NFL Quick Hits: Broncos' Anderson among Week 2 concerns
Who impressed you the most Monday night? Was it Julio Jones? The voluminous Sam Bradford-to-Jordan Matthews connection? I'm gonna say Carlos Hyde, who ran 26 times for 168 yards and two TDs. Those of you who drafted Hyde in the fourth round probably weren't quite sure what to expect, but he's off to a fantastic start.
Also, am I allowed to say I told you so about Adrian Peterson after one game? Probably not.
Let's get to the news, most of it of the injury variety ...
Broncos RB C.J. Anderson is suffering from a sprained toe (a.k.a. turf toe, per some speculation) and didn't practice Monday. Head coach Gary Kubiak said Monday that he thinks Anderson is "fine," but as FanDuel injury guru Will Carroll noted on Twitter, turf toe is an injury that tends to linger. The Broncos play at Kansas City on Thursday night, and Anderson should be viewed as a huge question mark. Denver's backup, Ronnie Hillman, is my favorite RB free-agent target of the week, whether or not you own Anderson. Hillman is owned in 27.7 percent of FOXSports.com leagues.
Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas practiced fully on Monday despite a sore hand.
Reports have Dez Bryant (broken foot) out anywhere from 4-8 weeks, but the longer end of the timetable sounds more likely. Terrance Williams (39.4 percent owned) showed his limitations against the Giants, but he'll get the ball more.
The Colts are calling WR T.Y. Hilton "day to day" with a bruised left knee, but he should be viewed as very iffy for Monday's matchup with the Jets. The Colts' website reports that rookie Phillip Dorsett is the "likely option to see more playing time," but I'd target Donte Moncrief, who caught six passes for 46 yards on 11 targets in Week 1, and is owned in six percent of FOXSports.com leagues. There is a risk that Moncrief will draw coverage from Darrelle Revis, though.
So, Eli Manning told Rashad Jennings not to score on Sunday night, huh? Just when I thought the Giants' late-game decision making couldn't get any dumber ...
Adam Meyer and I reviewed Week 1 and made some free-agent recommendations on today's Fantasy 15 podcast. Listen below:
Redskins WR DeSean Jackson is expected to miss 3-4 weeks with a hamstring injury. Andre Roberts will step into a starting role for the 'Skins, but Jackson's absence probably just accentuates the degree to which Jordan Reed and Pierre Garcon will be targeted.
Redskins, Part 2: Dustin Hopkins will take over kicking duties from Kai Forbath.
Redskins, Part 3: The team will be without CB Chris Culliver (suspension) and S Duke Ihenacho (broken wrist) this week, with Ihenacho's absence likely to be a long one. I wish there was a Rams WR to recommend, but none were targeted more than five times in Week 1, and Brian Quick was a healthy scratch.
With RB Andre Ellington (knee) expected to miss 1-3 weeks, Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians says that Chris Johnson will work as the team's starter. Look, I like David Johnson as much as you do, but Arians said this on Monday: "I don't want to take rookies and give them too much piece of the pie too early. They have to earn it." This should be viewed as a timeshare, and that's not good for anyone.
The Texans won't say who's starting at QB this week, but head coach Bill O'Brien did divulge that he doesn't expect RB Arian Foster (groin) to return in Week 2.
Browns QB Josh McCown is in the NFL's concussion protocol, so as of right now, Johnny Manziel will start against the Titans. Johnny Football didn't play especially well in relief against the Jets, but he ran five times for 35 yards, which will always get the attention of fantasy owners. In related news, the Titans' DST (1.7 percent owned) looks like a strong streaming candidate.
Saints TE Josh Hill played 18 snaps to Ben Watson's 68, and got zero targets. It's only one game, but I think I'll chalk my strong preseason Hill recommendation up to "bad call" and move on. I'll lean Ladarius Green over Austin Seferian-Jenkins as a replacement, with both in the 15 percent owned range.
Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt said "there's a chance" that TE Delanie Walker (hand) will be ready to play at Cleveland.
The status of Raiders QB Derek Carr (hand) is TBD for Week 2. The team doesn't plan to sign a quarterback, which is a good sign.
Bucs head coach Lovie Smith said Monday that WR Mike Evans (hamstring) is "getting better," but didn't offer an update on his Week 2 availability.
See you back here Friday morning.
