In case you haven’t been constantly refreshing our Player News Page all week (shame on you), here’s the latest news on all the injuries for Week 8.

*** Designates a true game-time decision.

Check that player news page about an hour before each game’s kickoff to find out the final inactives.

Also, use Gregg’s updated rankings and Evan’s matchup column for help with lineup decisions.

BRONCOS at RAVENS
- Joe Flacco (ankle) is a little sore but shouldn’t be limited in any way.

TEXANS at BILLS
- Andre Johnson’s reputation as a really tough player grows this week as he’ll play through a lung bruise.
- Shawn Nelson (concussion) is out.
- Trent Edwards (concussion) has been medically cleared but is out.

BROWNS at BEARS
- Phil Dawson (calf) is finally listed as probable.
- Adrian Peterson (knee) is back but is the No. 3 RB.

RAMS at LIONS
*** Calvin Johnson (knee) is a full blown game-time decision. Impossible to even guess right now if he’ll go.
- Matthew Stafford (knee) is expected to start despite being listed as questionable.
- Donnie Avery (shoulder) is nicked up all over but will start.

SEAHAWKS at COWBOYS
- Matt Hasselbeck (ribs) rested a little this week but is fine.

VIKINGS at PACKERS
- Percy Harvin (illness) is questionable but is fully expected to start.
*** Bernard Berrian (hamstring) practiced on a limited basis Friday and is a game-time decision. He’s not a strong play even if he suits up.
- Jermichael Finley (knee) almost certainly will not play. Donald Lee should get the majority of snaps.

49ERS at COLTS
*** Reggie Wayne (groin) practiced Friday, making him a likely to play. But he’s still a game-time decision.
- Donald Brown (shoulder) will almost certainly miss the game. Joseph Addai gets a big boost.
- Anthony Gonzalez (knee) is still out.

DOLPHINS at JETS
- David Clowney (ankle) is expected to play but should be benched with Jerricho Cotchery back.
- Jerricho Cotchery (hamstring) is listed as questionable but is fully expected to play.

RAIDERS at CHARGERS
- Chaz Schilens (foot) is still not ready to return.

JAGUARS at TITANS
- Javon Ringer (back) will not play.
- Nate Washington (quad) will start in a great matchup, but can Vince Young get him the ball?

PANTHERS at CARDINALS
- Muhsin Muhammad (knee) will not play, giving Dwayne Jarrett an opportunity.
- Dante Rosario (knee) will not play.
- Jonathan Stewart (heel) is listed as questionable but will play in a tough matchup.
- Anquan Boldin (ankle) practiced on a limited basis every day this week and is expected to play.

GIANTS at EAGLES
*** Brian Westbrook (concussion) still hasn’t been ruled out but isn’t expected to play. It will almost certainly be the LeSean McCoy show.
*** Mario Manningham (shoulder) says he’ll play but is a game-time decision.
- DeSean Jackson (foot) missed a little practice time but he was never in doubt.
- Ahmad Bradshaw (ankle) is risking a serious injury by playing, but he’ll go.

FALCONS at SAINTS
*** Jason Snelling (hamstring) didn’t practice this week and is questionable. He’s not an option.
- Jerious Norwood (hip) is questionable and also not an option.

Posted by Adam Levitan at 05:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (24)

There was a lot of movement in the backfields this week. Leon Washington is donezo, Brian Westbrook had his cage rattled viciously and Larry Johnson is finally getting what was coming to him.

Anyway, let’s get to three running back committees that caught our eye in Week 6.

Remember, for a full report on all 32 backfield situations from Evan Silva, check out the Season Pass.

SAINTS
Mike Bell: 12
Pierre Thomas: 8
Reggie Bush: 3
Heath Evans: 1

Mike Bell was on the field for 19 snaps last week, with 18 of those coming in the second half. His “closer” and short-yardage roles are intact. Outside of that, consider this a “hot hand” situation. Reggie Bush is touching the ball less than he ever has in his career including receptions. He’s not even much of an option in PPR until one of the Saints’ skill players gets hurt.

