Tua Tagovailoa (hip) has been downgraded to doubtful against the Browns in Week 17. Can you trust Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle in DFS if Tyler Huntley is playing quarterback for Miami?
Tua Tagovailoa Injury Impact
Tua Tagovailoa ($5,800) has been downgraded to doubtful with a hip injury for the Dolphins’ Week 17 game against the Browns. The Dolphins are still in the thick of the playoff race, just one game behind the Broncos and Chargers for the final AFC Wildcard spots with two games left to play. However, it is looking increasingly unlikely that Tagovailoa will be able to start against Cleveland. That would not only impact Miami’s chances of winning the game and keeping their playoff hopes alive, but it would also heavily influence the fantasy impacts of Miami’s skill position stars in Jaylen Waddle, Tyreek Hill, Jonnu Smith, and De’Von Achane.
Tagovailoa missed a few weeks earlier this season. Skylar Thompson and Tyler Huntley both started games in Tagovailoa’s absence, but it has been reported that Huntley will be the starter if Tagovailoa misses this game, despite Thompson receiving a practice squad elevation. In the four games Tagovailoa did not start, the Dolphins averaged just 10.0 points per game. The offense looked nothing like it has in recent weeks in which Tagovailoa has had this team fighting for playoff contention.
Jaylen Waddle Outlook
Jaylen Waddle ($5,400; knee) is questionable for this game against the Browns. Waddle left last week’s game against Houston in the second quarter but is hoping to return for this week’s pivotal matchup. Waddle had two of his best games of the season over the past three weeks before that injury, going for 99 receiving yards against the Jets and 144 yards against the Patriots. In the four games Tagovailoa missed earlier this season, Waddle never exceeded four catches or 46 receiving yards. Therefore, his outlook for this game is not good if Tyler Huntley is playing quarterback and he would be a long-shot selection in DFS.
Tyreek Hill Outlook
Tyreek Hill ($6,900; wrist) is also questionable for the Week 17 matchup with the Browns. Hill has been limited in practice all week, though he is expected to play. Hill has had a really poor season by his standards and things were even worse when Tagovailoa was out. Hill has six receiving touchdowns this season, all of which have come in games Tagovailoa started. Hill failed to score in any of the four games Tagovailoa missed, however, he did have two separate games with six catches, going for 69 yards in one of those and 72 yards in the other. Hill has been an incredibly inconsistent DFS option all season and although his outlook is slightly higher than Waddle’s, he is still not a strong choice for any Week 17 fantasy contests.
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