The problem with Week 7 of the Fantasy Football season is, because there are six teams on bye, it's way more difficult to avoid the kind of situations we'd prefer to avoid this weekend.
The biggest question heading into Sunday's action is what to do with the Rams running backs, but that's not all, obviously. We've got a bunch of backup quarterbacks out there who might torpedo their offenses, plus Christian McCaffrey could be a game-time decision for Monday night, but he's reportedly now in line to play.
You'll get my thoughts on all of those situations and every injury you need to know about in today's newsletter, along with my updated rankings for each position. Of course, you might need more specific help with some of your decisions, and the FFT team is here for you. Go to Twitter and use the hashtag "#AskFFT", where our whole team will be answering questions all morning; and go to the FFT YouTube channel to chat with Adam and I starting at 11:30 a.m. ET. We'll be there right up until kickoff answering as many questions as we can, so make sure you're in the chat early to get your questions in.
Now, here's everything you need to set your Week 7 lineup, plus the latest on injuries and more:
- Week 7 Start 'Em & Sit 'Em: QB | RB | WR
- Lineup Decisions from Dave Richards
- Week 7 Position Previews: QB | RB | WR | TE
- Jamey, Dave, Heath's Rankings
- My Week 7 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE
- Cheat Sheets: PPR | Non-PPR
Injury report updates
Here's what we know – or what we think we know – as of around 11 am:
Out or probably out
- Justin Fields, QB, Bears (thumb)
- Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Raiders (back)
- Daniel Jones, QB, Giants (neck)
- Kyler Murray, QB, Cardinals (knee)
- David Montgomery, RB, Lions (ribs)
- Kyren Williams, RB, Rams (ankle; IR)
- Damien Harris, RB, Bills (concussion/neck; IR)
- Roschon Johnson, RB, Bears (concussion)
- Ronnie Rivers, RB, Rams (ankle; IR)
- Zach Charbonnet, RB, Seahawks (hamstring)
- Chris Brooks, RB, Dolphins (ankle; IR)
- Deebo Samuel, WR, 49ers (shoulder)
- JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Patriots (concussion)
- Justin Watson, WR, Chiefs (elbow)
- Pat Freiermuth, TE, Steelers (hamstring)
- Hunter Henry, TE, Patriots (ankle)
- Kylen Granson, TE, Colts (concussion)
Yeah, that's a lot of relevant names (and a few not-so-relevant names). On the QB front, I'd rank the replacement options like this: Tyrod Taylor > Brian Hoyer > Tyson Bagent, with Taylor still just a low-end QB2 even in a week with so many players out. The Giants offense didn't seem to struggle much with the transition from Jones to Taylor last week, but Taylor isn't the prolific runner he once was, with more than 30 yards in just one of his past seven starts dating back to 2021. You probably need him to get into the end zone as a runner to justify starting him.
For the RBs, the biggest question – maybe the biggest question at any position this week – is how to handle the Rams backfield. According to Adam Schefter, the Rams are expected to lean on Royce Freeman and Darrell Henderson ahead of rookie Zach Evans, though it's worth noting that Sean McVay played coy when asked about the RB rotation this week, saying all three plus Myles Gaskin could be involved. If the report is accurate, I would prioritize Henderson over Freeman, because we've seen him be a must-start option in this offense in the past; though I'll also add that we also saw him get cut by the Rams last season and then go unsigned all offseason, through training camp and the preseason, and into the season. Your best bet is to keep these guys stashed and hopefully have a starting option in Week 8 if one pops, but I would start Henderson ahead of, for instance, the Broncos running backs, because I think there's a path to upside if he is the lead back.
I've got Jahmyr Gibbs as a top-15 option in Montgomery's absence, while Craig Reynolds (who is expected to play despite a hamstring injury) is a desperation RB4 – and I will be starting him in one league where I'm truly desperate. I've also got D'onta Foreman as a top-24 option with Johnson out and Khalil Herbert still on IR.
