News: The Patriots placed defensive back Will Allen and running back Spencer Larsen on season-ending injured reserve Monday in order to reach the latest NFL roster requirements.
Analysis: Neither of these players were expected to make a Fantasy impact this season and should be left off all rosters at this point.
News: The Patriots have come to a two-year agreement with former Broncos linebacker/fullback Spencer Larsen, according to a league source. He played for offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels in Denver. Terms were not immediately known.
Analysis: We fully expect the Patriots to use Larsen both on offense and defense. But we doubt he'll break out and be a Fantasy hero. Leave him on waivers.
News: Broncos FB Spencer Larsen left Week 17 vs. the Chiefs with a knee injury, and the team announced he would not return. There is no indication of how serious the injury is beyond that, but this obviously ends his season.
Analysis: Larsen became a key part of the Broncos’ running game this season, but only as a blocker. He finished the season with 14 carries for 44 years and eight catches for 68 yards, both career highs, in 16 games.
News: Denver FB Spencer Larsen gained 13 yards on five carries in Week 11 against New York. With Willis McGahee slowed by a hamstring injury and Knowshon Moreno done for the year, the Broncos continue to spread the ball around to all available running backs. The Broncos would win the game, 17-13.
Analysis: Larsen won't be getting many touches moving forward, but could get some looks when Denver is in the red zone. But for now, Fantasy owners shouldn't be paying too much attention to Larsen heading into Week 12 against the Chargers.
News: Broncos FB Spencer Larsen had five carries Sunday at Kansas City in Week 10, and he finished with 17 yards. Larsen was asked to do more rushing against the Chiefs with Willis McGahee (hamstring) and Knowshon Moreno (knee) knocked out in the first quarter. Larsen did not have a catch or a target.
Analysis: Larsen has minimal Fantasy value in the majority of leagues. Ignore him in all formats in Week 11 against the Jets on Thursday night.
News: Denver RB Spencer Larsen left in the second quarter of Week 9 against Oakland with an apparent shoulder injury. He is questionable to return.
Analysis: Larsen hasn't been a major Fantasy contributor this season as he's amassed just 73 total yards this season, including just for rushing yards on one carry. Continue to ignore him in all Fantasy formats, healthy or not.
News: Denver fullback Spencer Larsen got utilized in the passing game on Week 2 against Cincinnati. He caught all three passes thrown his way for a total of 23 yards, which was second most on the team. He also had one carry for 4 yards in Denver's 24-22 win.
Analysis: Larsen got some more touches because the Broncos offense was dealing with so many injuries. Larsen acted as a tight end in some plays, but he can't be counted on for weekly contributions. Fantasy owners should continue to ignore Larsen heading into Week 3 when the Broncos face the Titans.
News: The Denver Broncos placed fullback Spencer Larsen on injured reserve Wednesday with an ankle injury. Larsen injured the ankle Sunday in Denver's 39-23 loss at Oakland. Larsen, who has been hampered by a variety of injuries most of the year, finished the season with 18 yards on three carries and five catches for 51 yards.
Analysis: Larsen on injured reserve is bad news for the Broncos' running game but shouldn't impact Fantasy owners whatsoever.
News: Broncos RB Spencer Larsen suffered an ankle injury in Week 15 against the Raiders and was forced from the game. He did not stat in the 39-23 loss.
Analysis: Larsen has a touchdown grab on the year but usually does not see many touches on a weekly basis. Even if he is healthy for Week 16 against the Texans, he will have minimal Fantasy value.
News: Broncos FB Spencer Larsen recorded his first touchdown of the season in Week 10 against the Chiefs. Larsen was on the receiving end of a 3-yard touchdown strike from Tim Tebow in third quarter that extedned Denver's lead to 42-10. He also had two carries for 17 yards in the 49-29 victory with a long of 14 yards. He finished with a combined three total touches for 20 yards and a touchdown.
Analysis: Larsen scored his first touchdown of the season on Sunday and actually finished with a season-high three touches. He is used primarily as a blocking back for the Broncos and does not stat consistently enough to be used in Fantasy at this point. He can be ignored heading into Week 11.
News: Broncos fullback Spencer Larsen made one catch for 29 yards in Week 7 against the Raiders. That was 3 more yards than WR Eddie Royal in the blowout loss.
Analysis: Last week Larsen had his first career carry, and this week had his biggest play from scrimmage for the Broncos. Unfortunately, while this is good news for Larsen, he still is not worth owning in any Fantasy league entering Week 8.
News: Denver fullback Spencer Larsen had his first career carry in Week 6 against New York. He gained 1 yard and got the first down, by an inch. Earlier in the game he made a key block on an onside kick recovery and was shaken up on the play. He would return to the game though.
