(TX) Weekly walkthrough ** Broncos QB Peyton Manning had Fantasy Nation buzzing when he sat out practice on Wednesday with a tweaked ankle. He returned to the field the next 2 days, though, and is in no danger of missing this weekend’s game against the Redskins. We’re not expecting the ankle to be an issue. Manning remains an obvious must-start in fantasy. ** Eagles QB Michael Vick (hamstring) is listed as probable for Week 8. Hell start Sundays game against the Giants. Vick has reportedly looked like his normal self in practice this week. Hes still a risky fantasy play because of the chance of re-injuring that hammy, but the upside is also huge against a leaky Giants defense. ** Browns QB Jason Campbell will start in place of QB Brandon Weeden against the Chiefs on Sunday. Campbell has experience -- 71 starts -- and has decent career numbers: 60.8% completion rate, 6.7 yards per attempt, 76 TDs, 52 INTs. Clevelands passing game certainly wont lose anything with Campbell under center. And it might even be an upgrade. Campbell isnt a fantasy option, but WR Josh Gordon and TE Jordan Cameron should be just fine. ** Vikings QB Josh Freeman (concussion) is out for Sunday night’s game against the Packers. QB Christian Ponder moves back into the starting lineup. He’s just a low-end QB2 in fantasy, but his return is good news for the rest of Minnesota’s offense. ** Vikings RB Adrian Peterson (hamstring) is listed as probable for Sunday night’s game against the Packers. He admitted earlier this week that the hammy has made him run with “hesitation” the past couple games. But AP said he feels better this week, and full practices on Thursday and Friday support that. Peterson remains a must-start in fantasy. ** Bills RB C.J. Spiller (ankle) has been listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Saints. He didn’t practice all week. HC Doug Marrone labeled Spiller a game-time decision, but all signs point to the Bills holding him out of this 1. It’s good news for Spiller’s fantasy value the rest of the way. He was torpedoing fantasy teams trying to play through the bum ankle. Fred Jackson will serve as Buffalo’s feature back this weekend and is a strong RB2 in fantasy. ** Cowboys RB DeMarco Murray (knee) was limited in practice all week and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Lions. Hes got a real shot, VP Stephen Jones Friday. Wouldnt say for sure. I think its still questionable but well kind of see how he feels after todays practice and well see how it feels on Sunday and well make a decision.” We’ll find out Murray’s status by noon ET on Sunday. He’ll be a risk/reward RB2 if active. If not, Joseph Randle will get another start. ** Falcons RB Steven Jackson (hamstring) is listed as probable for Sunday’s game against the Cardinals. He practiced all week and should step right back in as Atlanta’s lead back. Jackson might be on a snap count in his 1st action since Week 2, but he’s a fine fantasy start with 6 teams on bye. Meanwhile, RB Jason Snelling (ankle) is out. RB Jacquizz Rodgers could still see 10 or so touches this weekend, making him a RB3 or flex option. ** Lions RB Reggie Bush (leg) was held out of Friday’s practice for precautionary reasons. He’s listed as probable for this weekend’s game against the Cowboys. “Just taking the day off,” Bush said Friday. “Im fine. Im playing Sunday. Thats all you guys need to know. Thats it.” Bush should see his normal workload this weekend and is a strong RB1 in fantasy. ** Cardinals RB Rashard Mendenhall (toe) is doubtful for Week 8. He didn’t practice all week and seems unlikely to play against the Falcons on Sunday. In that case, HC Bruce Arians confirmed that RB Andre Ellington would get the start. He’d certainly see an increased workload, but Arizona has made it clear that they won’t overwork the rookie. Expect 15 or so touches. Alfonso Smith and Stepfan Taylor would work in behind Ellington, but neither would be a recommended fantasy option. ** Giants RB Brandon Jacobs (hamstring) is listed as doubtful for Sundays game against the Eagles. He didnt practice all week. Look for RB Peyton Hillis to handle the majority of touches out of New Yorks backfield this weekend. The workload and plus matchup make him a viable RB3 or flex in fantasy. ** Broncos insider Mike Klis reports that RB Ronnie Hillman will be benched for Sundays game against the Redskins. Hillman coughed the ball up at the goal line last weekend. It was his 2nd straight game with a fumble after putting it on the turf 3 times in the preseason. Montee Ball will serve as Denvers #2 RB, while C.J. Anderson will be the #3. Knowshon Moreno is the only Broncos back worth using in fantasy. ** Saints RB Mark Ingram (toe) is