Fantasy Football News and Notes 9-24-13
News and Notes from Tuesday Night's "Red Zone" Radio Program
Fantasy News and Notes 9-24-13:
BYE WEEKS: Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers
Quarterbacks
Michael Vick suffered a minor foot injury last Thursday night but he's fully expected to be fine for week 4 without issue.
Oakland's Terrelle Pryor suffered a concussion in last night's game and his status for week 4 is very questionable. In order for him to play he'll need to pass all 5 stages of the NFL's concussion protocols. If Pryor can't play, it's expected that Matt Flynn would get the start in his place and be backed up by Matt McGloin. Too bad as it was a nice matchup against a Washington defense that has been shredded by opponents this season.
Bucs coach Greg Schiano says he isn't thinking of benching Josh Freeman despite his struggling right now. Through 3 games he's completed only 45.7% of his passes, has only 571 yards and 2 TD's while throwing 3 interceptions and 1 fumble. It's clear his job in jeopardy. His status as the starter for the 0-3 Bucs probably hinges on his performance this week against Arizona. The Cardinals have been lit up by opponents through the air having allowed 919 passing yards and 7 passing TD's in three games. If Freeman doesn't get his troubles corrected this week, it's very likely we will see rookie backup Mike Glennon very soon.
No word yet on whether the Cleveland Browns are going to start Brian Hoyer again in week 4 over Brandon Weeden. Hoyer got the win and looked great early on but then threw 3 interceptions and almost blew the game. We should hopefully know by Thursday who is starting for the Browns this week.
Jacksonville has decided to go back to Blaine Gabbert as their starting QB in week 4. Gabbert has missed the last 2 games with a hand injury and Chad Henne blew a golden opportunity to take the job away from him by looking awful. This situation remains one to avoid as Gabbert could easily play his way out of the job later in the season.
Running Backs
It's unknown if Baltimore's Ray Rice will be suiting up week 4 or not. Rice missed week 3 with a hip flexor injury. If I were to guess I'd say Rice isn't going to play but it's early in the week to know for sure. For now plan on not having Rice available this week. Bernard Pierce will likely start again in his place.
Reggie Bush is tentatively expected to return in week 4 after missing week 3 with a minor knee injury. Reportedly Bush was very close to being able to play so expect him back this week. However I would have to imagine there would be close to an even split between him and Joique Bell. Bell did pretty well last week with Bush out and a 50/50 split of the workload seems reasonable to expect.
Pittsburgh's rookie Le'Veon Bell is expected to make his season debut week 4. Bell may not be ready to take on a full workload after missing the last several weeks with a Lisfranc foot injury, but he certainly should be the primary RB and get between 10-15 carries. Expect Bell to play with Felix Jones and Jonathan Dwyer to spell him frequently. Isaac Redman appears to have fallen completely out of favor and you can drop him from your rosters.
LeSean McCoy scared fantasy owners when he suffered an ankle injury last Thursday night but he was able to finish the game and the extra time off has allowed him plenty of time to get it healed up. He is fully expected to be fine for week 4. But the injury is a reminder that McCoy may not hold up under the tremendous workload the Eagles are giving him early in the season. As I said last week, Bryce Brown, if available on your free agent wires, makes a smart insurance acquisition for those of you with McCoy.
Buffalo's C.J. Spiller suffered a quad injury week 3 but the Bills say he will be okay for week 4. I'll feel a whole lot better about that if Spiller can get in some practice time this week though. Right now, be cautiously optimistic Spiller will play.
The Jets Chris Ivory suffered a hamstring injury in week 3 and he's expected to miss at least 1 game, and possible a few. Ivory missed preseason time early with a hamstring injury on the same leg so this could be a recurring problem. If Bilal Powell is available on your free agent wires he's worth picking up as he will likely be the primary RB the next few weeks.
Just reminding you that Steven Jackson will miss week 4 with his quad injury. The combination of Jacquizz Rodgers and Jason Snelling will again fill in for him this week against the Patriots.
It's unknown if Daryl Richardson will be able to play for the Rams Thursday night or not. Richardson aggravated his foot injury on the second play of the game in week 3 and never saw the field again. Richardson says he'll be fine, but I would have to expect after Isaiah Pead at least looked serviceable that he will get at least half the workload. And since Pead is healthy and Richardson clearly isn't, I would say Pead is the smarter choice for the RB desperate. We should know more tomorrow about whether Richardson is going to play or not. If he doesn't, Pead moves up from "desperate" to fantasy RB3 territory.
Expect the rotation between Trent Richardson and Ahmad Bradshaw to be close to 50/50 while Bradshaw is running like he did this weekend. I don't think the Colts will just turn everything over to Richardson while Bradshaw is performing so well. But understand, sooner or later, Richardson is going to go from an even split to full time duties over Bradshaw.
