NFL Quick Hits: Mixed signals on Bills' Watkins
We hope that Week 1 was a victorious one for all your fantasy squads. We'll get our Week 2 preparations started in Buffalo, as a Monday New York Daily News report suggested that Bills WR Sammy Watkins "could be shut down for several weeks" due to severe discomfort in his surgically repaired right foot.
Watkins responded by saying that he's "definitely going to be out there playing" on Thursday, and head coach Rex Ryan hasn't ruled him out. This sounds worrisome, but not necessarily disastrous. Stay tuned, Watkins owners.
In other news ...
Chargers WR Keenan Allen is officially done for the season with a torn ACL. Beat writers from the San Diego Union-Tribune don't seem to think that one player will serve the role of replacing Allen, but suggest that WR Tyrell Williams (owned in 0.3 percent of FOXSports.com leagues) and TE Hunter Henry (1.4 percent owned) might be asked to do more.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said that QB Russell Wilson "is practicing Wednesday and planning on playing" in Los Angeles despite a sprained ankle. Let's wait for some reports from practice later this week, as even an active Wilson could have his fantasy value limited if he's not as mobile as usual.
No news yet from New England on the status of Rob Gronkowski (hamstring), and there's not much from Kansas City on Jamaal Charles (knee). You've replaced those guys in starting lineups already, right?
Browns QB Robert Griffin III will miss at least eight games due to a broken bone in his left shoulder, so Josh McCown takes over. If we use last season as a guide - we know, different coaching staffs and all that - TE Gary Barnidge and RB Duke Johnson could benefit from the QB change. Johnson's receiving stats were significantly better with McCown under center, and check out these stats on Barnidge.
Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas (hip) is expected to return to practice on Wednesday after getting Monday off.
The big fantasy takeaways from Monday's pair of games were a pair of slot receivers, as Pittsburgh's Eli Rogers (six receptions, 59 yards, TD) and San Francisco's Jeremy Kerley (seven catches, 61 yards) made some PPR noise. The difference is that Rogers is probably third in the Steelers' receiving pecking order, while Kerley might be first for the WR-starved 49ers.
One more Monday note: After being the subject of big offseason talk from Rams head coach Jeff Fisher, WR Tavon Austin caught four passes for 13 yards and ran once for two yards. It's encouraging that Austin was targeted 12 times, but until he gets a real quarterback, expect him to remain a boom-or-bust fantasy play.
Can we agree not to get sucked in by Jack Doyle's two-touchdown performance in Week 1? Dwayne Allen is still the Colts' top tight end, and they use plenty of three-receiver sets. Doyle's big day was probably a fluke.
Seahawks rookie RB C.J. Prosise is expected to play this week despite a broken bone in his hand. That doesn't sound good for a guy whose most helpful skill is receiving. In other Seahawks' backfield news, Thomas Rawls should be busier in Week 2.
Saints CB Delvin Breaux broke his leg and will be out for awhile. For those who think the Saints' defense can't get any worse, understand that their next three corners all made their NFL debuts on Sunday vs. the Raiders. Odell Beckham Jr. is tracking toward a 15-223-3 line this week, as the Saints will visit the Meadowlands.
Jason Witten was Week 1's most-targeted tight end with 14, while WR Cole Beasley had 12 passes come his way (he caught eight). Dak Prescott figures to dink and dunk a lot while he plays, which isn't great news for Dez Bryant. You've still gotta play Dez most of the time, but things could be bumpy.
Eagles TE Zach Ertz could miss Monday's game and more due to a displaced rib. Brent Celek stands to get more looks in the passing game if Ertz is out. Speaking of the Eagles, you should be somewhat excited about Ryan Mathews, Jordan Matthews and Carson Wentz. You should also remember that they beat the Browns, who are terrible.
Jaguars RB Chris Ivory was still in the hospital as of Monday afternoon, and nobody is saying why. T.J. Yeldon could be in line for another 25-touch game at San Diego this week, and that makes him an RB2.
Some of my top free-agent recommendations for the week are Jay Cutler (12.6 percent owned), Terrance West (11.1 percent owned), Tajae Sharpe (18.3 percent owned) and Virgil Green (7 percent owned). We've got plenty more to offer, but you'll need to listen to today's edition of the FOX Fantasy Podcast, which is available via the player near the top of this page. Our guest was Dennis Esser (CoachEsser.com, FNTSY Sports Network), who was very impressed with Vikings WR Stefon Diggs in Week 1.
Good luck prepping for Week 2!
