receivers (including 7 TD allowed, with 2 TD in three of the four games).  While Mike Evans should be the biggest beneficiary, there should be more than enough opportunities to go around.  Considering the recent production coupled with the matchup and additional opportunities, Humphries is a viable WR2 and must start WR3.

Verdict – Start ‘Em (low-end WR2/must start WR3)

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Chris Thompson – Washington Redskins – Running Back
Removed from the injury report Thompson is set to play for the first time since Week 8 (and in his sixth game of the season).  He should step in immediately to be the pass catching option behind Adrian Peterson, though how many touches can we go in expecting?  It’s not to say that he can’t have a big game, especially against a Philadelphia defense that’s allowed 587 receiving yards to opposing running backs (ninth most in the NFL), but the risk of a bust outweighs that potential reward.

Verdict – Sit ‘Em 

Spencer Ware – Kansas City Chiefs – Running Back
Ware will assume the lead back role for the Chiefs, after the shocking news of the release of Kareem Hunt.  It’s easy to forget that Ware appeared to be on the cusp of breaking out himself, rushing for 921 yards in 2016 and having 9 TD in 25 games between ’15 and ’16.  That was before injury wiped out his 2017, clearing the way for Hunt to take the job and run with it.

Ware will be in a great spot in his first start, taking on an Oakland defense that’s allowed the fifth most points per week to opposing running backs, including a league high 1,481 rushing yards.  Consider Ware a potential RB1 and a must start in all formats.

Verdict – Start ‘Em

Sources – NFL.com, ESPN

** PRE-ORDER ROTOPROFESSOR’S 2019 FANTASY BASEBALL DRAFT GUIDE **
Order Rotoprofessor’s 2018 Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide for just $7.75!!  Click here for the details, but don’t miss out on the best bargain in fantasy baseball preparation.

Make sure to check out all of our Week 13 rankings: