Footballguys #234 - 12/17

To unsubscribe from these mailings, click [here]. 8065187 --- [Footballguys.com] Volume 17, Issue #234 -- Saturday, December 18th, 2016 Note: Unsubscribe instructions are at the bottom of this email [This week’s special Footballguys contest!] We're hosting another contest on FanDuel for our readers. Just like last week, it's a 50/50 Double Up contest that's just $5 to play — finish anywhere in the top-half and you'll win $10. All entry fees are paid back out to our readers as prize money. Are you smarter than the average fan? Prove it. But hurry, spots are limited in this special contest. [Play Now] --------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Folks, Welcome to Sunday. It's the Playoffs for most of us so let's get to it. J SITE NEWS INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. [CIN - WR A.J. Green won't play Sunday] 2. [CAR - Questionable tag for QB Cam Newton] 3. [MIN - RB Adrian Peterson activated] 4. [CHI - WR Alshon Jeffery activated] 5. [OAK - Mario Edwards expected to miss Week 15] 6. [CAR - ILB Luke Kuechly cleared] 7. [NE - WR Michael Floyd's status uncertain] 8. [JAX - WR Allen Hurns may return in 2016] 9. [WAS - TE Jordan Reed's status in question] 10. [NYG - RB Shane Vereen cleared] 11. [CAR - WR Ted Ginn on track to play] 12. [CAR - RB Jonathan Stewart ready to play] 13. [CAR - WR Kelvin Benjamin questionable] 14. [DAL - Jaylon Smith expected to contribute in 2017] 15. [CLE - WR Mario Alford added to Browns roster] 16. [DEN - CB Aqib Talib avoids fine] 17. [BAL - Game plan hurting RB Terrance West] 18. [TEN - QB Marcus Mariota cutting down on turnovers] --------------------------------------------------------------- 1. [CIN - WR A.J. Green won't play Sunday] Source: ESPN - Bob Holtzman Updating previous reports, Cincinnati Bengals WR [A.J. Green] (hamstring) will not play in Week 15's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to a source. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] No surprise here. It's good that Green is back in action during the week of practice, but a Week 16 return was always the most likely. We'll watch his practice status next week. Without Green on Sunday against the Steelers we'll see more time/targets for guys like Brandon LaFell and Tyler Boyd. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 2. [CAR - Questionable tag for QB Cam Newton] Source: Panthers.com Carolina Panthers QB [Cam Newton] (shoulder) fully participated in practice Saturday, Dec. 17, and is listed as questionable for Week 15. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Plenty of fantasy owners will be considering Newton in Week 15...and for good reason. Over the last three weeks, Washington has surrendered the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing QBs in the NFL. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 3. [MIN - RB Adrian Peterson activated] Source: Vikings.com - Craig Peters Minnesota Vikings RB [Adrian Peterson] (knee) was activated from the Reserve/Injured list Saturday, Dec. 17. The team also waived DT Toby Johnson. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Peterson is back in action this week for the Vikings, but nobody knows what to expect from him. It's not like Peterson's 1.6 yards per carry was lighting the league on fire before this injury. Proceed with caution when considering Peterson in your lineup this week. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 4. [CHI - WR Alshon Jeffery activated] Source: ESPN - Adam Caplan Chicago Bears WR [Alshon Jeffery] was activated from the suspended list Saturday, Dec. 17. The team also placed WR [Marquess Wilson] (foot) on the Reserve/Injured list. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Jeffery is back in action this week for the Bears, but it will be interesting to see how he meshes with QB Matt Barkley. The young quarterback admitted he had never thrown a pass to Jeffery in practice before Wednesday. That lack of chemistry and the frigid temperatures expected in Chicago could keep Jeffery's fantasy prospects cool in Week 15. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 5. [OAK - Mario Edwards expected to miss Week 15] Source: ESPN.com - Paul Gutierrez Oakland Raiders DE Mario Edwards Jr. (hip) is not expected to be activated from the Reserve/Injured list before the team's Week 15 game, but the team hopes he will be able to play in Week 16. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Keep an eye on this and the Aldon Smith (suspended) situation. Getting Edwards and Smith back would greatly boost the Raiders defense with the postseason right around the corner. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 6. [CAR - ILB Luke Kuechly cleared] Source: Panthers.com - Max Henson Carolina Panthers LB Luke Kuechly (concussion) has been cleared from the concussion protocol but is still listed as questionable for Week 15. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] He's cleared, but that doesn't mean that Kuechly will play. The Panthers aren't advancing to the postseason, and there's no need to risk further injury for their star linebacker. Head coach Ron Rivera said he is not sure if Kuechly will play and that the team wants to do what is best for Kuechly's long-term future. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 7. [NE - WR Michael Floyd's status uncertain] Source: ESPNBoston.com - Mike Reiss New England Patriots WR [Michael Floyd] will travel with the team for their Week 15 game, but head coach Bill Belichick would not say if Floyd will be active for the game. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The Patriots could have a small group of plays in place for Floyd if he does play against the Broncos. Either way, the Broncos have had to prepare for the newest Patriots WR as he did travel to the Mile High City. If Floyd is active, he is unlikely to have a role that makes him fantasy relevant. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 8. [JAX - WR Allen Hurns may return in 2016] Source: ESPN.com - Mike DiRocco Jacksonville Jaguars WR [Allen Hurns] (hamstring) has not been placed on the Reserve/Injured list because the team thinks he has a chance to play in the final two games, according to head coach Gus Bradley. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Hurns may return later this year, but fantasy owners don't need to hold their collective breath. The Jaguars will move on with Allen Robinson, Marqise Lee and Bryan Walters as their top three WRs as Hurns continues to miss time. