Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver AJ Green appears to finally be set to make his 2019 NFL season debut against the Baltimore Ravens after being sidelined with an ankle injury.
Green's return has seemingly brought good fortune for the Bengals as they have enjoyed the healthiest week of practice since the season started. His return undoubtedly instills a newfound sense of optimism that this team has been sorely lacking in the first half of the year.
Of course, there have been plenty of changes since Green last took the field. The most notable aspect being the change under center from Andy Dalton to Ryan Finley. Not only will this be the veteran's first game back from injury, but it will also mark Finley's first NFL start.
As a result, it would be safe to temper expectations a bit as Green and the rookie continue to develop their chemistry and get on the same page. Fortunately, he has had some time to find his footing after making his return to practice last week.
Green has long established himself as one of the elite wideouts of his generation while serving as the No. 1 option in the Bengals passing game. Despite the recent rash of injuries, he is still easily the most talented player in their receiving corps and will be looking to potentially pick up where he left off against a generous Baltimore Ravens secondary.
Article Continues BelowThe emergence of wide receivers Auden Tate and Alex Erickson could actually bode well for Green's prospects from a fantasy perspective. Although the Ravens will still likely match him up with cornerback Marcus Peters and Earl Thomas over the top, both players have still been vulnerable to when guarding elite pass-catchers.
It is no secret that the Bengals have struggled to get any semblance of a run game going behind Joe Mixon in the backfield largely due to the lack of push up front. If they fall behind early against this high-powered Ravens offense led by quarterback Lamar Jackson, they may be compelled to let Finley let it fly against a Ravens defense that has been torched by receivers this season.
Regardless, there is only so much one can expect from a rookie quarterback making his first career start since he is sure to endure some growing pains. Hopefully, AJ Green can help serve as a safety net for him to find his footing early on.
Given it is still his first game back, fantasy owners can expect modest production from AJ Green somewhere in the six-catch, 60-yard range with a solid possibility of salvaging the day with a touchdown.