Fantasy News and Notes 10-15-13:

 

BYE WEEKS: New Orleans, Oakland

 

Quarterbacks

 

 

After a stellar performance week 6, Nick Foles will start again for the Eagles this week. Michael Vick was active this past week, but only as the emergency QB and he still isn't completely healed up the hamstring injury he suffered two weeks ago. While Foles plays well, I don't expect the Eagles to rush back until the hammy is truly close to 100%. And if Foles plays lights out, I don't expect Vick to get the job back when he is 100%.

 

No word yet on who will start for the Texans week 7 yet. Matt Schaub suffered an undisclosed foot or ankle injury week 6 and his backup, T.J. Yates then proceeded to throw a pick-6 a few plays later. The Texans say they will wait until later in the week to determine who will start, but the options are: a gimpy Schaub who was ineffective before getting injured this past week; Yates, who looked inept; or Case Keenum. Keenum is, of course, the fans favorite as he has yet to look terrible. Keenum spent 2012 on the Texans practice squad.

 

The Vikings have yet to name a starting QB for week 7. In week 6 Matt Cassel predictably looked like the inept Matt Cassel we saw in Kansas City. Who starts depends entirely on how well Josh Freeman has picked up the offense since being signed last week. If the Vikings think Freeman has learned enough of it, it's likely he'll start. If they don't feel comfortable with his knowledge of the offense, it will likely be Cassel. There's also a chance they could give Christian Ponder one last chance, but I get the feeling the team is ready to move on from him. I expect the Vikings will announce it by Thursday.

 

Thaddeus Lewis is uncertain to be able to play week 7 for Buffalo. Lewis looked a whole lot better than anyone expected week 6 but a foot injury could make him miss the game. The Bills are so scared of backup Jeff Tuel running their offense they actually went out and signed Matt Flynn to start this week if Lewis can't.  

 

 

Running Backs

 

With DeMarco Murray expected to miss week 7 with a knee injury, and Lance Dunbar unlikely to play because of a hamstring injury, rookie Joseph Randle is line to start for Dallas this week against a mediocre Eagles run defense. Randle isn't a special talent, but he is a high effort guy who has a well rounded game as both a rushing and receiving RB. For one week (and maybe two) Randle could provide some fantasy help. He'll be backed up by Phillip Tanner. Tanner isn't considered likely to have a big offensive role unless Randle totally blows his chance.

 

It was hoped that this would be the week that Steven Jackson would return for the Falcons, but latest word says Jackson still isn't over his hamstring injury and that he may need to miss one more game. It's early in the week so there's still hope, but be prepared for him to be out again and for Jacquizz Rodgers and Jason Snelling to carry the load in his place. Rodgers might be the preferred of the two as Snelling needed the bye last week to get over a concussion he suffered in week 5.

 

Seattle's Marshawn Lynch was held out of practice today because of a hip injury. Currently, it's expected that Lynch will be fine for Thursday night's game.

 

The Jets placed Mike Goodson on injured reserve because of a torn ACL. This makes the Jets a two headed RBBC with Bilal Powell as the lead RB and Chris Ivory as the change of pace. The situation is still fluid though and if Ivory can stay healthy, I won't be surprised if he and Powell switch places as Powell is the better receiving RB and that was the role Goodson was supposed to be handling. There's also a little bit of a concern about Powell possibly having suffered a shoulder injury week 6, but it didn't prevent him from finishing the game and he is expected to be okay.

 

Detroit's Joique Bell appears to have dodged a bullet as his rib injury is not considered serious. He was unable to finish week 6 because of it, but he is tentatively expected to be okay for his usual backup role week 7. If that prognosis changes though, we could see Mikel Leshoure be the top backup to Reggie Bush week 7. It's uncertain if Theo Riddick is recovered enough from a concussion suffered week 5 to return to action.

 

The Giants waived Da'Rel Scott today. Scott sustained a hamstring injury last Thursday night and was expected to miss several weeks. It's likely he'll clear waivers and get placed on injured reserve. With David Wilson out another few weeks himself, the Giants are down to Brandon Jacobs as their starter. Jacobs is nursing a sore hamstring after carrying a huge load week 6, but he is expected to be fine for week 7. Rookie Michael Cox is expected to play some this week as his change of pace and the Giants are working out free agent RB's with the intent of signing one to provide depth. I would still think they might be willing to trade for a RB even with their 2013 season spiraling down the tubes.

