Fantasy News and Notes 10-22-13:

 

BYE WEEKS: Baltimore, Chicago, Houston, Indianapolis, San Diego, Tennessee

 

Quarterbacks

 

Chicago's Jay Cutler will miss at least 4 weeks because of a torn groin muscle injury. The earliest Cutler will return is week 12, and there's no guarantee he'll be ready that soon. Josh McCown will start in his place and is worth considering by those who need a QB as McCown is a semi-decent QB and there are plenty of quality weapons around him to throw to. Jordan Palmer was signed today to be McCown's backup.

 

Sam Bradford tore an ACL and his 2013 season is over. Kellen Clemens steps in as the Rams starter the remainder of the season. Clemens is a mediocre QB at best and would be an emergency only pickup. The Rams signed Austin Davis and Brady Quinn to provide depth behind Clemens.

 

With Nick Foles having sustained a concussion week 7, the Eagles are expected to start Michael Vick week 8. Vick isn't completely over his hamstring injury, but he certainly is a better QB than Matt Barkley. Barkley hype ended as soon as he went into the game this weekend replacing Foles. Even if Foles passes his concussion protocols, he was so bad that I doubt he'll start another game as long as Vick can stand.

 

Despite making my eyes bleed for 3 hours last night, Josh Freeman will remain the Vikings starting QB week 8. Freeman was beyond inaccurate but the Vikings must think he'll be better as he gets more time. I agree with them since their only other options are Christian Ponder and Matt Cassel. But I would also agree with the vast majority of the media in saying Freeman was rushed into action too soon.  

 

Cleveland is expected to stick with Brandon Weeden as their starting QB week 8 despite Weeden having played awful week 7. Their only other option is Jason Campbell. That tells you all you need to know about how bad Weeden has played. They may change their minds, but I think they'll give Weeden one more chance before turning to Campbell.

 

After Case Keenum looked better than a Texans QB has looked since week 2, Houston gets the bye to mull their options. Matt Schaub may be recovered enough from a foot injury to play when they return week 9, but then again; he may not. We'll see how this plays out next week.  

 

 

Running Backs

 

Doug Martin reportedly suffered a torn labrum in his shoulder this weekend and his season is in jeopardy. There's been no word about the Bucs putting him on injured reserve yet so those of you with Martin need to hold onto him and see how this plays out. While it's likely he's going to end up on injured reserve, it hasn't been decided yet. What has been decided is that Martin won't play Thursday night, probably has no chance to play week 9 either. Mike James takes over as the primary RB for the Bucs and should be grabbed in all fantasy leagues. It's not that James is a special talent, but he's going to be the workhorse going forward. James is a power RB who also catches the ball fairly well. RB's who are likely to get 14+ carries regularly are rare on waiver wires and there's always the chance a fresh set of legs can produce in the middle of a season. James should be a top free agent add this week in all fantasy formats. Brian Leonard will be his backup and Bobby Rainey, who was released by Cleveland last week, will be the #3.

 

The Falcons say they are expecting Steven Jackson will be able to practice Wednesday despite being a slow healer from quad and hamstring injuries. Jackson has had a lot of time off to recover and as long as he can get in a couple of practices without setbacks, he's likely to return to game action this week. Tentatively expect to have Jackson back this week.

 

No word if DeMarco Murray will be able to play week 8 or not. Murray probably will sit out with his knee sprain as it's usually a 2-3 week recovery from his injury. We'll know more later in the week but for now, I'd be planning on keeping Murray on the bench. Joseph Randle did well enough as his replacement week 7 and probably would start again if Murray doesn't play. Randle may have some competition for carries though as Lance Dunbar is tentatively expected to finally return from a hamstring injury that has held him out the last few weeks.

 

Fred Jackson aggravated his sprained knee in week 7 and while he was able to finish the game, he likely will be rested in practices this week. With C.J. Spiller also struggling with his ankle injury we could see a little more of Tashard Choice in Buffalo's backfield week 8. Jackson is a tough guy though and will still be the best fantasy bet as long as he can play.

 

It's hoped that the bye week will be enough time for Arian Foster to recover from an aggravation of his hamstring injury. Foster left Sunday's game early with the injury and never returned. If Foster is still having issues next week, Ben Tate likely would be the Texans starting RB if a couple of cracked ribs in week 7 don't prevent him. Tate played through the injury week 7 so I would expect he should be okay to wear a flak jacket and play in week 9, but that's just speculation. Houston may look to sign a RB after they waived 3rd stringer Cierre Wood Monday. Wood blew a major potential opportunity when he and a couple of teammates were released for reportedly smoking marijuana at the team's hotel. Practice squad RB Ray Graham could be called up next week if Foster or Tate aren't expected to play.  

