Fantasy Football Today: Who’s In, Who’s Out And The Latest Rankings For Week 13 – CBSSports.com

This is The Week of the Backup Running Back, which also means you’re probably missing some lineup stalwarts. And running back is probably in better shape than wide receiver right now — and don’t even get me started about the state of quarterbacks right now. It’s rough out there, and there are a bunch of injuries we’re still watching as of Sunday morning. 

You probably have questions, and we have answers. Adam Aizer, Frank Stampfl and I are going live on the Fantasy Football Today YouTube channel at 11:30 to answer as many of your questions as we can — literally hundreds of them. Come watch the stream, get your questions in, and let’s get you some answers. 

And, of course Jamey Eisenberg, Dave Richard, and Heath are on CBS Sports HQ until kickoff of the 1 p.m. games to answer your questions and keep you updated on all of the news you need to know on the FFT live show. You can also go to Twitter and use the hashtag “#AskFFT”, where our whole team will be answering questions all morning. That’s what Sunday morning is all about. 

Here’s the rest of our preview content to get you ready, and check out my updated position rankings at the bottom of the newsletter to help with any early lineup dilemmas you may have: 

• Week 13 Start ‘Em & Sit ‘Em: QB | RB | WR
• Starts, sits and sleepers for every game
• Cheat Sheets: PPR | Non-PPR
• Week 13 Position Previews: QB | RB | WR | TE
• My Week 13 Rankings: Flex Top 150 | QB | RB | WR | TE

Week 13 Injury Report

Quarterbacks

• Out: Jalen Hurts (ankle), Justin Fields (ribs), Daniel Jones (neck)

Hurts was limited throughout the week but just never got well enough to play through the injury. At this point there doesn’t seem to be much concern that this is a multi-week injury, and Hurts tried to get cleared Sunday morning, so I expect him back next week. Gardner Minshew is going to start for the Eagles in Hurts’ place, which should lead to a bit more passing volume for the Eagles receivers, if nothing else.

• Expected to play: Kyler Murray (ankle)

The Cardinals tried to keep the mystery going, but it always seemed like this would be the week Murray made his return when he was back at practice before the bye. He’s back to must-start status, though I’d be surprised if Murray ran much at this point — Murray has just two games with more than 30 rushing yards this season anyway. 

Running backs

• Out: Dalvin Cook (shoulder), D’Andre Swift (shoulder), Melvin Gordon (out), David Johnson (illness), J.D. McKissic (concussion), Jordan Howard (knee), Phillip Lindsay (ankle), Damien Williams (calf), Trey Sermon (ankle)

For the most part, we knew about these absences well before Sunday, and Alexander Mattison, Jamaal Williams, and Javonte Williams are all pretty much must-start running backs for me this week. The most interesting situation here might actually be the Texans running backs with Johnson out. All of a sudden, Rex Burkhead is the only active running back for the Texans right now who has had a carry this season. He could be in line for a huge role, and while I don’t think he’s a great player — and Houston is decidedly not a great offense — it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he had 15 carries and five targets this week. If you missed out on the more trustworthy of the replacement options, Burkhead is worth considering if you’re desperate. 

• Legitimately questionable: Darrell Henderson (quad), James Robinson (heel/knee), Boston Scott (illness), Alex Collins (abdomen)

It sounds like Henderson is more on the doubtful side of questionable, but because that game doesn’t kick off until 4:05, we just don’t know officially. I feel pretty comfortable locking Sony Michel into my starting lineup based on what we’ve heard, and he’s a top-15 RB for me this week. You could get the rug pulled out from under you if Henderson is active unexpectedly, but the Rams have only practice squad RB Mekhi Sargent behind Michel, so he should be in line for a massive role in a game the Rams should win pretty handily. He had 20 carries and four targets in his lone start back in Week 3. 

Robinson is more on the probable side of questionable, it seems, but he kicks off in that same late window, thus the question mark. I would be fine keeping him in my lineup as a top-20 option, though maybe add Carlos Hyde as an insurance policy just in case. Or, you know, Michel, if he’s available. 

Scott looked like he might be a must-start option at the beginning of the week, but now it looks like Miles Sanders figures to be the lead back. Scott should still have a fine role if he plays, but he’s more of an RB3 for me. Collins will probably be just a role player even if he plays — Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning that Adrian Peterson is expected to start and be the lead runner for the Seahawks despite only signing to the practice squad Wednesday. I would have to be pretty desperate to start Peterson — I would rather have Burkhead, for one — but if you are, he’s there. 

