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.
Fantasy owners of Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger have been limping along, anxious for his return to the lineup from the knee injury. Roethlisberger is recovering from a MCL sprain and bone bruise to his knee. Jeremy Fowler, of ESPN, said that the talented passer could return in two weeks, in the huge Week 8 matchup against division rival Cincinnati. Pittsburgh needs Roethlisberger back as soon as possible if there is any hope of catching the Bengals for the AFC North title.
Last week, coach Pete Carroll admitted to reporters that superstar tailback Marshawn Lynch suffered tissue damage in his hamstring. Carroll said late last week, "He is running very well … However, it's just two weeks now, and he's just getting over it. ... He could try to come back and play, but we think he'd be vulnerable. He needs another weekend to get through it, and then by next week, by Wednesday or something, we think we can get him going again." This is good news. Seattle thinks Lynch will be able to practice Wednesday. The offense misses his toughness and leadership.
Jamaal Charles exited Sunday's game with what appeared to be a serious knee injury. It was later revealed that the talented tailback tore his right ACL. The Chiefs will be hurting without Charles in the lineup. He is the catalyst. In fact, Kansas City picked up few first downs, and surrendered the 17-3 lead after Charles exited the contest. Do not bother wasting your blind bid waiver money on this situation. There is not lead back going forward. Also, Charles will be 29 next season, coming off the ACL injury. This has to be a major blow to his dynasty value.
Many fantasy owners were worried that New England tailback Dion Lewis would somehow lose his position as the lead runner in the offense. Lewis has shined as a Patriot after signing a “futures” deal last winter. He had bounced around a few teams, playing well but injured before starring each time. But, this past week, New England locked up Lewis on the cheap, giving him an extension through the 2017 season. What a shrewd move. This deal illustrates to fantasy owners the faith the team has in the 25 year old back. Mike Reiss wrote a positive article about Lewis for ESPN. In the article, Reiss said, "Dion Lewis is their clear-cut No. 1 passing back, third-down, change-of-pace guy... They love Dion." Fantasy owners should love Lewis, too.
Beat writer, Darryl Slater reported last week that New York Jets running back Stevan Ridley "does not appear on the verge of being game-ready." Ridley is on the Physically unable to Play (PuP) list with a knee injury suffered last season while a member of the Patriots. The important date to remember is that Ridley must be activated from the PuP prior to Week 12. That would make almost exactly one year since Ridley tore his MCL and ACL last November.
Both Jerry Jones and his son Stephen have voiced their respective hopes that Dallas receiver Dez Bryant will be able to return to action in Week 7. We think this is too ambitious but it shows that he is close. Bryant has been running on a treadmill, but has not been cleared to run routes, according to ESPN Dallas. The Dallas Morning News reported that Bryant received a therapeutic injection to assist the healing in his broken right foot. This is interesting. In detail, Bryan Bryant had bone marrow stem cells from his hip injected into his ankle to help the healing process. Before getting excited about his return, check the practice reports. The Dallas coaches will not allow him to return to game action without participating in practice.
Ross Jones, of FOX Sports, tweeted last Friday what caused Pittsburgh wide receiver Martavis Bryant to miss practice. Jones reported that Bryant tweaked his knee in Monday's practice. This is why he missed the Monday night game as well. Rarely do we consider a knee injury good news, but it is much better than the rumors swirling. Bryant was eligble to return this past Sunday from his four-game suspension. We are hopeful for Bryant's return to action in Week 6.
Many considered Dorial Green-Beckham to have immense potential coming into the NFL, but needing much refinement after sittting out the 2014 college season. Last week, Tennessee Titans General manager Ruston Webster said that he expects thte rookie to play more as the season progresses. Webster said that Green-Beckham was "clearly a difficult matchup for people." It will be difficult to keep the very talented youngster out of the lineup. The main concern for his long-term potential is staying clean off the field. We saw a snapshot of the issue last week when Green-Beckham was arrested for not paying a traffic fine. No, this is not an issue. But, it was a not-so-subtle reminder as to the lacking decision-making skills for the talented rookie.
Detroit Lions fans and fantasy owners breathed a sigh of relief when it was reported that the knee injury suffered by Eric Ebron last Monday night was not serious. It looked ugly to the naked eye. The injury was reported by Josina Anderson to be a bruised knee. She said he could be out of action one or two more weeks. The positive side is that surgery is not needed, just time. Ebron has been vastly improved over his rookie year and is slowly becoming a viable weapon for the Lions.
Few NFL situations elevate into the life-threatening status like that of Giants tight end Daniel Fells. Fells remained in the hospital over the weekend after his fifth – yes, fifth – surgery in the last few days. A week ago, Fells felt ill and was sent to the hospital where a staph infection was found in his foot. He was already sidelined with the foot injury, landing on injured reserve, and now has the worst type of staph infection, MRSA, which does not respond to antibiotics. The recent cases of MRSA have greatly impacted the careers of the patients. This could be a sad ending to Fells' career. Ian Rapoport tweeted Sunday that “Doctors are fighting to save his foot now.” Wow! Later Sunday Rapoport followed up with, “Thanks to new meds, last (Sunday) night was his first in 10 days without a fever.” Ten days with a fever. Possible loss of a foot. This is a serious situation.
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