Is Ammon-la-St. Brown playing tonight? Injury update, fantasy advice for Lions WR originally appeared on The Sporting News. Click here to add Sports News as your go-to source.
With Amon-la-St. Brown dealing with an injury, there’s a chance the Detroit Lions won’t be able to have their No. 1 wide receiver on the field against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14.
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St. Brown suffered a low ankle sprain in the Week 13 loss to the Green Bay Packers, forcing him to exit the game early.
The Lions wide receiver did not practice before receiving the questionable tag on Wednesday, leaving at least some opportunity for his game.
Here’s what we know about St. Brown’s status heading into Thursday night’s game against the Cowboys.
Is Ammon-la-St. Brown playing tonight?
renew: St. Brown is officially active in Week 14.
renew: St. Brown is going through normal pregame warmups, so now it looks like he’s going to play.
“Ammon-La St. Brown was on the field doing his usual pregame jog and workout,” John Neyo of the Detroit News reports.
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End of update
renew:ESPN’s Adam Schefter noted that St. Brown is expected to play next week instead of Thursday night, but the team believes he has a chance against the Cowboys.
“Lions wide receiver Ammon-La St. Brown did not practice this week due to a sprained ankle, and returning next week is considered a more ‘realistic expectation,’ according to sources. But the team also knows St. Brown is one of the NFL’s toughest players, and if anyone can return sooner, it’s him,” Schefter reported.
Schefter added that “the team doesn’t know yet” whether he will play, just to clarify.
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End of update
We don’t have a clear answer on St. Brown’s status, but based on everything we know, he appears to be a real game-time decision.
The fact that St. Brown didn’t practice at all this week isn’t a good sign, but clearly the Lions haven’t lost hope in his chance to play after giving St. Brown that questionable designation.
We also know St. Brown is the type of player who doesn’t need to practice to play, and he’s only missed two games in his career, so playing through an injury is nothing new for him.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport called St. Brown’s issue a “one to two-week injury,” adding that “the game seems a little quick for him,” but Rapoport stopped short of saying St. Brown would be out.
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St. Brown himself wouldn’t commit to playing when asked about the injury this week, but he did say his ankle is feeling better every day.
“It hurts, but it’s getting better. So, that’s good news. It’s just day by day,” he said Tuesday, according to ESPN’s Eric Woodyard. “Just trying to make sure I’m out there for my guys.”
“Things are getting better every day, so I hope it continues to get better in the next few days,” St. Brown added.
“I know this, if he can play, he’s going to play,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell said of St. Brown. “That’s the best way to put it.”
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Hopefully we’ll get confirmation on his status soon, but we’ll definitely know around 6:45 PM ET when the inactive status is released.
Ammon-Ra St. Brown Fantasy Suggestions
St. Brown enters this week ranked WR6 in fantasy points per game, so if he’s active, he has to be in your lineup. There will be risks, but St. Brown is too good to sit on the bench.
In terms of possible replacements on the Lions roster, the only one we would consider for fantasy lineups is rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa, who will play a larger role if St. Brown is out.
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And, don’t forget, wide receiver Kalif Raymond and tight end Sam LaPorta are also out, which should further help TeSlaa’s workload.
Tesla has only six catches for 100 yards this season, but three of those catches were touchdowns, so he could also be a key target in the end zone.
Still, it’s hard to have confidence in a rookie who has struggled overall this season.
TeSlaa is already on the flex radar, but we’re only starting him out of desperation, and he should still take a backseat to anyone on your roster who’s been more consistent and reliable this season.
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