Likely in: Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness), Josh Jacobs (ankle)

I’m willing to trust both as lower-end starting running backs, though Jacobs is probably my preference if I had to pick one. Neither ranks higher than Michel, Mattison, or either of the two Williams(es?) for me, however. 

Wide receivers

• Out: Deebo Samuel (groin), Allen Robinson (hamstring), Sterling Shepard (quad), Kadarius Toney (quad), Marquise Goodwin (foot), Keelan Cole (COVID), Danny Amendola (knee)
• Legitimately questionable: Corey Davis (groin), DeSean Jackson (calf), Curtis Samuel (groin), John Ross (illness), Chris Conley (illness)
• Expected to play: DeAndre Hopkins (hamstring), Odell Beckham (hip), DeVante Parker (shoulder), Brandin Cooks (illness)

Hopkins is a tough one, because we just don’t know how limited he’ll be, if at all, in his first game since Week 8. I’ve got him ranked around 20th, which is just about where he ranks in per-game scoring, so I’m expecting him to play a pretty typical role this week. The thing that makes it especially tough to go away from Hopkins is his chances of scoring a touchdown — he has seven in eight games, and if he is going to have any limitations this week, you would think they would still try to use him in the red zone. Hopkins is a risk, but it’s one I’m probably going to take where I have him, given the state of the position.

And the same is true of Beckham. The injury is a concern, but he appeared to suffer it last week and still played all but one snap for the Rams. Maybe they won’t need to use him much if they get out ahead of the Jaguars early, but I’m willing to keep Beckham in my lineup unless he’s a surprise inactive. If that happens, Van Jefferson would be a more interesting option and might end up in my top 30 at WR. 

Tight ends

• Out: Darren Waller (knee), Adam Shaheen (knee)
• Questionable: Jack Doyle (knee), Ricky Seals-Jones (hip), Kyle Rudolph (ankle) 

With Waller out, Foster Moreau is a top 12 tight end for me. He played every snap in Week 7 when Waller was out and ran a route on 30 of 34 pass plays, catching six for 60 yards and a touchdown. He figures to have a similar role this week-plus. 

Updated rankings

Here are my latest rankings as of Sunday morning: 

Quarterback

1. Lamar Jackson @PIT
2. Josh Allen vs. NE
3. Tom Brady @ATL
4. Patrick Mahomes vs. DEN
5. Kyler Murray @CHI
6. Justin Herbert @CIN
7. Matthew Stafford vs. JAX
8. Derek Carr vs. WAS
9. Kirk Cousins @DET
10. Tua Tagovailoa vs. NYG
11. Joe Burrow vs. LAC
12. Russell Wilson vs. SF
13. Taylor Heinicke @LV
14. Tyrod Taylor vs. IND
15. Ben Roethlisberger vs. BAL
16. Carson Wentz @HOU
17. Gardner Minshew @NYJ
18. Teddy Bridgewater @KC
19. Trevor Lawrence @LAR
20. Matt Ryan vs. TEN
21. Jared Goff vs. MIN
22. Jimmy Garoppolo @SEA

Running back

1. Jonathan Taylor @HOU
2. Austin Ekeler @CIN
3. Najee Harris vs. BAL
4. Alexander Mattison @DET
5. Joe Mixon vs. LAC
6. Leonard Fournette @ATL
7. Cordarrelle Patterson vs. TEN
8. Jamaal Williams vs. MIN
9. James Conner @CHI
10. Javonte Williams @KC
11. Elijah Mitchell @SEA
12. Antonio Gibson @LV
13. David Montgomery vs. ARI
14. Sony Michel vs. JAX
15. Miles Sanders @NYJ
16. Josh Jacobs vs. WAS
17. Saquon Barkley @MIA
18. Myles Gaskin vs. NYG
19. James Robinson @LAR
20. Clyde Edwards-Helaire vs. DEN
21. Rex Burkhead vs. IND
22. Devin Singletary vs. NE
23. Devonta Freeman @PIT
24. Damien Harris @BUF
25. Boston Scott @NYJ
26. Ty Johnson vs. PHI
27. Rhamondre Stevenson @BUF
28. Kenyan Drake vs. WAS
29. Deejay Dallas vs. SF
30. Tevin Coleman vs. PHI
31. Adrian Peterson vs. SF
32. Matt Breida vs. NE
33. Darrel Williams vs. DEN
34. Qadree Ollison vs. TEN
35. Nyheim Hines @HOU
36. Latavius Murray @PIT
37. Ronald Jones @ATL
38. Jeff Wilson @SEA
39. Mike Davis vs. TEN
40. Brandon Bolden @BUF
41. Devontae Booker @MIA
42. Samaje Perine vs. LAC
43. Khalil Herbert vs. ARI
44. Giovani Bernard @ATL

