Footballguys #241 - 12/18 - News And Notes From Around The League

[Footballguys.com]( Footballguys #241 - 12/18 - News And Notes From Around The League Volume 20, #241 -- Tuesday Night, December 18th, 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 you need so let's get to it. J [] INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. [LAC - RB Melvin Gordon practiced fully but not 100% healthy](#1) 2. [PIT - RB James Conner's status still in question](#2) 3. [LAC - RB Melvin Gordon not 100 percent](#3) 4. [GB - QB Aaron Rodgers suffered a groin injury](#4) 5. [CAR - QB Cam Newton battling chronic soreness](#5) 6. [WAS - RB Adrian Peterson limited](#6) 7. [LAC - No practice for WR Keenan Allen](#7) 8. [LAR - RB C.J. Anderson joining Rams](#8) 9. [GB - RB Aaron Jones an IR victim](#9) 10. [GB - Allen Lazard joins Packers](#10) 11. [SEA - Seattle adds RB Bo Scarbrough](#11) 12. [TB - WR DeSean Jackson may play](#12) 13. [TEN - OLB Brian Orakpo progressing](#13) 14. [NE - RB James White in line for more touches?](#14) 15. [TEN - TE Delanie Walker awaiting clearance](#15) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 1. [LAC - RB Melvin Gordon practiced fully but not 100% healthy]() Source: ESPN.com - Eric D. Williams Los Angeles Chargers RB [Melvin Gordon]( (knee) practiced at full speed Tuesday, Dec. 18, according to head coach Anthony Lynn. He did however say he was not 100%. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Gordon was close last week but didn't play. This time around it looks like Gordon is going to be available to play for the Chargers. It is a tough matchup at home against the Ravens, but Gordon is a RB1 for Fantasy GMs when on the field. He's said he's not 100% but at this time of the year, few players are 100%. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 2. [PIT - RB James Conner's status still in question]() Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Ed Bouchette Pittsburgh Steelers RB [James Conner]( (ankle) continues to rehab his ankle injury and his status for Week 16 is up in the air. 'Hopefully (Conner's rehab work) sets the stage for a productive Wednesday (practice), and we'll go from there,' Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said at his weekly news conference Tuesday, Dec. 18. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Fantasy GMs are just going to have to wait until later in the week to see if Conner can practice. He seems close to returning but nothing is guaranteed. We'd feel better about his status with a full practice on Friday. Stay tuned. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 3. [LAC - RB Melvin Gordon not 100 percent]() Source: Los Angeles Times - Jeff Miller Los Angeles Chargers RB [Melvin Gordon]( (knee) said he's not 100 percent and has two games to knock off the rust before the playoffs. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Gordon has been close to returning from his knee injury and he should be able to get on the field this Saturday against the Ravens. It's a tough matchup but Gordon is a RB1 when he's on the field and healthy. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 4. [GB - QB Aaron Rodgers suffered a groin injury](=) Source: ESPN.com - Rob Demovsky Green Bay Packers QB [Aaron Rodgers]( (groin) suffered a groin injury on the final play of the first half in Week 15. Rodgers and interim coach Joe Philbin expect him to play. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] There are some rumblings that Rodgers will be shut down for the rest of the regular season. Expect the veteran superstar quarterback to be limited at best during the week of practice. We'll know more about his status for the Week 16 game against the Jets in the near future. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 5. [CAR - QB Cam Newton battling chronic soreness]( Source: Charlotte Observer - Jourdan Rodrigue Carolina Panthers QB [Cam Newton]( (shoulder) said he has been battling shoulder soreness that hasn't gone away or gotten worse for several weeks. 'It doesn't matter how much you push,' Newton said. 'Ice, anti-inflammatories you take... I mean, trust me, I did it. Acupuncture. Massages. It's just not been a time that (a) night has gone by without me getting some type of work done on my arm. We just don't have the strength, from the range of motion. Obviously my arm hasn't allowed me to do a lot of practice. I've been on a pitch count. That's not a scapegoat. That's not something I want people to bail me out on. It's just reality.' [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Newton just doesn't look like himself and the Panthers head coach Ron Rivera hasn't ruled out shutting down Newton for the season. The team should do what's best for Newton's long-term health and that could be ending his season on Injured Reserve. Stay tuned. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 6. [WAS - RB Adrian Peterson limited](=) Source: The Washington Post - Kareem Copeland Washington Redskins RB [Adrian Peterson]( (shoulder) was limited in practice Tuesday, Dec. 18. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Peterson's shoulder has kept him limited in practice but it doesn't keep him from playing. Washington travels to play Tennessee in Week 16 on Saturday, and Peterson should project as a RB2 or flex play. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 7. [LAC - No practice for WR Keenan Allen](=) Source: Chargers.com Los Angeles Chargers WR [Keenan Allen]( (hip) was not able to practice Tuesday, Dec. 18. