Will Fuller Injury Update Boosts Kenny Stills Fantasy Outlook for Week 17 and Playoffs

Houston Texans receiver Will Fuller will be out for Week 17 with a groin injury, and could be out for three weeks, according to reports.

#Texans speedy WR Will Fuller’s groin injury will keep him off the field in Week 17 and is likely a three-week injury, sources say following tests. Fuller has an outside chance to play in their first playoff game and will likely be available if they win and advance.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 23, 2019

After just 18 snaps in the Texans' 23-20 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Fuller injured his groin and was forced to leave the game. The Texans' downfield threat will now watch from the sidelines as the Texans take on the Tennessee Titans in Week 17.

Fuller has been the definition of a boom-or-bust player in 2019. Outside of massive games in Week 5 and Week 12 where he totaled 21 receptions, 357 yards, and 3 touchdowns, Fuller hasn't had the production or health required to be considered a reliable WR2.

In his stead, DeShaun Watson will rely on Kenny Stills and Deandre Carter. Stills will be the biggest beneficiary of Fuller's absence, as he has similar deep-threat skills in the Texans offense, averaging 14.0 yards per catch this year.

Stills led the Texans in receiving last week due to an uncharacteristic off day from DeAndre Hopkins. He also had a season-high 9 targets, which bodes well for his role in Week 17. Given that he's another boom-or-bust receiver in the Texans' offense, there will be greater chance for a big game with Fuller out. Stills also caught two touchdowns in his last matchup against Tennessee in Week 15. Carter saw only two targets after Fuller went down, and he doesn't bring nearly the value that Stills does.

The @HoustonTexans are the AFC South Champions! pic.twitter.com/cxTqhipnBt
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 21, 2019

The Texans are still playing for playoff seeding, but they check in as 5.5-point underdogs on FanDuel Sportsbook against a Titans team that is playing for their playoff lives.

Stills brings some big upside, but even with Fuller on the shelf he doesn't crack the top 36 at WR in our Week 17 PPR fantasy football rankings.

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Jason Schandl is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Jason Schandl also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username Jaymun. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.