Continue reading "Week 7 Committee Report" »

Posted by Adam Levitan at 08:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Don’t just chalk up Sidney Rice’s breakout to the usual “third-year leap” chatter. If Tarvaris Jackson was still under center and Bernard Berrian was 100 percent, the fact that Rice is in his third season wouldn’t mean very much.

But since it’s Brett Favre chucking long balls and Berrian’s health has been inconsistent, we can say that Rice’s season is for real. He led the league in targets last week with 14 as his relationship with Favre grows closer than Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian.

On the season, Rice is 20th in the league with 48 targets and has hauled in 71 percent of those looks. Both are great signs that Rice can keep up his very solid WR2 pace.

Anyway, on to this week’s highlights. Here are four pass-catching situations that caught our eye in Week 7:

Remember that for a complete target report, plus all the tools you need for Week 8, check out the Season Pass.

CHARGERS
Vincent Jackson: 9
Antonio Gates: 6
Chris Chambers: 4
Malcolm Floyd: 3
LaDainian Tomlinson: 3
Darren Sproles: 3
Mike Tolbert: 2

The big news here was that coach Norv Turner said on Monday that he was going to take a “hard look” at giving Floyd more playing time over Chambers. It’s pretty clear to anyone watching that is best for the team. Chambers has been targeted 30 times and has eight catches on the season. Floyd has nine catches on 16 targets. Floyd is a nice pickup in deeper leagues.

Continue reading "Week 7 Target Report Highlights" »

Posted by Adam Levitan at 02:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (20)

In case you haven’t been constantly refreshing our Player News Page all week (shame on you), here’s the latest news on all the injuries for Week 7.

*** Designates a true game-time decision.

Check that player news page about an hour before each game’s kickoff to find out the final inactives.

Also, use Gregg’s updated rankings and Evan’s matchup column for help with lineup decisions.

PATRIOTS vs. BUCS
- Sammy Morris (knee) and Fred Taylor (ankle) are out. Laurence Maroney is expected to get the start.
- Julian Edelman (forearm) is out. Sam Aiken is the Pats’ No. 3 receiver.
- Michael Clayton (hamstring) is listed as questionable but is fine. Still, he’s only a fantasy option if your league gives out points for blocking.
- Clifton Smith (concussion) is very questionable.

BILLS at PANTHERS
- Trent Edwards (concussion) will not play. It’s the Ryan Fitzpatrick show.
- Shawn Nelson (concussion) is out.
*** Jonathan Stewart (heel) is listed as questionable but practiced on both Thursday and Friday. He’s a game-time decision but we fully expect him to play.

JETS at RAIDERS
- Jerricho Cotchery (hamstring) and Brad Smith (foot) are both out. David Clowney gets another start, but he’s not much of a fantasy option.
- Chaz Schilens (foot) didn’t finish practice Friday and may have had a setback. He’s questionable, but we expect him to be inactive.

FALCONS at COWBOYS
- Roy Williams (ribs) isn’t 100 percent, but is expected to start.
- Jerious Norwood (hip) is out. Jason Snelling is the third-down man.
- Marion Barber (thigh) is a full go.
- Felix Jones (knee) is ready to go, but he’s third in the pecking order behind Barber and Tashard Choice.

SAINTS at DOLPHINS
N/A

BEARS at BENGALS
- Chris Henry (flu) is a game-time decision and is not a fantasy option.
- Brian Leonard (groin) is a go after missing last week.

PACKERS at BROWNS
- Jordy Nelson is out, meaning the No. 3 job belongs to James Jones.
- Phil Dawson (groin) is still not expected to play.
- Jerome Harrison (flu) is healthy and ready to go as Jamal Lewis’ clear backup.
*** Josh Cribbs (knee) is a game-time decision, but we expect the returner to play.
- Robert Royal (hamstring, flu) is questionable.

49ERS at TEXANS
- Frank Gore (ankle) is back and ready to go.

