Forgot Log-in or  Password? |  Help  Not a member, Register Now!
      
2011 Draft Prep Guide
Fantasy Football Today
Downloadable Draft Kit
Mock Drafts
Draft Analyzer
Player News
Stats
Players
Depth Charts
Roster Trends
Columns
Injury Report
Projections
Rankings
Red Zone Stats
Teams
Schedules
Scores
Standings
Message Boards
Fantasy Games
Commissioner
Free
Premium
Office Pool Manager
Playoff Challenge
2011 Draft Prep Guide
Downloadable Draft Kit
Mock Drafts
Player News
Stats
Players
Depth Charts
Roster Trends
Columns
Injury Report
Rankings
Projections
Teams
Schedules
Weekly Planner
Probable Pitchers
Scores
Standings
Message Boards
Fantasy Games
Commissioner
Free
Premium
Downloadable Draft Kit
Player News
Stats
Players
Columns
Injuries
Projections
Rankings
Teams
Schedules
Message Boards
Fantasy Games
Commissioner
Free
Downloadable Draft Kit
Player News
Stats
Players
Columns
Injury Report
Projections
Rankings
Teams
Schedules
Mock Drafts
Scores
Standings
Message Boards
Fantasy Games
Commissioner
Free
Premium
Downloadable Draft Kit
Player News
Stats
Players
Columns
Injury Report
Projections
Rankings
Teams
Schedules
Mock Drafts
Scores
Standings
Message Boards
Fantasy Games
Commissioner
Free
Premium
No Fantasy Teams Found
 
 

Jamey Eisenberg

First Response: Adding insult to injury

By | Senior Fantasy Writer


Larry Johnson might find a job after all with all the star running backs who got hurt in Week 10. It was like doomsday for a Fantasy owner.

It started with Cedric Benson (hip), Michael Turner (ankle) and Ronnie Brown (ankle) in the early games, and then Julius Jones (broken rib) and Brian Westbrook (concussion) went down in the afternoon. None were able to finish the game, and all the injuries should be considered serious heading into Week 11.

Here are the updates heading into Monday:

Benson, who had seven carries for 22 yards at Pittsburgh before getting hurt, probably has the best chance of playing next week at Oakland. He told the Bengals official team web site that the injury wasn't to his hip joint but rather just a hip flexor strain.

If Benson is out, you'll want to add rookie Bernard Scott, who is only owned in 5 percent of leagues on CBSSports.com. Scott would be considered a sleeper against the Raiders if Benson can't play.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Turner's right ankle sprain could be serious, and he will have an MRI on Monday. The key will be if it's a low or high ankle sprain.

At least Turner rewarded Fantasy owners before getting hurt with nine carries for 111 yards at Carolina. If Turner can't play in Week 11 at the Giants, then it appears like Jason Snelling would get the start with Jerious Norwood (hip) still out. Snelling, who is owned in 5 percent of leagues, had 93 total yards and a touchdown after Turner left the game.

In Miami, Brown will undergo an MRI on Monday to determine the severity of his right ankle sprain. He was on crutches after the game, but he managed to run 12 times for 82 yards and a touchdown before getting hurt against Tampa Bay.

Brown might be out in Week 11 since the Dolphins play Thursday at Carolina, which would make Ricky Williams a great Fantasy option. Williams had 20 carries for 102 yards against Tampa Bay, and the Panthers struggle in run defense.

Fantasy owners might be hoping Jones doesn't play in Week 11 at Minnesota after watching Justin Forsett play well at Arizona once Jones went out. Forsett, who is only owned in 21 percent of leagues, had 17 carries for 123 yards and a touchdown and caught five passes for 26 yards.

The Seattle Times reports Jones suffered a broken rib and will remain in Arizona overnight. It sounds like he could miss the game against the Vikings, and keep in mind Matt Hasselbeck and Donovan McNabb both missed two games with rib injuries this year.

Westbrook, who returned against San Diego after missing two games with a concussion, might be sidelined indefinitely with his second concussion in less than a month. The Eagles will likely be extremely cautious with Westbrook to not risk further damage.

