News and Notes 10-30-12

Bye weeks: New England, NY Jets, St. Louis, San Francisco


Quarterbacks

*-Brady Quinn has been ruled OUT for Thursday night's game because of his head injury. The team hasn't confirmed it yet, but it's believed Quinn suffered a concussion. Matt Cassel will start in his place and while the Chiefs have said Quinn will be their starting QB when he gets healthy, you'd have to think if Cassel can perform well and get a win, it would be hard for them to justify going back to woeful Quinn. Cassel isn't very good, but he's a better QB than Quinn.

*-While speculation runs rampant that the Eagles may bench Michael Vick and switch to rookie Nick Foles, I find it hard to think they'd actually do that. Not with a game against the pitiful Saints defense on the horizon this week. However, if Vick fails to produce against the Saints, I think it could happen week 10.

*-No word yet on whether Miami will have Ryan Tannehill week 9 or not. Tannehill suffered a bruised knee and bruised quad injuries and his status is uncertain at this point. Hopefully we know more later in the week, but those with Tannehill and few other options would be wise to consider acquiring Matt Moore as insurance as Moore will start for the Dolphins if Tannehill can't.

*-The Titans have stated Matt Hasselbeck will start for them week 9. While Jake Locker has been able to practice the last couple of weeks, he reportedly hasn't been given medical clearance to return to game action because of his injured shoulder. Tennessee has the bye in week 11 and barring a meltdown by Hasselbeck week 9, it's likely the Titans will wait until they come back in week 12 to bring Locker back into the starting lineup.


Running Backs

*-Owners of Steven Jackson, DeAngelo Williams, Daryl Richardson, Jonathan Stewart and Mike Tolbert are anxiously awaiting any word about trades before Thursday's trade deadline. The NFL pushed back to the deadline until Thursday afternoon at 1pm Arizona time because of Hurricane Sandy. Jackson and Williams would be immediate featured guys in certain destinations and would also free up the other RB's mentioned to have solidified increased roles. The biggest sticking point with either Jackson or Williams is the contracts they currently sport.

*-Although Rashard Mendenhall has resumed individual drills, it's believed the Steelers will hold him out week 9 so they can ease him back in because of his Achilles strain. It's a wise move on their part. And as long as Jonathan Dwyer's quad injury is minor, Dwyer will start this week again for Pittsburgh. Dwyer was held out of today's practice but he is expected to return tomorrow. Isaac Redman was able to practice today and while he isn't fully recovered from his ankle injuries, he is expected to be able to play this week, but probably in a 3rd down role and backup to Dwyer. That's the current plan anyway and it's subject to change as the week goes along.

*-No word yet on whether DeMarco Murray will be able to play this week or not. Murray is still recovering from a foot injury suffered in week 6. If he can't play, Felix Jones would again get the start in his place.

*-Mikel Leshoure is expected to be okay week 9 despite having suffered an undisclosed calf injury week 8. It's believed it was a simple matter of muscle cramping but we don't know that for sure. Leshoure owners would be wise to acquire Joique Bell as insurance for Leshoure as Bell dominated playing time when Leshoure was on the bench this past week.

*-Maurice Jones-Drew has already been ruled out for week 9. No surprise there as MJD is expected to miss several weeks with his foot injury. Rashad Jennings will start again in his place and will do so, barring injury, the next few weeks.

*-Trent Richardson made it thru week 8 without aggravating his ribs injury. What a difference a week makes. Last week there was speculation the Browns may shut him down a couple of games to allow the injury to heal up, but now he's likely to be Probable come Friday, even if they do limit him in practices this week.

*-Jamaal Charles owners can rest easy, it was stupidity on the part of the Chiefs offensive game plan and not some injury that led to Charles only getting 5 rushing attempts week 8. Yeah, I was confused by that too.

*-Green Bay says it is sticking with Alex Green as their featured RB despite another really poor showing week 8. Sooner or later though they are going to have acknowledge that Green isn't getting the job done and give some extra playing time to James Starks. I think that will happen this week. Unless they trade for a RB.

*-Houston is expected to be without backup RB Ben Tate the next couple of weeks. Tate suffered a hamstring injury week 7 and while it was hoped the bye in week 8 would be enough time for it to get healed up, that apparently is not the case. Justin Forsett is expected to be Arian Foster's backup the next couple of games.

