Some NFL news in the past 24 hours has led to significant value shifts for players. Let's start with Justin Fields, who remains in limbo for Week 11. The implications are obviously huge for fantasy managers who have Fields and/or D.J. Moore.
The problem is that this isn't only about Week 11. Chicago is 3-7 and three games behind the Vikings for the last Wild Card spot. Those two teams will face off in Week 12 before the Bears get their bye. It's entirely reasonable to think Fields might not return until he's 100% -- and even then, who knows. The Bears are eyeing two early first-round draft picks in April. They have a realistic shot at landing two long-term franchise-elevating players like WR Marvin Harrison Jr. and OT Olu Fashanu.
It's arguably in their best interest to keep Fields off the field for as long as possible, not only because of the risks of a major injury, but also because they're reaching a point where winning is no longer helpful. I'm not suggesting they'll tank, and let's face it: everyone who takes the field is working their butts off to prove they belong in this league. But rushing Fields back so they can finish 6-11 isn't sensible. Sizing up their options after their week 13 bye makes more sense.
So if you're heading toward the fantasy playoffs and leaning on Fields and/or Moore, I'd be wary of both down the stretch. If this team were 7-3, I think Fields would be out there. Instead, you need to hope they somehow beat the Lions and remain semi-relevant.
Elsewhere, the Jets cut Michael Carter, which is at least moderately surprising for a former fourth-round pick in the third year of his rookie deal. Newcomer Israel Abanikanda will slide into the "break glass in case of emergency" position behind Breece Hall and the rapidly declining Dalvin Cook. It speaks volumes that the Jets didn't trust Carter over Cook, given the latter's crushingly inefficient campaign.
The question now is not what happens in New York, but rather what happens to Carter. Minnesota might need backfield help. The same goes for Tampa Bay, Houston, and Vegas -- all in playoff contention, and all in need of a reliable #2 RB, except the Vikes, where it hinges on Alexander Mattison's health and whether the team trusts Ty Chandler to carry the load.
Look, NFL careers can wind down quickly. One year, a player might look really good. The next year, they're spent. Maybe the Jets have observed up close that Carter no longer has the chops to be active on game days. On the flip side, he's enjoying a career-high 4.8 YPC and has continued to be at least adequate in the passing game. Surely another franchise will pick him up. Desperate deep-leaguers with virtually no RB options on waivers could do worse than pick up Carter, see where he lands, and hope it's somewhere that needs a #2.
And in Pittsburgh, Jaylen Warren has officially supplanted Najee Harris as the #1 RB. I wouldn't overreact (yet). Warren has 102 touches, while Harris has 134. If the switch means Warren now gets a few more touches per game, and Harris a few less, both should remain similarly valued. I'm more interested in seeing if this means Harris plays on more third downs, operating as a pass-catcher. Because Warren has outscored him through the air by 23.3 fantasy points (52.8 vs. 29.5). We should know in their next game whether Warren is now a bellcow, or merely a "lead back" in name only.
Finally, Zay Jones was arrested on a domestic battery charge related to the mother of his child, accused of scratching her neck. As always, I'll refrain from making judgments. The accusation is the accusation, and the charge is the charge. It's quite possible he'll be released, though it's also possible he won't be. Who knows. But Jones, who hasn't played since early October, is likely droppable regardless.
The downfield passing game almost assuredly will revolve around Christian Kirk, Calvin Ridley, and Evan Engram for the rest of the season. Tim Jones has been functioning as one of the league's quietest #3 WRs. If the Jags sign a veteran wideout in the coming days, Zay's time in Jacksonville will be as good as over.