Week 15 kicks off with an NFC West battle that has significant playoff implications in addition to fantasy football stars poised to impact your matchup. Demarcus Robinson was banged up last week, and you are under pressure to optimize your lineup. Can you count on having the Los Angeles Rams’ receiver at your disposal?
Here’s what we currently know. Make sure to check back as kickoff nears and decision time looms. We should have clarity on his status 90 minutes before the game starts, and that’ll leave a window of time in which you have to react.
What Is Demarcus Robinson’s Injury?
After a 56-yard catch last week (one that fantasy managers didn’t get credit for as it was called back for offensive pass interference), Robinson landed hard on his shoulder and was unable to return to action.
Robinson has been able to stay on the field during his eight NFL seasons (one missed game during his time with the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, and Rams), and given that Sean McVay sounded optimistic postgame, we have some cautious optimism about his availability tonight after practicing in a limited capacity on Wednesday.
Fantasy Implications of Robinson’s Week 15 Status
Volume hasn’t been Robinson’s calling card this season (28 catches in 13 games) or at any point during his career (247 receptions in 127 contests), but a career-high seven scores this season has him rostered in plenty of leagues.
The weekly floor is low, but at this time in the year, the scoring equity that comes with playing in a Matthew Stafford-led offense is enticing should you be pressed for Flex options.
In Weeks 1-13, Robinson was on the field for 83.9% of the Rams’ offensive snaps, a role that gives him weekly potential, even if the target ceiling is capped.
This team needs to close the season in style to make the playoffs, and we saw how this offense functioned last week against the Buffalo Bills when in a similar spot.
Week 14 Usage: Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua
- 73.3% of targets
- 73.9% of receptions
- 79.4% of receiving yards
- 100% of receiving touchdowns
The next leader in targets in that victory was Tutu Atwell (three targets, three catches, and 45 yards). He’s the player who would stand to gain the most value should Robinson be ruled out.
The undersized third-year receiver showed us the ability to step up in October with consecutive six-catch games, a role that would land him as a low-end PPR Flex this week if you’re confident in him as a target earner.
I’m not.
Atwell’s frame (5’9”, 165 pounds) is tough to ignore against a physical San Francisco 49ers defense, and it’s worth noting that during that early-season run, it was the star receivers who were banged up.
Atwell hasn’t proven to be the touchdown-scoring threat that Robinson has. However, it’s worth noting that Robinson averages just 4.3 PPR points per game if you remove his scores.
In a DFS showdown situation, Atwell has my interest in this scenario. But for season-long leagues, you can ignore the WR3 role in Los Angeles — this week and for the remainder of this fantasy season.