Aaron Ripkowski Daily Fantasy News, Rankings, Projections

Michael only played four offensive snaps last week and didn't earn a single touch. He must have gotten hurt in practice to be added this late, but he won't be much of a factor on Sunday if he plays. Green Bay's backfield is firmly Ty Montgomery's, who played 78% of the offensive snaps last week. It seems his true backup is Aaron Ripkowski, who played 31% of the offensive snaps against the Cowboys and picked up four carries for 24 yards in the process. Although Ripkowski had taken some goal line work (and touchdowns) from Montgomery in previous weeks, he didn't have a touch inside the 20-yard line in Dallas. Montgomery had three total touches in the red zone and scored two touchdowns inside the 3-yard line, which is an encouraging sign for his fantasy prospects in Atlanta. TyMont has become increasingly involved in the passing game - he caught six of seven targets for 34 yards against the Cowboys - and Atlanta is very poor at defending receiving running backs. They've allowed the most receptions (6.59), 2nd-most receiving yards (52.76), and 2nd-most receiving touchdowns (0.35) per game to the position. Montgomery is in a great spot, especially for full PPR scoring.

Janis is somewhat of a cult hero for a limited number of people on DFS twitter, but the reality is he's had three total receptions since catching all four targets for 30 yards and a touchdown in Week 7 against the Falcons. He filled in for an injured Randall Cobb that game but has since moved behind Geronimo Allison on the depth chart. It's likely Janis picks up some extra snaps if Jordy Nelson (ribs) can't play, but it's doubtful he can produce anything useful for fantasy. He's currently our second-lowest projected player on the slate. Starks hasn't made any progress since suffering a concussion, he's not expected to play this weekend. Green Bay will continue to start Ty Montgomery and use Christine Michael as a change-of-pace back and Aaron Ripkowski in short-yardage situations. Ripkowski has scored a touchdown in consecutive games and is a legitimate threat to Montgomery's touchdown expectation. Green Bay only gave Ripkowski two carries last week, but that was enough for him to vulture a one-yard score.

It appears he suffered a shoulder injury today and he's now officially questionable. He took nine carries away from Ty Montgomery last week, so this injury could provide a boost to TyMont's workload. Still, the Giants rank 3rd in rush DVOA. They've been red hot too, allowing the second-fewest fantasy points to running backs over the past four weeks. Even so, with limited options at running back this weekend, he projects as our RB4.

Both players are in the concussion protocol. Neither are expected to be cleared for their game against the Giants this Sunday, although they haven't been ruled out. Ty Montgomery is expected to start at running back again but Aaron Ripkowski out-snapped him 36-35 - Montgomery only played 47% of Green Bay's offensive snaps - and out-gained him 76 to 61 in Week 17. He also scored a touchdown while Montgomery did not. Since having what many considered to be a breakout game against the Bears in Week 15 when he gained 163 yards on 18 touches and scored twice, Montgomery has averaged 12 touches per game. He has a tough matchup this weekend against a Giants defense that ranks 3rd in rush DVOA and 3rd in receiving running back DVOA. With an insecure workload in a bad spot, Montgomery will have a low floor. However, on a small slate, he still projects as our RB4 and will be a (risky) tournament option. He's definitely a better play on DraftKings due to his skills as a receiver and more favorable price tag, but buyer beware. Rollins absence would be another blow to a decimated secondary. Green Bay has even promoted Herb Waters, who was cut from the team as a receiver earlier this season, from the practice squad for depth at cornerback. Green Bay allowed the most FanDuel points (second-most DraftKings points) per game to wide receivers in 2016. Rollins primarily mans the slot when three or more receivers are in - and the Giants used at least three receivers for a league-high 97% of pass plays (per Mike Clay) - so if he can't go it'll be a nice upgrade for Sterling Shepard who runs 86% of his routes out of the slot.