questionable for this weekends game against the Bills. He returned to a limited practice on Friday and seems to have a shot to play this week. Ingram isnt a fantasy option, but his return would put a dent in RB Pierre Thomas upside. ** Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald (hamstring) put in a full week of practice and is listed as probable for Sunday’s game against the Falcons. It looks like he’s getting close to 100%. Fitz is a strong WR2 play in this week’s plus matchup. ** Seahawks WR Percy Harvin (hip) returned to practice this week but has yet to be activated from the PUP list. It doesn’t look like he’ll play against the Rams on Monday night. Check Shark Bites tonight for an update. ** Falcons WR Roddy White (hamstring, ankle) has been ruled out for Sundays game against the Cardinals. He was unable to practice all week and should be considered iffy for Week 9. Harry Douglas gets another game as Atlantas #1 WR. Dont expect him to approach last weeks monster stat line, but hes a decent WR2 in fantasy. ** Jaguars WR Justin Blackmon (hamstring) is probable for this weekend’s game against the 49ers. He only put in a limited practice on Thursday and won’t be at 100% on Sunday. But Blackmon remains a good bet for 8+ targets, making him a solid WR2 in fantasy. ** Jaguars WR Cecil Shorts (shoulder) is probable for Week 8. He put in limited practices on Thursday and Friday. Shorts hauled in 8 balls last week, didn’t aggravate the shoulder injury and should be healthier this Sunday. He’s safe to get into fantasy lineups. ** Packers WR James Jones (knee) is doubtful for Sunday night’s game against the Vikings. He’ll miss another game after sitting out practice all week. Dealing with a 2-3 week injury, Jones has a chance to return for Week 9. Meanwhile, Jarrett Boykin gets another game as Green Bay’s #2 WR. He’s also a WR2 in fantasy. ** Patriots WR Danny Amendola (concussion) said Friday that hes ready to go for this weekends game against the Dolphins. He practiced all week without a setback. “I’ve done pretty much everything they’ve asked me to do,” he added. “I’m healthy, and I’m ready to play.” Amendola is listed as questionable on the injury report, but fantasy owners can pencil him into lineups. Well find out his official status by noon ET on Sunday. ** Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe (groin) was held out of Friday’s practice after being limited on Thursday. The tea leaves suggest he injured the groin on Thursday. Bowe is listed as questionable and will likely be a game-time decision for Sunday’s tilt with the Browns. We’ll know his official status by noon ET, but Bowe is better off on fantasy benches. Even at 100%, he’d be a weak WR3 against shutdown CB Joe Haden. ** Cowboys WR Miles Austin (hamstring) is listed as questionable for this weekend’s game against the Lions. He only put in a limited practice on Friday. HC Jason Garrett mentioned the possibility of holding Austin out until he’s back to 100%, so don’t be surprised if he ends up inactive on Sunday. Austin isn’t a recommended fantasy option even if he plays. Rookie Terrance Williams is Dallas’ #2 WR. ** Jets WR Santonio Holmes (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sundays game against the Bengals. Hes yet to return to practice and probably wont be back until after New Yorks Week 10 bye. Stephen Hill and Jeremy Kerley will continue to serve as the Jets top 2 WRs. ** Saints WR Lance Moore (hand) put in a full week of practice and is probable for Sundays game against the Bills. Hes worth monitoring but cant be trusted in fantasy. Moore has just 4 catches in 3 games this year. ** Redskins WR Leonard Hankerson (foot) is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Broncos. He sat out Wednesday but got back on the field on Thursday and Friday. Hankerson will likely play this weekend, but he’s just a desperation fantasy flier. ** Saints TE Jimmy Graham (foot) is listed as questionable for this weekends game against the Bills. He put in a limited practice on Friday after sitting out the previous 2 days. Graham will be a game-time decision, but well know his status by noon ET on Sunday. If Graham is active, its likely that his snaps will be limited. Still, hed be virtually impossible to bench in fantasy. If Graham sits out, Ben Watson would step in as New Orleans lead TE and be a fine spot-start. ** Packers TE Jermichael Finley (neck) is out for Sunday night’s game against the Vikings. TE Andrew Quarless is expected to start in Finley’s place, but TE Brandon Bostick might factor in, too. Neither guy is a recommended fantasy option
Posted on: Sat, 26 Oct 2013 14:30:46 +0000
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