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.
We never like to see youngsters with serious concussions (even though there are no minor ones). But, rookie running back Karlos Williams missed his second consective contest this past Sunday. The Buffalo rookie has looked strong, and his presence is missed on the field. Williams gives the Bills a power back to complement LeSean McCoy. The fact that Williams was ruled out on Friday should indicate he still is in the concussion protocol and not cleared by doctors.
Keep an eye on Christine Michael this week. The Cowboys have been slow to give him much opportunity since the trade from the Seahawks, but the bye weeks should allow enough time to get Michael up to speed. Dallas Running Backs Coach said this past week, "I think he's where he needs to be, and we want to take the reins off him and let him rock." This is enough for us to get excited. Michael is at least as talented as Joseph Randle and could easily take carries away from the incumbent. There are whispers that Michael will get the start in Week 7. Fans and fantasy owners alike are wanting to see what the Cowboys have in Michael, a Texas A&M product.
This past week, the Indianapolis Colts signed Ahmad Bradshaw to a one-year contract. He is now past the broken leg which ended his season last November. We expect Bradshaw to earn a consistent role playing behind Frank Gore. Beat writer Kevin Bowen reported that Gore will retain his lead back role. However, Bradshaw played roughly one-quarter of the snaps on Sunday night against the Patriots. Bradshaw is strong in the passing game, able to block and catch well. It seems as though the veteran has been around forever, but Bradshaw is just 29 years of age.
On Monday morning, Lions coach Jim Caldwell said rookie runner Zach Zenner had multiple cracked ribs and a partially collapsed lung. Ouch! Zenner was still in the hospital as of Monday and will be placed on Injured Reserve. We are sad for Zenner, who will miss an opportunity to produce with Joique Bell nicked up and not playing well.
One young running back who has been injured too frequently to exceed expectations is Lorenzo Taliaferro. Taliaferro has battled injuries throughout his young career. He was placed on injured reserve last week with a foot injury. In a related move, the Ravens claimed Raheem Mostert off waivers from the Dolphins. Mostert may be relied on more down the stretch with Justin Forsett banged up and only rookie Buck Allen healthy.
In a story by ESPN, Green Bay star receiver Randall Cobb said that his shoulder is still bothering him and may be a factor through the rest of the season. Cobb's presence is needed in the starting lineup after the loss of Jordy Nelson earlier in the year. With Davante Adams out and Ty Montgomery injured Sunday, Cobb is needed now as much as ever.
Washington receiver DeSean Jackson was well on his way to recovering from the hamstring injury that has keep him out of action almost the entire season until this past Thursday. That was when Jackson pulled himself out of practice after feeling a “twinge” in the balky hamstring. Jackson quickly dismissed the situation and expressed optimisim about playing Sunday. Well, he was ruled out on Saturday, his fifth straight, even with a “Questionable” tag. Coach Gruden said he expects Jackson back this week. We would not assume so as most coaches are overly optimistic. With quarterback Kirk Cousins playing so poorly, the Washington play-maker is needed back as quickly as possible.
Patriots receiver Brandon LaFell is now eligible to be activated off the PUP list this week. LaFell battled a mysterious foot injury through training camp. When asked, LaFell said that he is ready to begin practicing. Keep in mind that it may take a couple of weeks for him to get into playing shape.
Beat writer Mike Wells opined last week that Colts receiver Donte Moncrief will see his role increase soon. Per Wells, "He’s developed that relationship with Luck where he’s comfortable and he doesn’t hesitate going to him … Last year as a rookie, he had some concerns about drops. But Luck obviously has trust with him now." As many were still talking about Andre Johnson before the season, it should be Moncrief who is the starting receiver across from T.Y. Hilton. Moncrief has put up great numbers, including a touchdown, in each of the four games with quarterback Andrew Luck under center this season. Also, let's keep in mind that the second-year receiver just turned 22 years of age in August and is younger than many of the receivers in the 2016 NFL Draft.
After missing most of training camp and the first few weeks of the season, the coaching staff is getting anxious to see rookie receiver Devin Smith progress. When asked what areas of improvement Smith needs, coach Todd Bowles responded, "Grasp of the offense … Playing a lot faster. Using his hands a little more. Getting off blocks and playing at the speed he’s capable of playing." Oh, is that all? It seems that the coach is looking for the rookie (who missed training camp) to play more like a veteran. Maybe next season. Let's not discount the loss of training camp. Having Ryan Fitzpatrick throwing passes cannot help, either. Smith is a very good prospect. He will improve, but it might be next season before he appears on the fantasy radar. In addition, we do not expect Smith to garner many pass targets with Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker playing so well.
Last Friday, Washington tight end Jordan Reed was ruled out for the game against the New York Jets. Reed has now missed consecutive games with the concussion. Earlier in the week, beat writer John Keim reported that Reed is not likely to be back in the next two weeks. Reed's career is in jeopardy. For a player who played so well to begin the season, this is a sad situation for the talented tight end.
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