Miami Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert has been battling knee and ankle injuries for a few weeks now. Listed as questionable, is Mostert going to play in Week 17? How should fantasy fantasy football managers best prepare?
Is Raheem Mostert Going To Play Week 17?
For over a month now, Raheem Mostert hasn’t practiced on Wednesdays. However, he’s always returned to practice on Thursdays and has yet to miss a game.
That routine started the same this past week, with Mostert getting his usual veteran rest on Wednesday. But he did not practice on Thursday, either.
Mostert tweaked his ankle last week and briefly left the game. Although he was able to return, the injury is clearly still bothering him at least a little bit. As a result, the Dolphins were extra cautious with him at practice this week.
The good news is Mostert returned to a limited practice on Friday. He’s been around a long time and is the type of player who doesn’t really need much practice, especially at this point in the season.
Head coach Mike McDaniel said, “Raheem is probably a guy that I’m least worried about in life in terms of; I just know him so well and his prerequisite toughness. He’ll get a little work today. He’s had a good week. And then De’Von, no issues with him. It’s been a good week for him too.”
Based on the way McDaniel is speaking about Mostert and the reports from beat reporters, it sounded like Mostert would play. However, things took turn in the wee hours of Sunday morning. Tom Pelissero reported that Mostert is not expected to play.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
This news supersedes anything we heard earlier this week. Evidently, Mostert hasn’t recovered enough to play through his injuries. With the Dolphins locked into the playoffs, they are opting to exercise caution with one of the oldest running backs in the league in the midst of career year who has a history of injury issues.
Fantasy managers should start exploring alternate options immediately.
Potential Fantasy Options If Mostert Is Out Include Jeff Wilson, Justice Hill, and Tyjae Spears
The NFL has a whopping 10 games at 1 p.m. ET this week. As viewers, it would be much better if the games were more spread out across 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. But from a fantasy standpoint, more 1 p.m. games are better because we have the benefit of clear information on player statuses.
We will know Mostert’s status for sure by 11:30 a.m, but these late-night Pelissero/Schefter/Rapoport reports are rarely wrong.
Sticking with the Dolphins, Jeff Wilson would step into the RB2 role with De’Von Achane as the RB1 in a situation where Mostert didn’t play. We’ve seen Wilson have success before. Given that he’s the veteran, it wouldn’t shock me at all if he outsnapped Achane. Wilson would be the “in case of emergency, break glass” option.
Also in this game, Justice Hill is a desperation option. Without Keaton Mitchell, Hill has been splitting the work with Gus Edwards. In what could be a high-scoring game, Hill has some receiving upside. Plus, we’ve seen him get goal-line carries in the past.
Finally, there’s always Tyjae Spears. The Tennessee Titans backup running back has scored double-digit fantasy points in three of his last four. He’s displayed a solid touch floor. In a game where the Titans could be trailing, Spears could see the field plenty.
Spears has caught at least four passes in three of his last four. His receiving role makes him the ideal replacement should fantasy managers just need not to get zero.
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