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We scour the news around the NFL to bring you what matters most to 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 the recent happenings around the league.
After being listed as questionable for last Sunday’s game, fantasy owners were shocked to see the plethora of reports regarding the knee of Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford. The Week 1 game against New Orleans gave hope that Bradford was primed for a big season, his last under contract with Minnesota. But, Chris Mortensen reported that Bradford was seeking a second opinion on the knee from noted Dr. James Andrews. Dr. Andrews was the one who performed the surgeries on Bradford’s left ACLs in the past so a visit back to Dr. Andrews cannot be viewed as a positive sign. Tom Pelissero later tweeted, “No setback for #Vikings QB Sam Bradford. No doctors have suggested structural issues. Knee just didn't improve much.” He also tweeted, “Sam Bradford's visit to Dr. Andrews confirmed what #Vikings believed, sources say: Bone bruise. Still week to week.” The good news is that injury appears just to need time to heal. In two-quarterback leagues, Bradford makes an intriguing “buy low” opportunity.
Ian Rapoport reported over the weekend that Colts quarterback Andrew Luck is targeting a Week 6 return against the Titans. On Monday, Rapoport followed up with, “#Colts coach Chuck Pagano said it’s a “possibility” QB Andrew Luck practices this week. He’ll need to be cleared, but signs are positive.” We encourage you not to get overly excited about the possibility of practice for Luck. It will take him a few weeks to get up to speed. Chris Mortensen tweeted, “Chuck Pagano says he will know Wednesday whether Andrew Luck starts to practice.” The sooner Luck practices, the sooner he can take the field. The Week 6 return looks as likely as any other at this point.
As though the 0-3 start to the season was not bad enough, Chargers running back Melvin Gordon left the Week 3 loss to the Chiefs with a knee injury. He had been limited in practice last week by the knee injury and aggravated it in the first half of the contest. The good news is that the star tailback returned to game action in the fourth quarter. Including the first-quarter touchdown, Gordon has now scored a touchdown in each of three games Los Angeles has played. On Monday, Ian Rapoport tweeted, “#Chargers RB Melvin Gordon is dealing with a bone bruise in his knee, which limited him Sun. Very minor, I’m told. He wanted to go back in.” This is great news for Chargers fans and fantasy owners.
To the chagrin of fantasy owners everywhere, New York Jets offensive coordinator John Morton told the media last week that he plans to use a three-man running back committee going forward. This would mean the rookie Elijah McGuire has earned a role going forward after the impotence of veterans Matt Forte and Bilal Powell. But, a three-back rotation for the worst offense in the NFL is not something we would advise dynasty owners investing in. McGuire needs to limit the fumbles if he is to garner a larger role in the Jets’ offense.
Last week, Browns receiver Corey Coleman was placed on injured reserve with the hope of a return to game action in Week 8. Coleman broke his right hand and the injury required surgery. His absence has allowed Ricardo Louis and Rashard Higgins to see more snaps. With the development Coleman showed this preseason, he makes for a solid buy low in dynasty leagues.
The Houston Texans finally gave up on receiver Jaelen Strong, their 70th overall pick from the 2015 NFL Draft. Strong was released last week and claimed by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He has struggled with conditioning and even served a suspension earlier this season. With Allen Robinson and Dede Westbrook on injured reserve, Strong will add needed depth to the Jaguars receiving corps. He was limited by a hamstring injury earlier in the week and did not make the trip to London. Strong is a player with the tools to be successful and could emerge on a team without much talent at the position behind Marqise Lee and Allen Hurns.
There are few players as physically gifted and oft-injured as Tyler Eifert. He was ruled out of the game against the Packers several days before the contest. Eifert is dealing with back and knee injuries, according to Adam Schefter. The Bengals missed him in the contest. On Monday, it was reported that there is no timetable for Eifert’s return.
Jordan Reed is another oft-injured tight end who is as good as any when healthy. He has been battling a broken toe since the summer and has tried to play through the injury. In last week’s game against the Rams, Reed suffered a chest injury. Last Wednesday, coach Jay Gruden told reporters that Reed is "not healthy right now." After missing the victory over the Raiders on Sunday Night Football, Reed is considered “day to day” for Week 4.
When coming out of Minnesota, tight end Maxx Williams was seen as an elite prospect, possessing the requisite size and speed to be successful. But, his career has been filled with one injury after another. Last year, Williams suffered a nasty knee injury and finally made it back to the field only to now be limited by an ankle injury. His injuries have allowed veteran Ben Watson to quietly have a fantasy TE1 season. Patience is encouraged for Williams who still is only 23 years of age, as hard as it may be to believe. The Ravens have seen a position loaded with depth coming into the season to have only Watson still standing.
Feel free to (email me) with feedback. Also, I am on Twitter (www.Twitter.com/JeffTefertiller), LinkedIn, and Google+, so you can ask me questions on one of these as well.