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It is Week 15 and the NFL is being decimated by COVID. Unfortunately for fantasy football enthusiasts, this is happening in the middle of the playoffs. Therefore, it is vital to keep track of the latest COVID list members that could miss this week's contests.
The Seattle Seahawks are one of the teams getting hit by COVID. Earlier today they placed their star wide receiver Tyler Lockett on the COVID list. Does that mean that Lockett will miss this week? If he were to miss, what does that mean for the Seahawks' offense?
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Is Tyler Lockett Playing In Week 15 Against the Rams?
UPDATE: It was announced on Friday afternoon that the Seahawks-Rams game has been postponed until Tuesday due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Stay tuned for any changes with players being active and passing COVID-19 protocols in time for Tuesday.
On Tuesday afternoon additional news came out that Tyler Lockett is unlikely to be activated for this week's game against the Rams. Lockett remains on the COVID-19 list, and 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 Sunday.
COVID and Injury Updates
As mentioned before, Tyler Lockett was placed on the COVID list earlier today. That doesn't necessarily mean that he is guaranteed to miss this week. If Lockett is able to procure two negative tests between now and Sunday, he could still be available to play. This is more of a wait-and-see approach.
It's likely that Lockett will be forced to miss this Sunday's game but that is not a foregone conclusion so news should be monitored closely.
Will D.K. Metcalf and Gerald Everett get increased target shares?
If Tyler Locket misses this game, he is averaging 7.2 targets per game and those targets have to go somewhere. However, the Seahawks would much rather run the ball than throw it. That said, they get the Rams this week and they should be trailing for the majority of the game which should force them to the air.
The obvious beneficiary of Lockett's absence is D.K. Metcalf. Metcalf already sees 7.1 targets per game in this offense and that should only be boosted by Lockett's absence. The worrisome part is that he should see a lot of Jalen Ramsey as the obvious top receiver.
Gerald Everett would also be in a position to benefit from Lockett's absence. Everett is currently seeing 4.2 targets per game but Lockett's absence should push that to the 6-8 range. Furthermore, if Ramsey is able to slow Metcalf, that could funnel even more usage in Everett's direction.
Will Dee Eskridge Start in Week 15?
Finally, Dee Eskridge could turn into the Seahawks number two wide receiver without Lockett. Eskridge has only received two targets per game but he would be on the field a ton in an environment where the Seahawks would be expected to throw. It is possible the Seahawks decide to rotate that WR2 spot between several players, but Eskridge is the likeliest to take advantage of that opportunity.
Should I Start Tyler Lockett?
This is a tough situation. Yet, if Lockett were to get his negative testing completed and he is available to play then there should be no limitations for him. Therefore, if he is available to play, he should be in your lineup for what should be a good game environment.
That said, if he misses this game, Metcalf and Everett should be started everywhere as there is a shortlist of players that would be set up for success better than them. Eskridge is more questionable but he could be considered for a WR3 or flex option. Especially, considering the large number of players that will likely miss this week with an injury and/or COVID.
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