News: Titans defensive back Al Afalava recorded an interception of Andrew Luck in the Week 14 loss at Indianapolis Sunday. Afalava did not make a single tackle during the game.
Analysis: The 25-year-old safety recorded his first interception of the season against Luck and the Colts. He has just four tackles all year and has low-end value in all IDP formats.
News: The Colts signed S Al Afalava on Tuesday after placing Chip Vaughn (ankle) in inured reserve.
Analysis: Afalava, who played at Oregon State, was a sixth-round draft pick by Chicago in 2009. He played in 13 games last season for Chicago, but has been out of the NFL since getting cut in training camp this year. Afalava is nothing more than a backup safety and can be ignored in Fantasy.
News: The following Bears players have been declared inactive for Week 17 at Detroit: QB Brett Basanez, WR Johnny Knox, DB Al Afalava, DB Danieal Manning, TE Lance Louis and DL Matt Toeaina.
Analysis: Knox and Manning are the only Fantasy-viable guys in this group, but both were doubtful coming into Week 17, so you should have already made preparations to be without them. Continue to ignore all the other guys. Knox will be a late-round sleeper heading into 2010.
News: The Bears have listed the following inactives for Week 17 on Monday night against Minnesota: WR Devin Hester, WR Juaquin Iglesias, DB Al Afalava, DB Kevin Payne, TE Lance Louis and DL Matt Toeaina.
Analysis: None of these players, except for Hester of course, have any Fantasy value and can continue to be held out of the majority of Fantasy leagues.
News: In the Bears' Week 14 loss vs. the Packers, notable defenders included: LB Lance Briggs (four total tackles, sack), DT Tommie Harris (two total tackles, sack), LB Hunter Hillenmeyer (seven total tackles, forced fumble) and DB Al Afalava (six total tackles, forced fumble).
Analysis: Of these defenders, Briggs and Harris are the only usable options in Week 15 when the Bears play the Ravens.
News: Bears DB Al Afalava picked up his second sack of the season Week 12 at Minnesota. It was his first since Week 1. He also had eight tackles, including six solo.
Analysis: Afalava, a rookie, has yet to record an interception and isn't an elite tackler for a defensive back. He's not worth owning in Fantasy IDP leagues.
News: The Bears did not practice Monday, but they released an unoffical injury report with the following players as did not participate: S Al Afalava (shoulder), S Kevin Payne (back) and RB Garrett Wolfe (back). They will all be listed as questionable for Thursday's game at San Francisco.
Analysis: Keep an eye on what happens with these players, but they have minimal Fantasy value when healthy. Ignore them in Week 10 against the 49ers.
News: Bears safety Al Afalava hurt his shoulder in the team's Week 9 loss to the Cardinals. The Chicago Tribune reports that Afalava will have an MRI on Monday to see how bad the damage is.
Analysis: Afalava isn't considered a useful IDP option in the first place. Keep him off rosters.
News: The Bears drafted Oregon State DB Al Afalava with a sixth-round pick in the 2009 draft. He was a three-year starter at Oregon State and built a reputation for being a hard hitter. He also got into a bad car accident where he pled guilty to hit-and-run charges, a notch below the DWI charge originally handed down.
Analysis: If he keeps his nose clean off the field, he could be expected to help immediately on special teams as a gunner and provide depth at strong safety. He's got a shot to eventually start for Chicago, though questions about Afalava's speed remain. He's worth a late-round pick in the deepest of dynasty/keeper leagues and deeper rookie-only drafts this summer.
