Footballguys #220 - 11/27 - News And Notes From Around The League

[Footballguys.com]( Footballguys #220 - 11/27 - News And Notes From Around The League Volume 20, #220 -- Tuesday Night, November 27th, 2018 Note: Unsubscribe instructions are at the bottom of this email [View in Web Browser]( Howdy {NAME}, Good Wednesday to you. We've got the News and Notes for today so let's get to it. J [] INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. [BAL - QB Lamar Jackson to remain starter](#1) 2. [DAL - RB Ezekiel Elliott usage not a worry](#2) 3. [PIT - RB James Conner's fumbles addressed](#3) 4. [PIT - Le'Veon Bell eyeing Indy?](#4) 5. [BAL - QB Joe Flacco needs practice before return](#5) 6. [DET - RB C.J. Anderson works out for Detroit](#6) 7. [HOU - Houston hosts WR Devin Smith](#7) 8. [WAS - OLB Reuben Foster claimed by Redskins](#8) 9. [NO - Tre'Quan Smith still limited](#9) 10. [DEN - TE Jeff Heuerman sent to IR](#10) 11. [DEN - TE Temarrick Hemingway called up](#11) 12. [PIT - TE Vance McDonald hampered by injury](#12) 13. [HOU - WR Keke Coutee should play](#13) 14. [JAX - RB Leonard Fournette's appeal to be heard](#14) 15. [DEN - RB Phillip Lindsay on impressive run](#15) 16. [NO - QB Drew Brees tops in red zone](#16) 17. [CLE - QB Baker Mayfield thriving of late](#17) 18. [BAL - QB Lamar Jackson etches history with feet](#18) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 1. [BAL - QB Lamar Jackson to remain starter]() Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo Baltimore Ravens QB [Lamar Jackson]( will make his third straight start in Week 13 as QB [Joe Flacco]( (hip) has not been cleared to play yet. Flacco could be cleared in the coming days, however. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Flacco is likely to sit behind Jackson when he returns so long as the rookie is playing well. There's a chance the Ravens rotate quarterbacks but that rarely happens and doesn't look good when it does occur. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 2. [DAL - RB Ezekiel Elliott usage not a worry]() Source: ProFootballTalk.com - Charean Williams Dallas Cowboys RB [Ezekiel Elliott]( is on pace for a career-high 384 touches in 2018, but the Cowboys aren't concerned about exhausting their star running back. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Elliott is a bit banged up heading down the stretch with some hip soreness. He's the centerpiece of the Cowboys offense and that won't change. Offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said the Cowboys will continue to feature Elliott on all three downs, adding that Elliott's physical and mental capacity allows them to do that. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 3. [PIT - RB James Conner's fumbles addressed](=) Source: ProFootballTalk.com - Josh Alper Pittsburgh Steelers RB [James Conner]( has fumbled four times this season, with the latest resulting in a turnover in the Week 12 loss to the Denver Broncos. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Conner has three fumbles lost this year, second-most in the league behind Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott (4). Head coach Mike Tomlin said he's not 'overly concerned' with the issue in his weekly news conference Tuesday, Nov. 27, but knows upcoming opponents will put the running back's football security to the test. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 4. [PIT - Le'Veon Bell eyeing Indy?]() Source: NESN.com Pittsburgh Steelers RB Le'Veon Bell, a soon-to-be free agent, hinted on Instagram on Monday, Nov. 26, that he wouldn't mind playing with the Indianapolis Colts next season, tagging a NFL [Andrew Luck]( graphic with the words 'Just imagine.' [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] That seems to be a popular team to speculate about adding Bell next year. The Steelers could transition tag Bell for 2019, so acquiring him may not be as simple as just outbidding other teams for his services. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 5. [BAL - QB Joe Flacco needs practice before return](=) Source: The Athletic - Jeff Zrebiec Baltimore Ravens QB [Joe Flacco]( (hip) is expected to put in a full week of practice before he potentially returns as the starting quarterback, according to The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] This could be Lamar Jackson's last week of starting for the Ravens. Flacco has not practiced in over three weeks so it will be interesting to see how he looks when he gets out there this week. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 6. [DET - RB C.J. Anderson works out for Detroit]() Source: Sirius XM NFL Radio - Adam Caplan Free-agent RB [C.J. Anderson]( (Panthers) worked out for the Detroit Lions Tuesday, Nov. 27. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] This is Anderson's first known workout since the Panthers released him a couple of weeks ago. The Lions have a banged up backfield at the moment with rookie Kerryon Johnson missing time due to a knee injury. Veteran LeGarrette Blount is there plus Theo Riddick mixes in as a pass-catching back. If Anderson was unhappy with a lack of playing time in Carolina, there's not a clear path to more playing time with the Lions if they decide to add him. He may wait for a different opportunity. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 7. [HOU - Houston hosts WR Devin Smith]() Source: Sirius XM NFL Radio - Adam Caplan Free-agent [Devin Smith]( (Jets) worked out for the Houston Texans Tuesday, Nov. 27. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Smith has speed to burn but he's got a long injury history dating back to his days at Ohio State. The Texans are likely just updating their emergency list here. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 8. [WAS - OLB Reuben Foster claimed by Redskins]() Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero The Washington Redskins claimed LB Reuben Foster off waivers from the San Francisco 49ers Tuesday, Nov. 27. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Washington will not play Foster until his legal case is done. The NFL has placed Foster on the Commissioner's Exempt List. That means he can be around the facility but his playing days are in limbo as the league looks into this latest domestic violence incident. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 9. [NO - Tre'Quan Smith still limited](=) Source: NewOrleansSaints.com New Orleans Saints WR Tre'Quan Smith was limited in practice for a second straight day Tuesday, Nov. 27. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The Saints play on Thursday night against the Cowboys. Smith is trending towards playing but we want to make sure he gets in some work on Wednesday. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 10. [DEN - TE Jeff Heuerman sent to IR](=) Source: DenverBroncos.com - Ben Swanson Denver Broncos TE [Jeff Heuerman]( (ribs, lung) was placed on the Reserve/Injured list Tuesday, Nov. 27. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The Broncos shut down Heuerman for the year and are hurting at the position as they lost Jake Butt (knee) earlier this season. Heuerman will be replaced in the lineup by Matt LaCosse. Fantasy GMs in deep leagues can pick up LaCosse as cheap backup tight end insurance if need be. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 11. [DEN - TE Temarrick Hemingway called up](=) Source: 9News.com - Mike Klis Denver Broncos TE [Temarrick Hemingway]( was promoted to the active roster from the practice squad Tuesday, Nov. 27. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Hemingway was a sixth-round pick of the Rams out of South Carolina State in 2016. The Broncos picked him up in October on their practice squad and now he is looking for a role as the no.3 tight end behind Matt LaCosse and Brian Parker. Hemingway is a converted wide receiver and brings athleticism to the position as a receiver while his blocking needs work. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 12. [PIT - TE Vance McDonald hampered by injury]( Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - Joe Rutter Pittsburgh Steelers TE [Vance McDonald]( (hip) will be limited early this week with the hip injury he suffered in Week 12. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] McDonald has been banged up quite a bit during his pro career and this hip injury is the latest. Monitor his progress during the week but early indications are he'll be ready to go against the Chargers on Sunday night in Week 13. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 13. [HOU - WR Keke Coutee should play](=) Source: The Athletic - Aaron Reiss Houston Texans WR [Keke Coutee]( (hamstring) is trending toward playing this week despite dealing with a hamstring injury, according to head coach Bill O'Brien. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] We'll see what the rookie can do during the week of practice. The current ailment is not as severe as Coutee's previous hamstring issues. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 14. [JAX - RB Leonard Fournette's appeal to be heard]() Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter Jacksonville Jaguars RB [Leonard Fournette]( is appealing his one-game fighting suspension, and it will be heard Tuesday, Nov. 27, by NFL appeals officer [James Thrash](, according to a league source. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] We'll see if Fournette can avoid this one-game ban. The Jaguars are at home this week against the Colts. Without Fournette, they'd turn to T.J. Yeldon and Carlos Hyde at the running back position. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 15. [DEN - RB Phillip Lindsay on impressive run]() Source: ESPN.com - Dan Graziano Denver Broncos RB [Phillip Lindsay]( ranks third in the league in rushing (434 yards) and second in yards per carry (5.86) since Week 7. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Lindsay has been a phenomenon for the Broncos in 2018. Undrafted out of Colorado in 2018, Lindsay has taken over the Broncos backfield and is a threat to score anytime he touches the ball. The Broncos are monitoring his workload as Lindsay is not a big back (190 pounds). Lindsay is a RB1 for Fantasy GMs as the fantasy playoffs are approaching. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 16. [NO - QB Drew Brees tops in red zone]( Source: NFL Matchup on ESPN New Orleans Saints QB [Drew Brees]( leads all quarterbacks with a 117.7 passer rating in the red zone this season. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] No surprise here. Brees is accurate and aggressive as a passer...especially when the team is near pay dirt. It's easier than ever to move the ball through the air between the 20s. Brees is showing he can get it done at the highest level when things get tighter in the red zone. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 17. [CLE - QB Baker Mayfield thriving of late]() Source: ESPN.com - Dan Graziano Cleveland Browns QB [Baker Mayfield]( has shown improvement since the late-October firings of head coach Hue Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Haley. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Mayfield's 87.5 Total QBR ranks third in the league during that span, and he's completing 73.9 percent of his passes, averaging 8.76 yards per attempt with nine touchdowns and one interception. The Browns go on the road in Week 13 to face a red hot Texans team and Mayfield should be looked at as a QB2 with upside for Fantasy GMs. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 18. [BAL - QB Lamar Jackson etches history with feet]( Source: ESPN Stats and Information Baltimore Ravens QB [Lamar Jackson]( has accumulated 190 rushing yards in the last two weeks, which is the most ever through a quarterback's first two career starts in the Super Bowl Era. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Jackson is one helluva runner but as a passer he is still raw and needs work. The Ravens could be getting Joe Flacco back from his hip injury this week and the team could choose to rotate quarterbacks. If that's the case, any rotation would negatively impact the fantasy value of both players. Stay tuned. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and thanks for being part of Footballguys. We'll see you tomorrow with the Update. Peace, J Thank you for subscribing to our Footballguys Daily Update Email! Get your 3 Free Downloads [here](=). You are currently subscribed as {EMAIL} To unsubscribe, click [here](. * Footballguys.com * PO Box 937 * Cabot, AR 72023-0937 * News Items Powered By: =