CHARGERS at CHIEFS
- LaDainian Tomlinson (illness) is a full go in a plus matchup.

VIKINGS at STEELERS
- Adrian Peterson (ankle) is a full go despite last week’s scare.
- Percy Harvin (shoulder) is questionable and shouldn’t be in fantasy lineups even if he plays.
- Rashard Mendenhall (knee) practiced fully Thursday and Friday. No worries here.

COLTS at RAMS
- Anthony Gonzalez (knee) is still out.
- Donnie Avery (hip) is expected to play in a tough matchup.

CARDINALS at GIANTS
*** Anquan Boldin (ankle) is a game-time decision and figures to be limited even if he plays. Upgrade Steve Breaston, who is virtually certain to play despite a lingering knee issue.
- Beanie Wells (hip) was limited in practice all week but should be active. Still, he’s not an option in his current role against the Giants.
- Ahmad Bradshaw (ankle) had some ups and downs this week but he’s a full go.
- Mario Manningham (back, ribs) practiced fully all week and will start.

EAGLES at REDSKINS
- Clinton Portis (ankle) practiced on a limited basis Saturday and will start Monday.
- Kevin Curtis (knee) is out. It’s all Jeremy Maclin once again.

Posted by Adam Levitan at 02:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (27)

A week from Sunday, the Eagles will play the Giants in Lincoln Financial Field at 1 p.m. About four hours after that game ends, the Phillies are going to play the Yankees (allegedly) at Citizens Bank Park in Game 4 of the World Series. Now that’s a timeshare.

Anyway, let’s get to three running back committees that caught our eye in Week 6.

Remember, for a full report on all 32 backfield situations from Evan Silva, check out the Season Pass.

SAINTS
Mike Bell: 15
Pierre Thomas: 15
Reggie Bush: 6
Heath Evans: 1

Bell was the goal-line back in this one, really biting into Thomas’ expected value. That said, Thomas was more of the primary back early on. Mike Bell was used as more of the “closer,” according to beat writer Jeff Duncan. We’re looking at a guessing game as to who will have the hot hand.

Continue reading "Week 6 Committee Highlights and Random Thoughts" »

Posted by Adam Levitan at 07:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Since Eddie Royal hasn’t been discussed enough this season, I’m going to quickly throw one more log onto the fire.

No one should have been surprised at all by his zero-catch outing on Monday night. If you’ve seen how Royal has been used all season, you know the 10-catch outburst in Week 5 was pretty fluky.

But I was a little taken aback that Royal’s role in the return game is taking some of the blame for his lack of snaps.

Denver Post beat writer Mike Klis wrote this in a sidebar on Royal:

Afterward, Royal humbly gave credit to his blockers, but denied the two long returns left him fatigued.

"You're too happy to be tired," he said. "You work so hard in practice all week to try to make a play like that. It was great that it happened twice."

McDaniels gave him the rest of the second quarter off. Whether it's his tailbacks, receivers or returners, McDaniels believes in keeping the legs of skill position players fresh.

Last season, Royal returned 23 kicks and 14 punts. Of course, he caught 91 balls. This season, he’s returned eight kicks and 13 punts. It’s really hard for me to buy the claim that he’s too tired to be out there.

The Broncos simply don’t consider Royal that valuable in the passing game. If they did, he wouldn’t return every kick and punt. And he wouldn’t be in a rotation with Jabar Gaffney and Brandon Stokley.

One other bad sign for Royal was that lightly regarded Antonio Cromartie was in his jersey all night. After seeing that, I took a quick look at his catch rate using Rotoworld’s target report, and found a pretty scary stat.

Among all receivers with 40 or more targets this season, Royal’s catch rate of 44 percent is the worst. Dead last out of 33 pass catchers.

Royal is too talented for that number not to rise, but it’s still frightening and a major reason why he’s not a “buy low" or very start-able from week to week.

Posted by Adam Levitan at 06:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I’m sitting at the Sixers vs. Wizards preseason game (don’t be jealous) and thinking about “divas.” I mean, is publicly complaining really the correct route for certain receivers to take if they want the ball more? Well, maybe.