Wide receivers

1. Cooper Kupp vs. JAX
2. Tyreek Hill vs. DEN
3. Keenan Allen @CIN
4. Stefon Diggs vs. NE
5. Justin Jefferson @DET
6. Diontae Johnson vs. BAL
7. Chris Godwin @ATL
8. Marquise Brown @PIT
9. Mike Evans @ATL
10. Tyler Lockett vs. SF
11. Ja’Marr Chase vs. LAC
12. Odell Beckham vs. JAX
13. D.K. Metcalf vs. SF
14. Adam Thielen @DET
15. Jaylen Waddle vs. NYG
16. Brandon Aiyuk @SEA
17. Terry McLaurin @LV
18. Tee Higgins vs. LAC
19. DeAndre Hopkins @CHI
20. Darnell Mooney vs. ARI
21. Michael Pittman @HOU
22. DeVonta Smith @NYJ
23. Jerry Jeudy @KC
24. Hunter Renfrow vs. WAS
25. Brandin Cooks vs. IND
26. Chase Claypool vs. BAL
27. Elijah Moore vs. PHI
28. Jakobi Meyers @BUF
29. Cole Beasley vs. NE
30. Kenny Golladay @MIA
31. Mike Williams @CIN
32. Van Jefferson vs. JAX
33. T.Y. Hilton @HOU
34. Marvin Jones @LAR
35. Mecole Hardman vs. DEN
36. Jamison Crowder vs. PHI
37. Tyler Boyd vs. LAC
38. Laviska Shenault @LAR
39. Courtland Sutton @KC
40. Rashod Bateman @PIT
41. Christian Kirk @CHI
42. Russell Gage vs. TEN
43. Amon-Ra St. Brown vs. MIN
44. Emmanuel Sanders vs. NE
45. Tim Patrick @KC

Tight end

1. Travis Kelce vs. DEN
2. Mark Andrews @PIT
3. Rob Gronkowski @ATL
4. George Kittle @SEA
5. T.J. Hockenson vs. MIN
6. Mike Gesicki vs. NYG
7. Kyle Pitts vs. TEN
8. Dallas Goedert @NYJ
9. Logan Thomas @LV
10. Pat Freiermuth vs. BAL
11. Foster Moreau vs. WAS
12. Dawson Knox vs. NE
13. Noah Fant @KC
14. Tyler Higbee vs. JAX
15. James O’Shaughnessy @LAR
16. Cole Kmet vs. ARI
17. Zach Ertz @CHI
18. Tyler Conklin @DET
19. Jared Cook @CIN
20. Evan Engram @MIA
21. Hunter Henry @BUF
22. Gerald Everett vs. SF
23. O.J. Howard @ATL

