The NFL season is in full swing. As happens every year, injuries are rearing their ugly heads. As fantasy football managers prepare to set Week 14 lineups, it’s important to stay informed on the latest injury news. Amon-Ra St. Brown did not practice all week due to injury. What is his current status and outlook for this week?
Is Amon-Ra St. Brown Playing Week 14?
Update:Â In a major surprise, despite not practicing all week, St. Brown is ACTIVE tonight. Get him in lineups.
St. Brown got rolled up on while blocking on a run play during Detroit’s second offensive drive on Thanksgiving. The injury occurred with 6:19 remaining in the first quarter when offensive linemen Kayode Awosika and Penei Sewell inadvertently fell into the back of St. Brown’s left leg during a rushing attempt by Jahmyr Gibbs.​
St. Brown remained on the turf briefly while trainers evaluated him before limping into the locker room. The Lions initially listed him as questionable to return with an ankle injury, but ruled him out before halftime.​
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that St. Brown has a low ankle sprain. This represents the best-case scenario given the concerning nature of how the injury occurred. Low ankle sprains typically heal in 1-3 weeks depending on severity, far better than high ankle sprains which require 4-6 weeks of recovery.​
St. Brown told reporters Tuesday that it’s still up in the air if he’ll be able to play Thursday against Dallas. The ankle is getting better, but his availability will depend on whether he feels he can stop and cut like he needs to. “It hurts, but it’s getting better. So, that’s the good news. Just day by day,” St. Brown said.​
The Lions WR1 did not practice at all heading into Week 14. He carries a questionable designation for Thursday night’s contest. Head coach Dan Campbell stated Tuesday, “I know this, if he can play, he’ll play. That’s the best way to say it”.​
St. Brown will be a gametime decision. If the Lions were comfortably in the playoffs, there’s probably no chance he’d play. However, Detroit sits at 7-5 and needs every game in their push for playoff positioning. If he can go, he will.​
With that said, it sounds as if St. Brown is trending in the wrong direction for Thursday night. As much as he wants to play and as much as the Lions need him, it’s more important that he isn’t compromised long term. The fact that he even has a chance suggests he should return in Week 15 when the Lions face the Rams in Los Angeles.​
Fantasy managers should be preparing to be without St. Brown on Thursday night against the Cowboys. Inactive lists will be announced by 7:00 PM EST on Thursday.​
St. Brown’s Fantasy Football Outlook
This is a tough situation for fantasy managers navigating the critical Week 14 matchups. St. Brown should return in Week 15, the first week of the fantasy postseason. The latest he should be back is Week 16 versus Pittsburgh, which would give him nearly three full weeks of recovery.​
Whenever St. Brown doesn’t go, Jameson Williams becomes the clear top receiver for Detroit. Williams posted seven catches for 144 yards and a touchdown after St. Brown exited on Thanksgiving. That type of volume should continue, elevating Williams into borderline WR1 territory for fantasy purposes.
MORE:Â Free Fantasy Football Start/Sit Optimizer
Isaac TeSlaa will be the name fantasy managers flock to as the next guy up, but you should temper expectations. TeSlaa ran just one fewer route than Williams on Thanksgiving but saw only two targets compared to Tom Kennedy’s four. The coaching staff has shown no indication they view TeSlaa as a significant part of the offensive game plan.​
Jahmyr Gibbs’ receiving role should expand to help fill the void left by St. Brown’s absence, while Jared Goff will likely just spread the ball around more when not targeting Williams.
