Fantasy Football News and Notes 11-5-13
News and Notes from Tuesday Night's "Red Zone" Radio Program
Fantasy News and Notes 11-05-13:
BYE WEEKS: Cleveland, Kansas City, New England, New York Jets
Quarterbacks
Aaron Rodgers suffered a small fracture in his collarbone and is expected to miss at least 3 weeks. The timetable is fluid but it means that Seneca Wallace will start week 10 for the Packers.
Michael Vick is expected to miss week 10 with his hamstring injury. Nick Foles will get the start for the Eagles. Just don't expect another 7 TD passes.
Minnesota has named Christian Ponder their starter for Thursday night's game. Ponder was actually pretty good week 9 and as long as he's doing well he'll continue to start. But the first bad game he has likely will mean the Vikings will turn back to Josh Freeman.
Terrelle Pryor suffered a minor knee injury week 9 but he's still expected to start week 10 for Oakland. We'll see if that changes in the coming days.
After Josh McCown looked very good last night for Chicago, it's expected that Jay Cutler will sit out week 10. Cutler had been making noise about an earlier than expected return from his groin injury, but McCown's good showing means there's no reason for him to hurry back before letting it heal up more. Cutler may be in line to return week 11.
Buffalo released Matt Flynn on Monday. They must be either expecting E.J. Manuel to return this week or Thaddeus Lewis. It could even be both. Manuel was able to practice some last week and I suspect that barring any setbacks this week, he'll likely be the Bills starter week 10.
Running Backs
Arian Foster suffered a back injury Sunday and was unable to continue playing. Between that and his hamstring injury, I think Foster is going to sit out week 10. Expect Ben Tate to start for Houston this week despite having cracked ribs. Dennis Johnson will be the top backup to Tate.
Darren McFadden aggravated the hamstring injury he suffered a few weeks back in week 9. He is likely to miss week 10. Expect Rashad Jennings to start in his place for Oakland.
Although Buffalo's C.J. Spiller aggravated his ankle injury week 9, it's believed he will play through it week 10. This could be a bad idea by Buffalo but it's the current plan.
Rashard Mendenhall is fully expected back this week for Arizona. The bye week appears to have allowed his toe injury to heal up. We can only hope that his return won't prevent Arizona from getting the more electrifying (and better fantasy RB) Andre Ellington 15-20 offensive touches.
No word yet on whether the Saints will have Darren Sproles available this week or not. Sproles suffered a concussion week 9 and he'll need to pass the protocols before he's allowed back on the field. His absence gives Pierre Thomas a nice uptick in potential value as Thomas will now dominate RB passing down duties.
Wide Receivers
It's tentatively expected that Roddy White is going to be able to play week 10. Reports say he was actually very close to playing week 9. However, I am tempering my enthusiasm for White until I see get through a game and be productive.
James Jones apparently made it through last night's game without any aggravation of his knee injury and he should be okay going forward.
The Jets Jeremy Kerley suffered a dislocated elbow injury week 9. The Jets have the bye this week but he's expected to miss 2-3 games after that.
Buffalo's Robert Woods escaped week 9 with a minor ankle sprain. He is currently considered day to day and stands a decent chance of playing week 10.
The 49ers activated Mario Manningham from the PUP list yesterday. He is on track to play week 10. I'd rather see him in a game or two before considering him though. Earlier today, the 49ers also got Michael Crabtree back on the practice field. Crabtree has been on the PUP list all season with an Achilles tendon injury suffered back in May. The team now has 3 weeks to either activate him to the active roster or place him on injured reserve. Week 14 was considered to be the earliest Crabtree was expected to return so this is a bit ahead of schedule.
New England waived Austin Collie. He has been active the last couple of games but was buried on the rotation and with the other WR's all looking healthy now, he was expendable.
Tight Ends
It's uncertain of the bye week was enough time for Denver's Julius Thomas to get his ankle injury healed up to where it won't be an issue. Hopefully we know more as the week goes along.
Minnesota's Kyle Rudolph suffered a broken foot injury week 9 and he is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. Given where we are in the season, it's a possibility Rudolph could be eventually placed on injured reserve. For now though, he is expected to return before the end of the season and you can either keep him stashed on your rosters, or drop him to acquire a replacement. John Carlson will take over as the starting TE for Minnesota.
Green Bay placed Jermichael Finley on injured reserve today. Finley has been out since suffering a spinal cord injury two weeks ago and this move was expected. Andrew Quarless will continue to start for the Packers in his place but Quarless is a poor fantasy option.
Lance Kendricks suffered a finger injury week 9 and his status for week 10 is uncertain. His absence can only help Jared Cook re-discover what fantasy value is.
Kickers
Houston's Randy Bullock missed 3 of FGA's on Sunday and has been very inconsistent this season. A lot more was expected of him, but the team may be wearing thin on patience as they brought in several kickers for workouts earlier today. We should know by tomorrow whether they signed one or are sticking with Bullock.