In Week 5, it was DeSean Jackson that was in a foul mood after a one catch, one target day. He didn’t stick around to talk to the media, waiting to state his case on the radio. Low and behold, he got 12 targets against the Raiders the very next week.

Derrick Mason also wasn’t pleased in Week 5 after seeing zero passes come his way against the Bengals. In Week 6, he got 12 targets of his own.

This week, Carolina’s Steve Smith was the one peeved about his five targets and one catch, even after a win. Poor form? Probably. In case you missed it, here were Smith’s quotes after the game:

“It’s bittersweet. We get the win, but I have a limited role,” Smith said. “I see this game as showing I’m no longer an asset to this team.”

Of course, Smith fails to see that the constant double teams on him helped his team win the game. He was clearly an asset. But that doesn’t make him feel any better.

So will complaining at least in part get Smith a bump in targets this week against the Bills? Right or wrong, the answer is almost certainly yes.

Posted by Adam Levitan at 09:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

It’s weird when guys have career years in their 30s. It just doesn’t feel right, especially with skill position players.

That’s what makes Hines Ward’s year so interesting. He’s off to the best season of his career, with 599 receiving yards through six games. The thing is, this actually makes sense. Ward’s speed was never his best asset anyway and the Steelers are throwing more than any time in his career.

Ward is seventh in the league in targets with 52. And he’s in his 12th season at age 33.

Anyway, on to this week’s highlights. Here are four pass-catching situations that caught our eye in Week 6:

Remember that for a complete target report, plus all the tools you need for Week 7, check out the Season Pass.

BILLS
Lee Evans: 9
Terrell Owens: 8
Marshawn Lynch: 3
Corey McIntyre: 3
Shawn Nelson: 2
Josh Reed: 1
Derek Fine: 1

With Darrelle Revis draped all over Owens, Evans was the play here. Owens ended up with three catches for 13 yards while Evans went for 68 yards and a touchdown. It’s something to keep an eye on when the Bills face “shutdown” corners like Revis. (Insert joke here about everyone shutting down Owens).

Continue reading "Week 6 Target Report Highlights" »

Posted by Adam Levitan at 08:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

It was an extra brutal day to be an NFL play on Sunday as the injuries piled up quickly. Here’s a quick look at the major players who got banged up Sunday:

Check out our player news page throughout the week for updates on everyone.

Adrian Peterson - Looked like he had a bad ankle injury, but came back in the game. Says he feels good, but we’ll be keeping an eye on "All Day."

Percy Harvin - Went down hard on that injured shoulder. Looked serious, but team says he didn’t suffer any further damage.

Donnie Avery - Suffered a bruised hip in the second quarter and did not return.

Anquan Boldin - Sprained an ankle in the first half and couldn't finish the game. There's a report out there that the sprain is of the "high" variety, but that's unconfirmed.

Brandon Jacobs - Suffered a “stinger” in the second quarter but returned.

Sammy Morris - Hurt his left knee in the first quarter and did not return.

Trent Edwards - Left Sunday’s game with a concussion and did not return.

Clinton Portis - Came out of the game with a tweaked ankle but returned.

Daunte Culpepper - Hurt his hamstring and was replaced by Drew Stanton.

Kris Jenkins - Rumor is he has a season-ending knee injury. That would be a devastating blow to Jets defense.

Antoine Winfield - One of the top corners in the league left in the first half with a toe/foot injury and didn’t return.

Chad Clifton - Re-injured his ankle. We’ve already seen how tough life is for Aaron Rodgers when Clifton isn’t in there.

Jordy Nelson - Bruised his knee in the first quarter and did not return.

Jason Peters - Eagles' valuable left tackle has a knee injury and is expected to have an MRI Monday. Could this get Jon Runyan back in an Eagles uniform?

Antwan Odom - Bengals' top pass rusher is out for the year with an Achilles tear.

