Fantasy Football Week 12 Injury Report Creates Value for Jaylen Samuels and Jay Ajayi

The Week 12 NFL injury report is fairly quiet, as a lot of questionable players are expected to suit up for game action. Having said that, there are still a few key situations to monitor that will open up fantasy value for other players.

Here's a look at three injuries with major fantasy implications as we head into the Sunday slate for Week 12 of the NFL season.

1. James Conner Ruled Out, Helping Jaylen Samuels and Trey Edmunds

James Conner struggled to stay healthy this season, and he'll now miss his third game in the last four weeks with a shoulder injury. In his place, Jaylen Samuels should get the start for the Pittsburgh Steelers, while Trey Edmunds serves as the change-of-pace back. Samuels has averaged 10.0 targets per contests in his last two games without Conner, making him an interesting start in PPR formats. Edmunds flashed some upside sans Conner in Week 9, tallying 73 rushing yards, but that was his only game of the season with more than four carries. Samuels looks to be a viable RB2 in PPR formats, while Edmunds could be a FLEX option thanks to a matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.

2. Jordan Howard's Second Straight Missed Game Could Increase Miles Sanders and Jay Ajayi's Value

While Jordan Howard was listed as questionable for the Philadelphia Eagles' Week 12 tilt with the Seattle Seahawks, it looks like he won't be able to suit up. Howard's absence creates fantasy value for both Miles Sanders and the newly acquired Jay Ajayi, though. While the Seahawks have been solid against the run, sitting at No. 16 in Football Outsiders' run defense DVOA rankings, the increased role could make both backs fantasy viable in Week 12. Sanders could be the preferred play in PPR formats, thanks to his pass-catching ability, though Ajayi could handle a bit more of the rushing volume.

3. Evan Engram Ruled Out, Sterling Shepard is Back in for New York Giants

The New York Giants are another team that has been riddled with injuries this season, as all of their top skill players have missed at least a few games thus far. While the team will once again be without Evan Engram, who will miss his third game of the season, the Giants will welcome Sterling Shepard back into the lineup. Shepard had missed the team's prior five games due to concussion symptoms, but is now set for his return. He draws a tough matchup in Week 12, against a Chicago Bears' defense that sits at No. 6 in Football Outsiders' pass defense DVOA rankings.

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