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.
Since Robert Griffin III III began practicing last week, there has been much discussion about when he will return to action. Washington head coach Jay Gruden said last week that he would "guarantee...most likely" his quarterback will return for the Week 11 game against Tampa Bay. Considering the team has a bye week in Week 10, Gruden is taking the prudent path instead of rushing Griffin back this week. According to the coach, "You've got a good bye week, you've got a couple weeks to make sure it's ready. ... You know, it's a very difficult position to play, and just because he's healthy, he hasn't taken a meaningful rep in about six weeks." With Colt McCoy's performance against the Cowboys on Monday night, there will be pressure to bring Griffin back this week when he really could use the extra two weeks.
We had been predicting this for several weeks, but many were actually surprised last week when Tennessee Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt promoted rookie quarterback Zach Mettenberger The sixth-round rookie played well in the preseason and has a shot to be the long-term starter. He needs to play well enough to keep Tennessee from draftING a passer with the high first round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Offensive coordinator Jason Michael said, "We are searching to find out what's best … (Mettenberger) is a confident guy who has played in a big environment. We are confident in him." Mettenberger's big arm is a big upgrade for receiver Justin Hunter.
It was great to read in the Arizona Republic last week were Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians said quarterback Carson Palmer's shoulder issue is no longer bothering him. Palmer played well against the Eagles Sunday. For those needing an emergency QB2, Palmer should be a cheap buy with many owners still worried about the nerve issue in his shoulder.
The Union-Tribune San Diego reported last week that Chargers' injured tailback Ryan Mathews has a chance to return for the Week 9 game against the Miami Dolphins. It has been almost seven weeks since Mathews sprained his MCL. Beat writer Michael Gehlken said Mathews is "clearly close," looks in shape, and his "right knee was stable." Time is running out to buy Mathews on the cheap. He could be back this week.
ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss is one of the better beat writers covering the NFL. Last week, he reported that tailback Jonas Gray is expected to be Patriots top choice for the role that Stevan Ridley held before tearing up his knee. Just like with Ridley, the game scripts will dictate Gray's usage, and his fantasy upside will be touchdown dependent.
The time is coming very soon for Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie running back Charles Sims to play substantial snaps. Sims, recovering from an ankle injury, practiced last Wednesday. Many expect Sims to play a third-down and passing-game role to start, and it could grow into a large number of snaps each week. Sims fractured his ankle in August and has been “out of sight, out of mind” for many dynasty owners and could be had at a reasonable price. Some really like Sims' upside. Recently, Dan Graziano of ESPN, said of Sims,"He may get a shot to get some serious carries in the second half (of the season)." Coming into the NFL Draft, there were many pundits that loved Sims' upside and thought he looked like Matt Forte.
It is scary that San Diego Chargers tailback Donald Brown still has yet to been medically cleared from the concussion over three weeks ago. We consider Brown's career very much in danger. This news only makes Branden Oliver more valuable, even with Ryan Mathews expected back soon.
On his 23rd birthday this coming Wednesday, San Francisco 49ers running back Marcus Lattimore will be cleared to finally return to practice as the 49ers return from the bye week. Once he begins practicing, Lattimore will have 21 days to be activated or he will miss the remainder of the season. With all of the injuries Lattimore has endured, he still is young and could be in the team's plans beginning in 2015.
The Cincinnati Enquirer reported last week that Bengals superstar receiver A.J. Green's turf-toe will be a factor the rest of the season. Beat reporter Paul Dehner said, "Green likely won't be 100 percent at any point during the year." Dehner indicated that Green must deal with the painful injury all year and that Green's playing availability will come down to his tolerance for the pain. Ouch! Dynasty owners could use this injury as an opportune time to buy the injured receiver.
On Monday, St. Louis Rams head Coach Jeff Fisher confirmed the expected and said receiver Brian Quick will need season-ending surgery on his shoulder. Quick did major damage to his shoulder, tearing his rotator cuff in addition to dislocating the shoulder. The injury should allow Kenny britt and Stedman Bailey more pass targets.
In preparation for last Sunday's game, Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine said that Raiders second-year receiver Brice Butler "jumps off the tape." Butler was a late-round pick a year ago and has used the time to hone his skills. He is adept at making big plays down the field and could have an increasing role going forward, especially with Denarius Moore moving down the depth chart.
Many dynasty owners had New York giants receiver Corey Washington stashed deep on the roster. However, the youngster has yet to see meaningful snaps. Wide receivers coach Sean Ryan explained why in a Newark Star-Ledger article. Ryan said, "He's learning to run an entire route tree … There is growing to be done with Corey. He works on his releases, his routes, his top of the breaks, getting out of those -- things he needs to improve on." While it is great Washington is getting the coaching he needs to develop, he was much rawer than most dynasty owners expected and will need time to develop.
The Baltimore Ravens have not enjoyed much luck from their talented tight ends. First Dennis Pitta suffered a nasty hip injury and now his career is in danger. Then, last week, Owen Daniels had a scope on his knee late last week, and is out indefinitely. We expect Daniels to miss two or three games at the minimum. We were tipped off last week that there was an issue with Daniels when he missed practice all week, before having the surgery. He will be replaced by rookie Crockett Gillmore. Gillmore is a big man (6'6”, 260 lbs.) who can run (4.89 40-yard dash) and could make a case for a long-tern role. For those who do not remember, Gillmore created buzz in the Ravens' training camp. Baltimore uses the tight end position well (for fantasy owners) so Gillmore has upside.
Beat writer Paul Dehner, of the Cincinnati Enquirer, expects Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert to return from the injured reserve/designated for return list in Week 11. Cincinnati has been without A.J. Green, Marvin Jones, and Eifert for the last few weeks and will be anxious to get the star tight end back in the lineup.
Another tight end trying to get healthy is the Vikings' Kyle Rudolph, who is recovering from a sports hernia surgery. Rudolph was able to practice a little last week and we expect the intensity to grow rapidly. Minnesota has a bye next week (Week 10) and Rudolph could return immediately after in Week 11. Many had high expectations for Rudolph with Norv Turner now the offensive coordinator for the Vikings.
Injuries to monitor
Robert Griffin III III: Ankle
Carson Palmer: Neck
Matt Cassel: Foot
Knowshon Moreno: Knee
Montee Ball: Groin
Ryan Mathews: Knee
Stevan Ridley: Knee
Andre Ellington: Foot
Rashad Jennings: Knee
C.J. Spiller: Collarbone
Fred Jackson: Groin
Danny Woodhead: Ankle
DeSean Jackson: Shoulder
Victor Cruz: Knee
Alshon Jeffery: Hamstring
Brandon Marshall: Ankle
Cecil Shorts: Hamstring
Marvin Jones: Foot/Ankle
Marqise Lee: Hamstring
Jimmy Graham: Shoulder
Jordan Cameron: Shoulder
Tyler Eifert: Elbow
Owen Daniels: Knee
Jordan Reed: Hamstring
Kyle Rudolph: Groin/ Sports Hernia
Marcedes Lewis: Ankle
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