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2021 Fantasy Football: Week 11 Inactives

By Ahaan S. Rungta
Kyler Murray 2023 Week 17 starts and sits Quarterback Rankings

While the quantity of injuries seems to vary widely every week, the severity and the fantasy amplitude of injury designations seem ever so massive entering panic time or playoff push time for managers across the game. Whether it be a superstar ruled out for the week or a game-time status you must eyeball before lineups lock, you need to stay abreast of the latest information around the league regarding players’ availability. This is the Week 11 fantasy football inactives list.

This series will continue to be live every Saturday morning, meaning that if brand new statuses appear later in the weekend, they are not covered here. You can also follow me on Twitter (@AhaanRungta) for more regular fantasy football discussions, including comments on injury-riddled fantasy rosters. If a game does not appear on this list, that means there is currently no current injury threat in the realm of fantasy relevance.

More fantasy football fun for Week 11: Waiver Wire | FAAB Guide | Start & Sit | Loves & Hates | Stock Watch | Sleepers & Streamers | QB Streamers | D/ST Streamers |

Week 11 NFL Inactives

Baltimore Ravens vs. Chicago Bears

QUESTIONABLE: RB Latavius Murray, BAL (ankle) / WR Devin Duvernay, BAL (knee) / WR Marquise Brown, BAL (thigh)
DOUBTFUL: WR Allen Robinson, CHI (hamstring)

Baltimore has been a mainstay in the inactives report and running backs have been a theme with the Ravens “fantasy football hospital.” Latavius Murray has been a victim of the injury rampage since Week 7 but he is finally trending upwards and is currently questionable for Week 11. If he starts, it complicates matters in the Ravens backfield that should see work split between Murray and Devonta Freeman with Ty’Son Williams looming as someone who could see snaps. If Murray is out, however, Freeman can be started in all formats.

Wide receivers Devin Duvernay and Marquise Brown were both limited in practice on Friday. Those statuses should be on your calendar to check, perhaps as late as Sunday morning as they could end up being game-time calls. Duvernay has been a viable stash option in deep leagues and Brown has been a fantasy start, currently ranking as a top ten fantasy wide receiver on the season in all formats.

On the Bears side, they have been inconsistent on offense as it were, struggling to get top wide receiver Allen Robinson going; but it only makes matters worse if he cannot suit up at all and be on the field as a play-making threat. Robinson did not partake in practice at all this week and fantasy managers who are still okay with starting him should immediately look elsewhere if Robinson indeed cannot come off the bye week with a healthy game.

Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings

DOUBTFUL: WR Allen Lazard, GB (shoulder)
OUT: RB Aaron Jones, GB (knee)

While quarterback Aaron Rodgers is officially back from his controversial missed game, Packers starting running back Aaron Jones suffered an MCL sprain in Week 10 that has ruled him out for an estimated 1 to 2 weeks. After his injury, Jones sat on the sidelines watching A.J. Dillon take over in the backfield and score two touchdowns.

Dillon is an auto-start in all leagues for his ability and role in the offense, especially since red zone threat Allen Lazard is in trouble. Lazard could not practice at all this week due to a shoulder injury and is not expected to play in Week 11. The Vikings have struggled to contain secondary pass-catchers on opposing teams such as Lazard. If out, he could give way to Randall Cobb or Marquez Valdes-Scantling in terms of relevance in the fantasy point department.

The Vikings are more or less completely healthy offensively and will run out all their fantasy stars against a Packers defense that has held its own against the pass at an elite level despite injuries to Jaire Alexander and company.

Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns

QUESTIONABLE: WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, CLE (groin)
QUESTIONABLE: RB Jamaal Williams, DET (thigh)
OUT: RB Jermar Jefferson, DET (ankle, knee)

After getting battered by the Patriots in Week 10, it looks like wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones’ groin followed suit and caused him to be limited in practice on Friday. Peoples-Jones is generally reliant on the big play but against the Lions, that is a big possibility if he is reported as healthy for Sunday. However, given the short turnaround, it is highly unlikely that he will end up being a safe fantasy start in Week 11. The Browns have a bye coming up in Week 13.

