The Carolina Panthers are sending out rookie quarterback Will Grier in Week 16 for his pro debut, and he might be shorthanded at wide receiver. Curtis Samuel suffered a knee injury in practice this week and is now questionable for Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Samuel showed up on the practice participation report on Thursday as limited. He then sat out Friday’s practice before getting the questionable tag.
Fantasy football analysis: Panthers WRs Curtis Samuel, D.J. Moore
Samuel looks like he’s going to be a game-day decision, so that will be something to track on Sunday. If he does not play, Moore could be looking at a larger target share, with Jarius Wright and Chris Hogan getting some more work as well. Moore and Samuel are the only fantasy-viable options on the Panthers offense.
The bigger question is what Will Grier will mean for the Panthers pass catchers. Moore is coming off an eight-reception, 113 yard performance against Seattle last week. In PPR leagues, he’s put up double digit points each of the past seven weeks and in all but two games this season. His ceiling comes down a bit due to the new quarterback, but he likely still has a solid floor.
Samuel is much more hit or miss week in and week out. Whereas Moore is a solid start in most formats, Samuel is an edge-case flex option this week if active.