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 9. [WAS - TE Jordan Reed's status in question] Source: Redskins.com Washington Redskins TE [Jordan Reed] (shoulder) was limited during practice Saturday, Dec. 17, and is listed as questionable for Week 15. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Reed has been doing more in practice as the week has gone on. It looks like he's going to go against the Panthers on Monday night. With Reed doing more, it could take away time/snaps/targets from Vernon Davis. Against a bad Panthers secondary, we're expecting the Washington passing game to have a robust day. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 10. [NYG - RB Shane Vereen cleared] Source: ESPN.com - Jordan Raanan New York Giants RB [Shane Vereen] (concussion) was been cleared from the concussion protocol and is expected to play in the team's Week 15 game, according to a source. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Vereen could play, but his fantasy relevance is incredibly low. He'll split time in a three-headed backfield featuring Rashad Jennings and rookie Paul Perkins. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 11. [CAR - WR Ted Ginn on track to play] Source: Panthers.com Carolina Panthers WR [Ted Ginn] Jr. (non-injury) fully participated in practice Saturday, Dec. 17, and is not on the injury report for Week 15. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] It only takes one play for Ginn to make your fantasy day. That makes him a boom/bust player any time he's on the field -- or in your lineup. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 12. [CAR - RB Jonathan Stewart ready to play] Source: Panthers.com Carolina Panthers RB [Jonathan Stewart] (non-injury) fully participated in practice Saturday, Dec. 17, and is not on the injury report for Week 15. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Stewart is ready to go on Monday night against Washington. He's going up against a rushing defense that has allowed an average of 115.3 rushing yards per game over the last three weeks. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 13. [CAR - WR Kelvin Benjamin questionable] Source: Panthers.com Carolina Panthers WR [Kelvin Benjamin] (back) fully participated in practice Saturday, Dec. 17, and is listed as questionable for Week 15. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Starting Benjamin in Week 15 is a risky play. He's been quite cold over the last few weeks, and he may not be reliable enough to look to in the second week of the fantasy playoffs. Benjamin has only managed five catches for 82 yards and one receiving touchdown on 19 targets over the past three games. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 14. [DAL - Jaylon Smith expected to contribute in 2017] Source: NFL.com - Conor Orr Dallas Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones said he would be surprised if LB Jaylon Smith (knee) is not a big part of the defense in 2017. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] We hope that's the case. Smith suffered a horrific knee injury last year in Notre Dame's bowl game (on what some/most would call a dirty play). He's been working his way back since then, but his future in football is no guarantee. Had he been healthy, Smith could have been a top-5 pick in the 2016 NFL draft. Smith is rangy, smart, tough and athletic. If he can regain his form, the Cowboys have themselves one helluva playmaker. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 15. [CLE - WR Mario Alford added to Browns roster] Source: ClevelandBrowns.com Cleveland Browns practice squad WR [Mario Alford] was promoted to the active roster Saturday, Dec. 17. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] A seventh-round pick by the Bengals in 2015, Alford was known as a lightning-fast receiver in college at West Virginia. He can take the top off the defense in a hurry, and in dynasty leagues we will be monitoring Alford's progress as a pro. Some in the scouting community compared his skill set to that of Travis Benjamin (Chargers) last year. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 16. [DEN - CB Aqib Talib avoids fine] Source: The Associated Press - Arnie Stapleton The National Football League has decided not to fine Denver Broncos CB Aqib Talib for his role in a sideline skirmish with WR [Harry Douglas] during Week 14's game against the Tennessee Titans. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] We're surprised Talib didn't get fined for saying he would "beat his ass" next time he saw Douglas in Atlanta. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 17. [BAL - Game plan hurting RB Terrance West] Source: The Baltimore Sun - Jeff Zrebiec Baltimore Ravens RB [Terrance West] has 33 carries combined over the last four games, and the team is on pace for the fewest rushing attempts in franchise history and is leading the league in pass attempts. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] What is also hurting West is the presence of rookie RB Kenneth Dixon. Each week it seems like the two are splitting snaps fairly evenly. However, last week Dixon logged 42 snaps while West was on the field for only 14 snaps. West is not trending in the right direction, and fantasy owners likely have better options to turn to in Week 15. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 18. [TEN - QB Marcus Mariota cutting down on turnovers] Source: The Tennessean - Jason Wolf Tennessee Titans QB [Marcus Mariota] has eight touchdowns since his last turnover, and quarterbacks coach Jason Michael said Mariota is doing drills designed to help him protect the football two or three times per week. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Mariota is not careless with the football, and he still has yet to throw an interception in the red zone during his pro career. He had a bad day in a win over the Broncos last week, but Mariota should put up more passing yards on the road against Kansas City this week. Weather reports indicate kickoff temperatures in the single digits, so don't expect the Titans to fill the air with footballs. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- That'll do it for today Folks. I hope all the bounces go your way today. 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 to footballguys-public-fulltext as {EMAIL} To unsubscribe, click [here]. * Footballguys.com * PO Box 937 * Cabot, AR 72023-0937 * 8065187 [News Items Powered By:] ---