Fantasy Fallout: Look to the opposite sideline for a Tavon Austin replacement

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Here are the fantasy implications of Los Angeles Rams WR Tavon Austin (chest) being considered doubtful for Week 13 against the New England Patriots:

Though he plies his trade for the NFL's 29th-ranked passing offense and sits fourth on the Rams in receiving yards, Austin nevertheless has a consensus ownership of 56 percent, according to FantasyPros, making him a surprisingly popular fantasy option despite middling season-long production.

While the 5-foot-8 speedster has been targeted 80 times in 11 games, he's only managed a 44-401-3 receiving line, with an additional 91 yards gained on 19 rush attempts. He's likely been done no favors by the team's quarterback duo of Case Keenum and Jared Goff; he's only seen six targets in the two games that Goff has been under center.

WR Kenny Britt is Los Angeles' lone reliable pass-catcher. The eighth-year veteran has already set career-highs in receptions (54) and yards (788), while scoring four times. Britt is still available in approximately 40 percent of fantasy leagues, and makes for a solid option for anyone dead-set on starting a Ram. Garbage-time production could certainly be in the offing, with Britt and TE Lance Kendricks the likeliest candidates to find the end zone.

The Mitchell Report

A more forward-looking replacement is rookie Patriots WR Malcolm Mitchell, who has emerged over the past two games, catching three touchdowns while hauling in nine receptions for 140 yards. Those two outings essentially didn't feature Rob Gronkowski, as the star tight end sat out Week 11 against San Francisco and left injured after a mere seven snaps in Week 12 versus the Jets.

With Gronkowski suffering what's expected to be a season-ending back injury, Mitchell should continue to see a bigger role as the Patriots seek to find a viable field-stretcher. Given the explosiveness of the New England offense, even sans Gronk, cutting bait with Austin in favor of Mitchell could pay dividends heading into the imminent fantasy playoffs.

The Patriots play host to the Rams in Week 13, and will have to like their chances against 4-7 Los Angeles, which allowed a season-high 49 points in Week 12 on the road against New Orleans. The Saints accounted for five passing touchdowns, so given the form that Mitchell has shown of late, it wouldn't be surprising if he found the end zone for a third straight game.