Analysis: Larsen is a special teams player and a blocker. His first NFL carry should say it all -- he can be ignore in all Fantasy leagues heading into Week 7, despite a favorable matchup against Oakland.
News: Broncos FB Spencer Larsen left Week 3 against the Colts with an apparent ankle injury. His return is questionable.
Analysis: Larsen is the primary fullback and won't see many carries or catches. Fantasy owners should continue to monitor the situation for more details when they become available. Larsen has minimal Fantasy value, when healthy.
News: Denver RB Spencer Larsen had one catch for 4 yards in his team's Week 2 win over Seattle. His performance mirrored his Week 1 outing against Jacksonville.
Analysis: Larsen is the primary fullback and won't see many carries or catches. With minimal touches per game, Fantasy owners should ignore him heading into Denver's showdown with Indy in Week 3.
News: Broncos FB Spencer Larsen made a 4-yard catch in a Week 1 loss to the Jaguars.
Analysis: Larsen's main job in Denver is to block and will see minimal touches this season. Continue to ignore him in Fantasy play heading into Week 2 vs. Seattle.
News: While there has been no official announcement, Spencer Larsen has practiced exclusively as a fullback for the Broncos and dropped his linebacker duties. Larsen's emphasis on playing fullback has brought with it more expectations. Last year, Larsen -- a college linebacker -- essentially wanted to just be in the right spot and hit someone. For now, Larsen says he's an offensive player. But that's subject to change. "It's been nice to really focus on one thing and try to become good at it," he said.
Analysis: Larsen was an intriguing option as an IDP-eligible player, but now that he'll be locked into a RB role for Fantasy, he won't be of use to the strong majority of owners out there.
News: The Colorado Springs Gazette reports the Broncos might give RB Knowshon Moreno more help in the backfield. Coach Josh McDaniels said he plans to use a fullback more in 2010. In practice Monday, starting FB Spencer Larsen was in on a lot of plays. The Broncos don't have many fullbacks, so TE Marquez Branson lined up in the backfield as a lead blocker when Larsen was out. "In the running game we're going to use a little bit more two-back sets," McDaniels said. "You saw Larsen and Branson back there taking most of those reps at the fullback spot. We're still going to be spread out and do some of the things that we've done before and we go through an evaluation every spring and come up with some new things. We watch some other teams that have been successful doing other things, and we've liked some things and feel like we’ve got some personnel that can do some of them."
Analysis: Larsen has minimal Fantasy value even as the starting FB. Don't plan on drafting him in the majority of leagues this season.
News:Matt Willis, Peyton Hillis, Chris Simms, Spencer Larsen and Richard Quinn all failed to record a stat in the Broncos' Week 17 game against the Chiefs.
Analysis: None of these players will have any Fantasy value heading into the 2010 season. Do not take any of them on Draft Day.
News: Broncos QB Tom Brandstater, WR Eddie Royal, DB Ty Law, RB LaMont Jordan, DB Vernon Fox, LB Spencer Larsen and DL Chris Baker have all been ruled inactive for Week 16 at Philadelphia.
Analysis: Royal is out because of neck and head injuries and it just adds further insult to an already disappointing campaign. Most of these inactive players are either reserves or special teams contributors when dressed. They have little to no Fantasy appeal. Keep them reserved for Week 16.
News: Broncos LB Spencer Larsen injured his back on the opening kickoff in Week 14 at Indianapolis. He had to leave the game.
Analysis: Larsen sees most of his action in special teams. He has no Fantasy appeal and should be left on waivers in all leagues.
News:Eddie Royal, Spencer Larsen, Peyton Hillis, Richard Quinn and Chris Simms all failed to get a stat on Thursday in a Week 12 win over the Giants.
Analysis: Royal injured his thigh in this game and did not play in the second half. The rest of these players have little to no Fantasy value.
News: Denver had a lot of players go without stats in the Week 10 loss at Washington. Those players are as follows: WR Jabar Gaffney, FB Spencer Larsen, TE Daniel Graham, WR Kenny McKinley and TE Richard Quinn.
Analysis: Gaffney has been a solid third or fourth option this season in the passing game for QB Kyle Orton but has yet to go for a touchdown or more than 82 receiving yards in any game. He does not need to be on rosters for Week 11 against the Chargers. In fact, none of the players listed above should be active for the Week 11 game.
News: Denver RB LaMont Jordan, FB Spencer Larsen and backup QB Chris Simms were all active for the Monday night loss against Pittsburgh in Week 9. None picked up stats in the game. Jordan and Larsen played and Simms was not needed.
