Next Man Up: Regular Season Week 12

Week 11 saw it's share of injuries around the NFL. @ReflipeWThenuz is hear to break them down and the next men up for you dynasty lineup.

Each and every week, players across the NFL suffer injuries. This weekly article will explore the injuries that affect your dynasty squads. We will briefly discuss the injured players themselves and the players who stand to benefit or suffer. To make them easier to follow, we will break down the injuries by division. Without further ado, let us examine the Regular Season Week 11 injuries and the next men up.

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AFC East:

The AFC East escaped week 11 without any major fantasy-relevant injuries.

AFC South:

The AFC South emerged from week 11 intact from a fantasy perspective.

AFC North:

To handcuff or not to handcuff?

Cincinnati running back Joe Mixon suffered a concussion in his team’s Week 11 victory. The Bengals workhorse has been less efficient this season than in the past. That hasn’t kept him from soaking up a massive amount of touches. If he were to miss any game action, it would be a blow to the Bengals and his dynasty managers. If he did miss time, Cincinnati would turn to former Oklahoma running back Samaje Perine. They could also look to get Chris Evans a couple of touches. Perine will be an RB2 play if this comes to pass. 

Time for a bounce back in the Steel City

Pittsburgh running back Jaylen Warren suffered a hamstring injury in his team’s Week 11 loss. The talented rookie had been making a case for more playing time. His absence forced last year’s first-round pick, Najee Harris, into a three-down role. Najee is built to handle the load and will become a volume-based RB2 next week and going forward. This injury could give Harris a chance to once again stake his claim as a true three-down weapon in Pittsburgh.

AFC West:

We should have known better

Los Angeles wide receiver Mike Williams re-injured his high-ankle sprain in his team’s Week 11 loss. The big playmaker made a single catch early in the game before departing. You could see Williams come down unevenly along the sideline on the play. In his absence, the Chargers relied heavily on third-year receiver Josh Palmer. The former Tennessee star would be the biggest beneficiary of a Williams absence. He, along with Keenan Allen and DeAndre Carter, would fill out the receiver corps until Williams can make it back. If he can make it back, tight end Gerald Everett could also be a beneficiary as one of the few big men in the passing game.

Out with the old, out with the…new, in KC

Kansas City running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire suffered an ankle injury in his team’s Week 11 victory. The former first-round pick will likely miss some time with a dreaded high-ankle sprain. Edwards-Helaire has struggled all season long and was actually in the process of losing his job to rookie Isiah Pacheco. This injury will grease the skids for Pacheco’s ascension. Jerick McKinnon and Ronald Jones would be in line for touches behind the rookie if needed.

Kansas City wide receiver Kadarius Toney suffered a hamstring injury in his team’s Week 11 victory. The former first-round pick has dealt with a number of soft-tissue injuries during his time in the NFL. With the injuries to fellow receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman, Toney was set to play a significant role. If he misses time and Smith-Schuster cannot progress through the league’s concussion protocol, the Chiefs would rely on Skyy Moore, Marquez Valdez-Scantling, and Justin Watson would hold down the fort alongside All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce.

Mile high backfield mess

Denver running back Chase Edmonds suffered a high-ankle sprain in his team’s Week 11 loss. The former Dolphins and Cardinals runner goes down at a very bad time. The team released fellow running back Melvin Gordon following yet another fumble. This leaves the team quite thin at the position. As it stands, Latavius Murray and Marlon Mack will be the top two rushers in Denver. Murray will be the starter, but at this point in his career, he will be a touchdown-or-bust low-end RB2. The entire Denver offense is shaping up as a situation to avoid for dynasty managers.

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NFC East:

Wideout wipe out in the Big Apple

New York wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson suffered a knee injury late in his team’s Week 11 loss. Yet another player goes down while playing on artificial turf. Robinson was wrapping up his best game of the season before the unfortunate injury. Testing revealed the rookie suffered a torn ACL, and his season is over. This will leave the already desperately thin New York receiver corps that much worse off. Daniel Jones and the Giants are left with Kenny Golladay, Darius Slayton, and Richie James as the potential top options. Outside of the running game, which includes quarterback Daniel Jones, there is not much to like currently in the New York offense. None of the pass catchers are a recommended play for your dynasty squads.

NFC South:

Fantasy agony continues in Atlanta

Atlanta tight end Kyle Pitts was forced from his team’s Week 11 victory with a knee injury. The injury immediately had the look of a serious one as the talented sophomore took a shot to the knee from Chicago safety Eddie Jackson. He walked off the field under his own power but never returned to the game. Team officials revealed that further testing uncovered a torn MCL. The injury may require surgery, and Pitts has already been placed on IR. Despite his immense talents, Pitts was not a big part of the Atlanta offense in 2022. Atlanta is one of the most run-heavy teams in the league. They will turn to a combination of Mycole Pruitt and Parker Hess to fill Pitts’ role. Neither player is an option in all but the deepest of formats.

NFC North:

Windy City wipeout

Chicago quarterback Justin Fields suffered a shoulder injury late in his team’s Week 11 loss. The super-talented sophomore has been on an absolute tear as of late. There have been conflicting reports about whether Fields dislocated his non-throwing shoulder. Team officials are playing it close to the vest with information about their star player. It seems pretty likely that head coach Matt Eberflus will play it safe with his franchise player. Fields is listed as day-to-day. Keep an eye on practice reps this week in Chicago. If Fields does sit, the Bears will turn to veteran backup Trevor Siemian. This will be a downturn for all involved, with the exception of running back David Montgomery, who will likely see an uptick in dump-off passes that Fields would have extended into rushing plays previously.

NFC West:

Super Bowl hangover continues

Los Angeles quarterback Matthew Stafford suffered another concussion in his team’s Week 11 loss. This has been a historically bad season for the defending Super Bowl Champions. For the second time in two weeks, Stafford has found himself in the league’s concussion protocol. There have been some strange irregularities with Stafford’s place in the protocol. Either way, it would seem likely that with the Rams’ season spiraling out of control, they will play it safe with their Super Bowl-winning signal caller. If Stafford does miss game action, look for the Rams to turn to either John Wolford or Bryce Perkins. Wolford missed last week with a stiff neck and would draw the start if both are healthy. If Stafford and Wolford are out, look for the Rams to start the former undrafted Virginia Cavalier Perkins. He would be a downgrade for all the Rams’ weapons and not a recommended start.

Breakdown in the desert

Arizona wide receiver Rondale Moore exited Monday Night Football with a groin injury. The former Purdue star had been seeing an expanded role with the loss of Hollywood Brown and Zach Ertz. His absence leads to a big target share for DeAndre Hopkins and Greg Dortch. There is no indication as to the severity of the injury at this time. If he does miss action, the Cardinals will look to former Bengals great AJ Green to play alongside Hopkins and Dortch. It is also possible that Hollywood Brown could make his return in Week 11. Keep an eye on practice reps out of Arizona as the week progresses to gauge this injury.

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