Thursday Night Fantasy Starters: Sankey, Hurns
By Steve Silverman-
(CBS Local) You always want to leave 'em laughing in comedy – but not in the NFL.
That's exactly what this game could turn into, as the disappointing Tennessee Titans (2-12) meet the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars (2-12) in the 2014 series finale of Thursday Night Football.
If you are compelled to get a Thursday night player in your lineup, we are here to help.
You've probably been going to Tennessee tight end Delanie Walker most of the year, and he's been quite productive with 793 yards and four TDs. However, he is highly questionable with a knee problem, and he cannot be recommended.
The Jaguars may look at this game as an opportunity. Nationally televised games involving the Jaguars are rare, so Gus Bradley may look at this as an opportunity to show what they can do.
Titans players
QB Charlie Whitehurst – The Titans were hoping to finish the season with strong-armed quarterback Zach Mettenberger finishing the season so he would go into training camp in 2015 with more experience and confidence. A shoulder injury sent him to the bench, and Whitehurst gets a chance to finish the season. He's got size – 6-5 and 226 pounds – and arm strength and he has a 5-2 TD-interception ratio. Those are respectable numbers, but we can't recommend putting Whitehurst in your lineup under any circumstance. BENCH HIM.
RB Bishop Sankey – At the start of the season, a lot of NFL scouts were looking at Sankey as an impact player who could give the Titans an impact running game as a rookie. It hasn't worked out that way, but we are not ready to write off the speedy Sankey. He has rushed for 507 yards and two touchdowns, but he should have an opportunity to put 80 yards and a touchdown on the board. PLAY HIM.
TE Delanie Walker – Walker has had an excellent season (52-793-4) and he has shown the ability to run through opposing defenses after making the catch. He probably would like to get a chance at making plays on national TV, but there's a good chance he won't be able to play so we are not going to take a chance on putting him in the lineup. BENCH HIM.
Jaguars players
QB Blake Bortles – Bortles has a foot problem that is clearly bothering him, but we do expect him to be in the lineup even though he is officially listed as questionable. The rookie quarterback has taken a lot of hard lessons this year and while his numbers are not good – 2,676 yards with 10 TDs and 17 interceptions – he should be a better player next year. We don't expect a lot from him in this game even though he will probably throw the ball quite a bit. BENCH HIM.
WR Allen Hurns – Hurns has been the closest thing to a consistent fantasy threat the Jaguars have had at the wide receiver position this year as he has caught 46-636-6 and has shown some run-after-the-catch ability. Hurns caught six passes for 70 yards against the Ravens last week, and he will most likely be the leading receiver for Jacksonville in this game. He should get plenty of opportunities. PLAY HIM.
WR Marqise Lee -- The rookie from USC has the kind of skill and route-running ability to be a legitimate receiver in the NFL for years to come. However, he has just been able to flash his talent from time-to-time this year. Lee has caught 31-349-1 this season and he should be in the lineup despite an elbow problem. We are not looking for big numbers from Lee this week. BENCH HIM.
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Steve Silverman has been writing, talking about and playing fantasy football since the early 1990s. He co-hosted Fantasy Football Weekly, the first Fantasy Football television program, in 1994 and '95. Follow Steve on Twitter @profootballboy.
