Andy Dalton. The Red Rifle. That nickname is acceptable if it’s intentionally ironic, otherwise… my gawd. It’s surprising it took so long for someone to dub him the “Red Ryder” as J.J. Watt did a few weeks ago. Here’s an update on his thumb injury:
.@AdamSchefter @RossTuckerNFL @SECbooger Unlikely to play until playoffs https://t.co/DJQBiMKCDa Thumb is vital for grip in spin football.
— David J. Chao, MD (@ProFootballDoc) December 17, 2015
This injury hits really hard in the 2-QB and super flex leagues. In most other formats I think Dalton owners can get by. Make no mistake about it, this is not good for A.J. Green, Jeremy Hill, and Gio Bernard owners. The likelihood of A.J. Green having a bad game just about tripled I’d say, and his range of outcomes is all over the place, because of A.J. McCarron.
Yet, it’s one of those situations where there is very little to be done about it because it’s unlikely that your 3rd/4th best WR is going to beat out A.J. Green for a spot in your starting lineup. If you use Jay’s rankings it’s impossible to do that because he kept A.J. Green 5th, which is like, wow. Not saying I disagree, but wow. It is, however, in Green’s favor that Tyler Eifert (concussion (maybe that’s what happens when you are a grown man that decides to sit on Santa’s lap)) may sit out, and arguably that benefits the RBs as well. It’s somewhat easier to look elsewhere for owners of either Hill or Bernard but the uncertainty will drive you nuts. I’m not saying you should look elsewhere, just that for those inclined to do so, you have my approval. (Don’t take that too seriously).
There’s also a T.J. Yeldon (knee) situation of uncertainty. While it’s looking like there is a chance he’ll play, I found this on Twitter:
Difficult for RB to play thru MCL, even a mild one.#Yeldon @Jaguars https://t.co/URvSP7AG38
— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) December 16, 2015
So I’m not sure the reason for the relatively optimistic (as in, it’s optimistic relative to knee sprain timetables) news coming from the team. Perhaps just to mislead everyone. Here’s what I’m talking about, this from Rotowire: “Yeldon (knee) is listed as day-to-day in advance of Sunday’s matchup with the Falcons, Jaguars.com reports. “I’ve seen him really progress,” coach Gus Bradley said.” Obviously Yeldon owners need to plan on his absence. It’s nice to own Denard Robinson but the so called progress Yeldon has made clouds Robinson’s value as well. But I’m guessing you’ll want to roll with Denard if you have him, obviously it’s only Thursday and that’s subject to change.
LeGarrette Blount (shoulder) has been placed in IR leaving Brandon Bolden and James White to carry the load, and it was Bolden who was given the greatest opportunity last week. There’s been some Julian Edelman (foot) buzz out there because he’s returned to practice on a limited basis. I don’t care. I’m not buying it (an imminent return). Either is David Chao:
NFL average is 6-8 weeks.@Edelman11 injured Week 10.
Video below shows good progress but not full speed yet. https://t.co/WAnM4ulG8w— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) December 17, 2015
However, he is worth stashing just in case, I suppose. Particularly if your league is active in week 17. I definitely wouldn’t be of the mindset that he can help your team out this week.
With Thomas Rawls (ankle) out for the year, at least Bryce Brown is the relatively clear cut “starting” RB. I think despite his supposed starter status we have little idea how many carries he’ll get but it seems unlikely they’ll want to run Fred Jackson very much, so I guess Bryce Brown makes a good start this week.