Analysis: None of these players have very much Fantasy value. They should all be on waivers in almost all Fantasy leagues for Week 10 at Washington.
News: Denver WR Brandon Stokley got the start in the Week 8 loss at Baltimore. He did not stat in the game. Other players who played but did not stat are as follows: FB Spencer Larsen and TE Richard Quinn. Backup QB Chris Simms did not play.
Analysis: Stokley has a few touchdown catches this season but otherwise has very limited Fantasy value since he doesn't see consistent catches or looks in the passing game. Leave him, and the other players listed above, on waivers for Week 9 against Pittsburgh.
News: The Denver Broncos have listed the following players as being inactive for Monday night at San Diego: 3rd QB Tom Brandstater, WR Kenny McKinley, LB Spencer Larsen, DL Chris Baker, WR Brandon Lloyd and DL Jarvis Moss.
Analysis: None of these players contributes enough statistically to matter in Fantasy even when active. Leave them all on waivers.
News: Denver LB Spencer Larsen (shoulder) could not practice Saturday and is out for Monday night at San Diego.
Analysis: Larsen isn't productive enough to warrant use in Fantasy play. Keep him off of rosters for now.
News: Broncos QB Tom Brandstater, RB Correll Buckhalter, LB Spencer Larsen, DL Chris Baker, WR Brandon Lloyd and DL Jarvis Moss have all been ruled inactive for Week 5 vs. New England.
Analysis: Buckhalter is the only name on this list worth playing in Fantasy when active. He is currently sidelined by an ankle injury. Keep all these players reserved for Week 5.
News: Denver LB Spencer Larsen has been ruled out of the team's Week 5 game against the Patriots with a shoulder injury.
Analysis: Larsen isn't productive enough to warrant use in Fantasy play. Keep him off of rosters for now.
News: If Broncos RB Correll Buckhalter (ankle) is sidelined for Week 5 against New England then Knowshon Moreno becomes the starter with LaMont Jordan in reserve. Denver could use Peyton Hillis in a pinch, but with its other fullback, Spencer Larsen, still not 100 percent, the team could choose to activate Darius Walker off practice squad as insurance. Buckhalter was injured in Week 4 against Dallas.
Analysis: Keep an eye on what happens with Buckhalter and hope he is OK. He would be considered a No. 3 Fantasy option if healthy. Moreno should also be considered a No. 3 Fantasy option against the Patriots whether he starts or not. Jordan and Hillis could get carries if Buckhalter is out, but they have minimal Fantasy value in Week 5. The same goes for Larsen and Walker.
News: Denver LB Spencer Larsen has been ruled out of Week 4 against the Cowboys with a shoulder injury.
Analysis: Larsen isn't productive enough to warrant use in Fantasy play. Keep him off of rosters for now.
News: Denver LB Spencer Larsen has been ruled out of Week 3's game against the Raiders with a shoulder injury.
Analysis: Larsen isn't productive enough to warrant use in Fantasy play. Keep him off of rosters for now.
News: Denver LB Spencer Larsen has been ruled out of Week 2's game against the Browns with a shoulder injury.
Analysis: Larsen isn't productive enough to warrant use in Fantasy play. Keep him off of rosters for now.
News: Broncos linebacker Spencer Larsen will miss a few weeks after injuring his shoulder in a freak fall in the locker room at Cincinnati. Larsen slipped on a wet surface and injured a shoulder while trying to break his fall, coach Josh McDaniels said Monday. McDaniels said Larsen's tumble wasn't the result of horseplay. The second-year pro's injury apparently occurred in the 90 minutes before kickoff because he wasn't among the inactive players in Denver's 12-7 win over the Bengals.
Analysis: Larsen isn't productive enough to warrant use in Fantasy play. Keep him off of rosters for now.
News:Spencer Larsen is easily the busiest player at minicamp. The only player in Broncos history to start on both sides of the ball, the second-year pro is splitting his time at linebacker and fullback while learning the new offensive and defensive systems being installed under new coach Josh McDaniels. On offense, he's adapting to the tweaks in the Broncos' famed zone blocking scheme. Instead of the 4-3 defense, where Larsen played middle linebacker, he's adjusting to the 3-4, learning both inside and both outside spots. Which position is easier for him? "Defense for me is a little more natural, just because I've been playing it all my life and in college, so I can relate," said Larsen, a sixth-round selection out of Arizona last season. "On offense, it's almost better, too, because I come in and it's clean, I don't have anything to relate it to, so I memorize it and go ahead."