"We'll just see how Brian does here," coach Andy Reid said after the game about Westbrook, who had 54 total yards before getting hurt. "I know that's a concern for everybody. We'll evaluate him and see how things go this next week."

You know the drill with Westbrook, who will likely be out in Week 11 at Chicago. LeSean McCoy will get the start, and he has played well in the three games Westbrook has already missed this season.

As for Johnson, keep an eye to see where he lands after he was released by Kansas City last week. He would only be worth using in any Fantasy league if he signs with a team and is given a prominent role, but now he has the chance with a couple of teams based on what happened Sunday.

Injuries are never fun, especially when they happen to star players.

Let's take a look around at the rest of the Week 10 action.

Start of the Week review: Ricky Williams failed to score a touchdown, but he still had a solid game against Tampa Bay. Williams finished with 102 rushing yards on 20 carries, and he also caught two passes for 5 yards. Williams now has six games with double digits in Fantasy points, which is amazing considering this was his first game this year with 20 carries. And his Fantasy value could skyrocket if Ronnie Brown (ankle) is out for an extended period of time.

Sit of the Week review: Mike Sims-Walker had a nice game at the Jets, which was a surprise given the Jaguars had not had a passing touchdown on the road this year, and Sims-Walker was facing a shutdown cornerback in Darrelle Revis. Sims-Walker finished with three catches for 49 yards and a touchdown, which was 10 Fantasy points in standard formats and made Sims-Walker a starter in the majority of leagues. Hopefully the Jaguars can continue to play this well on the road for the rest of the season.

Insane stat line of the day: Chris Johnson continues to have a stellar season, but each week is almost better than the next. This week, Johnson had 26 carries for 132 yards and two touchdowns and nine catches for 100 yards against Buffalo. In leagues where receptions count, Johnson was worth 44 Fantasy points. He shows no signs of slowing down, and he has another great matchup in Week 11 at Houston. In case you forgot, the last time he played the Texans in Week 2 he had 16 carries for 197 yards and two touchdowns and caught nine passes for 87 yards and a touchdown.

Out-of-nowhere stat line of the day: We had Sidney Rice as a start this week against Detroit, but we never expected this. Rice had seven catches for 201 yards. He was 10 yards away from breaking Minnesota's single-game record for receiving yards, which was set by Sammy White in 1976, also against the Lions. Rice hasn't scored a touchdown in his past five games, but he does have at least 135 receiving yards in three of his past four outings. Brett Favre has done wonders for this third-year breakout wide receiver.

Guy we were way right about: We knew the Chargers pass defense was overrated based on their opponents, and Donovan McNabb took advantage with a solid game. McNabb was 35 of 55 passing for 450 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. The interception was on a desperation throw into the end zone at the end of the game, but McNabb had 28 Fantasy points in a standard league. We just need McNabb to be more consistent and play at a high level week in and week out.

Guy we were way wrong about: LaDainian Tomlinson came into Sunday's game with three touchdowns, all against Oakland. But he had his best game in what seems like two years against the Eagles with 24 carries for 96 yards and two touchdowns. Hopefully he can build off it in Week 11 at Denver. Tomlinson had 100 total yards against the Broncos in Week 6, and Denver's run defense has fallen apart the past three weeks against Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Washington. Maybe Tomlinson is ready to finish the season on a strong note based on his play against Philadelphia.

Overachieving defense of the week: The Packers had allowed 38 points in each of their past two games against Minnesota and Tampa Bay, and they were facing a Cowboys offense that was averaging more than 30 points in their past four games. But Green Bay shut down Dallas in a 17-7 victory. The Packers had two fumble recoveries, an interception and five sacks and might have saved the season for Green Bay with this performance.

Underachieving defense of the week: It's hard to say the Vikings defense played bad Sunday against the Lions in a 27-10 victory, but Minnesota failed to take advantage of Detroit's inept offense. Sure, the Vikings recovered a fumble and had three sacks, but Matthew Stafford had no interceptions. Last week at Seattle, Stafford had five interceptions. We expected more from the Vikings DST this week, which might be unrealistic, but it was the Lions after all.

Names to add to your scout team ...

