Lamar Jackson: ruled out vs. Bengals, Huntley to start
THE FACT. Baltimore ruled quarterback Lamar Jackson out for Sunday's game against Cincinnati, downgrading him from questionable, per NFL.com. It is his third straight absence with what Jackson himself described Friday as a high ankle sprain, and Tyler Huntley starts for a third consecutive week, according to Ravens Wire's Glenn Erby.
THE VERDICT. Treat this as settled rather than a game-time call. Redraft: Huntley is a streamer only in two-quarterback formats, and Jackson managers need a replacement for a third straight week. Baltimore's pass catchers all slide down a tier with Huntley under center. DFS: fade the Ravens' passing game at full price. Dynasty: nothing changes on Jackson long term, but a three-week ankle absence is worth tracking.
The part I'd argue with is the pass catchers all sliding a tier. Zay Flowers ran a 35.5 percent target share against Cleveland last week, his highest of the season, with 106 air yards, and still banked 12.7 PPR in what was Baltimore's worst offensive game of the year. That's his floor with Huntley, not a reason to bench him. Cincinnati has allowed the 13th-most fantasy points to receivers too, so the matchup isn't scary. Flowers is a WR2 start for me, and in DFS all this fade talk is exactly why he's leverage.