 

 

Wide Receivers

 

Green Bay placed Randall Cobb on the injured reserve/designated for return list today because of the fractured fibula injury he suffered. The earliest Cobb can return is now week 15. With James Jones also uncertain to play week 7 because of a minor knee sprain, Jarrett Boykin could end up starting. Myles White was promoted from the practice squad to be the #4 WR if Jones can play and the #3 if Jones can't. It also won't be a surprise at all if the Packers now become a player in trading for an available WR. The Titans might take a conditional late round pick for Kenny Britt and he could really fit in there. They may even be willing to offer up enough to pry Josh Gordon from the Browns. Gordon's value in Green Bay would be obscene. We'll see how proactive the Packers are in the next 2 weeks. The trade deadline is October 29th.  

 

Atlanta's Roddy White is very uncertain for week 7 because of hamstring and ankle injuries. With Julio Jones gone for the year, Harry Douglas will start and if White can't play it would be either Drew Davis or Kevin Cone taking his place. The Falcons are another team that could be looking to make a trade to acquire a WR this week. They could also go to the street for a veteran free agent.

 

Cecil Shorts is uncertain to play week 7 for Jacksonville because of a sprained sternoclavicular joint. For those who are not doctors, this is where the collarbone meets the top of chest's breastplate. At least I think that's right as I had to look it up. Mike Brown would start if Shorts can't play.  

 

Larry Fitzgerald made it through week 6 despite a hamstring injury. Fitz didn't look too limited by it, but with it being a short week (Arizona plays Seattle Thursday night) expect Fitz to be limited in practices or held out completely and for him to be listed as Questionable. I expect he'll play.

 

Calvin Johnson is likely to be held out of practices this week as he tries to recover from a knee issue. Megatron played week 6 but was clearly limited in both what he could do and in playing time. He isn't believed to have suffered any setbacks, but that's no guarantee he is fine for week 7. Also in Lions WR news, they released Patrick Edwards. Kris Durham has taken over as the starter opposite Megatron.

 

It's unknown if Mike Williams will be able to play this week for the Bucs or not. Williams missed week 6 because of a hamstring injury.

 

Danny Amendola suffered a head injury believed to be a concussion. The Patriots haven't officially termed it that, but it seemed pretty obvious to anyone who saw him after he was hit. Consider Amendola doubtful to play week 7.

 

No word yet on whether Buffalo will have Steve Johnson back week 7 or not. Johnson missed week 6 because of a back injury.

 

The Jets placed Clyde Gates on injured reserve today because of a shoulder injury. His season is done. The team signed Greg Salas off the Eagles practice squad and also signed free agent Josh Cribbs. It's probably a good bet Santonio Holmes isn't close to returning from his hamstring injury.

 

 

Tight Ends

 

The bye week comes at a perfect time for the Saints as Jimmy Graham suffered a foot injury week 6. It's believed to be minor though and the bye week is expected to be enough time for him to be okay when the Saints return week 8.

 

In what has become the daily update I am most sick of making in 2013, there's been no word on whether Rob Gronkowski will play this week or not. Apparently, what's been going on is that the Patriots doctors have cleared him to play, but his independent doctors have told him he's still at risk of the forearm not being completely healed up yet. The back is not considered to be the issue at all anymore; it is the arm he's had surgically repaired a couple of times now in the past year and a half. Expect Gronkowski to practice in limited fashion again this week, be listed as Questionable come Friday on the injury report, and for him to be considered a game time decision.

 

Detroit is expected to be without Tony Scheffler again week 7. Scheffler has a concussion and he has no timetable for return. His absence just means more chances for undrafted rookie Joseph Fauria to get more involved in the Lions offense. Fauria is intriguing as he already is the Lions top red zone target, but could start getting more targets between the 20's. He's someone to keep an eye on going forward in standard leagues and a definite roster acquisition in TD only leagues.

 

 

Kickers

 

Steven Hauschka left Sunday's game temporarily to be checked for a concussion in the 2nd quarter. It was deemed he was okay to return and he finished out the game. Hauschka should be okay for Seattle's Thursday night's game against Arizona.