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.
Last Wednesday, the Houston Texans activated star tailback Arian Foster from the active/PUP list. He had been battling calf and back injuries for months. It was good to see Foster was able to practice Friday. This adds optimism to Foster's outlook, which had been filled with doom and gloom. The team appears to be easing their star back into the lineup. One thing to watch early in the season will be the workload. There should be concern from fantasy owners that Foster will not see his full workload for a few weeks as he gets into shape.
The foot injury of Pittsburgh Steelers rookie Le'Veon Bell has been the hot topic the past few days in fantasy circles. There has been much information put out there, and we will try to sort it out. First, coach Mike Tomlin stated that the injury was not a Lisfranc sprain similar to the one suffered by Matt Spaeth. It has been implied that Tomlin was saying the injury is not a Lisfranc sprain. Then, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that the injury was a "small ligament tear." The good news is that this article went on to say that Bell would be out of action for "up to six weeks." Optimism abounds. The acquisition of Felix Jones from the Philadelphia Eagles only clouds the situation, and has left some to wonder if the move was in response to Bell's injury or the poor play of Dwyer and Redman. Jones has little left in the tank and is unlikely to make the Steelers.
Another tailback battling the injury bug is Jonathan Stewart, in Carolina. Stewart has battled ankle injuries, and has been on the shelf, the past few weeks. Adam Schefter reported last week that it is "not realistic" to expect Stewart to be ready week one. One of the more talented running backs in the league, Stewart has yet to put it all together for an entire season.
Last Friday, the San Francisco 49ers placed rookie tailback Marcus Lattimore on the reserve/NFI list. He was not expected to play this season, but this move gives hope. The reserve/NFI is similar to the PUP list in that a player misses the first six weeks of the season before having the option to activate to the active roster. Schefter reported this past week that the team does not expect Lattimore to play this season.
Many dynasty owners have high hopes for Oakland Raiders rookie tailback Latavius Murray. Murray has frustrated the Raiders by missing much of training camp with an ankle injury. Last Tuesday, he had the ankle scoped. It might be midseason before Murray sees meaningful game time. Until then, expect Darren McFadden and Rashad Jennings to split the reps at the running back position.
If your deep dynasty league has an injured reserve spot, Cleveland Browns ball carrier Dion Lewis is a good stash. Last week, he had surgery to fix a broken fibula and will spend the year on injured reserve. Lewis flashed big talent in training camp and could emerge as a fantasy option in 2014.
Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy stated last week that wide receiver Jordy Nelson is "very close" to returning, according to a report by Green Bay beat writer Tom Silverstein. Nelson had knee surgery a few weeks ago and looks to be on schedule for the season opener.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians said last week that second year receiver Michael Floyd "has improved dramatically from the first minicamp to now." The Arizona beat writers have been talking up Floyd for the past few weeks. In dynasty leagues, he is a player to buy before having a monster game. There is upside for Floyd now that Carson Palmer is under center for the Cardinals. Arians had this to say about his young receiver, "Route running, his understanding of concepts, hot (reads), the whole package … He's bought in. He's playing two to three different positions. I'm really pleased with where he's at right now." We need to reflect on the success Arians has experienced of late, in Pittsburgh and last year in Indianapolis. The Arizona passing game could put up big numbers.
Denarius Moore has drawn the ire of the Oakland Raiders coaching staff several times this offseason. Offensive coordinator Greg Olson had this to say about the team's top receiver, "To me, it's that whole character issue, becoming a self-starter, becoming a self-motivated person, and a lot of it comes with maturity, … I think he'd be the first guy to say we're constantly on top of him ... But I think he's becoming a more mature player." Olson is growing weary of Moore's lack of consistency. It must be frustrating to see a talented player who does not give full effort every play. Beat writer Scott Bair even named Moore the "most frustrating player" of Raiders training camp. Bair went on to say that Moore "still makes great plays," but "makes an equal number of inexcusable mistakes." The lackluster quarterback play only compounds the issue. In the same article, Bair called rookie Brice Butler the "offensive player of (Raiders) camp." The seventh round pick has flashed potential in training camp and is pushing for a starting job.
The Kansas City Chiefs had grown weary of receiver Jon Baldwin, and the San Francisco 49ers had given up on A.J. Jenkins. So, the two team swapped first round busts. The new Chiefs regime had no ties to Baldwin and were looking to add speed at the receiver position. Jenkins definitely is fast. Also, the Kansas City brass consulted with quarterback Alex Smith on Jenkins before making the deal. Jenkins is the only former first round pick at wide receiver who never caught a pass with the team that drafted him. Baldwin possesses talent and will look to work his way into the starting spot across from Anquan Boldin. Coach Harbaugh and company will look to work wonders with another reclamation project.
New York Jets receiver Santonio Holmes has fallen out of favor with the Jets and dynasty owners. He has missed almost a year with a Lisfranc injury. At present, the veteran receiver has received medical clearance, according to the New York Post. Holmes has begun to run in straight lines but cannot make cuts or run routes. Holmes would have been cut this season if his salary was not guaranteed. There are rumors that Holmes feels no compulsion to come back quickly and is milking the injury. Either way, this situation provides a buying opportunity for dynasty owners who believe Holmes still can put up decent numbers.
Footballguys.com own Matt Waldman talked up undrafted free agent receiver Marlon Brown on Twitter a few minutes before the Baltimore Ravens' Thursday night game. Brown went on to lead Baltimore in receiving, gaining 59 yards and a touchdown on four receptions. The good news for Brown is that he saw time with the first team offense, and is gaining the confidence of quarterback Joe Flacco. With none of the other receivers stepping up other than Torrey Smith, Brown could emerge fairly quickly.
After tight end Dustin Keller went down with multiple knee ligament tears, Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Mike Sherman named Charles Clay the team's starting tight end. Clay was a very good receiver in college at Tulsa, and has made some big plays throughout his young career. It is doubtful that Clay will have a fantasy impact in Miami. He has been used as an H-Back, moving around the formation, but mostly in a blocking role.
If you have questions of any variety, please feel free to reach out to me on Twitter (Twitter.com/JeffTefertiller) or in the Wannabee thread in the Assistant Coach Forum.