Fantasy Football News and Notes 10-16-13
News and Notes from Wednesday Night's "Red Zone" Radio Program
Fantasy News and Notes 10-16-13:
BYE WEEKS: New Orleans, Oakland
Quarterbacks
Minnesota named Josh Freeman their starting QB for Monday night's game against the New York Giants. Freeman s likely to remain the Vikings starting QB the rest of the season barring awful performances. Christian Ponder is expected to be the backup and Matt Cassel drops to being the #3.
Thaddeus Lewis practiced in full today and is expected to be able to start this week for Buffalo despite having a sprained foot. One of the things that made Lewis look good last week was his mobility so a drop in that could mean for a much poorer performance this week. But apparently Buffalo believes a hobbled Lewis is a better option than Matt Flynn. E.J. Manuel is not expected back until week 11 or 13. The Bills have the bye in week 12.
Matt Schaub was unable to practice today and while he hasn't been ruled out yet for week 7, it's considered unlikely he'll be able to play with his ankle injury. T.J. Yates and Case Keenum split up the first team reps in practice today and there's been no word on which player the Texans are leaning towards. It may take until Friday before a starter is announced.
Just like last week, Michael Vick is practicing in limited fashion this week, but he will not start week 7. Vick is still having some issues with his hamstring injury and the Eagles won't bring him back until the injury is totally healed up. Nick Foles will start again for the Eagles this week.
Jake Locker was able to take part in a very limited practice today for the Titans. Locker has been out the last 2 games because of hip and knee injuries. He isn't expected back until week 9 the soonest, and maybe not even then. Ryan Fitzpatrick will continue to start until he can return.
Running Backs
As expected, both DeMarco Murray (knee) and Lance Dunbar (hamstring) were unable to practice today. Neither is expected to play week 7. Rookie Joseph Randle is expected to start for Dallas this week and be backed up by Phillip Tanner.
C.J. Spiller was held out of Bills practice today because of his ankle injury. Spiller played through it week 6 but was clearly affected by it and while expected to play this week, at best it looks like he'll be on the wrong side of a split situation again with Fred Jackson this week. Until Spiller gets over the injury he's a dicey fantasy bet as a RB2/3.
Steven Jackson still has yet to practice for Atlanta despite it having been nearly 5 weeks since he injured his hamstring. He hasn't been ruled out yet, but he's not expected to play week 7. Jacquizz Rodgers and Jason Snelling will split the load again in his place. Snelling practiced in full today and appears to have gotten over a concussion he suffered week 5.
Marshawn Lynch is Probable for Seattle's Thursday night game against Arizona. He'll be fine despite a minor hip issue.
The Rams held Zac Stacy out of practice today. This is just like last week when Stacy sat out Wednesday's practice to rest a chest injury. Stacy has literally taken the Rams RB starting job and ran away with it and is fully expected to be fine for week 7.
Maurice Jones-Drew didn't practice today but the Jaguars say it wasn't injury related. It's probably just a scheduled day of rest for him.
Detroit's Joique Bell got in a limited practice today despite having bruised ribs. He should be okay for his normal backup role to Reggie Bush week 7.
James Starks has already been ruled OUT for week 7 because of his lingering knee injury. Johnathan Franklin looks like he'll backup Eddie Lacy again this week. With the way Lacy is playing, Starks is purely a Lacy handcuff for fantasy owners when he eventually gets healthy.
The Giants signed Peyton Hillis today. Hillis is expected to get some playing time Monday night as a backup to Brandon Jacobs, but he'll split backup duties with rookie Michael Cox. Jacobs has a sore hamstring, but is fully expected to be fine for Monday night.
Wide Receivers
Larry Fitzgerald practiced in full today and is listed as Probable for Arizona's game against Seattle tomorrow night. Fitz may be limited some because of his hamstring injury but he will play and you can consider him if you lack other quality options.
Justin Blackmon sat out practice today. He's listed as having a hamstring issue. But I expect he's just a little sore after such a huge workload week 6. Providing he returns to practice tomorrow he should be fine for week 7. His teammate, Cecil Shorts, also didn't practice. But unlike Blackmon, Shorts is in real danger of not playing this week because of his sternoclavicular joint sprain.
Calvin Johnson was a surprise participant in practice today. Officially, Johnson got in a limited practice. Johnson rarely practices on Wednesday's even when healthy so this could be a good sign that he'll be able to be more than a decoy week 7 for the Lions. If he practices again Thursday and Friday, I might even consider starting him in my lineups.
James Jones didn't practice today and while he hasn't been ruled out for week 7 yet, he's not likely to play. Jarrett Boykin is expected to start in his place for the Packers.
Andre Johnson was limited in practice because of his shin injury. He's been playing through it though and is fully expected to do so again week 7 for the Texans.
Danny Amendola missed practice today because of a concussion suffered week 6. He isn't expected to play this week for New England.
Roddy White was held out of practice today because of his hamstring and ankle injuries. White is very questionable to play for Atlanta week 7.
Buffalo's Steve Johnson was able to practice in limited fashion today. Johnson missed week 6 with a back injury. Barring any setbacks, I expect Johnson will be able to play this week.
It's hoped that after getting in a limited practice today Tampa Bay's Mike Williams will be able to play week 7. Williams sat out week 6 with a hamstring injury.
Eddie Royal missed practice today because of a toe injury. Royal's been bypassed by rookie Keenan Allen in the Chargers WR pecking order.
Tight Ends
Seattle's Zach Miller is listed as Probable and will play tomorrow night for the first time in a couple of games. Miller has been battling a hamstring injury. Considering the problems the Cardinals have had covering TE's, Miller can be considered by the truly desperate.
Chicago's Martellus Bennett was held out of practice today. This is becoming the norm for Bennett on Wednesday's because of a minor knee injury he's been playing through. He should be fine for week 7.
Rob Gronkowski was limited in practice today. Gronkowski reportedly has the power to make himself active or inactive each week and it's anyone's best guess whether he'll choose to play this week or not.
Greg Olsen sat out practice today with a foot injury. Olsen missed last Wednesday's practice but was able to play. I expect that will be the story again this week.
Jacksonville may have Marcedes Lewis back this week. Lewis practiced in limited fashion today and barring any setbacks in the calf injury that has plagued him so far this season he should be able to play week 7. I wouldn't think of starting him though until he makes it through a complete game with any issue.