The Packers will use the bye week to get healthy at RB. Eddie Lacy missed week 3 with a concussion but is expected back in week 5. James Starks suffered a knee injury this past weekend which allowed rookie Johnathan Franklin to really surprise. Starks should be okay by week 5, but if not, Franklin is in a prime position to be Lacy's top backup and change of pace RB.
Jacksonville's Maurice Jones-Drew got through week 3 without aggravating his ankle injury and should be fine going forward.
The Patriots appear to be going full blown RBBC. With Stevan Ridley continuing to struggle, we saw a good bit more of LeGarrette Blount and Brandon Bolden than expected. I anticipate that Ridley will remain the primary rusher, but I also anticipate that Bolden will be filling Shane Vereen's usual role of 3rd down and passing down RB. Bolden is a superior receiver than Ridley or Blount and definitely deserves consideration for acquisition. Especially by those in PPR scoring formats.
Wide Receivers
Houston's Andre Johnson suffered a shin bruise in week 3. Johnson may miss some practice time this week but he is currently expected to be fine for week 4. I'll let you know if that changes.
Tampa's Vincent Jackson suffered a ribs injury and while there's been no word about an official diagnosis, it's been reported that it isn't considered serious and that he should be okay to play this week. I'll feel a lot better about his chances if he's able to practice some though.
Miles Austin suffered a hamstring strain Sunday and while it's considered minor and he is currently expected to be fine to start for Dallas week 4, you have to be somewhat concerned. Austin has a lengthy history of hamstring issues and he has missed multiple games in prior seasons because of them. As long as he gets in some practice time by the end of the week he should be okay.
No word yet on whether New England's Danny Amendola will be able to play week 4 or not. Amendola missed week 3 with a groin injury. Expect this to go all the way until Sunday with Amendola likely to be called Questionable on the injury report and considered a game time decision.
Detroit's Nate Burleson suffered a broken arm that is going to require surgery. Burleson was injured in a car accident Monday night. There's been no timetable given for when he may be able to return but the Lions say they aren't putting him on injured reserve and that he should be back later in the season. For now, consider him to be at least until week 10. Ryan Broyles will get extensive playing time now as the Lions #3 WR and it will either be Patrick Edwards or Kris Durham starting opposite Calvin Johnson. Edwards missed week 3 with an ankle injury and it's uncertain he'll be able to play week 4.
The Rams Chris Givens suffered a minor knee injury week 3 and while he should be fine for Thursday night, we should know for sure tomorrow.
The Tennessee Titans are actively shopping WR Kenny Britt. Britt is in free fall and apparently has dropped all the way to 6th on the Titans WR pecking order. It will be interesting to see if they can get anything for him as despite his tremendous natural talent, he has proven to be a complete knucklehead.
Tight Ends
It's expected that this will finally be the week New England's Rob Gronkowski gets back on the field. Gronk has had a while now to recover from his back injury and week 4 has been widely reported as his most expected return time. If he does indeed play, you have to have him in your starting lineups.
It's hoped that the 49ers Vernon Davis will be able to play Thursday night. Davis missed week 3 with a hamstring injury and the 49ers passing attack was pretty pitiful without him out there.
The bye this week should give Green Bay's Jermichael Finley enough time to get over a concussion he suffered week 3. We'll revisit him next week.
Washington's rookie Jordan Reed suffered a bruised quad injury week 3 and his status for week is uncertain at this time. He probably wasn't in your starting lineup plans this week anyway but if he was, you should be looking elsewhere unless we get some positive news by the end of the week. It's also unknown if Washington's other TE, Fred Davis, will be able to play week 4. Davis missed week 3 with an ankle injury.
Pittsburgh's Heath Miller made it through week 3 without any setbacks in his reconstructed knee and it's hoped that the Steelers will start getting him on the field more often going forward.
Two TE's of little fantasy note have been placed on injured reserve this week. Oakland's David Ausberry and Tampa Bay's Luke Stocker. There's little reason to think you have either of these guys on your teams and I only mention it in case you do. For fantasy, the only thing to look out for related to either of them is that in Tampa Bay, Tom Crabtree likely will step into the starting role for the Bucs. Crabtree isn't a special talent, but after watching the Cardinals get eaten alive by TE's in two of three games, it's always worth noting who the next potential is up to bat.
Kickers
Cleveland's Billy Cundiff suffered a quad injury week 3 and his status for week 4 is uncertain. If Cleveland signs another kicker during the week it will be a sign Cundiff is going to be out.
No word yet on whether Washington's Kai Forbath will be able to kick week 4 or not. Forbath has missed the last 2 games with a groin injury. If he can't kick, John Potter will kick again in his place.
Also, it's unclear if the Bills will be getting back rookie Dustin Hopkins this week or not. Hopkins has been out since suffering a groin injury the week before the regular season started. With Dan Carpenter doing pretty well as his replacement so far there's no reason to think Buffalo will rush him back too soon.