Set Your Alarm for Munich: Fantasy Lineup Guide for Patriots-Lions as New England's Backfield Thins Out

Fantasy managers, this one sneaks up on you. The New England Patriots and Detroit Lions meet Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Eastern at Allianz Arena in Munich, with the Lions as the designated home team and FOX carrying the game ^[1][2]. That is 3:30 in the afternoon in Germany and hours before the rest of the Sunday slate ^[1]. In any league that locks players at their own kickoff, your decisions on these two teams are due over breakfast.

The first injury report of the week, released Wednesday, gives us a good early read ^[3]. Here is what it says, and how to play it.

The Patriots' Backfield Is in Flux

The biggest fantasy story in this game is New England's running back room. Rhamondre Stevenson did not practice Wednesday because of a knee injury, and TreVeyon Henderson was listed as out with an illness, according to the joint injury report posted by the Patriots ^[3]. Fullback Reggie Gilliam was limited with a knee issue ^[3].

NBC Sports' fantasy injury roundup, citing ESPN's Adam Schefter, reported earlier in the week that Stevenson's knee problem would sideline him for a short stretch, and it noted Henderson was facing a second straight missed game ^[4]. If Stevenson cannot go, NBC Sports projected Corey Kiner as the lead back and called him a viable flex option ^[4].

My take: if you are thin at running back and Kiner is sitting on your waiver wire, he is worth a speculative claim now. Just don't start him blind. Watch Stevenson's status on the final injury report later this week, because once that game kicks off Sunday morning, there is no undo button.

A.J. Brown: Have a Plan B

A.J. Brown was a limited participant Wednesday with ankle and knee injuries ^[3]. NBC Sports noted he had missed the previous two weeks with a knee flare-up, that the team said Tuesday he would make the trip to Germany, and that managers should wait until late in the week for a final answer ^[4].

In Week 9 without Brown, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams and Mack Hollins led the Patriots' receivers in snaps and routes, according to NBC Sports ^[4]. Romeo Doubs is on injured reserve with a shoulder injury and will miss at least four games ^[4].

If you roster Brown, make sure you have an afternoon receiver you trust sitting on your bench. If New England rules him out, pivot without regret. If he is active but limited, treat him as a risky WR3 in his first game back. Douglas is the Patriots receiver to consider in deeper leagues if Brown sits.

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There is good news for quarterback starters: Drake Maye was a full participant despite a right shoulder listing ^[3]. Tight end Hunter Henry was limited with a foot injury, so check his status before you lock him in ^[3].

Detroit: Mostly Green Lights, One to Watch

On the Lions' side, the names that matter most for fantasy look closer to playing. Jared Goff was limited with a chest injury that was new to the report, and receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown was limited with a rib injury ^[3][5]. SB Nation's Pride of Detroit, in a report carried by Yahoo Sports, noted Goff took more hits than usual against Miami and that Wednesday may simply have been a lighter day, with a Thursday update to come ^[5]. The outlet expects St. Brown to play, pointing out that he was limited before Week 9 as well and did not look it in the game ^[5].

Jahmyr Gibbs does not appear on Detroit's injury report, so start him with confidence ^[3][5]. Behind him, Jacob Saylors was a full participant after a neck and hamstring listing, while Sione Vaki did not practice with an ankle injury ^[3]. Isiah Pacheco remains on injured reserve with knee and back injuries and is not expected back until December, Pride of Detroit reported ^[5].

Both defenses are banged up, which matters if you are streaming a defense or deciding on a pass catcher. Detroit cornerback D.J. Reed (hip) and center Cade Mays (ankle) did not practice, and coach Dan Campbell called both long shots to play, according to Pride of Detroit ^[3][5]. Safety Brian Branch was limited with a hip injury, and the outlet reported Campbell said Kerby Joseph will not play in Germany ^[5]. Edge rusher DJ Wonnum returned as a full participant after a concussion ^[3][5]. For New England, cornerback Carlton Davis III (knee) was listed out and safety Kevin Byard III was limited with a chest injury ^[3].

That is a lot of missing help in the secondary on both sides. It is one more reason to keep St. Brown and Maye in your lineups, and a reason to be careful about streaming either defense.

The Bottom Line

Start with confidence: Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown (barring a setback) and Drake Maye. Monitor closely: Jared Goff, A.J. Brown, Hunter Henry and Rhamondre Stevenson. Speculative add: Corey Kiner.

Set an alarm, check the final reports before you go to bed Saturday night, and lock in your Munich players before the 9:30 a.m. Eastern kickoff ^[1]. If you are playing the free Liberty Bell Fantasy games at libertybellreport.com/fantasy, give your lineup there a look, too. A good fantasy week is like a good week anywhere else: it rewards the people who prepare.