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The Chargers are at home to face the Ravens on Saturday in Week 16. There's a good chance Allen is a game-time decision for that contest. Fantasy GMs have to have other options at the ready in case we don't get any clarity on Allen's playing status until right before kickoff. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 8. [LAR - RB C.J. Anderson joining Rams]() Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo Free-agent RB [C.J. Anderson]( (Raiders) is signing an undisclosed deal with the Los Angeles Rams Tuesday, Dec. 18, according to a source. Anderson will serve as backup to RB [Todd Gurley]( (knee). [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Anderson lasted a week with the Raiders but finds a new home quickly. Gurley has been dealing with knee inflammation and the team might decide to give him some rest. The Rams travel to play a hapless Cardinals team in Week 16. Anderson could get some work early with his new team if Gurley sits this week. Rookie John Kelly is there to get some snaps too if Gurley doesn't play. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 9. [GB - RB Aaron Jones an IR victim]() Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero Green Bay Packers RB [Aaron Jones]( (knee) was placed on the Reserve/Injured list Tuesday, Dec. 18. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Jones sees his 2018 season cut short once again. He was suspended the first two games of the season and saw action in 12 contests this year. Jones finishes the season with 133 carries for 729 rushing yards and 8 rushing touchdowns, plus he added 26 catches for 206 receiving yards and 1 receiving touchdown. The Packers move forward with Jamaal Williams as their lead back for the rest of the year. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 10. [GB - Allen Lazard joins Packers]() Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero The Green Bay Packers signed WR Allen Lazard off the Jacksonville Jaguars' practice squad Tuesday, Dec. 18. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Lazard was picked up as an undrafted free agent out of Iowa State in 2018. The rookie is a huge prospect, measuring in at 6'5" 227 pounds. He wins at the catch point regularly and can high point passes due to his size and ability to play above the rim. Lazard is an interesting prospect but only in super deep dynasty leagues. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 11. [SEA - Seattle adds RB Bo Scarbrough](=) Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport The Seattle Seahawks signed RB Bo Scarbrough off the Jacksonville Jaguars' practice squad Tuesday, Dec. 18. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Scarbrough was a Dallas Cowboys seventh-round pick out of Alabama in the 2018 NFL draft. He's bounced around a bit since then and now finds himself with Seattle. Scarbrough reminded some in the scouting community of former Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry. Like Henry, Scarbrough is a tall (6'1" 228 pounds) back who can be difficult to stop when he builds a head of steam. We'll be monitoring his progress in the pros but only in super deep dynasty leagues. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 12. [TB - WR DeSean Jackson may play]() Source: Tampa Bay Times - Rick Stroud Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR [DeSean Jackson]( (thumb) is hopeful to return this week after missing the last three games with a left thumb injury. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Jackson will have to show the ability to cleanly catch the ball in practice if he wants to play. The Bucs travel to Dallas to take on the Cowboys in Week 16 and Jackson would be merely a 'what the heck' flex if he plays. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 13. [TEN - OLB Brian Orakpo progressing](=) Source: ProFootballTalk.com - Charean Williams Tennessee Titans LB Brian Orakpo (elbow) said he's getting better day by day as he recovers from an elbow injury. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The Titans have designs of making a postseason run...and getting Orakpo healthy would be a boost for their surging defense. Orakpo wants to return as soon as possible but also wants to make sure he's ready to play again. He did not practice last week. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 14. [NE - RB James White in line for more touches?](=) Source: NESN.com - Zack Cox New England RB [James White]( needs to get the ball more often, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said Tuesday, Dec. 18. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Keep this in mind if you're considering White a RB3 or flex play in PPR leagues. In games when White has had at least 13 rushing attempts/targets this season, the Patriots are 9-0 and 0-5 when he's had 12 or fewer. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 15. [TEN - TE Delanie Walker awaiting clearance]( Source: The Athletic - John Glennon Tennessee Titans TE [Delanie Walker]( (ankle) is no longer wearing a walking boot or cast and was cleared to walk on a treadmill 10 days ago he said Tuesday, Dec. 18. He is awaiting clearance to run. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Walker wants to make it back if the Titans make the postseason again this year. He's done for the regular season and if he's still waiting for clearance to run, then it seems like a longshot for him to return for the postseason. [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](=). 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