Flex Top 150

1. Jonathan Taylor @HOU
2. Austin Ekeler @CIN
3. Najee Harris vs. BAL
4. Alexander Mattison @DET
5. Travis Kelce vs. DEN
6. Cooper Kupp vs. JAX
7. Joe Mixon vs. LAC
8. Leonard Fournette @ATL
9. Tyreek Hill vs. DEN
10. Cordarrelle Patterson vs. TEN
11. Keenan Allen @CIN
12. Stefon Diggs vs. NE
13. Justin Jefferson @DET
14. Jamaal Williams vs. MIN
15. Diontae Johnson vs. BAL
16. James Conner @CHI
17. Javonte Williams @KC
18. Elijah Mitchell @SEA
19. Chris Godwin @ATL
20. Antonio Gibson @LV
21. David Montgomery vs. ARI
22. Sony Michel vs. JAX
23. Miles Sanders @NYJ
24. Josh Jacobs vs. WAS
25. Saquon Barkley @MIA
26. Mark Andrews @PIT
27. Marquise Brown @PIT
28. Mike Evans @ATL
29. Tyler Lockett vs. SF
30. Myles Gaskin vs. NYG
31. Ja’Marr Chase vs. LAC
32. Odell Beckham vs. JAX
33. D.K. Metcalf vs. SF
34. Adam Thielen @DET
35. Jaylen Waddle vs. NYG
36. Brandon Aiyuk @SEA
37. James Robinson @LAR
38. Terry McLaurin @LV
39. Tee Higgins vs. LAC
40. DeAndre Hopkins @CHI
41. Darnell Mooney vs. ARI
42. Michael Pittman @HOU
43. DeVonta Smith @NYJ
44. Jerry Jeudy @KC
45. Hunter Renfrow vs. WAS
46. Rob Gronkowski @ATL
47. Brandin Cooks vs. IND
48. George Kittle @SEA
49. Chase Claypool vs. BAL
50. T.J. Hockenson vs. MIN
51. Elijah Moore vs. PHI
52. Jakobi Meyers @BUF
53. Cole Beasley vs. NE
54. Clyde Edwards-Helaire vs. DEN
55. Kenny Golladay @MIA
56. Mike Williams @CIN
57. Van Jefferson vs. JAX
58. Rex Burkhead vs. IND
59. Mike Gesicki vs. NYG
60. Devin Singletary vs. NE
61. T.Y. Hilton @HOU
62. Devonta Freeman @PIT
63. Kyle Pitts vs. TEN
64. Dallas Goedert @NYJ
65. Damien Harris @BUF
66. Marvin Jones @LAR
67. Logan Thomas @LV
68. Mecole Hardman vs. DEN
69. Jamison Crowder vs. PHI
70. Boston Scott @NYJ
71. Foster Moreau vs. WAS
72. Tyler Boyd vs. LAC
73. Ty Johnson vs. PHI
74. Laviska Shenault @LAR
75. Courtland Sutton @KC
76. Rashod Bateman @PIT
77. Christian Kirk @CHI
78. Rhamondre Stevenson @BUF
79. Russell Gage vs. TEN
80. Dawson Knox vs. NE
81. Kenyan Drake vs. WAS
82. Deejay Dallas vs. SF
83. Amon-Ra St. Brown vs. MIN
84. Tevin Coleman vs. PHI
85. Adrian Peterson vs. SF
86. Emmanuel Sanders vs. NE
87. Tim Patrick @KC
88. Noah Fant @KC
89. Tyler Higbee vs. JAX
90. James O’Shaughnessy @LAR
91. Cole Kmet vs. ARI
92. Matt Breida vs. NE
93. A.J. Green @CHI
94. Laquon Treadwell @LAR
95. Zach Ertz @CHI
96. Mohamed Sanu @SEA
97. Tyler Conklin @DET
98. Jared Cook @CIN
99. Nelson Agholor @BUF
100. Darrel Williams vs. DEN
101. Evan Engram @MIA
102. Qadree Ollison vs. TEN
103. Hunter Henry @BUF
104. Nyheim Hines @HOU
105. Rondale Moore @CHI
106. Sammy Watkins @PIT
107. Latavius Murray @PIT
108. Zach Pascal @HOU
109. Darius Slayton @MIA
110. Ronald Jones @ATL
111. Gerald Everett vs. SF
112. Bryan Edwards vs. WAS
113. Kendrick Bourne @BUF
114. Nico Collins vs. IND
115. K.J. Osborn @DET
116. Jeff Wilson @SEA
117. Danny Amendola vs. IND
118. Mike Davis vs. TEN
119. Demarcus Robinson vs. DEN
120. Curtis Samuel @LV
121. Byron Pringle vs. DEN
122. Brandon Bolden @BUF
123. O.J. Howard @ATL
124. Tajae Sharpe vs. TEN
125. Olamide Zaccheaus vs. TEN
126. Devontae Booker @MIA
127. Samaje Perine vs. LAC
128. Preston Williams vs. NYG
129. Tavon Austin @LAR
130. Devin Duvernay @PIT
131. Khalil Herbert vs. ARI
132. Damiere Byrd vs. ARI
133. DeAndre Carter @LV
134. Giovani Bernard @ATL
135. Phillip Lindsay vs. NYG
136. Quez Watkins @NYJ
137. Marquise Goodwin vs. ARI
138. Alex Collins vs. SF
139. C.J. Uzomah vs. LAC
140. Mekhi Sargent vs. JAX
141. Trent Sherfield @SEA