Still questionable
- Kareem Hunt, RB, Browns (thigh)
- DK Metcalf, WR, Seahawks (ribs/hip)
Metcalf is the other significant one here, with multiple reports Sunday morning indicating he is a true game-time decision. That's less than ideal with a 4:05 kickoff, but if you have Jaxon Smith-Njigba on your bench in that same game or someone else from the later windows, you can wait it out. Otherwise, I'd lean toward sitting Metcalf, who could be limited due to his injuries.
On track to play
- Christian McCaffrey, RB, 49ers (oblique)
- Deshaun Watson, QB, Browns (shoulder)
- Aaron Jones, RB, Packers (hamstring)
- Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Lions (hamstring)
- Jeff WIlson Jr., RB, Dolphins (ribs/finger)
- Diontae Johnson, WR, Steelers (hamstring)
- Dalton Kincaid, TE, Bills (concussion)
McCaffrey got up to a limited practice Saturday and now is on track to play Monday night.
In a typical week, I'd suggest avoiding Watson coming back from this shoulder injury, especially because I'm really worried he won't be used as a runner. But, this week, he's still a top-15 QB for me. I'd prefer not to start him, but you might not have that choice.
Jones and GIbbs are both top-15 RBs for me, while Wilson is a top-30 back in his expected return. I don't think he'll turn this into a true committee with Raheem Mostert, but we saw him serve as the 1a option ahead of Mostert for much of the second half of last season, and the way this offense is running the ball, he could still be worth using as the No. 2. He won't be De'Von Achane, or anything, but I'd be fine using him ahead of any of the Rams options, and he's in the same range as the Broncos and Steelers running backs, among others.
You can find updating inactives and updates here.
Week 7 rankings updates
QB rankings
- Jalen Hurts vs. MIA
- Patrick Mahomes vs. LAC
- Josh Allen @NE
- Lamar Jackson vs. DET
- Tua Tagovailoa @PHI
- Justin Herbert @KC
- Geno Smith vs. ARI
- Matthew Stafford vs. PIT
- Sam Howell @NYG
- Jared Goff @BAL
- Russell Wilson vs. GB
- Kirk Cousins vs. SF
- Deshaun Watson @IND
- Desmond RIdder @TB
- Gardner Minshew vs. CLE
- Brock Purdy @MIN
- Jordan Love @DEN
- Baker Mayfield vs. ATL
- Tyrod Taylor vs. WAS
- Joshua Dobbs @SEA
- Kenny Pickett @LAR
- Brian Hoyer @CHI
- Mac Jones vs. BUF
- Tyson Bagent vs. LV
RB rankings
- Austin Ekeler @KC
- Bijan Robinson @TB
- Josh Jacobs @CHI
- Kenneth Walker vs. ARI
- D'Andre Swift vs. MIA
- Saquon Barkley vs. WAS
- Aaron Jones @DEN
- Raheem Mostert @PHI
- Christian McCaffrey @MIN
- Isiah Pacheco vs. LAC
- Jonathan Taylor vs. CLE
- Jahmyr Gibbs @BAL
- Zack Moss vs. CLE
- James Cook @NE
- Alexander Mattison vs. SF
- Brian Robinson Jr. @NYG
- Rachaad White vs. ATL
- Rhamondre Stevenson vs. BUF
