Last minute fantasy football start/sit advice as Week 14 inactives come in

The NFL is back for Week 14, and we get a sizable Sunday slate following a limited Thanksgiving schedule last week. The Bears opened the week with a 31-24 win over the Cowboys that was not nearly as close as the score would indicate. Mitchell Trubisky impressed once again, but he faces a bigger challenge next week against a solid Packers pass defense.

We’re back with solid Sunday of football featuring some big time matchups in both slots. We get nine games in the 1:00 p.m. slot including Ravens-Bills and 49ers-Saints. We get four games in the 4:05/4:25 p.m. slot including Chiefs-Patriots and Titans-Raiders. The day wraps up with an important NFC matchup on Sunday Night Football between the Seahawks and Rams.

There are plenty of notable names on the injury reports and lineups will be dependent on 11:30 a.m. inactives, and plenty beyond. The biggest concern right now is Raiders running back Josh Jacobs, who is dealing with a broken shoulder plate. He is a game-time decision in a late afternoon game, which is never a plus.

If you’re trying to figure out your fantasy football lineups, this information is critical to getting the right players in the right spots. If you’ve got key players in the Sunday Night Football or Monday Night Football slots, you’re looking for any grain of information that will help you make the decision early rather than waiting until it’s too late tonight or tomorrow night.

We’re all figuring out last minute roster decisions, and that means not only who is not playing this week, but who is playing but might not be the best start in your Week 14 fantasy football lineup. We’ll provide updates on injuries, key start/sit decisions, and more leading up to kickoffs.

1:00 p.m. inactives report

Active

WR Marquise Browns
WR Demaryius Thomas
LB Von Miller
TE David Njoku
TE Ryan Griffin

Inactive

WR Adam Thielen
WR Will Fuller
S Jamal Adams

Josh Jacobs is “a true game-time decision”

Ian Rapoport is reporting Jacobs’ status is not yet known. He is dealing with a broken shoulder plate, but has played through it, but was unable to practice twice this week. DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard would split the workload if Jacobs could not play. Washington would be the primary rusher while Richard would be the passing down back.

Will Fuller not expected to play

Fuller aggravated his hamstring injury and is not expected to play, according to Ian Rapoport. He injured the hamstring and missed three games before returning the past two weeks. If he sits, Kenny Stills gets a bump in value, while Keke Coutee would be active and pick up some work behind Stills and DeAndre Hopkins.

Adam Thielen to be inactive

The Vikings wide receiver is listed as doubtful, and Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter are both reporting he will not play. Rapoport reported optimism Thielen could return in Week 15, but until he returns to practice, we’ll just have to wait and see. Olabisi Johnson gets the bulk of the work opposite Stefon Diggs with Thielen sidelined, but tight end Kyle Rudolph likely gets the most improvement in his fantasy status.

Julian Edelman, Mohamed Sanu expected to play

The Patriots are expected to have both receivers in action for a second straight week. Sanu missed Week 12 with a sprained ankle but returned in Week 13, while Edelman has not missed a game in spite of being banged up much of the season. Edelman is a must start vs. the Chiefs, while Sanu is a solid start depending on your other options.

Marquise Brown expected to play

The Ravens receiver has dealt with an ankle injury much of the season that flares up from time to time. He’s expected to play, per Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter. That being said, he does not have a great matchup this week against the Bills and you should consider alternatives if you can.

Jordan Howard not expected to play on MNF

The Eagles running back has still not been cleared for contact, according to beat writer Zach Berman. It likely won’t happen in the next 24 hours, so he would sit. Jay Ajayi will likely get more work, but Miles Sanders remains the go-to guy in that backfield.