*-The Jets waived Jonathan Grimes today. His release is a good sign that Bilal Powell is ready to return next week when they come out of the bye from a shoulder injury that has prevented him from playing the last couple of games.

*-The Cardinals seem to be intent on running La'Rod Stephens-Howling as their feature RB. The Hyphen is an exciting player, but ill sorted to be a feature RB and I think they have to realize that and get William Powell some playing time. Ideally, they would take Powell off kickoff returns, put Stephens-Howling back on them, as he is an excellent kickoff return man, and use Powell as their rushing down RB and Stephens-Howling as their 3rd down RB and change of pace guy. But that's just what I think, and they haven't come asking me my opinion. I doubt they will.

*-Raiders backup RB Mike Goodson has a turf toe injury, but it's believed to be a minor case and currently he is expected to be okay for week 9.


Wide Receivers

*-Wes Welker suffered an ankle injury Sunday. Welker has been listed the last few weeks as Questionable with an ankle issue on the official injury reports and it's believed he rolled that same ankle in the game vs. St. Louis this past week. Luckily, the Patriots have the bye in week 9 and it's believed Welker will be fine when they return in week 10.

*-Larry Fitzgerald is believed to be okay despite taking a couple of shots to the head last night. We'll have to wait for the practice reports tomorrow, but right now it's not believed that Fitzgerald suffered a concussion.

*-Dez Bryant suffered a hip injury week 8 and while believed to be minor, it's likely he'll either be held out of some practices or be limited in them. Currently, he is expected to be okay for week 9.

*-Too early in the week to know if Jordy Nelson will be able to play for Green Bay this week or not. Nelson was held out of week 8 because of a hamstring injury suffered in practice last week.

*-Calvin Johnson will likely be held out some in practices this week because of a knee issue. It's not serious enough to put his week 9 status in jeopardy but it is something that requires some rest.  

*-Kenny Britt aggravated his previously injured knee in week 8 and while he is always a concern with injuries, it's tentatively expected that he'll be fine for week 9.

*-Chicago's Alshon Jeffery is likely OUT for week 9 because of his hand injury. He's expected to return in week 10 or 11.  

*-Mike Thomas was traded today from the Jacksonville Jaguars to the Detroit Lions. In Detroit he projects no higher than the #4 WR and probably has very little fantasy value. But at least in Detroit, he has a chance for higher fantasy value than he did buried in Jacksonville.

*-Miami released Anthony Armstrong today. He was expendable with Jabar Gaffney now having enough of a grasp of the offense to be active on game days.

*-Seattle placed Ben Obomanu on injured reserve today because of a wrist injury. It's not known if the injury was really that severe but it matters little as he wasn't a fantasy consideration anyway.

*-Speaking of Seattle WR's, Braylon Edwards was a surprise inactive this past weekend because of a knee issue. Edwards holds little fantasy value when healthy and if you were holding onto him hoping for a return of some past glory, you can stop deluding yourself and find a suitable replacement on your free agent wire.  

*-San Diego signed former Panthers WR Seyi Ajirotutu. They signed former Rams WR Danario Alexander two weeks ago. With Eddie Royal nursing a hamstring injury and questionable for Thursday night, along with Robert Meachem having a minor hamstring strain, the Chargers needed a WR who could come in and know the system. That's Ajirotutu, as he used to play with the Chargers in 2010.


Tight Ends

*-Jimmy Graham made it thru Sunday night's game without aggravating his ankle injury and appears okay to consider as you normally would going forward. Graham was a game time decision with the injury week 8 and as long he can make it thru practices without any setbacks, he should be fine.

*-No word yet on the results of an MRI Coby Fleener had on Monday. Fleener played thru a shoulder injury sustained this past week. If Fleener were to miss any time, Dwayne Allen would get a bump in fantasy potential.

*-One week in and it appears Logan Paulsen is the preferred TE target to Chris Cooley in Washington. However, Paulsen offers little fantasy value.


Kickers

*-San Diego waived Nate Kaeding today. If Kaeding passes thru waivers unclaimed he'll become a free agent and can sign with anyone. Kaeding had been placed on injured reserve last week because of a groin injury that cost him a few games earlier in the season. Kaeding has always been an effective kicker when healthy so if he goes to the right team, he could hold some fantasy value.