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.
As if Rex Ryan needed more media drama, quarterback Mark Sanchez could be slated for shoulder surgery, according to Chris Mortensen of ESPN. Mortensen indicated that Sanchez will likely have season-ending surgery. After the report, the quarterback told media members that he has received several promising reports on the injured shoulder and will continue to rehab the injury. The most interesting part of Sanchez's rebuttal was when he stated that he had won the starting gig before the injury. This did not go over well in the New York locker room. Let's better understand the situation. The former starting quarterback gets hurt and continues to undermine the rookie starter, instead of supporting the team. In the last year of his contract, Sanchez is not expected back in the Big Apple. Further, few teams will be lining up in free agency.
Even with optimism a couple of weeks ago, Pittsburgh Steelers rookie tailback Le'Veon Bell has yet to resume practicing. He is still recovering from the foot injury suffered in the second preseason game. Since he has yet to get back on the practice field, Bell is still likely a month away from meaningful touches. If the foot injury is really the Lisfranc variety, the month timeframe could still be optimistic. The Steelers are lacking offensive consistency and could use the rookie in the backfield.
After suffering a wrist injury in the season opener against the Buffalo Bills, the New England Patriots placed running back Shane Vereen on the injured reserve/designated to return list. This designation will prevent Vereen from practicing for five more weeks and he cannot return to the field until week eleven. After the loss of tight end Aaron Hernandez, Vereen was expected to play often, and move around the formation to take advantage of mismatches. His loss will leave the Patriots reliant on Stevan Ridley and Tom Brady.
It was a surprise last Friday when Ian Rapoport tweeted, "#Colts RB Vick Ballard suffered a 'freak' knee injury during practice, source says. Having tests for a ligament injury, could end his season." Ballard was placed on injured reserve later in the day. Beat writer Mike Chappell added, "#colts HC Chuck Pagano: RB Vick Ballard had freak accident at practice. non-contact injury. put foot in ground and knee went out. ACL tear." This led the team to activate Kerwynn Williams from the practice squad to be the third running back behind Ahmad Bradshaw and Donald Brown. Expect the Colts to either re-sign Delone Carter or audition washed up veterans like Beanie Wells, Michael Turner, or Cedric Benson. For the moment, this puts pressure on Bradshaw to carry the load in the running game.
After the injury of Andre Brown, and fumbles by David Wilson in the week one game against the Dallas Cowboys, the New York Giants brought back a familiar face in Brandon Jacobs. For those wondering why the bruising back was not signed in the offseason, the reason became clear when Jacobs revealed his weight was up to 290 pounds this summer. We do not expect the veteran ball carrier to be anything more than a bit player until Brown returns. Jacobs was brought in because the Giants do not believe rookie seventh round pick Michael Cox is ready for game action, according to a report in the New York Daily News.
While far from a superstar, the Pittsburgh Steelers were disappointed after losing La'Rod Stephens-Howling after suffering a torn right ACL in week one. A team in desperate need of a running game, and without Bell already, the Steelers now have to fall back on Isaac Redman and Jonathan Dwyer. Stephens-Howling signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh and will now have to look for work next offseason while coming off a major knee injury.
Ian Rapoport reported last week that New England receiver Danny Amendola could be sidelined up to six weeks with the groin injury. While there have been reports that the injury is merely "week-to-week", we would err on the long side. Via Twitter, Footballguys' own Dr. Jene Bramel said he thinks the injury could keep Amendola out at least four weeks. But, we need to keep in mind how little information makes itself out of the Patriots locker room to the press. Sunday, Jay Glazer said that Amendola sustained torn adductors muscles. Last Thursday's game against the New York Jets showed the world how much the Patriots need Amendola, and miss Hernandez, Rob Gronkowski, and Wes Welker.
The Giants are not discussing a contract extension with Hakeem Nicks, according to Profootballtalk. With the strong play of Rueben Randle, the team has the chance to sit back and watch the season unfold. If Nicks is healthy and produces all season, New York can slap him with the franchise tag. If he disappoints, the team will just allow him to walk knowing Randle is ready and waiting in the wings.
Last week, Profootballtalk reported that free agent wide receiver Brandon Lloyd has rejected chances to come back from at least six teams about coming back to the football field. The site named New England, San Francisco, and the New York Jets as three receiver-needy teams denied by Lloyd.
Buffalo Bills rookie receiver Marquise Goodwin broke his hand in the season opener against the New England Patriots and will be out of action several weeks. Goodwin flashed his long speed in preseason and could carve out a starting job in the future.
New York Jets receiver Jeremy Kerley missed the Thursday night game against the New England Patriots while still not cleared from his concussion. With the nature of this concussion, future head injuries could be impactful.
As of little surprise, Houston Texans receiver DeVier Posey is still a few weeks away from returning to the field after suffering an Achilles tear last season. Upon returning, Posey could threaten Keshawn Martin for the third receiver job. We would advise a wait-and-see approach for a player coming off such a severe injury.
A player rostered in some deep dynasty leagues, rookie receiver Aaron Mellette, was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury. The Baltimore Ravens already had a depleted receiving corps and the loss of Mellette, a seventh round pick in April's draft, hurts the depth. Mellette is a player to watch next spring and will benefit from a full offseason to develop after making the transition from small school football to the NFL.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Rob Housler is still on the shelf with an high ankle sprain, and has yet to resume practicing. With Larry Fitzgerald ailing, the Cardinals could use the receiving threat that Housler provides.
For those of you in tight end-premium leagues, Oakland Raiders starting tight end David Ausberry has yet to resume practicing after suffering the shoulder injury. He looks to still be a couple of weeks away from returning.
Injuries to monitor this week:
Reggie Bush: Left knee injury
Steven Jackson: Quad/thigh injury
Maurice Jones-Drew: Ankle injury
Larry Fitzgerald: Hamstring injury
If you have questions of any variety, please feel free to reach out to me on Twitter (Twitter.com/JeffTefertiller), Google+, LinkedIn, or in the Wannabee thread in the Assistant Coach Forum.
