NFL Quick Hits: Chargers' Allen placed on injured reserve
Fantasy Editor Afternoon Update:
Chargers WR Keenan Allen suffered a kidney injury while catching a touchdown pass on Sunday, and will be out indefinitely after being checked into a local hospital. The team initially thought Allen had gotten the wind knocked out of him, and isn't placing a timetable on his recovery. Even though you get the feeling Allen will miss multiple weeks, let's all agree to hold him until we get more clarification on his condition.
Malcom Floyd was the Chargers' most productive wideout on Sunday, but the feeling here is that Stevie Johnson's production will improve in Allen's absence.
In other news ...
The 49ers have benched QB Colin Kaepernick in favor of Blaine Gabbert, and traded TE Vernon Davis to the Broncos. Gabbert will be a QB to target with fantasy streaming DSTs - he'll face the Falcons this week - and Garrett Celek becomes the Niners' starting tight end. Davis lands in a TE-friendly spot as a red-zone target of Peyton Manning's, and can immediately be considered as a streaming option, perhaps if you've got Travis Kelce or Jimmy Graham on a bye this week. I probably won't have Davis among my top 12 tight ends for Week 9, but there's a talent+opportunity situation here that could make him fantasy-relevant in short order.
Went to Colts-Panthers last night. It's tough to take too much from the game because of the sloppy weather conditions, but Andrew Luck looked terrible again. A team that puts pressure on Luck - such as the Broncos this week - makes him a very dicey fantasy starter. The Broncos throttled Aaron Rodgers in Week 8, and the best performance against them has been Teddy Bridgewater's QB18 in Week 4.
In case you missed it, Steelers RB Le'Veon Bell (knee) is out for the season. DeAngelo Williams is owned in just 25 percent of FOXSports.com leagues. and should be everyone's primary free-agent target this week.
The Bears don't believe that Matt Forte's knee injury is season-ending, but there's not yet a timetable for his return. Rookie Jeremy Langford will step in, and gets a nice matchup at San Diego on Monday night. He's owned in 1.3 percent of FOXSports.com leagues, and slots in behind DeAngelo on the free-agent wish list.
With Reggie Bush (knee) done for the season and Mike Davis (hand) possibly in the same situation, the 49ers' starting RB for Week 9 is TBD (Carlos Hyde will probably miss another game). It could be Shawn Draughn, who was signed Monday, or practice squad graduate Kendall Gaskins, or even Ben Tate or Pierre Thomas (who are supposed to work out with them today). Stay tuned.
Plenty of Titans' news: QB Marcus Mariota (knee) might return this week, WR Kendall Wright appears likely to miss some time with a knee injury, and RB David Cobb isn't a lock to make his debut this week, as some have been hoping for. Head coach Ken Whisenhunt said that Cobb was "a little heavy" last week, which isn't something you want to hear a coach say about a rookie.
Josh McCown (ribs) will start Thursday at Cincinnati if he's healthy, but that's a big if right now.
Remember DeSean Jackson? Explosive, doesn't score enough touchdowns, hurt his hamstring in Week 1? He's expected to return this week.
It sounds like Geno Smith (shoulder, abdomen) is more likely to start for the Jets against the Jags than Ryan Fitzpatrick (thumb). The status of WR Brandon Marshall (toe, ankle) is TBD.
Six teams have byes: Cardinals, Ravens, Lions, Texans, Chiefs, Seahawks.
The Bills expect to have QB Tyrod Taylor (knee) back against the Dolphins. Remember that Taylor averaged 24.4 FOXSports.com fantasy points in five starts before getting hurt. He's owned in just 41.8 percent of our leagues, so go get him if you can.
Saints RB Khiry Robinson is done for the season with a broken leg.
Chargers RB Branden Oliver is battling turf toe, and ceded most of his carries to Melvin Gordon on Sunday. After seeing Gordon get 23 touches - I know, I know, his line is bad and he's not producing - I'm ready to start him in fantasy contests this week.
This week's DraftKings bargains include Jameis Winston ($5,200) against the horrible Giants, Langford ($4,000), Titans RB Antonio Andrews ($3,600) at New Orleans, Brandon LaFell ($3,200) versus the Redskins, and Bucs TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins ($2,800) if he's ready to return from his shoulder injury.
See you back here Friday morning.