Analysis: Larsen's not on the field all the time. There's base defenses, nickel and dime packages. On offense, there's one- and two-back sets. Until he begins to play regularly, though, he's not worth a look in Fantasy play. We expect him to see most of his time on defense, though he could be utilized the same way the Patriots used Mike Vrabel -- as a goal-line option.
News: The Broncos listed the following players as inactive for Week 16 against Buffalo: WR Chad Jackson, DB Marlon McCree, DB Jack Williams, RB Andrew Pinnock, RB Spencer Larsen, LB Niko Koutouvides, OL Pat Murray and DE Tim Crowder.
Analysis: None of the players on this list should be considered viable Fantasy options. They are not in a position to contribute regular stats as they aren't in line for regular playing time. They've got some depth chart climbing to do and should be left on the waiver wire.
News: WR Chad Jackson, FS Marlon McCree, DB Champ Bailey, RB Anthony Aldridge, FB Spencer Larsen and DE Tim Crowder were all listed as inactive for Week 15's game at Carolina.
Analysis: Besides Bailey, none of the players on this list should be considered viable Fantasy option. They are not in a position to contribute regular stats as they aren't in line for regular playing time. They've got some depth chart climbing to do and should be left on the waiver wire.
News: The following Broncos did not record an offensive stat in Week 14 vs. Kansas City: QB Darrell Hackney, WR Chad Jackson, RB Spencer Larsen, TE/LS Mike Leach and TE Chad Mustard.
Analysis: None of the players on this list should be considered viable Fantasy option. They are not in a position to contribute regular stats as they aren't in line for regular playing time. They've got some depth chart climbing to do and should be left on the waiver wire.
News: Broncos LB Spencer Larsen left in the third quarter Week 13 at the Jets with a hip injury. He finished the game with one tackle.
Analysis: Larsen doesn't do enough statistically to matter in Fantasy. Leave him on waivers regardless of this injury.
News: Broncos fullback Spencer Larsen became the first NFL player to start on offense and defense in five seasons Week 11 at Atlanta and the first Broncos player to do so. A sixth-round draft pick from Arizona, Larsen worked at linebacker and fullback in training camp before becoming a full-time fullback behind Peyton Hillis. Injuries at linebacker and running back -- where the Broncos have lost five tailbacks, four of them for the year, forced coach Mike Shanahan to devise the plan for Larsen's two-way duty Sunday against the Falcons. He didn't record any offensive statistics, but he finished with seven tackles, six solo.
Analysis: Even though he picked up some tackles, Larsen still doesn't do enough statistically to matter in Fantasy. He'll likely go back to blocking in a week or two.
News: Broncos RB Spencer Larsen, WR Darrell Jackson, TE Mike Leach, QB Darrell Hackney and WR Chad Jackson didn't record offensive statistics Week 12 against the Raiders.
Analysis: None of these players ever does enough statistically to matter in Fantasy. Leave them all on waivers.
News: Broncos FB Spencer Larsen, TE Mike Leach, WR Darrell Jackson and QB Darrell Hackney didn't record offensive statistics Week 10 at Cleveland.
Analysis: None of these players ever does enough statistically to matter in Fantasy. Leave them all on waivers.
News: Denver FB Spencer Larsen, TE Mike Leach and TE Chad Mustard all played in Week 9's loss to the Dolphins but none of the players recorded any stats. Backup QB Darrell Hackney was active for the game but did not play.
Analysis: Larsen will be nothing more than roster depth for the Broncos and likely won't play a big offensive role. It's safe to ignore him and the other players listed above in all Fantasy formats in Week 10 at Cleveland on Thursday night.
News: Broncos RB Andre Hall, RB Spencer Larsen, TE Mike Leach, TE Chad Mustard and QB Patrick Ramsey all dressed, but failed to record an offensive stat Week 6 vs. Jacksonville.
Analysis: Hall usually gets about 5-10 carries per game, but Michael Pittman did all the rushing Week 6 as Selvin Young (groin) was sidelined. Hall, along with the rest of the players, have marginal offensive roles and should be kept reserved in Fantasy as the Broncos play the Patriots Week 7.
News: Rookie LB Spencer Larsen practiced at fullback Monday, and Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan said he'll play both offense and defense.
Analysis: Larsen will be nothing more than roster depth for the Broncos and likely won't play a big offensive role. It's safe to ignore him in all Fantasy formats.
News: The Denver Post reports that the Broncos have signed rookie LB Spencer Larsen and DT Carlton Powell to four-year contracts.
Analysis: Both players will battle for spots along the depth chart in training camp and are not expected to produce big stats in 2008. Ignore them for now.