That’s about it for injury news. Those of you in the playoffs, good luck. For the rest of you, I guess there’s the consolation bracket. I always attempt to field a respectable lineup regardless of my record/situation. Happy Holidays. Happy #ForceAwakensDay. Mind what you have learned, save you it can… and here’s the practice report (be sure to look for the special link I’ve provided in the report):
The Practice Report for Wednesday December 16th, 2015
Arizona Cardinals
Andre Ellington – RB – No Participation
Larry Fitzgerald – WR – Limited Participation
Brittan Golden – WR – Limited Participation
Jermaine Gresham – TE – No Participation
Atlanta Falcons
Devin Hester – WR – Limited Participation
Jacob Tamme – TE – Limited Participation
Baltimore Ravens
Marlon Brown – WR – No Participation
Crockett Gillmore – TE – No Participation
Matt Schaub – QB – Limited Participation
Buffalo Bills
Charles Clay – TE – No Participation
Jerome Felton – RB – Limited Participation
Chris Gragg – TE – Limited Participation
Karlos Williams – RB – Limited Participation
Carolina Panthers
Brenton Bersin – WR – No Participation
Jerricho Cotchery – WR – No Participation
Ted Ginn Jr. – WR – No Participation
Greg Olsen – TE – No Participation
Jonathan Stewart – RB – No Participation
Chicago Bears
Alshon Jeffery – WR – Limited Participation
Zach Miller – TE – No Participation
Cincinnati Bengals
Andy Dalton – QB – No Participation
Tyler Eifert – TE – No Participation
Cleveland Browns
Andrew Hawkins – WR – No Participation
Johnny Manziel – QB – Full Participation
Marlon Moore – WR – Limited Participation
Glenn Winston – RB – No Participation
Dallas Cowboys
Dez Bryant – WR – Full Participation
Tony Romo – QB – No Participation
Denver Broncos
C.J. Anderson – RB – No Participation
Andre Caldwell – WR – Limited Participation
Owen Daniels – TE – No Participation
Bennie Fowler – WR – Limited Participation
Ronnie Hillman – RB – Full Participation
Cody Latimer – WR – Limited Participation
Peyton Manning – QB – Limited Participation
Emmanuel Sanders – WR – Full Participation
Detroit Lions
No Practice Information Reported (Monday Night Football)
Green Bay Packers
Ty Montgomery – WR – Limited Participation
Houston Texans
Alfred Blue – RB – Full Participation
Ryan Griffin – TE – Full Participation
Brian Hoyer – QB – No Participation
Chris Polk – RB – Full Participation
Indianapolis Colts
Jack Doyle – TE – Limited Participation
Matt Hasselbeck – QB – No Participation
Andrew Luck – QB – Limited Participation
Donte Moncrief – WR – No Participation
Jacksonville Jaguars
Allen Hurns – WR – No Participation
Nic Jacobs – TE – Limited Participation
Bryan Walters – WR – Limited Participation
T.J. Yeldon – RB – No Participation
Kansas City Chiefs
Travis Kelce – TE – Full Participation
De’Anthony Thomas – WR – No Participation
Spencer Ware – RB – No Participation
Miami Dolphins
Jarvis Landry – WR – Limited Participation
Rishard Matthews – WR – Limited Participation
Lamar Miller – RB – Limited Participation
Damien Williams – RB – Limited Participation
Minnesota Vikings
None
New England Patriots
Danny Amendola – WR – Limited Participation
LeGarrette Blount – RB – No Participation
Scott Chandler – TE – Limited Participation
Julian Edelman – WR – Limited Participation
Rob Gronkowski – TE – Full Participation
Matthew Slater – WR – Limited Participation
New Orleans Saints
No Practice Information Reported (Monday Night Football)
New York Giants
None
New York Jets
Kellen Davis – TE – Full Participation
Eric Decker – WR – Full Participation
Ryan Fitzpatrick – QB – Full Participation
Jeremy Kerley – WR – No Participation
Brandon Marshall – WR – Full Participation
Devin Smith – WR – No Participation
Oakland Raiders
Amari Cooper – WR – No Participation
Taiwan Jones – RB – No Participation
Philadelphia Eagles
Sam Bradford – QB – Full Participation
Jordan Matthews – WR – Limited Participation
Pittsburgh Steelers
Heath Miller – TE – No Participation
Matt Spaeth – TE – No Participation
San Diego Chargers
Ladarius Green – TE – No Participation
Javontee Herndon – WR – Limited Participation
Dontrelle Inman – WR – Full Participation
Stevie Johnson – WR – No Participation
Seattle Seahawks
Marshawn Lynch – RB – No Participation
Anthony McCoy – TE – No Participation
Luke Willson – TE – Limited Participation
San Francisco 49ers
Anquan Boldin – WR – Full Participation
Kendall Gaskins – RB – No Participation
Vance McDonald – TE – Limited Participation
Torrey Smith – WR – No Participation
St. Louis Rams
Kenny Britt – WR – Full Participation
Todd Gurley – RB – Full Participation
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Vincent Jackson – WR – No Participation
Tennessee Titans
Kendall Wright – WR – No Participation
Washington Football Team
DeSean Jackson – WR – No Participation
Andre Roberts – WR – Limited Participation
Chris Thompson – RB – Limited Participation
Every week I either forget something or leave something out due to time constraints. I’m happy to discuss situations I missed or anything else in the Comments section below. Thanks for reading. I really do appreciate the readers.
