NFL Quick Hits: Lynch out, Jeffery not looking good
Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch (hamstring) missed Monday night's game after being a gametime decision, but word at the time suggested he'd be ready for Week 5. Lynch returned to practice Thursday on a limited basis, but his status for Sunday is still uncertain. The Tacoma News Tribune calls Lynch's status "up in the air but with more of a lean toward playing than he's had in two weeks," and notes that we could be headed for a Sunday morning decision.
(UPDATE, 4:11 p.m. ET: Lynch has been ruled OUT for Sunday's game.)
Bears WR Alshon Jeffery (hamstring) was limited in Thursday's practice and didn't practice Friday. You could be waiting until Sunday morning on this one, but I'd plan to be without Jeffery if I owned him (which I do). Chicago Tribune beat writer Brad Biggs tweeted this today, and it's not looking good.
In other news ...
So, everyone was useful in Thursday's Colts-Texans game. Except for Donte Moncrief, anyway.
Falcons RB Tevin Coleman (ribs) has been limited in practice this week, but hopes to play on Sunday. While Devonta Freeman's excellent play has clearly earned him lead-back status, offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan talked in this article about keeping backs fresh and not feeling the need to get anyone into a rhythm. How does a 2:1 snap split sound?
Is anyone on the Bills healthy? RB LeSean McCoy (hamstring) is still out, his backup Karlos Williams (concussion) isn't expected to play, and WR Sammy Watkins (calf) didn't practice Thursday. Watkins is "getting close" according to head coach Rex Ryan, but Boobie Dixon is expected to start at running back, with help from new arrival/former Colt Boom Herron. In fact, check out this nugget from the Buffalo News: "Dixon is scheduled to start the game but if Herron finds a rhythm, do not be surprised at all if the Bills lean on their new running back right away." I've got Dixon at RB33, with Herron at RB44.
Reminder: Chargers TE Antonio Gates and Steelers WR Martavis Bryant return this week from suspensions. I've got Gates at TE10 and Bryant at WR38.
Reminder 2: Your Week 5 byes are Panthers, Vikings, Jets and Dolphins.
Reminder 3: New placekickers this week are Chris Boswell (Steelers) and Connor Barth (Bucs).
The Dallas Morning News reports that Darren McFadden "should see an increased workload going forward" in the wake of Lance Dunbar's season-ending knee injury. With added third-down duties and the coaching staff's apparent impatience with Joseph Randle, DMC could be somewhat productive in the coming weeks. That's if Christine Michael doesn't make his long-awaited impact, anyway.
Ravens WR Steve Smith (back) and TE Crockett Gillmore (calf) are unlikely to play Sunday. Smith is being called week-to-week despite some broken bones.
Bears WR Eddie Royal (ankle) hasn't practiced this week, and his status for Sunday is TBD. If Royal can't play, maybe Marquess Wilson can get some work done against the Chiefs' bad pass defense.
The Florida Times-Union thinks Jaguars TE Julius Thomas (hand) is looking at a Week 6 debut.
Redskins.com notes that TE Derek Carrier could be productive in the likely absence of Jordan Reed (concussion/knee/ankle). I've got Carrier at TE16, and he's an interesting DFS tournament option. In other Redskins' news, WR DeSean Jackson (hamstring) was limited in Thursday's practice with an iffy chance to play Sunday, as he's not yet running at full speed. The 'Skins might also be without both starting cornerbacks in their matchup with Julio Jones & Co.
Lions RB Joique Bell (ankle) and TE Eric Ebron (knee) haven't practiced this week, and shouldn't be expected to play Sunday.
DFS notes (salaries from DraftKings): I've been beating this drum all week, but Garbage Time Brandon Weeden ($5,100) is an interesting tournament play, perhaps stacked with Terrance Williams ($4,300) or even Cole Beasley ($3,100) ... Your best, reasonably-priced cash game RBs are Dion Lewis ($4,800) and Todd Gurley ($4,300). I know the Pats have been notoriously fickle with their backfield, but Lewis has touched the ball at least 13 times in all three games, and has 15 receptions ... It's unclear if Browns CB Joe Haden (ribs, finger) will play, but even if he does, Kamar Aiken ($3,800) looks solid as the Ravens' best available wideout ... If you're not Gronking at TE, Martellus Bennett ($5,000) figures to be a high-volume option, and the aforementioned Carrier ($2,500) is at the minimum price ... If you're not spending on the big boys at DST, my favorites are the Falcons ($3,200) and Giants ($2,900).
Need help over the weekend? Find us on Twitter (@jhalpin37, @FOXSportsFowler, @FOXSportsMeyer, @FOXSportsFoster), check out our Week 5 rankings and come to our chat on Sunday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. ET (I'll have the 11 o'clock hour). We'll have your questions covered, but can't stress enough that waiting until 15 minutes before kickoff is a bad plan.
Good luck this week!