On the Lions side, the backfield is where the issues have been recently. Jamaal Williams was ruled out in Weeks 8 and 10 with a bye in Week 9 but that layoff could have been enough to tune him back into action this week. Williams was limited in practice throughout the week and is questionable against the Cleveland Browns and perhaps nearly ready to take some of the load off of D’Andre Swift. If he is back, Jermar Jefferson is likely a drop candidate if you owned him. After scoring a touchdown in his last two games, Jefferson suffered ankle and knee injuries that kept him out of practice all week. If Williams happens to miss the contest against the Browns, Godwin Igwebuike would be the only backup to Swift.

Washington Football Team vs. Carolina Panthers

QUESTIONABLE: WR Curtis Samuel, WSH (groin)
OUT: TE Ricky Seals-Jones, WSH (hip)

Offseason acquisition Curtis Samuel has played in a total of 30 offensive snaps this season. They all came in Weeks 4 and 5. He is trending up again against his former team, the Carolina Panthers. If he is unable to suit up again, Terry McLaurin will once again be the primary focus for the Panthers defense that now features former NFL Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore. To further that narrative, tight end Ricky Seals-Jones is out for Week 11; with Logan Thomas still on the injured reserve, the tight end depth chart for Washington now only contains John Bates and Sammis Reyes, who have combined for five career receptions.

If Samuel does suit up, you still shouldn’t think that means a fantasy start for him as we have no inkling of whether Washington’s usage of him will imply immediate fantasy production.

The Panthers are essentially healthy on offense, other than the move at quarterback away from Sam Darnold. You can’t script this better—in head coach Ron Rivera’s return to Carolina, the starting quarterback for the Panthers is now Cam Newton in his return to Carolina.

Houston Texans vs. Tennessee Titans

OUT: RB Jeremy McNichols, TEN (concussion) / WR Julio Jones, TEN (hamstring) / TE Geoff Swaim, TEN (concussion)

The OUT designations continue flowing in for the Tennessee Titans. The 8-2 Titans will welcome home the bad Texans but for the fantasy game, it’s all eyes on a possible revenge game for former Texan and now Titan running back D’Onta Foreman. After Derrick Henry’s injury, questions arose about the Titans backfield and one piece of the puzzle, Jeremy McNichols, suffered a concussion that will make him a no-go in Week 11. The Tennessee backfield is now a 1-2 punch of the productive Foreman and the inefficient veteran Adrian Peterson.

Pass-catcher Julio Jones remains on the injured reserve and tight end Geoff Swaim, who caught 4 passes in each of the last three weeks, is also concussed and will miss Week 11.

San Francisco 49ers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

QUESTIONABLE: RB James Robinson, JAX (heel, knee)
DOUBTFUL: RB Elijah Mitchell, SF (ribs, finger)
OUT: RB JaMycal Hasty, SF (ankle)

After missing Week 9 due to a knee injury, James Robinson, a top-15 fantasy running back in 2021, was able to return and be productive against the tough Colts rush defense in Week 10. That came with a price though as Robinson picked a new injury, this time to his heel. He did, however, practice in limited fashion on Friday and is trending towards starting against the San Francisco 49ers, who rank #5 in the NFL in rush DVOA as a defense even though they have been inconsistent in that department. Robinson should be started in your lineups as an RB2-caliber playing as long as he suits up.

The 49ers run game, however, always seems to be the wild ride of fantasy football that gives us a new storyline every week. This time, it’s nagging injuries to rookie running back Elijah Mitchell that has him trending downwards and likely missing Week 11. In his absence, Jeffery Wilson Jr. should lead the San Francisco backfield with rookie Trey Sermon stepping up when needed for backup duties.

