Fantasy Football Injuries: David Johnson & Dede Westbrook Rankings, Backup Plans, More

It was a busy week on the injury front. We've got some marquee fantasy football injuries to monitor leading up to kickoff, but don't worry — our rankers have you covered in the event any of the players listed below are ruled out.

With this article, we'll give a brief rundown of some of the players who are entering the week with a questionable tag, along with where our fantasy experts — Sean Koerner, Chris Raybon and Matthew Freedman — will have each player ranked if they're active. We'll also run through which players would benefit the most if the questionable players are ruled out, and who you could pick up on waivers if you're in a pinch.

Here's a quick list of the seven players we'll cover:

• David Johnson, RB, Arizona Cardinals
• Christian Kirk, WR, Arizona Cardinals
• Marquise Brown, WR, Baltimore Ravens
• Dede Westbrook, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
• Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR, Green Bay Packers
• Geronimo Allison, WR, Green Bay Packers
• Amari Cooper, WR, Dallas Cowboys

Keep a close eye on our experts' real-time fantasy rankings, too, which will be continuously updated until kickoff.

Note: Beneficiaries, recommended waiver wire pickups and rankings as of 7 a.m. ET. Ownership data is via Yahoo Fantasy.

David Johnson, RB, Arizona Cardinals

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Johnson is expected to play today with the ankle injury that's been bothering him this week.

This news isn't too surprising since the Cardinals had ruled out RB D.J. Foster (hamstring) on Friday and never called another running back up on Saturday.

Fantasy Rankings If Johnson Is Active:

• Koerner: RB5
• Raybon: RB5
• Freedman: RB8

Biggest Beneficiary + Ranking If Johnson Is Inactive: Chase Edmonds (Koerner RB12, Freedman RB10, Raybon RB11)

Potential Waiver Wire Pickup If You're In A Bind: Chase Edmonds

Christian Kirk, WR, Arizona Cardinals

While his teammate is ready to go, Kirk isn't expected to play today, per NFL.com's Ian Rapoport.

Fantasy Ranking If Kirk Is Active:

• Koerner: WR29
• Raybon: WR29
• Freedman: WR36

Biggest Beneficiary + Ranking If Kirk Is Inactive: KeeSean Johnson (Koerner WR54, Raybon WR53), Larry Fitzgerald (Freedman WR12)

Potential Waiver Wire Pickup If You're In A Bind: KeeSean Johnson

Dede Westbrook, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

Westbrook was a late addition to the Jaguars' injury report (Thursday) and didn't practice on Thursday or Friday this week.

Schefter reported that Westbrook is a game-time decision, and the Jaguars will wait until pre-game warmups to make a decision.

Fantasy Ranking If Westbrook Is Active:

• Koerner: WR30
• Freedman: WR33
• Raybon: WR30

Biggest Beneficiary + Ranking With Westbrook Inactive: Keelan Cole (Koerner WR81, Raybon WR83), Chris Conley (Freedman WR46)

Potential Waiver Wire Pickup If You're In A Bind: Chris Conley

>> Get our experts' up-to-the-minute fantasy football rankings before lineups lock.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR, Green Bay Packers

MVS is hopeful he can play today, but Schefter stated he and teammate Geronimo Allison (concussion) are both game-time calls.

Fantasy Ranking If Valdes-Scantling Is Active:

• Koerner: WR42
• Freedman: WR42
• Raybon: WR40

Biggest Beneficiary + Ranking With Valdes-Scantling Inactive: Allen Lazard (Koerner WR37, Freedman WR42, Raybon WR36)

Potential Waiver Wire Pickup If You're In A Bind: Allen Lazard

Geronimo Allison, WR, Green Bay Packers

Schefter stated that Allison will be a game-time call, but he expects at least one of MVS or Allison to be able to play on Sunday.

Allen Lazard stands to benefit the most with either one of these players out, per our rankers.

Fantasy Ranking If Allison Is Active:

• Koerner: WR45
• Freedman: WR45
• Raybon: WR45

Biggest Beneficiary + Ranking With Allison Inactive: Allen Lazard (Koerner WR37, Freedman WR42, Raybon WR46)

Potential Waiver Wire Pickup If You're In A Bind: Allen Lazard

Marquise Brown, WR, Baltimore Ravens

There were no late-night Schefter bombs on Brown, but there was nothing but pessimism from Ravens beat writers throughout the week on his status.

Given Brown didn't get in a single practice all week, it wouldn't appear likely that he plays this week.

Fantasy Ranking If Brown Is Active:

• Koerner: WR30
• Freedman: WR32
• Raybon: WR30

Biggest Beneficiary + Ranking With Brown Inactive: Willie Snead (Koerner WR55, Raybon WR 55), Mark Andrews (Freedman TE3)

Potential Waiver Wire Pickup If You're In A Bind: Willie Snead

Amari Cooper, WR, Dallas Cowboys

It seemed like a long shot that Cooper would play early in the week, but Schefter reported that Cooper is fully expected to play against the Eagles tonight.

This is good news for fantasy owners, as the Eagles have one of the most burnable secondaries in the league.

Fantasy Ranking If Cooper Is Active:

• Koerner: WR10
• Freedman: WR15
• Raybon: WR10

Biggest Beneficiary + Ranking With Cooper Inactive: Tavon Austin (Koerner WR58, Freedman WR54, Raybon WR59)

Potential Waiver Wire Pickup If You're In A Bind: Tavon Austin

Quick Hits

• Mitch Trubisky (shoulder) is expected to start on Sunday.
• Julian Edelman (chest) is expected to play Monday night against the Jets; the Patriots are already without Josh Gordon (knee).
• Rex Burkhead (foot) is also listed as questionable. He practiced in a limited fashion all week.