Jason Avant, wide receiver, Philadelphia (eight catches for 156 yards at San Diego)
Donnie Avery, wide receiver, St. Louis (four catches, 67 yards and two touchdowns against New Orleans)
Justin Forsett, running back, Seattle (17 carries for 123 yards and a touchdown and five catches for 26 yards at Arizona)
Brandon Gibson, wide receiver, St. Louis (seven catches for 93 yards against New Orleans)
Robert Meachem, wide receiver, New Orleans (one catch, 27 yards and a touchdown at St. Louis)
Bernard Scott, running back, Cincinnati (13 carries for 33 yards and one catch for 21 yards at Pittsburgh)
Jason Snelling, running back, Atlanta (18 carries for 61 yards and a touchdown and three catches for 32 yards at Carolina)

Injury alerts ...

Brian Westbrook, concussion, considered doubtful for Week 11 at Chicago
Julius Jones, broken rib, considered doubtful for Week 11 at Minnesota
Ronnie Brown, ankle, considered doubtful for Week 11 at Carolina
Michael Turner, ankle, considered questionable for Week 11 at N.Y. Giants
Cedric Benson, hip, considered questionable for Week 11 at Oakland
Kyle Orton, ankle, considered questionable for Week 11 against San Diego
Keenan Burton, leg, considered questionable for Week 11 against Arizona

The last word: Maurice Jones-Drew did his best (or worst, depending on who you ask) Brian Westbrook impersonation Sunday at the Jets. Jones-Drew had a clear path to the end zone late in the fourth quarter but stopped at the 1 and took a knee to keep the clock going and set up the game-winning field goal.

At least Jones-Drew was kind enough to apologize.

"Sorry to my Fantasy owners," said Jones-Drew, who finished with 24 carries for 123 yards and a touchdown and two catches for 22 yards. "I apologize. I had myself today. It was a tough call, but whatever it takes to get the victory, that's what counts."

We need more running backs to start thinking like wide receivers. Be selfish. Worry about your own stats. Forget this team stuff.

Jones-Drew had an outstanding game, but hopefully none of his Fantasy owners lost by the six points he failed to score by taking a knee. Those owners are going to be upset Monday morning, and this move could cost someone a playoff spot.

What stood out to you this week? How did your Fantasy teams do? Drop us a line and tell us about it at dmfantasyfootball@cbs.com. Be sure to put Attn: Week 10 in the subject field. Please include your full name, hometown and state and we'll respond to as many as e-mails we can.

 
 
 
Player News
Rey Maualuga
Maualuga charged by police
Rey Maualuga, MLB, CIN
10:23 AM
News: Bengals LB Rey Maualuga has officially been charged by Cincinnati police with misdemeanor assault stemming from a bar fight last weekend. This report comes from The Associated Press. The Bengals had no comment.
Analysis: Maualuga is likely to be at least fined for this incident, especially after his 2010 DUI arrest cost him two game checks. He won't miss any playing time, though. Maualuga is just a low-end option in IDP formats heading into next season.

Hines Ward
Report: Steelers to cut ties with Ward
Hines Ward, WR, PIT
10:12 AM
News: NFL.com reports that the Steelers are not expected to bring back receiver Hines Ward for 2012. This news comes according to NFL Network's Jason La Canfora. "He has one year left on his deal worth $4 million," said La Canfora. "According to my sources, he won't be back there. So that's $4 million off the books."
Analysis: Ward has said he'd be open to taking a pay cut, but it sounds like Pittsburgh is ready to just cut ties with him. Ward would be a No. 4 WR and that means he'd likely have to play on special teams, which he likely would not want. Ward will have little Fantasy value entering 2012, that is for sure.

