NFL: Fantasy Updates
This week marked the first full week of training camp for most NFL teams and the Pickle is here to give you a quick hit breakdown of goings on around the league and how they impact fantasy owners.
The Falcons and Roddy White came to terms on a contract extension ending the star receiver’s hold out. This good news for fantasy owners and White should have more than enough time to get into game shape by the time the opener rolls around.
Atlanta lost receiver Harry Douglas for the year with a torn ACL this week leading them to sign veteran cast-offs Marty Booker and Robert Ferguson to compete for the #3 receiver spot behind White and Michael Jenkins.
Kellen Clemens still remains atop the Jets’ depth chart at quarterback and has been named the starter for the preseason opener. This is definitely a battle to keep an eye on as all reports have Mark Sanchez impressing the first week of camp and nipping at Clemens’ heels for the starting job. The pickle recommends staying away from either QB as a potential starter until one of them is named the starter for the season opener.
Reggie Bush was held out of Saturday’s team scrimmage and there is a possibility he may be held out of the team’s first preseason game this Friday. The Saints are saying all of the right things thus far but I would still want to see how tentative he looks running the ball in a preseason game before making my mind up on him though.
Andy Reid was seen observing Brian Westbrook’s workouts earlier this past week leading to speculation that he could be cleared to join the rest of the team at practice some time during the upcoming week. Everyone is still saying all the right things and all signs still point to Westbrook being ready for the start of the season, just do not expect to see much of him during the preseason.
Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson suffered a hyperextended knee in practice on Saturday but this should not affect his playing status as it is not believed to be serious and will probably require him taking it easy for the next few days.
Philadelphia also lost rookie tight end Cornelius Ingram for the season when it was revealed he tore the same ACL he tore last summer.
With Ingram out of the lineup this means Brent Celek’s stock is on the rise at tight end. It was initially thought that Ingram would see time in the red zone offense taking away from some of Celek’s productivity. Celek was the likely starter coming into camp and is likely to see the lion’s share of catches at tight end for the Eagles this season.
Arizona running back Chris “Beanie” Wells is still out with a sprained ankle but is expected to be back in time to see action in the team’s first preseason game.
Seahawks receiver Deion Branch missed several practices this week due to a sore knee. There is no word as to whether this was planned time off or if he is suffering complications from the surgery he had on the knee several months ago.
Pittsburgh running back Willie Parker missed practice time with back spasms over the weekend but it is not thought to be serious and he should be back on the field within the next day or so.
Cleveland receiver Braylon Edwards was cleared for, and parcipated in, his first practice on Wednesday after failing his physical and being placed on the non-football injury list. It has been rumored that Edwards suffered a leg or foot injury while playing a game of pick-up basketball a week before he was scheduled to report to camp.
Carolina running back Jonathan Stewart has been limited in practices thus far due to an Achilles problem. There is not a big reason for concern just yet as Stewart missed significant time at camp due to a toe injury last summer and still managed to have a strong rookie campaign. It is worth keeping an eye on though as if it lingers too long it could affect his availibility for the season opener.
Cowboys’ receivers coach Ray Sherman sees Patrick Crayton as the top candidate to replace Terrell Owens in the starting lineup at receiver for Dallas.
As long as he is healthy Darren McFadden is expected to see the lion’s share of carries over backup Justin Fargus. Stay away from Fargus as a regular on your fantasy team unless McFadden goes down during camp.
Rams’ receiver Donnie Avery is expected to miss the next four to six weeks with a foot injury. Avery, who was expected to be the Rams top receiver this season, was a potential sleeper pick at receiver but now owners should stay away from him until they have their regular receivers and can afford to take a late round flyer on him.
Minnesota quarterback Tarvaris Jackson suffered another minor setback on Saturday tweaking an already bum knee. It is not considered to be serious and he returned to practice several minutes later after walking it off.
Forty Niners reciever Brandon Jones who was impressing at camp and competing for a starting job in Michael Crabtree’s absence will miss two months after suffering a shoulder injury in practice.
The Bengals lost Reggie Kelly, last year’s starting TE, for the season with a torn Achilles tendon leaving veteran Ben Utecht and rookie Chase Coffman to battle it out for the starting job. Do not be surprised to see Coffman win the job as he is seen as the better pass catcher of the two. Coffman is currently seeing the bulk of the reps with the first team offense as Utecht recovers from a concussion suffered earlier this week in practice.
Ravens receiver Mark Clayton will miss the first couple of preseason games with a sever hamstring injury putting his availibility for the beginning of the season in jeopardy.
Greg Jones appears to have the inside track on the backup running back job in Jacksonville but keep an eye on Rashad Jennings.
The Bears have been using Devin Hester as the quarterback in some Wildcat formations this summer. One can expect that he will see several snaps in the Wildcat formation this season boosting his potential fantasy ceiling as Hester’s elite speed makes him a threat to score any time he has the ball in his hands.
