With the injury to De’Von Achane, fantasy football managers are left with a potential void on their roster. Let’s check out the extent of the injury and players you can target on your waiver wire this week. And here’s all of our fantasy football Week 12 waiver wire advice and targets.
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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Injury Replacement Pickups
Injury Outlook
De’Von Achane (knee) questionable to return
Dolphins RB De’Von Achane (knee) is questionable to return Sunday.
Fantasy Impact
Achane headed off to the blue medical tent after just two touches. He was clearly limping and favoring the same knee that landed him on IR earlier in the season. Fantasy managers should expect the team to release more information soon. Achane finished the game with one rushing yard and four receiving yards on one reception.
Jesse Garcia
Waiver Wire Replacements to Target
Zach Charbonnet (SEA): 44% rostered
- Next Opponents: SF, @DAL, @SF
- True value: $24
- Desperate need: $33
- Budget-minded: $14
Analysis: Despite a brutal upcoming schedule, Zach Charbonnet is a high-value addition off waivers where available. Kenneth Walker left Sunday’s game with an oblique injury, leaving the rookie from UCLA as the main back in Seattle. He is a reliable receiver, as he hauled in six receptions in the loss for 22 yards. A second-round pick out of UCLA, the 6-1, 214-pound Charbonnet should be capable of handling a heavy workload while Walker is out.
Ty Chandler (MIN): 44% rostered
- Next Opponents: CHI, BYE, @LV
- True value: $18
- Desperate need: $27
- Budget-minded: $11
Analysis: The Vikings’ weird infatuation with running Alexander Mattison is bordering on malpractice. Chandler is a better football player across the board and has proven it ever since Cam Akers was lost to a ruptured Achilles. I believe the second-year back from North Carolina could be a fantasy league winner. I want him on every team I can get him.
Jaleel McLaughlin (DEN): 19% rostered
- Next Opponents: CLE, @HOU, @LAC
- True value: $7
- Desperate need: $11
- Budget-minded: $3
Analysis: Don’t look now, but the Broncos have looked pretty good since the inauspicious start to the Sean Payton era. An undrafted rookie from Youngstown State, McLaughlin has been a spark plug for the Denver offense as a change of pace to Javonte Williams. This is especially true in the receiving game, where McLaughlin has mostly supplanted veteran Samaje Perine. Don’t break the bank, but add the rookie as a flex-worthy depth piece for the stretch run.
Ezekiel Elliott (NE): 38% rostered
- Next Opponents: @NYG, LAC, @PIT
- True value: $6
- Desperate need: $9
- Budget-minded: $3
Analysis: Zeke’s roster percentage fell off considerably during New England’s Week 11 bye, so there’s a better chance of acquiring his services off waivers this week. RBs who earn double-digit touches on a weekly basis don’t grow on trees, so give the former Cowboy a bid in hopes that his three-game touchdown drought comes to an end.
Roschon Johnson (CHI): 20% rostered
- Next Opponents: @MIN, BYE, DET
- True value: $5
- Desperate need: $8
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: The RB carousel in Chicago continues to turn. The Bears love the run game, and Justin Fields‘ return to action is immensely helpful in that department. Khalil Herbert returned from the IR on Sunday but looked nowhere near his previous form. D’Onta Foreman left the game with an ankle injury and didn’t return, leaving Johnson, the rookie from Texas, with six carries. He looked fantastic, chewing up 30 yards against a tough Detroit run defense. We have been dipping in and out of the Roschon market in redraft all season. I am currently in on him.
Stash Candidates:
Tank Bigsby showed some life in Week 10, with a season-high nine rushing attempts vs. Tennessee. The Titans have a brutal front to try to run against, but it was encouraging to see the rookie finally get extended playing time. It would be smart for Etienne managers to handcuff Bigsby to Travis Etienne at this point.
Rico Dowdle and Elijah Mitchell are both stuck behind workhorses on good teams. Their value is nearly zero except as insurance against an untimely injury to either Tony Pollard or Christian McCaffrey.
According to Buffalo’s coaching staff, Leonard Fournette is “still learning the offense” and might not be elevated from the practice squad anytime soon. His role once joining the roster is another mystery. If active, Fournette is a versatile player who can be valuable to a fantasy roster. But he’s a risky proposition at this point.
Kenneth Gainwell is a script-dependent RB with great versatility behind D’Andre Swift. Although not a true handcuff, he is worthy of a stash in deeper leagues.
Tyjae Spears has been good all season for the Titans, who have turned into a pumpkin after Will Levis‘ four-touchdown debut a few weeks ago. Despite Derrick Henry‘s extremely disappointing production, the rookie from Tulane has still not seen a bump in usage. Spears is a stash for now.
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