Fantasy start or sit Week 16: Derrick Henry, Ryan Tannehill, A.J. Brown
Derrick Henry: Start
UPDATE: ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Sunday morning that Henry is not expected to play in Week 16.
Titans’ RB Derrick Henry, downgraded to questionable on Saturday due to a hamstring injury, is not expected to play today vs. Saints, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 22, 2019
If this turns out to be true, Dion Lewis and Dalyn Dawkins will handle the load in Henry’s place. Lewis should get more work, so he’s the better option if you don’t have anyone else. However, Lewis is having a dreadful season and is not a very appealing play, especially against a Saints defense that ranks No. 4 against the run this season.
END OF UPDATE
UPDATE: Potentially huge news, as Henry has been downgraded to questionable ahead of the Week 16 game against the Saints.
#Titans downgrade RB Derrick Henry to questionable. As insurance the promote RB Dalyn Dawkins from the practice squad and waive LB Sharif Finch.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) December 21, 2019
If he’s ruled out, the Titans will use a combination of Dion Lewis and Dalyn Dawkins. Neither is particularly appealing, although Lewis definitely gets the edge if you have no other option.
END OF UPDATE
After getting in a limited practice on Wednesday and not practicing on Thursday, running back Derrick Henry got in a full session on Friday and carries no designation going into Sunday’s game.
While that doesn’t guarantee he’ll be playing any healthier than he was the last two weeks, it’s a good sign that he practiced fully on Friday after not practicing at all last week. Even with playing hurt, Henry has still produced with 189 yards and two touchdowns in his last two games.
He’ll have a tough matchup in Week 16, as the Saints own the No. 4 run defense in the NFL this season and are giving up the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to the position; although it must be noted that the Saints don’t have one of their best run-stoppers in defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, who is out for the season.
It doesn’t matter, though. Even if Henry was playing the ’85 Bears in Week 16 you still have to run him out there after he has emerged as an elite fantasy back in the second half of the season and is likely a big reason why you got to the fantasy playoffs in the first place.