A.J. Green is expected to miss at least one game with a toe injury
With each day, news breaks out of the NFL. Yesterday for example we all found out that A.J. Green was carted off the practice field after aggravating his toe injury. If Mohammed Sanu was available in your league, that was likely news you wanted to hear right away.
Fortunately, we have a News Desk team that has been keeping you covered all season for big and small news. That being said, below are just some of the items you may have wanted to read. For all the latest news, visit our Player News page.
FALCONS ADMIT SMITH DESERVES MORE TOUCHES
By Mike Bailey, Falcons Correspondent
Head Coach Mike Smith said on Monday that RB Antone Smith “has earned more touches by what he’s done thus far in the first five games”. (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Fantasy Impact: This season, Smith has averaged 11 yards per carry, rushing for 121 yards and 2 touchdowns on just 11 carries. Furthermore, he has 156 receiving yards on just 6 receptions, including touchdown passes of 74 and 54 yards respectively. Unfortunately, he just isn’t fed the ball enough to justify a starting role in fantasy. He is worth a stash in deeper leagues if you’re weak at RB, in case the Falcons decide to increase his touches, or if starting RB Steven Jackson becomes injured.
STORM JOHNSON TO SEE MORE CARRIES
By Randy Stefanick, Jaguars Correspondent
Coach Gus Bradley mentioned that he was impressed by Johnson’s instincts at Mondays press conference and followed that up today by indicating the he would get a shot this week against the Titans. (Florida-Times Union)
Fantasy Impact: The Jaguars are searching for a run-game pulse and Johnson – fourth on the tailback depth chart during camp – will be the next one up. The seventh round pick rushed for 27 yards on just four carries in the loss to Pittsburgh after missing the start of the season to an ankle injury.
VERNON DAVIS RETURNS TO PRACTICE
By Chad Satterfield, 49ers Correspondent
Vernon Davis returned to practice on Thursday. He had a blue (no-contact) jersey in hand, and looks to be on hand for Monday Night’s game. (Matt Maiocco on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: This is huge news for the 49ers, but not so much for your fantasy team. If I had another option at TE, I would start them over Vernon. Davis will need some time to get back into rhythm before he earns my trust back.
CECIL SHORTS SURPRISES WITH FULL PRACTICE TODAY
By Randy Stefanick, Jaguars Correspondent
Cecil Shorts (left hamstring) returned to practice for the first time since being injured Sept. 28 at San Diego and was a full participant. “We need to see him stack it up now but he made it through the full practice so that’s a good sign,” coach Gus Bradley said. (Florida-Times Union)
Fantasy Impact: The Jaguars will evaluate how he responds on Friday before declaring his playing status. If Shorts is able to play it will likely be in a limited role so don’t count on him this week.
CORDARRELLE PATTERSON ON LACK OF TOUCHES: “I’M NOT A DRAMA QUEEN.”
By Jake Perper, Vikings Correspondent
“That’s nothing I need to do. I’m not a drama queen or anything. I don’t want to go to the offensive coordinator and try to demand the ball. One day, maybe if I get a couple more Pro Bowls, maybe I can do things like that; but the time is not right now. It’s only my second year, and he’s a new offensive coordinator for this team,” Patterson said on Thursday. (Star Tribune)
Fantasy Impact: He’s smart not to demand things, but at the same notion Vikings offensive coordinator Norv Turner needs to get his best playmaker the ball more often. Patterson may not be a polished route runner just yet, but when he touches the ball he makes things happen. This could be the week he breaks out, but for now keep Patterson on your benches. He is a weak flex option against Detroit.
ZAC STACY DOES NOT PARTICIPATE IN THURSDAY PRACTICE
By B.J. O’Rourke, Rams Correspondent
Zac Stacy did not participate in practice on Thursday. (Nick Wagoner on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: This was expected, per Jeff Fisher’s comments earlier this week. Even though Stacy has an extra day to get ready for the Rams’ Monday night tilt, a RB with a leg injury playing in a timeshare against the defense giving up the least amount of points to running backs so far this season is not a successful formula. Stacy is worth nothing more than a flex play at best this week, and if you can find better options, use them. One of them might very well be his fellow Ram, Benny Cunningham, as the Rams will have to throw against the 49ers and Cunningham appears to be the preferred passing down back.
CALVIN JOHNSON MISSES PRACTICE AGAIN THURSDAY
By Steve Myette, Lions Correspondent
Calvin Johnson (ankle) was absent from Lions practice for the second consecutive day on Thursday. (Dave Birkett on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Megatron has barely practiced the last three weeks and his ankle injury has only gotten worse. It is looking more and more like the Lions will finally get him some extended rest for that ankle and sit him against the Vikings on Sunday.
JARRETT BOYKIN UNLIKELY TO PLAY IN MIAMI ACCORDING TO REPORTS
By Joe Webster, Packers Correspondent
Rob Demovsky of ESPN is reporting that Jarrett Boykin is likely to remain sidelined in Week 6 when the Packers travel to Miami to face the Dolphins. Boykin is dealing with a groin injury that has caused him to miss the last 2 games. (ESPN)
Fantasy Impact: With the emergence of Davante Adams as the Packers number 3 wide receiver, Boykin has become irrelevant in most fantasy formats. If you still are hanging on to him, you would be better off dropping him for Adams who looks like he is becoming more comfortable in the Packers offense.
RONNIE HILLMAN PROJECTED TO HANDLE 50-55% OF WORKLOAD AGAINST JETS
By Steve Painter, Broncos Correspondent
Jeff Legwold is expecting Hillman’s workload to reflect historical trends for the Jets game. (ESPN)
Fantasy Impact: Hillman will get his shot to show off the burst of speed that is unique to his game. That burst put up 65 yards on 15 carries against the Cardinals last week. The Jets will bring a similar tough defense against the run, but with Peyton Manning throwing the way he does, there is likely to be a hole or two for Hillman to break one loose. This Sunday’s game is Hillman’s chance to lock down the role behind Montee Ball and if he succeeds, he may once again become that change of pace back that splits time at the RB position.
ROBERT GRIFFIN III APPEARS AT PRACTICE AGAIN
By Jonathan Ebanks, Redskins Correspondent
Redskins’ QB Robert Griffin III was involved in practice again on Wednesday. According to reporter Tarik El-Bashir, Griffin will be slowly worked in when he begins to run, and will need a week or two of practice before seeing game action. There is still no timetable for his return. (Tarik El-Bashir on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Redskins’ QB Kirk Cousins has a lot of time to take the job away from Griffin and, aside from Week 4 against the Giants, Cousins has played pretty well in his three other appearances. It’s going to take quite a bit more good showings before discussions about Cousins holding down the job start up again. For now, Robert Griffin III will start upon his return.
