Houston Texans WR Noah Brown has become an unexpected fantasy football darling in the last couple of weeks. After amassing 327 receiving yards and a touchdown in the past two weeks, the WR is now dealing with a knee injury. Let’s take a look at whether Brown will be playing in Week 11, and what options fantasy managers have if he is out.
Is Noah Brown Going To Play in Week 11?
The general feeling in the last few days is that Brown is not going to be playing in Week 11. Texans beat report Aaron Wilson reported as much on Friday afternoon, and ESPN Insider Adam Schefter confirmed that Brown being out is the most likely outcome. However, Schefter added the Texans will work out Brown ahead of today’s game to make sure.
This would fit the tone of Wilson’s tweet as being regarded as nothing “more than a one or two-week recovery,” according to a source. Unfortunately, that doesn’t help fantasy managers who were relying on Brown this week, whether due to bye weeks, injuries, or ineffective options elsewhere on their roster.
It never looked hugely optimistic that Brown would be available in Week 11 when he was a non-participant at practice all week. Generally, players who do not practice all week do not play the following Sunday, and many are ruled out on the Friday. It was somewhat of a surprise when Brown was listed as questionable on the Texans’ final injury report.
Editor’s note: Brown has been ruled OUT for Week 11.
Potential Fantasy Options If Brown Is Out Include Brandin Cooks, Quentin Johnston, and K.J. Osborn
This week was always going to be interesting for Brown’s fantasy value with Nico Collins expected back and Tank Dell also playing well.
Two weeks ago, all three of them were fantasy-relevant in a shootout — it is tough to find three starting-level WRs on the same roster. Therefore, fantasy managers may have made other plans already. If not, here are some options to consider this week.
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Brandin Cooks has been another player that has been up and down throughout the season. His inconsistency has been maddening, but he now has three touchdowns in the last four weeks and double-digit fantasy points in half- and full-PPR formats in each of those three weeks. He is rostered in around two-thirds of leagues but may still be out there in some shallower formats.
Quentin Johnston’s fantasy value seems to be finally coming to the fore in his rookie season. He has 11 receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown in the last three weeks. With Keenan Allen dealing with a shoulder issue and Jalen Guyton expected to miss the game, the Chargers’ offense could well run through Johnston this week. He is available in around 50% of leagues on Sleeper, so he could be plug-and-play in 12-team leagues or shallower.
The final option to consider would be K.J. Osborn. The uncertainty over the Vikings’ passing game sees him sit down as the WR57 in PFN’s Consensus Fantasy Rankings. However, we have seen Osborn flash this year with Justin Jefferson out, as he is this week. The connection with Dobbs may not be fully developed, but in what should be an entertaining game against the Broncos, Osborn could be your Sunday night savior.
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