- Jerome Ford @IND
- D'Onta Foreman vs. LV
- Gus Edwards vs. DET
- Najee Harris @LAR
- Jaylen Warren @LAR
- Javonte Williams vs. GB
- Jeff Wilson Jr. @PHI
- AJ Dillon @DEN
- Latavius Murray @NE
- Darrell Henderson vs. PIT
- Jaleel McLaughlin vs. GB
- Kenneth Gainwell vs. MIA
- Kareem Hunt @IND
- Darrynton Evans vs. LV
- Jerick McKinnon vs. LAC
- Ezekiel Elliott vs. BUF
- Tyler Allgeier @TB
- Jordan Mason @MIN
- Elijah Mitchell @MIN
- Royce Freeman vs. PIT
- Justice Hill vs. DET
- Keaontay Ingram @SEA
- Ke'Shawn Vaughn vs. ATL
- Zach Evans vs. PIT
- Craig Reynolds @BAL
- Antonio Gibson @NYG
- Damien Williams @SEA
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire vs. LAC
- Cam Akers vs. SF
- Zach Charbonnet vs. ARI
- Joshua Kelley @KC
- Emari Demercado @SEA
WR rankings
- Tyreek Hill @PHI
- Cooper Kupp vs. PIT
- Stefon Diggs @NE
- Keenan Allen @KC
- Amon-Ra St. Brown @BAL
- A.J. Brown vs. MIA
- Puka Nacua vs. PIT
- Brandon Aiyuk @MIN
- Devonta Smith vs. MIA
- Jaylen Waddle @PHI
- Michael Pittman vs. CLE
- Amari Cooper @IND
- Zay Flowers vs. DET
- Tyler Lockett vs. ARI
- Chris Godwin vs. ATL
- Mike Evans vs. ATL
- Davante Adams @CHI
- Terry McLaurin @NYG
- Jakobi Meyers @CHI
- Drake London @TB
- Jordan Addison vs. SF
- Christian Watson @DEN
- George Pickens @LAR
- Marquise Brown @SEA
- DK Metcalf vs. ARI
- D.J. Moore vs. LV
- Gabe Davis @NE
- Josh Palmer @KC
- Kendrick Bourne vs. BUF
- Diontae Johnson @LAR
- KJ Osborn vs. SF
- Josh Downs vs. CLE
- Wan'Dale Robinson vs. WAS
- Jerry Jeudy vs. GB
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba vs. ARI
- Curtis Samuel @NYG
- Elijah Moore @IND
- Josh Reynolds @BAL
- Courtland Sutton vs. GB
- Rashee Rice vs. LAC
- Romeo Doubs @DEN
- Jahan Dotson @NYG
- DeVante Parker vs. BUF
- Darius Slayton vs. WAS
- Mack Hollins @TB
- Tutu Atwell vs. PIT
- Kadarius Toney vs. LAC
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling vs. LAC
- Quentin Johnston @KC
- Rondale Moore @SEA
- Odell Beckham vs. DET
- Jameson Williams @BAL
- Alec Pierce vs. CLE
- Jalin Hyatt vs. WAS
- Jayden Reed @DEN
TE rankings
- Travis Kelce vs. LAC
- T.J. Hockenson vs. SF
- Sam LaPorta @BAL
- Mark Andrews vs. DET
- Dallas Goedert vs. MIA
- Darren Waller vs. WAS
- George Kittle @MIN
- Kyle Pitts @TB
- Jonnu Smith @TB
- Logan Thomas @NYG
- Cole Kmet vs. LV
- Zach Ertz @SEA
- Michael Mayer @CHI
- David Njoku @IND
- Gerald Everett @KC
- Kylen Granson vs. CLE
- Luke Musgrave @DEN
- Durham Smythe @PHI
- Cade Otton vs. ATL
- Tyler Higbee vs. PIT
- Mike Gesicki vs. BUF
- Noah Fant vs. ARI
- Dawson Knox @NE
- Will Dissly vs. ARI
Flex top 125 rankings
- Tyreek Hill @PHI
- Cooper Kupp vs. PIT
- Austin Ekeler @KC
- Bijan Robinson @TB
- Josh Jacobs @CHI
- Stefon Diggs @NE
