Week 11: PPR Watch
WR Cecil Shorts, JAX
Avoid - In week 9 I talked up Shorts and he has delivered. Some were concerned with Laurent Robinson's return, but crazy as it may be, over the last 3 weeks all three of the Jags receivers have landed in the top 20 in targets. Without MJD, the running game has been non existent (even in the juiciest of matchups), and Gabbert has thrown the ball a great deal more as a result. Since week 8, Shorts has been in the top 6 in targets and averaged almost 6 catches a week and 90 yards. So why the Avoid? Easy. This week is against the Texans in Houston. When they played earlier this year at home, Houston held Jacksonville to 7 points and Gabbert threw for just 53 yards. Yes, you read that right. 53. After watching what the Texans did to the 7-1 Bears last week, I can't play him. Shorts hasn't proven himself to be an every week starter yet, and that's what a player on a bad team would have to be to make my lineup in a matchup this terrible.
Injury Status: Injured ReserveRB Daniel Thomas, MIA
Sleeper - The backfield in Miami is starting to get interesting. Even though Bush is the starter, and will usually put up more yards, and get more attempts. Thomas is vulturing touchdowns, and for PPR purposes, has just 4 fewer receptions than Bush. If you have both players, it is actually getting difficult to know who to start. Bush's fumble and subsequent benching will only solidify Thomas's role as the goal line back, and might well lead to a few more touches. With a matchup as fantastic as the Bills, Thomas is a very viable fantasy starter this week in all formats for owners without a clear RB2 or flex. Feel good about it. The Bills have allowed more yards and TDs to RBs than any other team by a landslide, and Miami is likely to lean a bit more on it's running game given the matchup and their inability to establish the run against the Titans last week.
Injury Status: Injured ReserveRemember to read all our columns for this week and use our Who To Start Rankings
