Week 14 fantasy football tips
A few additional fantasy nuggets to help owners set their Week 14 lineups, including injuries, a sit/start matchup and the stat of the week.
Injury report
RB Andre Ellington, Cardinals (out)
Turf toe still isn’t getting any better. David Johnson delivered in his first extensive action last weekend and is a great start vs. Minnesota.
RB Mark Ingram, Saints (out)
Put on injured reserve Wednesday with a bum shoulder. C.J. Spiller, Tim Hightower are the emergency pickups for Ingram owners.
WR Allen Hurns, Jaguars (questionable)
Will only end up missing one game as he’s been cleared to return to action following a Week 12 concussion.
WR Travis Benjamin, Browns (questionable)
The No. 1 wideout for new starter Johnny Manziel is dealing with a shoulder injury; TE Gary Barnidge (ankle) is also questionable. Good luck, Johnny.
QB Matt Hasselbeck, Colts (questionable)
Suffered neck and rib injuries vs. Pittsburgh, but returned to practice ahead of what could be his final start before Andrew Luck returns.
TE Tyler Eifert, Bengals (questionable)
Has made major progress following the neck injury that kept him out last weekend. Get him back in your lineup.
RB Ryan Mathews, Eagles (questionable)
Out since Week 10 with a concussion, he’s been cleared to practice, adding a third backfield option to DeMarco Murray and Darren Sproles.
RB C.J. Anderson, Broncos (questionable)
Left as a precaution last week with an ankle injury. Ronnie Hillman may need to shoulder more of the workload vs. Oakland.
TE Rob Gronkowski, Patriots (questionable)
Sunday night game will make it difficult for fantasy owners to hold a roster spot open. Scott Chandler may be a better play anyway.
-- Steve Gardner, Paste BN Sports
Key matchup
START: TE Coby Fleener, Colts
Fleener saw a team-high eight targets from quarterback Matt Hasselbeck in Week 13. This is a good sign with an upcoming matchup against a Jaguars defense that has given up over 100 yards per game and 6 touchdowns to tight ends since Week 10. Fleener burned the Jags for nine receptions, 83 yards and a score in Week 4 and his $3,800 salary is a bargain in FantasyScore contests this week.
SIT: TE Antonio Gates, Chargers
The last six weeks have been rough for Gates. He did produce in Week 12, but followed that up with just 50 yards on 6 receptions in Week 13. This week, he takes on a Chiefs defense that limited him to 6 receiving yards in Week 11. Kansas City is No. 1 in the NFL at defending tight ends, so pass on Gates and his $7,300 price tag.
— Marc Caviglia, BrunoBoys.net
Stat of the week
7
Games, in his last eight starts, with at least two TD passes for Houston Texans quarterback Brian Hoyer. At 20.73 fantasy points per game, he has a higher average than Matt Ryan (20.70), Ryan Tannehill (20.40) and Jay Cutler (19.45) among others.
-- Ken Pomponio, TheHuddle.com