Kevin Faulk
Faulk contemplating retirement
Kevin Faulk, RB, NE
10:04 AM
News: New England RB Kevin Faulk is contemplating retirement after being a healthy inactive for the Super Bowl loss to the Giants, reports the Boston Globe. "That morning, when I got the word that I wasn’t going to dress . . . wow," Faulk said. “I went in the room, cried a little bit, because 75 percent of me knew that this could be my last game playing, not playing, just dressing. If I dress, there could be that chance that I could play. So that really crushed me a whole lot. Went into my room, read my Bible, read so many different Scriptures, so many different chapters in the Bible, until it was time to go to the stadium. [I took] my exit physical after the game and the trainers give me a big hug and that’s when I knew, like ‘Wow, that might be it'."
Analysis: Faulk was drafted in 1999 and the 35-year-old RB is a member of New England's 50th anniversary team. He didn't actually declare himself retired, leaving the door slightly ajar on his 14th NFL season. Faulk might finish his career with 31 total touchdowns, 15 receiving and 16 rushing. He had a solid career, but isn't a recommended Fantasy option if he does return next year.

Rob Gronkowski
Gronkowski has ankle surgery
Rob Gronkowski, TE, NE
2/10/2012
News: The Boston Herald reports that Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski underwent successful surgery Friday to fix his ailing ankle. The surgery was an arthroscopic procedure to clean out the ankle. Gronkowski played on a high-ankle sprain in Super Bowl XLVI, battling ligament damage to make two catches for 26 yards. The estimate is that it’s a 10-week recovery. That should allow him to be ready by mid-April, possibly for mini-camp.
Analysis: Continue to monitor what happens with Gronkowski this offseason, but he should be fine for the start of the 2012 season. Consider Gronkowski the No. 1 TE heading into the season. We can see Gronkowski being drafted as a Top 15 pick in all leagues, but it's a safer option to take him toward the end of Round 2 or beginning of Round 3 in all formats.

Reggie Wayne
Wayne unsure of future
Reggie Wayne, WR, IND
2/10/2012
News: Reggie Wayne told ESPN that while he'd like to stay with the Colts, he's just not sure if they want him. Wayne is scheduled to be a free agent this offseason and understands that his time might be over in Indy after 11 years. "I have been there 11 years and I would prefer to end my career a Colt. However, in due time those feelings could subside," he said. "I haven't heard anything from them yet, so maybe I am not as important on the chain of command as I should be. But either way, I'm cool. I have nothing bad to say about the Colts. ... My phone hasn't rung yet. It's only fair I worry about number 87 first. When I'm signed, then I can weigh in more."
Analysis: Wayne had a mostly horrible season thanks in big part to Peyton Manning being on the sideline. He caught 75 passes for 960 yards and four touchdowns, three coming in the final six weeks of the year. We don't think his 2011 is indicative of a slow-down in his game, but uncertainty about who he'll catch passes from and what his role will be keeps him from being a receiver we can get excited about. For now consider him a No. 3 Fantasy WR worth a mid-round pick.

Peyton Manning
Differing views on Peyton
Peyton Manning, QB, IND
2/10/2012
News: There are two differing reports on Colts QB Peyton Manning as the saga continues early this offseason in his recovery from missing this past season from neck surgery. CBSSports.com NFL Insider Mike Freeman reports that there remain a handful of team personnel men who have serious doubts he will ever play again or at the very least will miss most of next season. But, according to NFL.com, former Colts vice chairman Bill Polian, who was fired in early January, said he believes Manning will be fine in 2012 after he last saw Manning throw in late December. "It's marked (improvement) from where he was back in September," Polian said. "He threw it accurately, he threw it with a good, tight spiral, and he threw it with velocity. Generally, he looked like a pretty confident quarterback out there." Polian also indicated that Manning was able to make a variety of throws and throw across his body, which differs from a report on NFL Network earlier this week. Polian said that Manning's recovery is "coming, but coming slowly. But, nonetheless, its making progress."
Analysis: The bottom line with Manning is until the public sees him throw or work in practice we won't know where he's at in his recovery. The Colts also have to make a decision on his contract or else he can sign with a new team, with Arizona, Miami and Washington the likely suitors. If healthy, Manning will remain a No. 1 Fantasy QB no matter where he plays, but he has to prove that his neck is 100 percent. Continue to monitor what happens with Manning, and hopefully he can resume his career without any problems.

