Unlock More Content Like This With A
Footballguys Premium Subscription
"Footballguys is the best premium
fantasy football only site on the planet."
Matthew Berry, NBC Sports EDGE
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.
Many had a sigh of relief when Adam Schefter reported Cleveland quarterback Brandon Weeden's sprained throwing thumb does not require surgery, and he could return in a week or two. But, after the win over the Minnesota Vikings, Brian Hoyer will keep the gig for now. It was assumed anyway after the coaching staff failed to give Weeden a vote of confidence before the game. It has been widely reported that Hoyer is a favorite of General Manager Mike Lombardi. With the way Hoyer threw the ball down the field, he will be acquired in many dynasty leagues this week. However, we need to keep in mind that the outburst was against a weak Minnesota Viking secondary.
The Cleveland Browns were actively marketing tailback Trent Richardson, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. On Wednesday, the Browns traded their superstar runner to Indianapolis for the Colts 2014 first round draft pick. Richardson was drafted by the previous regime, while Lombardi and company want to start anew. From a fantasy perspective, this is a great upgrade for Richardson. He will see better running lanes in Indianapolis with Andrew Luck under center. The Browns signed Willis McGahee to be the lead runner in the committee. The Cleveland coaching staff does not value the running back position so the downgrade from Richardson to McGahee is not a huge one.
Rookie Pittsburgh tailback Le'Veon Bell practiced in full a couple of times last week. Bell is recovering from a foot injury and looks likely to suit up in week four. The Steelers need Bell back in the lineup to have some semblance of a running game.
When New Orleans Saints beat writer Mike Triplett stated that Mark Ingram has "missed his chance" to establish himself as the Saints primary runner, dynasty owners now had two choices: either try to sell Ingram before his value rock bottom or trade for him and hope the former Alabama star will be playing elsewhere in 2014. Ingram missed the week three matchup against the Arizona Cardinals and seems to be passed by Pierre Thomas on the depth chart.
With the ineptitude of the New York Giants running game, take note that tailback Andre Brown is jogging "here and there" on a gravity-assisted treadmill, based on a report in the Newark Star-Ledger. While recovering from a broken leg, Brown said, "Everything is going good, I don't know whether or not I'm ahead or on schedule but hopefully I'm ahead … It's no vacation, I'm just rehabbing and in the classroom right now." The bruising runner is eligible to return to the field in week ten. By then, it may not matter the way the Giants offense is producing.
Tennessee Titans running back Shonn Greene had his knee scoped last Monday and is expected to miss a few weeks. Greene was replaced by Jackie Battle, who spelled Chris Johnson against the San Diego Chargers Sunday.
The Denver Broncos placed All Pro Left tackle Ryan Clady on injured reserve, after suffering a Lisfranc injury. This is a huge injury for the Broncos offense, tasked with protecting Peyton Manning and trying to open holes for a middling running game. Denver signed Winston Justice to a one-year contract, adding depth to to the tackle position.
Tennessee Titans Kenny Britt wide receiver is digging himself a deep hole in Tennessee. He has struggled to make plays and regain the play-making ability. Last Tuesday, Britt tweeted that Tennessee are "pullin' that Jared Cook card." He added that this would be his last season with the team. This came on the heels of Britt getting benched in week two for his poor effort blocking. Against San Diego, Britt did not play much, and it was rookie Justin Hunter who was the target for the game winner.
When Cleveland Browns receiver Josh Gordon came off his two-game suspension, Greg Little was been demoted to third receiver, with Davone Bess starting opposite Gordon. Little played poorly the first two weeks of the season and missed a golden opportunity to gain a lead role in the offense. Gordon had a monster game against the Minnesota Vikings. Hoyer targeted the talented receiver a whopping nineteen times, and the youngster delivered with 168 total yards and a score.
According to a report in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown "confronted" offensive coordinator Todd Haley during last Monday night's loss to the Bengals. The article went on to say that Brown "angrily complained" he was not getting enough pass targets. Considering that Jerricho Cotchery had more passes thrown his way than Brown, we can understand the receiver's frustration. The Pittsburgh offense is not a good mix for Haley. There is no running game and the short passing attack Haley enjoys is of little effect. Just like with Mike Wallace in Miami for week two, whining about the lack of targets helped him get passes deep down the field .... and he delivered versus the Chicago Bears on Sunday night.
Indianapolis Colts tight end Dwayne Allen was placed on injured reserve last week after suffering a hip injury. The hip injury required surgery and this situation vaults Coby Fleener up dynasty rankings. Allen should be considered a buy low as dynasty owners have short memories.
Sources told the Washington Post last week that tight end Fred Davis was benched against the Green Bay Packers after blowing several missed assignments. Against the Lions, Davis missed the game due to injury. Rookie Jordan Reed played well as Washington's starter, until leaving the game with a leg injury.
Injuries to monitor this week:
Ray Rice: Hip
Reggie Bush: Left knee
Steven Jackson: Quad/thigh
Maurice Jones-Drew: Ankle
Vincent Jackson: Rib
Andre Johnson: Shin
Eddie Lacy: Head
Jermichael Finley: Head
Jordan Reed: Leg
Miles Austin: Hamstring
C.J. Spiller: Knee
Daryl Richardson: Foot
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.