Cecil Shorts III is Your PPR Injury Stash Special of the Week

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ANALYSIS: Cecil Shorts III has never been a spectacular, big play receiver but what he has going for him is consistency. Over the last four seasons, he’s averaged nearly 4.5 catches per game and has been left without a catch in just two of those 44 games.

Now that he’s moved to a more consistent offense in Houston, Shorts is averaging over 5.5 catches per game and has hauled in 18 passes for 179-yards and a touchdown in the Texans last three games. While DeAndre Hopkins is the clear number one receiver, Shorts has made a strong push to be the number two or at least the main slot receiver. And with Arian Foster back in the lineup, Houston’s run game will force defensive backs closer to the line of scrimmage and finally take some pressure off of Ryan Mallett and the passing game.

But while his play on the field has been consistent, so have his injury problems, and they popped up again this week. Shorts left last week’s game with a separated shoulder and will undoubtedly miss the team’s Thursday night matchup with the Indianapolis Colts. But ESPN’s Adam Caplan noted on Twitter that Shorts could miss just one week and be back for a favorable matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week six. That will result in a big fantasy game for Shorts, especially in PPR leagues, which is where he excels.