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.
Adam Schefter was one of the first to report last Tuesday that Washington was going to bench Robert Griffin III III in favor of Colt McCoy. Given this benching, it was not a shock when the Washington Post reported that it is"highly unlikely" that the former first round pick will return next season. Let's take a moment to remember what Washington has invested in Griffin. During the 2012 NFL Draft, the team traded up to select Griffin. This move cost Washington their first-round picks in the 2012, 2013, and 2014 Drafts, plus a 2012 second rounder. Yes, Griffin has been injured, most notably the knee injury in the playoffs a couple of seasons ago. Most onlookers actually think the athletic Griffin is regressing as a quarterback and would do well to get a change of scenery. We expect to see more news on the situation in the coming weeks.
It has been a month now since Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles broke his collarbone. Last Friday, Foles had a CT scan performed to determine how the injury was healing. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Foles could return in two-to-four weeks. He is on schedule but yet to be cleared for practice. Mark Sanchez is playing well, and still has Eagles' fans talking about the huge win over the Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day. Sanchez only signed a one-year deal last offseason and is a free agent after the season.
Rarely will a NFL coach call out his rookie quarterback in the media. However, last week, the Florida Times Union ran some quotes from Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley on Blake Bortles. Bradley started by saying, "We expect more." The coach added, "He can play better … At times, he holds the ball a little too long. His decision-making isn’t as quick as we need it to be. He’s young, but we expect more." The fourth overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft does need to play better, especially in the area of turnovers. The come from behind win against the New York Giants was a step in the right direction.
The Houston Chronicle reported last week that rookie passer Tom Savage would not play unless the Texans are eliminated from the playoffs. With Ryan Fitzpatrick replacing the injured Ryan Mallett, the team could be eliminated in the next couple of weeks, leaving Savage two or three games to show off his wares. Yes, Fitzpatrick threw a boat-load of touchdowns against the lowly Titans on Sunday. However, the team will still want to assess Savage this season.
After his big showing on Thursday Night Football, Raider running back Latavius Murray was ruled out early for Sunday's game because he had yet to be cleared from the concussion suffered in that contest. Hopes were high after Murray scoring on two of his four carries, but fantasy owners will hope he makes it through the concussion protocol soon. The athletic marvel will get carries when he gets cleared, which has yet to happen as of this writing.
After rookie running back Terrance West lost a fumble in Sunday's game at Buffalo, Cleveland head coach Mike Pettine said "West lately has been very careless with the football … Giving up the ball like that is inexcusable." This is a situation to monitor for West dynasty owners.
This last week was a huge one for free agent tailback Ray Rice. Rice has won his appeal and will be reinstated to the NFL. The next step will be finding a team willing to sign Rice for the stretch run. He is almost 28 years of age and looked terribly slow last season. So, why would a NFL team want to take on the public relations spotlight for a declining player? He will find a suitor, but it will not be easy. The Indianapolis Colts is the team needing running back help the most, and it remains to be seen if the aggressive Irsay will take that chance.
It was not surprising to see the Indianapolis Star say in regard to veteran receiver Reggie Wayne, "it's becoming more and more apparent that he has lost a step." Those only looking at the boxscores may not be fully aware how slow the 36-year old Wayne really looks. We do not expect either Wayne or Hakeem Nicks to be back in a Colts uniform next season. This will set up for Donte Moncrief to start opposite T.Y. Hilton in 2015.
ESPN Vikings beat reporter Ben Goessling said last week that he considers receiver Greg Jennings a prime target to either restructure his contract in the offseason or be cut after June 1. Jennings is slated to make $11 million in 2015 and is too expensive given his limited production. It will be interesting to see how the situations of he and Adrian Peterson play out. Together, they represent almost 20% of the team's 2015 salary cap.
Keep an eye on Oakland Raiders receiver Rod Streater in the next week or so. Streater has been on the injured reserve./designated to return list after undergoing foot surgery. He has now has resumed practicing. With a middling receiver corps in Oakland, Streater has a chance to make a splash down the stretch, as well as develop a connection with rookie quarterback Derek Carr. The San Francisco Chronicle expects him back on the field for Week 14. After getting shut out by St. Louis, Oakland needs every decent player on the field going forward.
It is always funny to see a player's perspective why he is not getting snaps or targets. Last Monday, Eagles receiver Riley Cooper tried to tell reporter his lack of playing time was because of pending free agent Jeremy Maclin's contract situation. Cooper said, "Maclin's trying to get a contract, so he's probably not going to try and come out of the game." This quote was reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer. Here's an idea: Maclin and rookie Jordan Matthews are playing more than Cooper because they get open and catch passes thrown their respective ways. The Eagles will have a decision to make regarding Maclin. He will get offers for big money. This decision for Philadelphia will show whether the team considers him elite or just a product of the offense.
For the fifth consecutive game, Cleveland Browns tight end Jordan Cameron will watch his teammates play from the sideline due to a concussion. After Cameron practiced in a limited fashion earlier in the week, some had hopes the free agent to be would play. Given how long it has taken for the young tight end to get cleared play again, he might need to be be shut down for the season.
Injuries to monitor
Nick Foles: Collarbone
Robert Griffin III III: Ankle
Matt Cassel: Foot
Carson Palmer: Knee
Knowshon Moreno: Knee
Montee Ball: Groin
Stevan Ridley: Knee
Ahmad Bradshaw: Fibula/Ankle
C.J. Spiller: Collarbone
Danny Woodhead: Ankle
Victor Cruz: Knee
Allen Robinson: Foot
Marvin Jones: Foot/Ankle
Jordan Cameron: Concussion
Tyler Eifert: Elbow
Kyle Rudolph: Groin/ Sports Hernia
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