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We scour the news around the NFL to bring you what matters most for you and your dynasty team: the most current news on players, both superstars and the relative unknowns, and analysis to decipher the respective situations. These are many of the major stories and not meant to be an exhaustive look at all of the recent happenings around the league.
Ryan Mallett's hold on the Texans starting quarterback job did not last long. He has a torn pectoral muscle and will be out of the lineup. This should open the door for veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick – not rookie Tom Savage – to be the starter for the next few games. The return of Fitzpatrick should speak volumes that Savage is not ready. If he was, there would be no reason for a team out of playoff contention to have the journeyman passer under center.
The Adrian Peterson saga is coming close to a final resolution. Commissioner Goodell appointed Harold Henderson as the appeals officer. The issue from the NFLPA perspective is that Henderson is not objective. He worked in the league office for many years and should sympathize with the NFL point of view. This situation should make it even harder for the superstar to return to the field this season. So, it is was no surprise when Peterson told the USA Today that "maybe it's best for me to get a fresh start somewhere else" next season. He will turn 30 years of age in the offseason and is due over $15 million. However, only a small roster bonus is due Peterson until the 2015 season. This means that the Vikings could hold Peterson, then trade or release him at any point in the offseason. The one catch is that the trade market will be slim if the trade partner must assume the huge salary.
Broncos tailback C.J. Anderson should have at least one more week without competition for carries. When he was injured, Adam Schefter said that Ronnie Hillman should miss roughly a month with the foot injury. That was two weeks ago. The Denver Post expects Montee Ball to miss at least one more game as well. This is all great news for Anderson fantasy owners. His strong play against the Dolphins should give Anderson owners hope for a lasting stay in fantasy spotlight.
Funny how Oakland Raiders coach Tony Sparano said that tailback Latavius Murray "earned more snaps" after his monster performance on Thursday night. He scored on two of his four carries. The funny part is that Sparano neither saw the need to play Murray earlier in the season nor give him more than four carries, even after the two touchdowns, before the youngster left the game due to a concussion.
The Cleveland Browns waived running back Ben Tate after the rusher voiced his displeasure with the playing time distribution. Tate was claimed by the Minnesota Vikings. Even after Minnesota claimed Tate, offensive coordinator Norv Turner said that rookie Jerick McKinnon was still the team's first-team runner. Turner said, "We’re excited about Jerick and what he’s done and I see him as our running back.” Turner called Tate just an "insurance" policy. With Tate entering the picture, and the Peterson story, it is a great time to buy McKinnon in dynasty leagues.
In Pittsburgh, LeGarrette Blount was also released this week. Blount had been whining about his playing time and even walked off the field before the Week 11 Monday night contest was over. This did not sit well with the coaching staff. In an interesting move, Blount went unclaimed through waivers but was signed to a cheap, two-year deal by the New England Patriots. The situation has come full circle. Blount was allowed to leave New England and sign with Pittsburgh, now he is back with the Patriots. The injury to Stevan Ridley may be the reason for the reunion. The weather will turn cold and nasty and New England wants to run the ball effectively.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said receiver Cordarrelle Patterson may take “a while” but can be a "really good player" in the future. Patterson struggles in three areas: knowing the offense, running sharp routes, and gaining the faith of quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and the coaching staff. While fantasy owners see the immense upside, Bridgewater and the coaching staff cannot focus on getting Patterson pass targets because he has not developed into a NFL wide receiver.
The injuries to Julius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders against the St. Louis Rams shined the spotlight on the remaining receiving corps. They did not rise to the occasion. This lead beat writer Mike Klis to advise the team to "take the training wheels" off rookie Cody Latimer. Latimer has rarely seen the field and could be needed down the stretch. Neither Wes Welker nor Andre Caldwell are effective getting open or making plays after the catch. His lack of use could also lead dynasty owners to view the rookie as a target to buy.
It was great to see the Florida Times Union article that suspended Jacksonville receiver Justin Blackmon completed his drug-rehabilitation program. This program was ordered after his recent arrest for marijuana possession. This rehab program should allow Blackmon to move forward toward his NFL reinstatement in 2015 as long as the talented youngster can stay out of trouble. After the strong play of Josh Gordon this week, we can start to be hopeful for Blackmon, too.
After last Friday's practice, Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said injured tight end Tyler Eifert is progressing from the elbow injury and could return this season. This is just a few weeks after a frustrated Lewis told reporters Eifert might not return this season. We would look for the young tight end to return in the next two weeks.
One of the more disappointing rookies this season has been Arizona tight end Troy Niklas. He was a second-round pick out of Notre Dame. Niklas sustained his second high ankle sprain of the season in the Week 11 victory over the Detroit Lions and was placed on injured reserve. Niklas' future will be as a blocker until he develops his receiving game more.
Injuries to monitor
Nick Foles: Collarbone
Matt Cassel: Foot
Carson Palmer: Knee
Knowshon Moreno: Knee
Montee Ball: Groin
Ryan Mathews: Knee
Stevan Ridley: Knee
Ahmad Bradshaw: Fibula/Ankle
C.J. Spiller: Collarbone
Fred Jackson: Groin
Danny Woodhead: Ankle
Victor Cruz: Knee
Allen Robinson: Foot
Marvin Jones: Foot/Ankle
Jordan Cameron: Shoulder
Tyler Eifert: Elbow
Kyle Rudolph: Groin/ Sports Hernia
Feel free to email me (Tefertiller@Footballguys.com) with feedback. Also, I am on Twitter (www.Twitter.com/JeffTefertiller), LinkedIn, and Google+, so you can ask me questions on one of these as well. Subscribe to the Footballguys Dynasty-centered Google Hangouts.