As the NFL continues to deal with a massive wave of positive tests, Darrell Henderson of the Los Angeles Rams remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list. His placement on the list last week kept him out of the Rams’ battle with the Arizona Cardinals, and he is now one of 13 Rams players dealing with the league protocols. Will he be available in Week 15 for fantasy football managers?
Update 12/19/21: The Los Angeles Rams have officially activated RB Darrell Henderson off of the COVID/reserve list. Henderson is now on track to play Tuesday night against the Seahawks.
Darrell Henderson has a chance to play this week
When Henderson was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list prior to their Week 14 game, it forced him to miss Monday’s contest against the Cardinals. Reports are that Henderson is vaccinated, giving him hope for this week. If a player is vaccinated, asymptomatic for 48 hours, and produces two negative tests at least 24 hours apart, they are eligible to return.
Henderson has plenty of time for that to happen between now and Sunday’s game. The Rams could use his services given their rash of other COVID cases.
Sony Michel has filled in well when needed
When Henderson has been unable to play, Sony Michel has been a serviceable fantasy replacement. In Monday’s contest against Arizona, Michel got the volume you want to see, logging 20 carries.
He turned those opportunities into 79 yards, but he didn’t score or garner any receiving work. It wasn’t inspiring, but the carries were there.
Two weeks ago in Henderson’s absence, Michel had a big day. He carried the ball 24 times for 121 yards and a touchdown, adding 3 short receptions for 8 more yards. Back in Week 3, against a brutal Tampa Bay run defense, Michel got the start for Henderson and saw 20 carries for 67 yards.
When Henderson isn’t active, Michel is the bell cow of this backfield. If you’re looking for a fill-in running back, someone that has a stranglehold on backfield opportunities is a great place to start.
Henderson fantasy expectations
If Henderson can clear the COVID-19 protocols and be active for Sunday’s game, his matchup against the Seahawks is a smash spot for fantasy managers. Seattle has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs in the last four weeks. They’ve given up 339 rushing yards, 219 receiving yards, and 4 total touchdowns to RBs over that stretch.
When Henderson starts, he starts for your fantasy team. He has averaged 64.8 rushing yards and 17.2 receiving yards per game, with 8 total touchdowns in his 10 starts. He’s a locked-in RB2 with RB1 upside against Seattle.
If Henderson can’t play, I’d say the exact same thing from Michel. In fact, Michel tends to get a higher workload than Henderson. That’s because the Rams don’t utilize anyone else in a complementary role when Michel is on the field (whereas Henderson always cedes a few touches to Michel when both play). Whichever Rams running back gets the start, you should treat them as a must-play fantasy asset in the first round of the playoffs.