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The Cleveland Browns are taking on a COVID-19 outbreak as they prep for their matchup Saturday afternoon against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Browns will look to follow up their huge Week 14 win against division rival Baltimore Ravens but will do so with a depleted squad that could be missing up to 20 players and two coaches.
Is Austin Hooper playing this week against the Raiders? Will David Njoku step up to fill the void? Is David Njoku worth picking up, and should fantasy managers start him in Week 15? Below, we take a quick look at the updated status for Austin Hooper and attempt to answer these questions and their fantasy implications.
Is Austin Hooper Playing in Week 15 Against the Las Vegas Raiders?
UPDATE: It was announced on Friday afternoon that the Raiders-Browns game has been postponed until Monday due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Stay tuned for any changes with players being active and passing COVID-19 protocols in time for Monday.
As of now, Austin Hooper remains on the COVID-19 list with several other Browns players. Baker Mayfield has officially been ruled out, and Nick Mullens is expected to start. Stay tuned for any further updates as we approach game time.
This is an update from the original news that was reported below, when the game was still scheduled for Saturday.
COVID and Injury Updates
We now have official confirmation on who from the Cleveland Browns will be missing from the Week 15 game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday Night. Baker Mayfield, Case Keenum, Jarvis Landry and Austin Hooper are all officially ruled out for the game after being placed on the COVID-19 list. Nick Mullens will be the starting quarterback:
Week 15 Status For Austin Hooper
Among many other Browns players, Austin Hooper was placed on the COVID-19 list this week. The expectation is that he will not play against the Raiders in Week 15, unless there is a change in his COVID testing status or the game gets reschedule by the NFL:
Hooper has been a mediocre fantasy tight end since he signed the massive contract with the Browns. However, Austin Hooper had his best game in their Week 14 matchup against the Ravens. He finished the game with five receptions on seven targets for 30 yards and a touchdown.
Hooper is part of the Browns' tight end room filled with talent, but they do a great job canceling each other out in the fake football world. The Browns' offense relies heavily on their elite ground game and short passes underneath tight ends. It works great on the football field but doesn't help fantasy managers win their weeks. So when any member of the trio misses action, fantasy managers need to capitalize.
Is David Njoku Worth Picking Up and Starting Off The Waiver Wire?
Tight End David Njoku announced on Instagram that he's been cleared from COVID, which will allow Njoku to return and help the Browns take on the Raiders on Saturday.
Njoku should be in for a massive role with Austin Hooper, Harrison Bryant and Jarvis Landry likely to miss Saturday's content. Njoku has flashed big-play potential and will likely be the only game in town at tight end for the Browns this week.
The former first-round pick also couldn't have asked for a better matchup. The Raiders have given up an average of the 16.5 fantasy points per game to tight ends (second-most), which catapults Njoku into an ideal streaming tight end option versus a poor Raiders defense.
Check your waiver wire to see Njoku if he is available in your leagues. Then scoop him up, start him, and reap the benefits on Saturday. Assuming this game proceeds as is with all the players remaining on the COVID list, Njoku will be one of the few remaining options on the Browns offense.
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