Make sure to check out our Week 11 Fantasy Football Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | Kicker | D/ST | PPR | Flex

Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets

DOUBTFUL: QB Zach Wilson, NYJ (knee) / WR Denzel Mims, NYJ (COVID-19)

The Jets shocked the world when they announced earlier this week that they will start veteran Joe Flacco at quarterback in Week 11. The decision does make sense, however, against a blitz-heavy defense like the Miami Dolphins. With rookie Zach Wilson still nursing a knee injury and Mike White cooling off from his 400-yard game, the Jets will turn to the 36-year-old to produce some offense; the decision at quarterback is one of the reasons I have rookie wide receiver Elijah Moore on my love list for Week 11. Another reason—sophomore wide receiver Denzel Mims was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list that caused him to miss Week 10 against the Buffalo Bills. That issue still looms as he needs one more negative COVID-19 test if he were to be cleared for action in Week 11.

The Dolphins have not picked up any new major injuries on the offensive side of the ball. They remain without running back Malcolm Brown, wide receiver Will Fuller V, and wide receiver DeVante Parker, all of whom remain on the injured reserve.

New Orleans Saints vs. Philadelphia Eagles

QUESTIONABLE: Taysom Hill, NO (foot)
QUESTIONABLE: RB Miles Sanders, PHI (ankle)
OUT: RB Alvin Kamara, NO (knee)

There are very few reasons to start Taysom Hill in fantasy football. He’s cool to watch for his position-less diversity but he is nothing more than a deep league / superflex stash in 2021 with Trevor Siemian the starter for the Saints at quarterback. It is noteworthy, though, that Alvin Kamara will miss Week 11 and in his absence, Hill could be a red zone touch vulture—if he plays.

In Kamara’s absence, Mark Ingram II will lead backfield duties for New Orleans with Dwayne Washington serving as the backup. In Week 10 without Kamara, Washington rushed the ball twice for 8 yards via his only two touches of the game.

For the Philadelphia Eagles, a complicated backfield could get even more berserk as the ultra-talented running back Miles Sanders is coming off the injured reserve but isn’t a lock to suit up and start rushing the ball in Week 11.

Dallas Cowboys vs. Kansas City Chiefs

QUESTIONABLE: RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (knee)
OUT: WR Amari Cooper, DAL (COVID-19)

Unfortunately, Friday left us with huge storylines in the bad news department. Perhaps the biggest stunner was that star wideout Amari Cooper tested positive for COVID-19 and was automatically ruled out for a Week 11 date with the Kansas City Chiefs. Unvaccinated players like Cooper are required to spend a minimum of ten days away from the team. He will likely miss not just Week 11 but also the Cowboys’ Thursday Night Football game hosting the Las Vegas Raiders. In his absence, CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup, Cedrick Wilson, Dalton Schultz, and even the pass-catching running backs Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard could be in line to see more touches through the air.

On the other hand, speaking of big name starters, Clyde Edwards-Helaire has been a fantasy disappointment; he was unproductive to begin the season but as soon as he strung together a couple of good fantasy performances, he suffered a knee injury that ruled him out for Weeks 6 through 10. While he has been putting in encouraging work at practice, the Chiefs are in no hurry to get him back on the field and his Week 11 status is still up in the air. In his absence, Darrel Williams has done an impressive job leading the Kansas City backfield and provided tough discourse on whether the backfield situation is really all that clear-cut when Edwards-Helaire returns.

Arizona Cardinals vs. Seattle Seahawks

QUESTIONABLE: QB Colt McCoy, ARI (pectoral) / QB Kyler Murray, ARI (ankle)
OUT: WR DeAndre Hopkins, ARI (hamstring)
OUT: RB Chris Carson, SEA (neck)

For the Arizona Cardinals, they have now spent back to back weeks without their starting quarterback or their top wide receiver. They could get one of them back in Week 11 as Kyler Murray will again sit as a game-time decision on Sunday. Again, his game is at 4:25 PM ET, a fact that fantasy managers must have a backup plan in place in case he is unable to suit up. Murray’s backup, Colt McCoy is also dealing with an injury but was seen at practice with full participation on Friday. In the disaster scenario that both Murray and McCoy are ruled out, Chris Streveler and Cole McDonald fill out the remainder of the Cardinals depth chart at quarterback.