 

The Giants hope Brandon Jacobs will be back week 8 after he missed last night with a hamstring injury. But early week reports sound iffy at best for Jacobs and it could be another week of molasses man Peyton Hillis and stutter stepping rookie Michael Cox at RB for the Giants.

 

Pittsburgh released Isaac Redman on Monday. Redman failed to capitalize on opportunities to prove himself capable of being a good RB both last year and this year and had been inactive since Le'Veon Bell returned healthy. While there is a chance some RB needy team will acquire him there's little chance he'd be much of a fantasy factor.

 

Carolina's Jonathan Stewart practiced today and the team now will have 3 weeks to decide if they want to activate him to the active roster, or place him on injured reserve. Stewart is not expected to play week 8 but could be ready by week 9 if he suffers no setbacks. DeAngelo Williams owners need to pay attention as if Stewart does return to game action, it will cut into DW's playing time.

 

 

Wide Receivers

 

The Colts placed Reggie Wayne on injured reserve today. Wayne suffered a torn ACL week 7 and his 2013 season is done. Wayne will be 35 in November and as an older WR it's very possible this injury will end his career. It's difficult to see the upside of holding onto Wayne even in dynasty leagues. T.Y. Hilton and Darrius Heyward-Bey will be the Colts starters going forward and both would be considerations for acquisition if available on your free agent wire.

 

Percy Harvin practiced today and now the Seahawks have 3 weeks to activate him to their active roster. There's a chance Harvin could be activated as soon as this week and then play Monday night against the Rams. But as of right now, I would expect week 9 as a more likely return date.

 

DeSean Jackson suffered a foot injury week 7 but he was able to play through it and finish the game. It's something I'm keeping track of during the week as originally I thought it looked pretty bad. Tentatively, I expect Jackson will be okay for week 8.

 

Brandon Marshall suffered a wrist injury week 7 but it's considered minor and he is expected to be fine for when the Bears return from their week 8 bye.

 

It's uncertain if James Jones will be able to play week 8 or not for Green Bay. Tentatively I am not expecting him to play but we'll hopefully have a better idea later in the week. Jarrett Boykin would start again if Jones can't play. If you are needy at WR and Boykin is still available in your league, you should snatch him up. Packers WR's in prominent offensive roles produce points.  

 

Also uncertain for week 8 is Atlanta's Roddy White. White missed week 7 because of hamstring and ankle injuries and may not be ready to return. Even if active, I would expect him to be just as limited as he was earlier in the season when he was a huge disappointment. Harry Douglas is a must add to fantasy rosters if he's still available. Drew Davis stepped in as the definite starter opposite Douglas last week over Kevin Cone but Davis is not an attractive fantasy option even if White misses week 8.

 

Tampa Bay's Mike Williams is tentatively expected to play Thursday night. Williams played through his hamstring injury Sunday but with it being a short week, he's not a lock to be active Thursday night. We should know more tomorrow.

 

Also unsure for week 8 is New England's Danny Amendola because of his concussion. There's been no word from the Patriots but we should get an indication of how things are going with him if he's able to practice this week.

 

 

Tight Ends

 

Green Bay's Jermichael Finley is very uncertain to play again in 2013 after suffering a bruised spinal cord injury week 7. While it's great news he didn't suffer any lengthy paralysis, he's not going to play any time soon and word is that the Packers are likely to place him on injured reserve rather than put him at any further risk this season. That hasn't happened yet though and may be more media speculation than anything based in fact. But it's clear at least Finley won't play week 8. Andrew Quarless will be the Packers starting TE, with Brandon Bostick likely to be the primary pass catching TE. We could also see an increase of playing time for Ryan Taylor. Quarless is a better blocker than receiver so I would say for those who like to speculate, Bostick is likely the better speculative grab.

 

It's too early in the week to know whether the week 7 bye was enough time for Jimmy Graham to recover from a foot injury suffered week 6. There seems to be a lot of early week speculation that Graham won't be ready to return. Expect this to come down to the wire and for Graham to be considered a game time decision. If he can't play, Ben Watson would step in as the Saints starter but Watson isn't near the receiver Graham is.  

 

Although I'm sure we're going to get a week of practice reports saying Rob Gronkowski is limited, he appeared to have emerged from playing week 7 without aggravating his arm or back injuries ad should be fine for week 8. I'll let you know if that changes.

 

Detroit released Tony Scheffler today. This should mean more opportunities for Joseph Fauria to take on a bigger role in the Lions passing attack.