- Keenan Allen @KC
- Amon-Ra St. Brown @BAL
- Travis Kelce vs. LAC
- A.J. Brown vs. MIA
- Kenneth Walker vs. ARI
- D'Andre Swift vs. MIA
- Puka Nacua vs. PIT
- Brandon Aiyuk @MIN
- Devonta Smith vs. MIA
- Jaylen Waddle @PHI
- Saquon Barkley vs. WAS
- Aaron Jones @DEN
- Michael Pittman vs. CLE
- Raheem Mostert @PHI
- Christian McCaffrey @MIN
- Amari Cooper @IND
- Zay Flowers vs. DET
- T.J. Hockenson vs. SF
- Tyler Lockett vs. ARI
- Chris Godwin vs. ATL
- Isiah Pacheco vs. LAC
- Sam LaPorta @BAL
- Mark Andrews vs. DET
- Jonathan Taylor vs. CLE
- Jahmyr Gibbs @BAL
- Zack Moss vs. CLE
- James Cook @NE
- Alexander Mattison vs. SF
- Mike Evans vs. ATL
- Davante Adams @CHI
- Dallas Goedert vs. MIA
- Terry McLaurin @NYG
- Jakobi Meyers @CHI
- Brian Robinson Jr. @NYG
- Drake London @TB
- Jordan Addison vs. SF
- Christian Watson @DEN
- Rachaad White vs. ATL
- George Pickens @LAR
- Marquise Brown @SEA
- DK Metcalf vs. ARI
- D.J. Moore vs. LV
- Gabe Davis @NE
- Josh Palmer @KC
- Kendrick Bourne vs. BUF
- Diontae Johnson @LAR
- Rhamondre Stevenson vs. BUF
- KJ Osborn vs. SF
- Jerome Ford @IND
- Josh Downs vs. CLE
- Darren Waller vs. WAS
- George Kittle @MIN
- D'Onta Foreman vs. LV
- Wan'Dale Robinson vs. WAS
- Gus Edwards vs. DET
- Kyle Pitts @TB
- Najee Harris @LAR
- Jerry Jeudy vs. GB
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba vs. ARI
- Jaylen Warren @LAR
- Curtis Samuel @NYG
- Jonnu Smith @TB
- Javonte Williams vs. GB
- Elijah Moore @IND
- AJ Dillon @DEN
- Logan Thomas @NYG
- Latavius Murray @NE
- Josh Reynolds @BAL
- Cole Kmet vs. LV
- Zach Ertz @SEA
- Courtland Sutton vs. GB
- Rashee Rice vs. LAC
- Romeo Doubs @DEN
- Jeff Wilson Jr. @PHI
- Darrell Henderson vs. PIT
- Michael Mayer @CHI
- David Njoku @IND
- Jahan Dotson @NYG
- Kenneth Gainwell vs. MIA
- Kareem Hunt @IND
- Gerald Everett @KC
- Darrynton Evans vs. LV
- Kylen Granson vs. CLE
- DeVante Parker vs. BUF
- Luke Musgrave @DEN
- Jerick McKinnon vs. LAC
- Ezekiel Elliott vs. BUF
- Darius Slayton vs. WAS
- Tyler Allgeier @TB
- Jordan Mason @MIN
- Mack Hollins @TB
- Durham Smythe @PHI
- Tutu Atwell vs. PIT
- Kadarius Toney vs. LAC
- Cade Otton vs. ATL
- Elijah Mitchell @MIN
- Royce Freeman vs. PIT
- Tyler Higbee vs. PIT
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling vs. LAC
- Justice Hill vs. DET
- Quentin Johnston @KC
- Jaleel McLaughlin vs. GB
- Mike Gesicki vs. BUF
- Keaontay Ingram @SEA
- Rondale Moore @SEA
- Odell Beckham vs. DET
- Jameson Williams @BAL
- Alec Pierce vs. CLE
- Noah Fant vs. ARI
- Zach Evans vs. PIT
- Jalin Hyatt vs. WAS
- Dawson Knox @NE
- Will Dissly vs. ARI
- Jayden Reed @DEN
- Adam Trautman vs. GB
- Michael Wilson @SEA
- Braxton Berrios @PHI
- Jauan Jennings @MIN
- Craig Reynolds @BAL