Fantasy football: Start-em, sit-em players for Week 12

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OAKLAND, CA – NOVEMBER 27: Greg Olsen #88 of the Carolina Panthers is unable to make a catch for a first down in the final moments of their game against the Oakland Raiders on November 27, 2016 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Sit-em: Greg Olsen (CAR) @ New York Jets

Don’t rush to put Greg Olsen directly back into your starting lineup this week. If you need him and have no other options at tight end for your fantasy football lineup, then use him. Just don’t expect vintage Olsen numbers this week in New York.

Olsen has missed the entire 2017 season to this point, and there is going to be some rust to get off in Week 12. There are few players who can stay in football shape while not actually playing the game weekly. I need to see how Olsen looks on the field before I trust him on such an important week in fantasy football.

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On top of the rust, Olsen is not going to play the entire game. Head coach Ron Rivera and the Panthers have made it known that Olsen is going to be eased back into the rotation.

By next week, Olsen will be the stud fantasy tight end we all remember, but don’t jump the gun on this one. There are not a lot of sure things at tight end this week and Olsen isn’t one of them.

Next: Fantasy football: Start-em, sit-em players for Week 11

As desperate as the Panthers are to find playmakers for quarterback Cam Newton, they are going to play it smart with Olsen’s health. Look for him to be more of a decoy this week and try to get back in shape for a potential Week 13 breakout game.

Other options: Austin Hooper (ATL) vs. Tampa Bay and Coby Fleener (NO) @ Los Angeles Rams