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Hi Folks,
Good Tuesday to you. Hope you're doing better than the guys in charge of the lights at Candlestick. We've got the news and notes you need so let's get to it.
J
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier said RB Adrian Peterson (ankle) did not have any setbacks with his ankle after Week 15.
Footballguys' view: For not having any setbacks the Vikings sure didn't use him often enough on Sunday.
Chicago Bears WR Johnny Knox (back) will miss the rest of the season because of a back injury he suffered in Week 15. He underwent surgery on his back Monday, Dec. 19, and should be able to play in the future.
Footballguys' view: We're glad to hear that Knox had feeling in his extremities after a gruesome hit on Sunday.
Seattle Seahawks WR Mike X. Williams (ankle) suffered a broken ankle in the second half of the Week 15 game against the Chicago Bears.
Footballguys' view: A disappointing end to a season that saw Williams fail to carry over the momentum from his remarkable comeback season last year. The Seahawks passing game is still in good hands with Doug Baldwin, Golden Tate, and Ben Obomanu.
Indianapolis Colts vice chairman Bill Polian said Sunday, Dec. 18, that QB Peyton Manning (neck) will not play this season, but he still might practice at some point. ''He may practice in some circumstances if he wishes,' Polian said. 'That's entirely up to him. And he will be thinking that through. I would suspect, given the short week, it probably isn't an issue this coming week. But he will not play, either in the upcoming game Thursday night or in the last game at Jacksonville.'
Footballguys' view: Manning's dynasty value is rebounding with each piece of good news, but the saga of what the Colts will do with him and likely #1 overall pick Andrew Luck is just developing.
Updating previous reports, Cincinnati Bengals WR A.J. Green (shoulder) has an AC joint separation in his shoulder but the team is optimistic about his availability for Week 16.
Footballguys' view: The Bengals don't seem too concerned with the rookie's injury. We'll see if he's limited in practice this week, but expect him to play this weekend.
Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith said QB Caleb Hanie is the starting quarterback at this point but the starter for Week 16 has not been decided yet.
Footballguys' view: 'For now' being the key phrase in that statement. The Bears don't look good with Hanie under center and could consider making a QB change very soon.
Updating a previous report, New York Giants TE Jake Ballard (knee) suffered a posterior cruciate ligament injury to his right knee and could miss Week 16 as a result.
Footballguys' view: The week 16 matchup is actually great for a TE as Brent Celek showed vs. the Jets yesterday, but it doesn't sound like Ballard will be there to take advantage of it.
Houston Texans WR Andre Johnson (hamstring) did not participate in practice Monday, Dec. 9.
Footballguys' view: With the Texans now a game behind in the home-field advantage race, and perhaps the bye race if the Steelers win tonight, plus a very winnable game vs. the Colts next week, don't expect to see Johnson on Saturday.
New York Jets RB Shonn Greene (finger) has a torn tendon in his finger but is expected to play in Week 16 despite the injury.
Footballguys' view: Greene won't be more than a flex play with a sputtering surrounding offense and facing a defense that just shut down Roy Helu despite playing from behind for almost the entire game.
Oakland Raiders head coach Hue Jackson said the team is still holding out hope that RB Darren McFadden (foot) will be able to return at some point this season.
Footballguys' view: The Raiders are still in the hunt for a playoff berth. Getting McFadden back for this playoff run would be huge. However, his playing status for this week is uncertain at this time.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt is not ready to say whether QB Kevin Kolb (concussion) or QB John Skelton will start in Week 16 but is expected to make a decision by Wednesday, Dec. 21.
Footballguys' view: Skelton has played well filling in for Kolb. There's no reason for the Cardinals to rush Kolb back to the starting lineup until he's ready.
Tennessee Titans CB Chris Johnson (ankle) has a sore ankle from an injury but should be able to play in Week 16. If the team is concerned about his healthy, they could sign practice squad RB Herb Donaldson to their active roster.
Footballguys' view: Javon Ringer is banged up as well, so the Titans could be giving more playing time to rookie Jamie Harper.
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Munchak said the team will look to get TE Jared Cook more involved in the offense moving forward.
Footballguys' view: Cook finally played up to his potential on Sunday. He's got a great size/speed ratio and creates mismatches when he's on the field. However, he's failed to show consistent ball skills over the course of his career. We'll see if more targets and a bigger role will help him play better.
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Munchak said QB Matt Hasselbeck (calf) will start in Week 16 if he is healthy enough to play. Munchak said he believes Hasselbeck gives the team the best chance to win.
Footballguys' view: We think Locker should be in for the Titans. He's sparked the team every time he's asked to do more and deserves to get more playing time.
Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith has not ruled out QB Jay Cutler (thumb) or RB Matt Forte (knee) for the rest of the season.
Footballguys' view: The Bears need to get back on the winning track and getting Cutler and Forte back would greatly help.
Cleveland Browns head coach Pat Shurmur said QB Colt McCoy (concussion) has shown improvement but his status for Week 16 is uncertain. Shurmur said he will not decide on the starter for Week 16 until McCoy is completely healthy.
Footballguys' view: Seneca Wallace did a good job as the starter for the Browns this week and there's no need to rush McCoy back from this concussion until he's 100% healthy.
Seattle Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch set a franchise record by scoring a touchdown in his 10th straight game in Week 15.
Footballguys' view: Keep feeding him Skittles! Lynch has been on fire in recent weeks and is a must start in fantasy football until he cools down.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier said Sunday, Dec. 18, that he still has confidence in QB Christian Ponder, but he made it clear he'll be evaluating the rookie in the final two games of the season. '(We) still have to see how he does in these next two ballgames. I don't want to measure purely on the last two weeks,' Frazier said. 'I want to see what happens these next two weeks. There is more time for him to improve and to get some work.'
Footballguys' view: The Vikings are going to have a premium pick in the first-round of the 2012 NFL Draft. It's not out of the question for them to consider a QB even though they selected Ponder in the first-round this year. QBs like Matt Barkley and Robert Griffin will be difficult to pass up unless they feel Ponder is the long-term answer.
New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees threw for 412 yards in Week 15 against the Minnesota Vikings. That gave him 11 games with 300-plus yards passing, setting a new NFL single-season record.
Footballguys' view: Brees should have no problem eclipsing Dan Marino's yardage record by a few hundred yards this year. He has been outstanding all season with the exception of the game vs. the Rams of all teams.
Seattle Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch went over 1,000 rushing yards for the season in Week 15 against the Chicago Bears.
Footballguys' view: Lynch has been in beast mode every game since being a game-time scratch against the Browns. It will still be tough to play him this week against the best run defense in the league, the 49ers.
Updating a previous report, Buffalo Bills WR Stevie Johnson (groin) aggravated his groin injury in Week 15 against the Miami Dolphins. 'I think it happened on either a slant or something,' Johnson said. 'I don't know if I was trying to get out of a tackle and kind of pulled it a little bit, but I've been dealing with it all year. It's just no different; it popped up again this game.'
Footballguys' view: If Johnson is sidelined, he'll miss a terrific matchup against the Broncos and David Nelson will then have flex appeal this week.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and have a great Tuesday. We'll see you tomorrow with the update.
Peace,
J