Welcome everyone to the score fantasy football podcast. I'm your host, Justin Boone, recording a little bit later than usual today.

Normally the show goes out on Friday afternoon, but I guess at least we have the Friday practice reports. We got the injury designations, all that stuff's in. And we got a couple of surprises heading into the weekend, too, especially with the Lions. But we'll get to those as we go. Let's kick it off as usual with the quarterbacks. Jimmy Garoppolo, he cleared concussion protocol today, so he's going to be ready to go Monday. That's when the Raiders are playing the Packers and the Monday nighter. Garoppolo is a decent low-end QB2 in that game, but his return is specifically good news for Devante Adams, who's getting that revenge game against his old team, and Jacoby Myers, who's a sneaky good fantasy play this week. We also have the former Raider to talk about Derek Carr. He was limited in Saints practices all week. He was listed as questionable. But if he played through that shoulder injury last week, then he's almost certainly going to suit up again. The only problem was the shoulder was bothering him in that game. And he's not the best quarterback on a good day, and you're not really considering him for fantasy in most situations anyway, but with the limitations, he's definitely off the fantasy radar.

The bigger question is how much it's going to impact his past catchers, and they're all taking a slight hit in the projections, maybe with the exception to Alvin Kamara, who benefited from all those checkdowns last week. Kenny Pickett, he managed to get in two full practices. He's off the injury report entirely. So the knee issue that we thought might keep him out when we went over it early in the week. Turns out it's not as bad as expected, though I would still be worried about his mobility in this game. I think that could be impacted. And there's a risk of injury there too. So even picket at 80% is probably better than having Mitch Trubisky under center, but I'm being very cautious with that Steelers offense for fantasy in general this week. I don't love the matchup with the Ravens and even George Pickens. I think he's going to need a splash play to really make him worth starting in fantasy.

I'd be looking to sit Pickens where I can if you have better options. Matthew Stafford, he heard his hip last week. He did practice in full and he's off the injury report, so that's good news. Plus he's getting his old pal Cooper cutback, but we're going to talk more about that when we get to the receiver section. Stafford himself remains a QB2 for fantasy, but I'm interested to see what this offense looks like with Cooper Cup back out there. Stafford could have some big passing days in the right matchups, and the Eagles are a bit of a pass funnel, so it could be a very high scoring game. And then you know the drill with the next one, Joe Burrow. He's still playing through that calf injury. I'd be staying away from him even in a good matchup, which this is. He's got to go to your bench. I mean, until we see him a little bit healthier, I don't think you can trust him in your lineup. And he might not be healthier until probably after the Bengals week seven by, if that. So really a disappointing year so far for that Bengals offense. Over to the running back, Sequin Barkley, he's trying to return from that high ankle sprain that's kept him out the last couple weeks. He's been limited in practice. He's listed as questionable, but I'd be cautious on this one. I lean towards him returning. I've had him in the rankings all week as a mid-range RB2, but his attitude when he was speaking to the media didn't really exude confidence that he's going to be out there on Sunday. And maybe he didn't want to give anything away. Maybe that was intentional. But we're going to need to watch this one. Feels like a true game time decision to me. And if he plays, you know you're going to start him. There's no questions asked, unless you have just an unbelievable running back core. And then if he can't go, Matt Brayda's going to slot in as an RB3 for fantasy. Aaron Jones, he plays on Monday. So we have two practices to go off of so far. He's been limited in both with that hamstring injury. But he played last week, and he was on reduced snaps. I think that was also because of how the game script went, so they really didn't want to push them. The lines were just all over the Packers on that one. I would expect that Jones is going to be closer to full health this week and the matchup is nice against the Raiders. And you know that I'm in on Jones because I talked about him as a by-low on Wednesday's show. So I would play Jones with confidence this week as a fringe RB1 for fantasy. Kyron Williams, he's been limited with a hip injury, and this is worth noting because I expect that he's going to play. There's not really any concern coming from the team on that front, but could this limit him in any way? And I think the answer there is yes, he's a running back. He needs that flexibility and that power in his hips. And I suspect that that's why we saw Ronnie Rivers take on a bigger role last week and why we might see Rivers get a decent amount of touches again this week. So Kyron's more of an RB2 for fantasy in this one. The Eagles aren't the best matchup for running backs by any means. And Rivers was one of the stashes that I pointed out and start sit stash quit this week. because if this injuryers if Kyron continues to break down he's on the smaller side for a running

