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.
Even though NFL Network reported Sunday last week that Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III III could return as early as Week 8, there is little chance of that occurring. First, coach Jay Gruden said Griffin would not return “any time soon.” It speaks volumes when the head coach is not optimistic about Griffin's return, even with the way Kirk Cousins is playing. Then, the Washington Port reported that Griffin “remains a ways off.” This is enough to convince us that the quarterback likely will not play until after Week 10, possibly later. The Washington offense could use a spark from the former first round pick. With the team struggling as a whole, there is little reason to rush Griffin back from the nasty ankle injury. Even this past Monday, there was an ESPN report detailing how the team still does not know when the quarterback will return. In that report, Gruden said, . "As far as taking practice reps, that will be at least another week … [Wednesday] will be the first step and next week maybe we’ll try to get him in practice situations and see where he is." So, the return could be as soon as a couple of weeks. There is optimism.
Last Monday, Adam Schefter said that the Titans might turn to rookie Zach Mettenberger "pretty soon." This is totally feasible. Jake Locker has played poorly, been nicked up, and is in a contract year. Charlie Whitehurst has been very average, checking down often, and not giving his team a great opportunity for victory unless playing Jacksonville. Tennessee needs to see what they have in Mettenberger. It is likely the Titans have a Top 8 draft pick. The team will want to know if that pick should be used at the quarterback position or if Mettenberger is the long-term solution. Muddying the waters was a tweet this past Monday from beat writer Terry McCormick. McCormick quoted coach Ken Whisenhunt's statement that Locker will regain the starting job when healthy. We take this as the coaches know Whitehurst is not the answer. Hopefully, Mettenberger will get a shot … and soon.
It was an eventful week for superstar tailback Adrian Peterson. He entered a plea of not guilty in his child-abuse trial. That trial is tentatively set to begin December 1. Then, Peterson was arrested after failing a drug test (marijuana), thus, violating the terms of his bond. It is difficult for us to grasp this lack of care or concern for the consequences of this type of decision. Empathy for a Peterson has to wane after this arrest. We doubt he will be back in Minnesota after reinstatement.
The Union-Tribune San Diego reported last week that Chargers running back Ryan Mathews has yet to resume running while rehabilitating his knee injury. As a reminder, Mathews was diagnosed with a MCL sprain one month ago. He looks to be at least two weeks away from playing. The way rookie Branden Oliver is playing, there is little reason to rush Mathews back from the knee injury.
New York Giants beat reporter Dan Graziano reported last week that the Giants does not trust rookie tailback Andre Williams in the passing game. Per Graziano, "They absolutely do not trust him as a receiver, nor should they, based on what we've seen of his hands … And I'm not entirely certain they trust him in pass protection yet either." Williams played – and played marginally well - against the Eagles while Rashad Jennings missed action. He is still young and will grow into the larger role.
It was a surprise Sunday when rookie tailback Terrance West was a “healthy scratch” against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Coach Mike Pettine only said of the situation that West needs to improve and it starts at practice, according to beat writer Nate Ulrich on Twitter. Without West sharing touches, Ben Tate and Isaiah Crowell racked up the carries – and yards – as the Browns dominated the Steelers.
The New Orleans Saints were on bye this week. When the team returns to action in Week 7, it is expected that running back Mark Ingram could return. Last Friday, Ingram said, "I'm healing up nicely … Staying ready to pick up where I left off." Ingram, Khiry Robinson, and Pierre Thomas would give the team a crowded backfield once again. Having all three sharing touches could be a nightmare for fantasy owners. If Ingram is able to regain the power and desire he had early in the season, the Saints coaching staff will be hard-pressed to keep him out of the lineup.
Jacksonville Jaguars ball carrier Toby Gerhart aggravated his nagging foot injury last week in practice. Gerhart, when talking about the injury, said, "It's something that's been dragging on since the horse collar at Philly (Week1)." The injury has opened the door for rookie Storm Johnson. It is unlikely that Gerhart will fully recover from the foot injury this season. He will need extended rest. Then, on Sunday, Adam Caplan reported that the team wanted to move Johnson up the depth chart a few weeks ago, but the rookie was looking to get healthy from a nagging ankle injury.
A forgotten player in San Francisco is running back Marcus Lattimore. Lattimore is still rehabilitating his injured knee and is slated to resume practicing after the 49ers' bye in Week 8. With the Kendall Hunter injury, Lattimore would add valuable depth at the running back position behind Frank Gore and Carlos Hyde.
A.J. Green looked like he aggravated his toe injury last Wednesday. He was carted off the practice field and many were scared that the star receiver could be out of action for a while. It was good to hear Cincinnati coach Marvin Lewis say Green has avoided a long-term injury. Lewis even said, "He's feeling good. It's positive." Green was quoted over the weekend as saying he expects to miss Week 7.
Last Monday, the Oakland Raiders claimed wide receiver Kenbrell Thompkins off waivers from the New England Patriots. Many were surprised when the Patriots released the 26-year old receiver who started some games this season. He landed in a good situation and on a roster void of talent. The Oakland offensive coordinator was quoted as complimenting Thompkins, using phrases like: "has a tremendous work ethic," an "intelligent player" and "looks like a polished receiver." Sure, this could be fluff-filled coach speak. However, the Raiders are looking for a starter opposite James Jones. Thompkins could be that guy. Oakland has now claimed Thompkins and Vincent Brown in recent weeks. It is obvious that the team is searching for upgrades at the wide receiver position. Yes, Andre Holmes had a solid outing against the Chargers this week, as did Bryce Butler, but the starting receiver slots are still fluid.
Fantasy owners breathed a sigh of relief last week when New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton said Jimmy Graham should be fine and not impacted by the shoulder sprain. Payton added that the bye week came at the perfect time for the athletic tight end. Then, on Sunday, Ian Rapoport reported that Graham is expected to miss another two or three weeks, even after the bye. It appears as though the coach was playing coy last week and fantasy alternatives will be required the next couple of games.
In case fantasy owners wanted a reason not to pick up free agent Jermichael Finley off the waiver wire. He has not gotten a sniff yet from NFL teams. The neck injury looks to have ended Finley's career. The tight end knows his career is over and is filing a claim on his $10 million dollar insurance policy, according to the USA Today. Just filing the insurance claims is confirmation enough that he is done. What a sad ending to a promising career.
Injuries to monitor
- Robert Griffin III III: Ankle
- Carson Palmer: Neck
- Matt Cassel: Foot
- Jamaal Charles: Ankle
- Knowshon Moreno: Elbow
- Montee Ball: Groin
- Ryan Mathews: Knee
- Stevan Ridley: Knee
- Andre Ellington: Foot
- Rashad Jennings: Knee
- Danny Woodhead: Ankle
- DeSean Jackson: Shoulder
- Victor Cruz: Knee
- Alshon Jeffery: Hamstring
- Brandon Marshall: Ankle
- Cecil Shorts: Hamstring
- Marqise Lee: Hamstring
- Jimmy Graham: Shoulder
- Jordan Cameron: Shoulder
- Tyler Eifert: Elbow
- Jordan Reed: Hamstring
- Kyle Rudolph: Groin/ Sports Hernia
- Marcedes Lewis: Ankle
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