Fantasy football managers have been going through it this year, as it seems like there has been an endless stream of players popping up on the injury report. This week is no different. Now, Keenan Allen has made an appearance, and his status for Week 11 is now in question.
What’s the latest on the Los Angeles Chargers‘ star WR and should fantasy managers expect Allen to be available heading into this matchup against the Green Bay Packers?
Latest Injury Update on Keenan Allen
Allen has been a stalwart in fantasy lineups this season, so it’s not a good sign that he’s missing practice to begin the week with a shoulder injury that he suffered during the Week 10 contest against the Detroit Lions.
While specific news of the injury remains to be determined, head coach Brandon Staley has stated that he’s hopeful Allen will be able to make it back in time for their matchup against the Packers at Lambeau Field.
Editor’s note: Allen was spotted at practice on Thursday.
Will Allen Play This Week?
At the time of writing, there’s been no official declaration from the Chargers on whether or not Allen is going to be able to suit up in Week 11. We’ll need to monitor the practice reports closely to get a sense of where this is trending.
If Allen is listed as a DNP (Did Not Participate) on Thursday, fantasy managers should begin preparing as if he’s not going to suit up. However, even a limited practice would go a long way to instilling confidence that he’s trending in the right direction.
MORE: Will Garrett Wilson Play in Week 11?
We’ll continue to monitor and update this article with all of the latest news and information, so make sure to check back in frequently.
What Does This Mean for Quentin Johnston’s Fantasy Ranking?
Fantasy managers went after rookie WR Quentin Johnston on the waiver wire pretty aggressively after Mike Williams’ season-ending injury earlier this season. But Joshua Palmer was the main beneficiary, and he delivered solid production before landing on injured reserve just two weeks ago.
Unfortunately, Johnston has not lived up to expectations as a first-round selection this season, as he has just one game all season long with more than 35 receiving yards. He’s struggled with drops and creating separation, which is leaving the Chargers lacking a proven WR2 option behind Allen.
If Allen is unable to play in Week 11, though, Johnston will be thrown into the WR1 role for L.A., which is a big ask for a player who’s seemed overwhelmed at the NFL level up to this point.
With fantasy finishes of WR89, WR145, WR75, WR52, WR76, and WR26 over his last six outings, respectively, Johnston is an incredibly risky play for fantasy managers even if Allen is out. We’ll most likely see an uptick in volume for Austin Ekeler and Los Angeles’ tight ends while also seeing Jalen Guyton become more involved in this WR room.
Johnston will be ranked as a WR3 at best for me going into Week 11, but make sure to plug him into our free Start/Sit Optimizer to see whether or not you should start him or another option on your roster as we get closer to Sunday.
Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!