Fantasy Football News and Notes 9-19-13
News and Notes from Thursday Night's "Red Zone" Radio Program
Fantasy News and Notes 9-19-13:
Quarterbacks
Ryan Tannehill has been limited some in practices because of a minor injury to his throwing shoulder. Tannehill is fully expected to be fine to start week 3 for Miami.
Cleveland Head Coach Rob Chudzinski intimated today that Brandon Weeden may not get his starting job back even when his thumb injury is healed up. Weeden hasn't been sharp the first two games and if Brian Hoyer can effectively move the offense he could stick as the Browns starter. I think it's unlikely Hoyer can be an effective every week starting QB though so I expect we will see Weeden get the job back, but it may not be as soon as week 4.
I'm tired of talking about the irrelevant Jacksonville starting QB situation as there is no hope either of Blaine Gabbert or Chad Henne would make a good start this week in Seattle even in leagues that require 2 starting QB's. But for what it's worth, it's expected that Henne will start as Gabbert's hand injury hasn't healed up enough yet. God help you if you have to start a Jaguars QB this week.
Running Backs
In a surprise twist, Le'Veon Bell was listed as a full participant in practice today for the Steelers. While this is an unexpected good sign in his recovery from a bad mid-foot sprain, it's still considered doubtful that he will be able to play in week 3. I know the Steelers are desperate to get him back considering their woeful stable of backup RB's, but even week 4 seems optimistic to expect Bell to return. Be sure to check out my Saturday team by team news and notes for the latest on whether Bell actually does stand a chance of playing this week.
The Colts say that Trent Richardson is going to play week 3 and while he may not be able to handle a full featured RB workload, he will play plenty. Richardson is a weak fantasy RB2 play this week against the 49ers, but it's sounding like he will be the primary even with only 3 days to absorb the playbook.
As expected, Cleveland signed free agent Willis McGahee to replace Richardson. McGahee can't possibly be in true football shape though and it's not even a given he will be active this week. My guess is that he will be, but that we'll see a lot of Chris Ogbonnaya and also a good bit of Bobby Rainey. However I really can't say I'd trust any of them in fantasy starting lineups this week.
Ray Rice continues to miss practices because of his hip flexor injury. At best he's going to be a game time decision and I seriously doubt that even if active, he plays much at this week. Expect Baltimore to run a lot with Bernard Pierce and I expect Pierce will be a middling to low end fantasy RB2 this week
Reggie Bush was unable to practice today but is expected to try to practice tomorrow. Only because the matchup is juicy does Bush make a low end consideration as a fantasy RB2 this week if he plays. I think it's very likely Joique Bell is the better fantasy option even if Bush is active for this game.
Maurice Jones-Drew was unable to practice again today because of his ankle injury. His status for week 3 is looking questionable at best. I advise just keeping MJD on your benches this week as even if active, a hobbled MJD against the Seahawks defense is a bad fantasy matchup.
Rashard Mendenhall was held out of practice again today with his listed toe injury. This officially becomes a little bit of a concern as that's two straight missed practices but as long he practices tomorrow, I'll feel comfortable with Mendy being a low end fantasy RB2 this week.
Wide Receivers
Andre Johnson reportedly was able to practice in full today for the Texans. It looks like he'll be a full go this weekend barring any setbacks between now and Sunday.
Larry Fitzgerald was held out of practice again today for the Cardinals. It's said that Fitz wants to practice and Bruce Arians is wisely holding him back to rest his hamstring strain. I think Fitz will practice some tomorrow and although likely to be listed as Questionable come Friday on the injury report, I think he will play.
Danny Amendola was able to get in a second consecutive limited practice today. But he's still considered a long shot to play in week 3. But maybe he could be able to play in week 4?
Tennessee's Kendall Wright missed practice again today because of concussion symptoms. Wright is sounding very questionable to play week 3 and may come down to a game time decision. While Wright has enough game to be fantasy worthy when playing, I think it too risky to have him in any starting fantasy lineups this week.
Among WR's who were either limited in practice or held out, but are expected to be just fine for week 3, the list includes Dallas's Dez Bryant (back), Chicago's Brandon Marshall (back), Atlanta's duo of Julio Jones (knee) and Roddy White (ankle), Indianapolis's T.Y. Hilton (groin), and the Jets Santonio Holmes (foot)
Tight Ends
Rob Gronkowski was limited in practice again today and (surprise) there's been no definitive word as to whether he'll be able to play week 3 or not. With an early game this week, we'll know whether Gronk is active or not about an hour before the first games kick off Sunday. Even if active, he's likely to be limited some and I would consider him to be a low end fantasy TE1.
The 49ers held Vernon Davis out of practice again today. Davis is nursing a strained hamstring. While he says he'll be good for week 3, I'll feel a whole lot better about his chances if he can get in at least a limited practice tomorrow. Right now consider Davis as questionable, likely to start, and possibly limited in week 3 game action. That would make him a risky starting fantasy TE.
Pittsburgh's Heath Miller practiced in full again today and he is expected to be active week 3. But I doubt he's ready for a full workload as this will be Miller's first game action since tearing his ACL back in December of last year. Keep him stashed on your benches for now and let's see how well he gets through a game first before considering him.
Kickers
Washington's Kai Forbath was unable to practice again today. Forbath missed week 2 with a groin injury and it looks like he'll miss week 3, too. John Potter will kick for the Redskins this week.