Superstar wideout DeAndre Hopkins was ruled out again and is now no longer a candidate to start for fantasy teams until at least Week 13 when the Cardinals hit the road to play the Chicago Bears.

For the Seattle Seahawks, one of the worst news of Friday was delivered by their camp. Starting running back Chris Carson’s neck injury has made essentially no progress over the course of the season and Seattle has made the call—Carson will undergo season-ending surgery and will look ahead to 2022. Carson can be dropped in all 2021 redraft formats and in his absence, Alex Collins will lead the Seahawks rushing attack that ranks #14 in the NBA in rush play rate. Collins will be backed up by a bunch of question marks in Travis Homer, Rashaad Penny, and DeeJay Dallas.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Los Angeles Chargers

QUESTIONABLE: QB Ben Roethlisberger, PIT (COVID-19)
QUESTIONABLE: RB Justin Jackson, LAC (quadriceps)

The Steelers did it! They lived up to the expectations in Week 10 and thanks to a depleted offense and injured defense, helped provide us with the ugliest NFL game of the season en route to tying with the winless Lions. While many thought that the Steelers could put behind that offensive floor provided by Mason Rudolph, we have to pump the brakes since starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is still on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Roethlisberger has reportedly attended virtual team meetings to help stay prepared for a Sunday Night Football matchup against the Chargers. The veteran quarterback tested positive for COVID-19 on November 13 but is vaccinated, so he simply needs to exhibit asymptomatic activity and turn in two negative COVID-19 tests at least 24 hours apart ahead of Sunday’s matchup to take the field.

It doesn’t make much sense to start either quarterback on the Steelers in most leagues but if you must, owners need to stay prepared for both possibilities at quarterback so that they can adjust over the weekend depending on Roethlisberger’s status.

As for the Chargers, they are relatively healthy on offense and are still only worried about the status of backup running back Justin Jackson. The main man in the Chargers backfield is still Austin Ekeler; Jackson has missed the last two weeks and in his absence, Ekeler has been backed up by Larry Rountree III, who scored a touchdown in Week 10, and Joshua Kelley.

New York Giants vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

QUESTIONABLE: RB Saquon Barkley, NYG (ankle) / RB Devontae Booker, NYG (hip) / WR Sterling Shepard, NYG (quadriceps)
QUESTIONABLE: WR Chris Godwin, TB (foot) / WR Antonio Brown, TB (ankle)

For a change for the Giants, instead of every pass-catcher, it’s running backs that have fluid injury situations—and some of them trending upwards! Star running back Saquon Barkley is now practicing and was limited on Friday.

With Barkley’s injury history and the uncertainty of a Monday Night Football game, it would be foolish to simply rely on Barkley playing and leaving your matchup in the hands of him suiting up, so while you await news, decide on a contingency plan at running back. Barkley’s backup, Devontae Booker, was also limited in practice. If he were to suit up as the starter instead of Barkley, he would have to face the uphill battle of a matchup in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who rank #4 in the NFL in rush DVOA as a defense.

The Giants also saw Sterling Shepard at practice but he was not a participant, rather Shepard was taking part in position drills. Shepard is unlikely to play on Monday and thus can be safely on your bench over the weekend. In his absence, pass-catchers Kenny Golladay, Darius Slayton, Kadarius Toney, and Evan Engram should lead the air attack with possible cameos from Collin Johnson, John Ross, and Kyle Rudolph.

The Buccaneers, yet again, have multiple stars in danger of missing time. Wide receiver Chris Godwin played through injury in Week 10 and was heavily targeted but not overly productive on his touches. He was limited in practice on Friday and is an evolving storyline over the weekend. Wide receiver Antonio Brown has been amidst league controversy recently but regardless, he is not a good bet to start in Week 11 as he missed practice on Friday. Wide receiver Mike Evans and tight end Rob Gronkowski are the top healthy weapons in the pass-catching attack for Tom Brady and wide receiver Tyler Johnson remains a deep sleeper FLEX option if Godwin also misses the contest.

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