Lofa Tatupu - Seahawks' defensive leader is out for the year with a torn pectoral.

Posted by Adam Levitan at 12:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (358)

In case you haven’t been constantly refreshing our Player News Page all week (shame on you), here’s the latest news on all the injuries for Week 6.

*** Designates a true game-time decision.

Check that player news page about an hour before each game’s kickoff to find out the final inactives.

Also, use Gregg’s updated rankings and Evan’s matchup column for help with lineup decisions.

TEXANS at BENGALS
- Brian Leonard (groin) is unlikely to play. Bernard Scott will back up Cedric Benson, who should see more snaps on passing downs.

LIONS at PACKERS
*** Calvin Johnson (knee) will almost certainly sit out, although he’s officially a game-time decision. Bryant Johnson and Dennis Northcutt will start at receiver for the Lions.
*** Matthew Stafford (knee) is not expected to play, although he’s also officially a game-time decsion. Daunte Culpepper will get another start.
- Maurice Morris (hip) is questionable. Aaron Brown would back up Kevin Smith if Morris can’t go.
- Brandon Jackson (ankle) finally practiced in full every day this week. He’s the clear No. 2 behind Ryan Grant with DeShawn Wynn (knee) out.

RAMS at JAGUARS
- Kyle Boller (concussion) is ready to go as Marc Bulger’s backup.

RAVENS at VIKINGS
*** Percy Harvin (shoulder) practiced on both Thursday and Friday, making it likely that he’ll play. But consider we’re considering him game-time decision.
- Darius Reynaud (hamstring) is doubtful. Jaymar Johnson will likely return punts for the Vikes.

GIANTS at SAINTS
- Eli Manning (foot) is a go and should be fine to play a full game.
- Kevin Boss ( ankle) will play, but isn’t much of a fantasy option.
- Ahmad Bradshaw (ankle) barely practiced all week but will play.
- Pierre Thomas (hamstring) was limited in practice but will play.
- Mike Bell (knee) practiced fully all week.

BROWNS at STEELERS
- Willie Parker (turf toe) practiced fully and is expected to play behind Rashard Mendenhal.
- Phil Dawson (calf) is out. Billy Cundiff will kick again.

PANTHERS at BUCS
- Steve Smith ( knee) was limited in practice Thursday but is fine.
*** Dante Rosario (ankle) will be a game-time decision.
- B.J. Askew (back) is out, meaning Earnest Graham will be the starting fullback.
- Antonio Bryant (knee) practiced fully Friday and will start.
- Jerramy Stevens (quad) practiced fully Friday and will play.

CHIEFS at REDSKINS
- Clinton Portis (calf) was limited on Friday but he’ll play.

EAGLES at RAIDERS
*** Kevin Curtis (knee) made the trip to Oakland and will be a game-time decision. Jeremy Maclin will start regardless.
- Darren McFadden is out.
*** Chaz Schilens (foot) will be a game-time decision as he tries to make his season debut.

CARDINALS at SEAHAWKS
- Steve Breaston (knee) was limited on Friday and is listed as questionable, but that’s the way it’s been the last few weeks. We expect him to play.
- Nate Burleson (back) practiced fully Friday and will start.
- Matt Hasselbeck (ribs) says he no longer has any pain.

TITANS at PATRIOTS
- In the upset of the week, Wes Welker is not on the injury report.
*** Ben Watson (concussion) is a game-time decision. Don’t wait for him.
- Randy Moss (shoulder) will almost certainly start.

BILLS at JETS
- Jerricho Cotchery (hamstring) will almost certainly sit out, although he’s officially a game-time decision.
*** Brad Smith (quad) is questionable. It’s looking like David Clowney will start opposite Braylon Edwards.

BEARS at FALCONS
- Adrian Peterson ( knee) is still out, Garrett Wolfe is the No. 2 RB.

BRONCOS at CHARGERS
- Correll Buckhalter (ankle) will almost certainly play, but Knowshon Moreno is expected to carry the load.

Posted by Adam Levitan at 03:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (15)