For fantasy football managers of Keenan Allen, it has been an intriguing week. Allen did not participate in practice on Wednesday, setting alarm bells ringing. However, he was able to return to practice Thursday and is questionable heading into Week 10. With Allen expected to play this week, should you start him regardless of the injury, or is there a reason to be concerned?
Update: Keenan Allen is active for the Chargers Week 10 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings.
Keenan Allen’s fantasy managers will be nervous about his injury situation
Any time a player appears on the injury report, it is a reason for concern, and that is what Allen’s fantasy managers have felt this week. While the news has generally been positive with the upgrade throughout the week (and Brandon Staley seemingly confident he will play), there is still reason to be nervous.
When a player comes into the week hobbled and carrying the questionable tag, two potential problems exist. Firstly, the team may decide to be cautious with him. The Chargers could limit Allen’s snaps, especially if they open up a big lead. Secondly, Allen could reaggravate the injury early and not return to the game. Both of these risks are hard to mitigate for fantasy managers.
The Chargers’ veteran WR has recovered from a midseason dip
The 2021 season started off well for Allen and his fantasy managers. In half-PPR formats, he averaged 14.1 fantasy points per game through the first three weeks. That dropped to 8.4 points per game in the next three weeks, with the highest return of 10.5 fantasy points in Week 5.
However, in the last two weeks, he has seen a significant increase. Allen has scored over 16 points in the half-PPR format in both weeks, despite only finding the end zone once. He saw double-digit targets in both of the last two games, having only seen that number in one game in the previous three.
Should you start Allen in Week 10 with the injury concerns swirling?
These types of decisions are the hardest because, based on talent, Allen is almost impossible to bench. Sure, he will have his down weeks. Nonetheless, his volume is usually high enough that his floor is a borderline-startable WR anyway. This season, Allen is averaging 10.25 targets per game through the first eight games of the season. Only six WRs have seen more targets this season than Allen.
The injury is the problem. In Week 14 of the 2020 season, Allen came into the game carrying a knock. He was targeted just 3 times for 1 reception and 17 yards. In the four weeks prior, Allen had been targeted an average of 12.75 times a game. Those numbers emphasize the risk here.
Playing in the 4 PM window limits fantasy managers’ options
From a pure talent and opportunity standpoint, Allen is a start. Still, the injury risk should leave you evaluating your roster if you can turn to an alternative. It is unlikely you have enough high-level receiving options for sitting Allen even to be a discussion. However, for the lucky ones with a loaded group of receivers on their fantasy roster, the decision this week is brutal on Sunday morning.
The additional problem is that the Chargers play in the 4 PM window. If Allen does suffer a setback in warmups, the options available to you at that point will be limited. Sitting Allen is not a decision that should be taken lightly, and it is extremely roster-dependent. However, if you leave a talented receiver on your bench, only for Allen to be extremely limited, it could be a decision that costs you your Week 10 matchup.