back Rivers could be the next man up there Ramandra Stevenson he's been limited

all week with a thigh injury he's listed as questionable and that just continues to

complicate things for his fantasy outlook I don't think he's gonna miss this

game or anything but he's already been underwhelming for fantasy. Now he's up against the Saints defense and he has this injury. He's somebody that I'd be looking to sit this week if you have another decent option. Jonathan Taylor, he's been practicing in full. He's listed as questionable, but it looks like he's going to make his return this week. And health-wise, I'm not that that worried I think some of the health issue stuff was blown out of proportion because of the contract thing so if he's active I'll be projected him for a sizable workload the problem is that he's going up against the Titans front and they're known for shutting down running back so Taylor's more of a low end RB, and then we'll see what his mindset's like.

And based on the contract issues, I am still worried that we could see him get banged up a little bit and then miss an extended stretch of time just because he doesn't want to play for this team. And I think that seemed pretty evident in the way he was answering questions this week. He's there. He has no choice. And he's going to look to leave after this season. and hopefully then he'll get the contract that he wants for another organization Maybe one that's not owned by Jim Ursay regardless for fantasy he's a low-end RB 2 in this matchup. It's his first game back

We'll put him there for now, but if he looks good in this game

He'll be a top 15 maybe even a top 12 play most weeks moving forward and sadly sadly, Zach Moss is going to go back to just be in an injury away backup. We got to keep moving here, though. Breece Hall, he's off the injury report finally. Robert Salas said this week there's no restrictions on him. So it could be a big week for Hall if that's true. And the Broncos have just been crushed by fantasy running back. So Hall's a strong RB2 with some upside this week. I can't wait to see what he can do. Javante Williams, he missed Wednesday's practice with what we thought was a hip issue. Now they're calling it a quad. Similar area could be linked. Either way, he missed Wednesday. He's been limited the last two days. He's listed as questionable. seems like he going to play, but you got to be careful with this one because it's likely going to be a committee backfield there. We could see Julele McLaughlin continue to get a lot of work. He's that explosive option. Talked about him back in the Waverware episode earlier in the week. So Javante is a risky play in week five. I'd be thinking about sitting him even if he is active. And McLaughlin, just a flex option if Javante is out there. Jemir Gibbs, he was one of the surprises from Friday. He got added to the injury report. It was fine before that, but popped up with a hamstring issue today, and now he's questionable. So late additions are always concerning here, especially when it's soft tissue stuff.

So I'm not sure that you were planning on starting Gibbs anyway this week.

He's a fantasy RB3 flex when he is healthy.

But if he's out, that would only put more on to David Montgomery's plate.

So if Gibbs sits, Montgomery is locked in as a top 10 play,

maybe even a top five play and if

Gibbs is active you have to be willing to accept some risk if you're playing

him I mean if he's active Montgomery's still a great play for sure he'd be a low-end

RB1 but Gibbs himself would be that very very risky RB3 flex option because he

could aggravate the issue and because he could miss time in that game I'll be watching that one very closely over the next 24 to 36 hours. Miles Sanders, he was limited early in the week with a groin injury. That's been bothering him recently, but he got into full practice on Friday and he's off the injury report now. So fingers crossed that he's going to be healthier for this game. Unfortunately, he gets a matchup with the Lions, and the Lions have been one of these teams that's just shutting down running backs this year, too. So not a great week to play Sanders. Some quick ones we'll throw in here. Damien Pierce, he was listed with the knee issue. He got into full practices. He's fine. Should be an RB3 in the matchup with the Falcons. Justice Hill, he's dealing with foot and hamstring problems. Keaton Mitchell, his teammate with shoulder issues. They both practiced in full on Friday. They're both listed as questionable. I think Mitchell's just a deep league stash. I don't think you're getting crazy with him. But if Hill's active, he would be a flex option, a risky one, but still a flex option.

Elijah Mitchell on the Niners, he's out, so look for Jordan Mason to back up Christian McCaffrey again. Rico Dowdo on the Cowboys, he had that scare with the hip injury, but he got back to full practices. He's going to be out there Sunday. He'll be backing up Tony Pollard as usual. And then this was from earlier in the week,

but the dolphins aren't opening up Jeff Wilson's practice window yet.

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