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The Green Bay Packers have rarely taken the field this season with all their offensive weapons intact. Since the season opener, superstar wideout Davante Adams and lead running back Aaron Jones have missed time, along with key contributors such as Allen Lazard and Robert Tonyan.
Yet, the Packers offense has remained one of the most dependable units in the NFL, ranking among the very top in terms of scoring and yardage. So while fantasy managers have dealt with absences from their top Green Bay weapons, those players tend to produce when available.
Of course, questions regarding availability have risen again this week as the Packers travel to take on the Indianapolis Colts.
Fantasy Football analysis: Packers WRs Davante Adams, Allen Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Adams has produced better than any wideout in the NFL this season on a game-to-game basis, but he missed several games earlier in the season with a hamstring injury and how has an ankle issue. Adams began the week limited on the injury report before missing all of practice Thursday, suggesting that he might not suit up for Sunday’s game. However, head coach Matt LaFleur said Friday that the star receiver will indeed play. Even if the Packers limit Adams’ role due to his ankle, his big-play and touchdown potential will make him impossible not to start in fantasy.
Allen Lazard’s situation doesn’t seem so clear, however. After a breakout performance against the New Orleans Saints earlier in the year, Lazard landed on injured reserve with a core-muscle injury. The Packers officially activated him this week, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he will play right away. Given the later start to Sunday’s matchup with the Colts — the game kicks off at 4:25 p.m. ET — do not bank on Lazard unless you have another option still available in that time slot or later.
Even if Adams and Lazard play, Marquez Valdes-Scantling should still have a role in the Packers offense this week. Valdes-Scantling just completed the best game of his career, piling up 149 yards and a score off four catches. Consistency has proved to be the third-year wideout’s main issue since entering the league, so another good performance looks far from guaranteed.
Fantasy Start/Sit Recommendation
Start Adams as a WR1 if active.
Sit Lazard until he shows he has fully recovered from his injury.
Start Valdes-Scantling as a FLEX.