Fantasy Football: Cincinnati Bengals' A.J. Green to do pre-game workout

CINCINNATI, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Even if you are a believer in the "start your studs" fantasy football mantra, it's best to use caution when putting A.J. Green in your starting lineup.

The Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver will go through a pregame workout Sunday "to see if he can do anything," a Bengals source told ESPN's Britt McHenry. McHenry reported that the Bengals are "not optimistic" on Green's status.

Green practiced on a limited basis this week but is listed as doubtful for the Bengals' 1 p.m. matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium. On Thursday, Jim Owczarski from the Cincinnati Enquirer reported that Green's Wednesday practice "did not set him back physically."

Owczarski also speculated that if Green was doubtful Friday "he won't play." Bengals coach Marvin Lewis forecasted Green's week as "partly sunny before he got in practices. Green hasn't played since suffering a Grade 2 hamstring tear in a Week 11 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Even if Green does suit up Sunday or in Week 16, he can't be trusted for your fantasy football squad. He might not return to a full workload of snaps and he could risk further injury while playing for a team on the outside of the playoff hunt. You don't want to depend on a banged-up player if you manage to make your fantasy football championship.

Green had 964 yards and four touchdowns on 66 receptions before suffering the hamstring injury. When healthy, he is a slam-dunk WR1.