Injuries
Thursday injuries: Marks sits, Montgomery returns, Pickens limited
Houston's backfield went from settled to messy in a day. Pickens and Samuel are still limited, and McConkey sat out.
FHFantasy Homepage desk · · 2 min read
If you start Marks, have Montgomery or Demercado on your bench before Sunday. Everyone else on this list is a Friday decision.
Woody Marks didn't practise on Thursday with a knee problem. David Montgomery did side work for the first time since Week 5.
Projected points, half PPR
Houston
Woody Marks felt some knee discomfort on Wednesday and was pulled from practice as a precaution. On Thursday he didn't practise at all, and the Texans say they're waiting to see. That isn't a good sign two days before a trip to Cleveland.
The twist is David Montgomery. He hasn't played since his groin injury in Week 5, and on Thursday he was back doing side work. If one of them plays, he's an RB2. If neither does, Emari Demercado starts. Marks managers should grab whichever of those two is still on the wire. Demercado is the cheaper one and might be the starter.
Receivers still in limbo
George Pickens was limited again. Jake Ferguson didn't practise for a second day, so if Pickens plays against San Francisco there are even more targets for him. If he's questionable on Friday, check the inactives before you lock him in.
So was Deebo Samuel Sr., two limited days in a row after a month out. Keenan Allen was a full participant again, and Mike Evans is still out. Allen is your safer 49ers flex this week. Samuel is the bigger ceiling if he's cleared.
Garrett Wilson was limited, which is progress, but he's still in the concussion protocol. Until he's cleared he can't face Buffalo, so keep a fallback ready.
Detroit and New England
Jared Goff was upgraded to full. Amon-Ra St. Brown was limited with his ribs again. He played through them last week. Start both in Munich.
On the other side, Rhamondre Stevenson was upgraded to limited. On Wednesday we told you to start Corey Kiner because Stevenson looked set to miss weeks. That's no longer a safe bet. If Stevenson isn't ruled out on Friday, Kiner goes back to your bench. A.J. Brown was limited for a second day and is on track to play.
Quick hits
Ladd McConkey didn't practise with a back injury, but the Chargers don't play until Monday night in Baltimore. Hold off on any decision until the weekend. Quentin Johnston moves up if McConkey sits.
Denzel Boston has missed two days with a toe injury, and Harold Fannin Jr. was limited with his groin. Boston is hard to start with Watson back. Jakobi Meyers returned as a limited participant and should play in Tennessee.
Alvin Kamara practised in full. Travis Etienne was limited and is still on IR. Cincinnati opened the window for Andrei Iosivas, who practised in full, but he's only a deep-league stash.
If Marks practises on Friday, he's your starter again and Montgomery waits another week. If Pickens and Samuel come off the report without a designation, they're starts.
Sources: NFL.com: news roundup, Thursday 12 November, Houston Chronicle (via Yahoo): Marks misses practice, Montgomery nears return, SI: Marks and Montgomery, with Aaron Wilson's reports, Press Democrat: Samuel limited, Allen full, Chargers.com: McConkey among nine who didn't practise, Athlon: Browns Thursday practice report.