Fred Jackson
Jackson cleared, contract coming
Fred Jackson, RB, BUF
2/10/2012
News: Fred Jackson has been cleared to return to football activities for a couple of weeks following a broken fibula, but the good news for him doesn't stop there. The official team website reports that Jackson has been promised by team GM Buddy Nix that he will receive a contract extension, with the timeline set for before the 2012 season. Jackson is slated to be in a contract year as it stands now, but a new deal would change that. "Fred and I have talked," said Nix. "We want to extend Fred. I'd like for Fred to finish his career as a Bill. He's meant a lot to us. I've got great respect for him. We do want Fred back and we do intend to try to work out a deal with him. I've told him that. What we said is what we're going to do."
Analysis: Jackson told the site that he's ready to get started in 2012 after missing the last six games of the season with a broken leg. While he was sidelined, C.J. Spiller stepped up and put some good moves on the field, complicating the Buffalo running back situation heading into the new year. Chances are the Bills will lean on Jackson as they have been, but Spiller could take a bigger share of the run-game workload than in the past, and that could put a cap on what Jackson is capable of doing. He's also 31 years old but doesn't have the wear-and-tear that typically comes with rushers over 30. If the Bills extend Jackson then it will be clear that he's a part of their future and a potential 15-touch-per-game back. If not, he'll be in a contract year and could play well in hopes of cashing in after next season. Either way he represents a solid value as a No. 2 Fantasy RB worth a pick between late Round 3 and early Round 5.

Lavelle Hawkins
Hawkins gets three-year deal
Lavelle Hawkins, WR, TEN
2/10/2012
News: The Tennessean reports Friday that the Titans have agreed to terms on a contract extension for WR Lavelle Hawkins, who had his best season in 2011. He had 47 catches for 470 yards and one touchdown.
Analysis: Hawkins has minimal Fantasy value heading into 2012, especially if Kenny Britt (knee) returns at 100 percent. Keep an eye on what happens with the Titans receiving corps, but ignore Hawkins on Draft Day in most leagues.

Kenny Britt
Britt 'working hard'
Kenny Britt, WR, TEN
2/10/2012
News: The Sports Xchange reports that new Titans GM Ruston Webster said WR Kenny Britt, who suffered a torn ACL in September and had surgery in early October, should return in time for training camp in 2012. He said Britt appears to be a fast healer and is ahead of schedule in his recovery. "Kenny has been working hard and he's coming fast, probably even a little faster than I thought he would. So I'm real happy about that," he said. "We expect to have him out there for training camp. The good thing about his injury, is there is a good thing, is it happened early, and he's a very strong young and bounces back very quickly. We're hoping and planning to have him back for training camp."
Analysis: Britt is expected to make a full recovery in time for the start of the 2012 season, and hopefully he can come into training camp in shape. We consider Britt a low-end No. 2/high-end No. 3 Fantasy WR when healthy, and he is worth drafting with a mid-round pick if his knee proves to be 100 percent.

Kevin Smith
Smith wants return to Lions
Kevin Smith, RB, DET
2/10/2012
News: According to mlive.com, impending free agent RB Kevin Smith would like to return to the Lions in 2012. Smith, 25, re-signed with Detroit last November and had four starts in seven games. He finished the regular season with 72 carries for 356 yards and four touchdowns, plus had 22 receptions for 179 yards and three scores. "In every interview that I've done, even though I'm a free agent, I've referred to the team and me as us," Smith said. "I'm on the Lions roster in my opinion until I'm not on the Lions roster. That says it all."
Analysis: Smith is a former third-round selection by Detroit in 2008. He showed promise as a rookie, gaining 976 yards and scoring eight touchdowns on 238 carries. He started 13 games in 2009 before suffering a season-ending injury to his left knee. He rushed for 747 yards and four touchdowns prior to his injury. Smith was phased out of the offense with the arrival of Jahvid Best in 2010. Detroit decided not to make him an offer when he became a restricted free agent after that season. After Best sustained a season-ending concussion last season, Detroit re-signed Smith. We'll find out if he can return to the Lions, who also have second-year RB Mikel Leshoure, who also is recovering from a season-ending Achilles tendon injury sustained in the preseason. Keep an eye on what happens with Smith, but he should only be drafted with a late-round pick if he's back in Detroit.

 
 
 
Top Videos
Rankings