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Veteran wideout DeVante Parker has had an up-and-down season in 2022. The eighth-year player has caught 15 passes for 321 yards and one touchdown so far in his first campaign with New England. Parker burst onto the scene with a five-reception, 156-yard performance against Baltimore in Week 3, but he's also had three games where he has not made a catch this season.
One of those games was last week, as he left the contest against the Jets early with a knee injury. He saw just one target before exiting the game and not returning.
Will Parker be able to play this week versus Indianapolis? Should fantasy managers consider adding and starting Tyquan Thornton, another receiver on the Patriots? Keep reading for updates on both Parker and Thornton.
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Is DeVante Parker Playing In Week 9 Against the Colts?
DeVante Parker suffered a knee injury on the first play of New England's game against the New York Jets last week. He did not return to the game. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Monday morning that Parker's injury was a knee sprain and that it should not keep him out for multiple weeks.
Pretty good news for the #Patriots and WR DeVante Parker, who suffered just a knee sprain on the first play in Sunday's win, source said. If he misses time, it'll likely only be one game. Could be back after the bye.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 31, 2022
However, Parker did not practice at all this week. This culminated in him being ruled out on Friday for this week's matchup with the Indianapolis Colts.
Patriots rule out David Andrews, Marcus Cannon and DeVante Parker. Damien Harris is listed as questionable after missing all week with an illness. Jack Jones is also dealing with an illness. pic.twitter.com/syvTcmfWSZ
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) November 4, 2022
Parker's injury was reported to be not that serious, but it will be enough to make him miss at least one game.
Is Tyquan Thornton Starting In Week 9 Against the Colts?
Parker's absence means that New England's top-two receivers against the Colts will be Jakobi Meyers and Tyquan Thornton. Thornton, a second-round rookie out of Baylor, should see a larger role this week as he ascends in the pecking order. His 78.7 percent snap share and 31 routes run last week with Parker missing most of the game were both the highest figures of his career.
Thornton missed the first four weeks of the season with a collarbone injury. Since then, he has caught eight passes for 76 yards and rushed the ball three times for 16 yards. He has scored two touchdowns on the season as well.
Should I Start Tyquan Thornton This Week in Fantasy Football?
Thornton would be far from an ideal starter for your fantasy football team this week. Parker's absence does not result in a large volume of targets becoming available; Parker has seen just 28 targets this year in a little over seven games. Moreover, Thornton has had such low production that relying on him to make a leap right now would be quite risky.
Thornton is averaging just 3.75 targets per game; even adding his target average with Parker's (3.86 through the first seven weeks) would result in just 7.61 targets. That would be just 29th among wideouts. Even if Parker's entire target share went to Thornton, which won't happen, Thornton's usage wouldn't stand out.
Thornton is also currently 66th among WRs in expected fantasy points per game with 8.4. His production and opportunities would have to sharply increase this week to be starting caliber in fantasy football. Moreover, with Jakobi Meyers likely to be matched up with Kenny Moore II on the majority of his snaps, Parker's absence means Thornton should face Stephon Gilmore on a hefty number of routes. Although Thornton is blazing fast with a 4.28-second 40-yard dash time, Gilmore is a former Defensive Player of the Year who still poses a difficult matchup for opposing receivers.
With bye weeks causing frustration for many fantasy managers right now, it's possible that you may need to start Thornton. However, there are very likely better options either available to add or on your roster to start this week.
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