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.
Fantasy owners got a scare this past week as New England Patriots passer Tom Brady went down with a knee injury in the joint practice with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It turned out to be just a bruise after getting kicked. The good news is that Brady played well in Friday's preseason game. He looked very sharp in the game. Ryan Mallet is entrenched as the backup.
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie tailback Le'Veon bell returned to practice last Monday, only to leave Thursday's practice session after aggravating the same left knee as was previously injured. Expect the team to bring him along slowly as the Pittsburgh running game needs Bell. The rookie returned to a limited practice on Saturday. It was very apparent last season that neither Dwyer nor Redman are capable of consistently moving chains on the ground. While not overly talented, Bell will see ample carries as a rookie, and has a fair chance to win the Rookie of the Year award.
While his days as a fantasy darling are over, it was sobering to see a quote about Jacquizz Rodgers in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution from Offensive Coordinator Dirk Koetter. Koetter seemed to indicate that Rodgers will not get regular carries this year. Koetter said, "We still have to get Quizz his touches whether if it's on kickoff returns, throwing it to him out of the backfield or the screen game." If true, Rodgers would only be a viable fantasy option if Steven Jackson misses time. Even then, Jason Snelling would see time in the backfield as well.
Filed under the "far from shocking" category, Arizona Cardinals beat writer Mike Jurecki reported last week that the team is "getting impatient" with running back Ryan Williams. Williams is still trying to get back to full strength after a 2011 knee injury. While talented, the former Virginia Tech star has struggled to stay on the field, and may lose his roster spot.
One player who surprised many this training camp and preseason is Cleveland Browns running back Dion Lewis. He had earned a prominent role in the Browns backfield before breaking his fibula in the preseason game last Thursday. Cleveland has a few options for Lewis, depending on the injury prognosis: injured reserve, injured reserve with designated to return, and the PUP. Given the promise Lewis showed, we expect the Browns to try everything possible to get the ex-Eagle back on the field this season. The day before Lewis was injured, the Cleveland Plain-Dealer reported that fellow tailback, Montario Hardesty, had his knee scoped and will miss the first few regular season contests. While talented, Hardesty has been oft-injured throughout his professional career. The Lewis injury could help his cause to retain a roster spot.
With the Jamaal Charles injury scare, third-round rookie Knile Davis has elevated his game to be the unquestioned backup to the starter. Many in the scouting community doubted Davis' ability but he has played well the first two preseason games. He could make an impact in Andy Reid's pass-happy offense. Like Charles, Davis flourishes in the open field.
With the number of expected rushing attempts for the Philadelphia Eagles this season, it was notable when tailback Bryce Brown missed Thursday's preseason game with a quadriceps injury. This allowed Chris Polk to play more snaps in the game. While Brown is the superior talent, Polk has flashed some potential in training camp. Coach Chip Kelly will run the ball often and one of these two backs could be a fantasy factor, even without an injury to starter LeSean McCoy.
The Atlanta Falcons got a scare in last Thursday's preseason game when wide receiver Roddy White went down with an ankle injury. Since then, reports have called the injury "minor" in nature and only a "low" ankle sprain. This is great news as White now has a couple of weeks to let the swelling go down and be ready to go for the opening game.
Last Thursday, Adam Schefter reported on Twitter that Malcom Floyd's knee had no structural damage. This was a relief for a team still in shock from the Danario Alexander injury. The San Diego receiver was back jogging and catching passes on the side of the field during last Saturday's practice. Floyd is on track to play in week one. With the poor play of Philip Rivers and the Chargers offensive line, it may not matter to fantasy owners …. but Floyd should be healthy by then. The Eddie Royal scare on Saturday should only serve to spotlight the curse on the team's receivers.
Another receiver who is pushing for playing time is Buffalo Bills rookie Marquise Goodwin. Known as a track star at Texas, Goodwin has been shining as a receiver in training camp. Beat writer Joe Buscaglia has been effusive of his praise in the rookie. On a team with several young receivers, Goodwin could carve out a role in year one. His speed demands respect and quarterback E.J. Manuel has a big arm to find Goodwin deep.
The Seattle Seahawks have a pair of young receivers playing well, Jermaine Kearse and Stephen Williams. Both have roster spots locked up and have easily outplayed rookie fourth round pick Chris Harper. In deep dynasty leagues, keep an eye on Kearse and Williams as coach Pete Carroll has shown he will play the best players without regard to pedigree or draft slot. We expect the Seahawks to have some turnover at the position next offseason and one of these youngsters could leap into a starting role.
Veteran Detroit Lions receiver Nate Burleson is "struggling to gain separation," according to Mlive.com. While merely a possession receiver, Burleson is soon to be passed on the depth chart by Ryan Broyles. The Lions need a viable receiver across from Calvin Johnson to keep opposing defenses honest. At this stage in his career, Burleson is incapable of making a difference on the field.
It has been a disappointing week for San Diego Chargers wide receiver Danario Alexander. After tearing his right ACL, Alexander underwent surgery last Thursday to repair the ligament. Making matters even more tenuous was that the Chargers waived Alexander (and his $1.23 million salary) last week. Since no team put in a claim, Alexander will land on injured reserve. A free agent in 2014, Alexander will look to get back to full health before free agency opens next March.
Injured tight end Heath Miller is anxious to get back on the field. Even after his knee injury late in the 2012 season, Pittsburgh is expected to pull the starting tight end off the PUP list before the season, so he can return to the lineup before week seven. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette opines that the team hopes he can play a game or two more this way. Miller's recovery must be going well for this option to be on the table.
After the Dennis Pitta hip injury, many expected Ed Dickson to step into the vacated role and be a fantasy force. But, Dickson tore his hamstring and now is unlikely to be healthy for the season opener. After the uncertainty of Dickson's availability arose, the Ravens signed veteran tight end Dallas Clark. Clark is just a shadow of his former self but could catch some passes until Dickson returns. Keep in mind that Clark, and the other new Raven Brandon Stokely, were in Indianapolis with Jim Caldwell. It was Caldwell who opened up the offense after Cam Cameron was jettisoned last year. There is a comfort factor with Clark and Stokely that should help ease the pain of losing Pitta.
If you have questions of any variety, please feel free to reach out to me on Twitter (Twitter.com/JeffTefertiller) or in the Wannabee thread in the Assistant Coach Forum.
