Jacksonville Jaguars WR Zay Jones has been racing against time to get back on the field for his side this week in London. Jones made the journey across the Atlantic last week but was not able to suit up. As the Jaguars play back-to-back games in London, is Jones playing this week, and how should fantasy football managers react to his status?
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Update: Zay Jones is active for the Jaguars’ Week 5 game with the Bills.
Is Zay Jones Going to Play Week 5?
There does appear to be some optimism that Jones could play in Week 5 against the Buffalo Bills. When Jones spoke to the media after practice on Thursday, he told reports that he was “looking forward to getting out there on the field.” However, he was still listed as questionable due to his knee injury when the final injury report was released Friday.
#JAXvsBUF Status Report pic.twitter.com/e2b2X34zlR
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars)
Jones has missed two weeks after hurting his knee in Week 2 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Jones had managed to return to the game against the Chiefs but then did not practice until the start of Week 5. He was limited all week during practice, but there is certainly optimism he may be able to suit up.
Potential Fantasy Options If Jones Is Out Includes Tyler Boyd and Michael Wilson
If Jones does suit up, he is a risky proposition. We have no idea if he will even suit up in this game, let alone how much he will play. The Jaguars have four good pass-catching options: Calvin Ridley, Christian Kirk, Evan Engram, and Travis Etiene Jr.
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Jacksonville does not need to force Jones onto the field a lot in Week 5, and fantasy managers should be cautious if he is active. That warning came in Week 2 when Jones was targeted six times with zero receptions.
In many ways, it will be easier for fantasy managers if Jones is out, as there is then no real doubt. If he is out in Week 5, then there are a couple of options that fantasy managers could look to this week.
With the latest report from Diana Russini that Tee Higgins will be out in Week 5, Tyler Boyd becomes an intriguing option.
Bengals WR Tee Higgins is out against the Cardinals, per league source.
He's been managing a rib injury.— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini)
Last week, with Higgins out, Boyd saw seven targets. The return of four receptions for 26 yards was not great, but the opportunity was there. Boyd has regularly shown that he can be a threat to the Bengals when he gets the opportunities, and if Higgins is out this week, those opportunities should be there.
The other option for fantasy managers if Jones is out comes from the same game. Michael Wilson had a fantastic seven receptions, 76 yards, and two touchdowns last time out against the San Francisco 49ers. Wilson appears to have cemented himself as the secondary receiver in the Cardinals’ offense.
Last week against the Bengals, it was the Titans’ secondary receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine that shone. Westbrook-Ikhine had 51 receiving yards and a touchdown on five receptions playing in that secondary role to DeAndre Hopkins. Wilson has similar potential this week for the Cardinals.
