Training Camp Daily Dose: Dose: Everybody Hurts
The first real slate of preseason action rightfully dominated the conversation this weekend, but there were several news stories too important to slip through the cracks. Perhaps the most intriguing was the announcement Keven White will miss at least the first six games and possibly the entire season after having surgery on a stress fracture in his shin. White can safely be removed from redraft boards, but his injury is not the only reason the Bears’ wide receivers corps is in flux. Alshon Jeffery is also dealing with a calf injury. GM Ryan Pace insisted it is not a long-term concern, but Pace also insisted White was just dealing with shin splints. Eddie Royal could be in line for a ton of targets early in the season. He is a great pick in Round 12.
C.J. Spiller underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on Friday and is expected to miss the entire preseason. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Spiller is expected back by Week 1, but players who get injured in the preseason have a disturbing rate of re-injury in the regular season. Even if Spiller returns Week 1, it is likely his is forced to miss more time at some point this season. Spiller’s PPR upside is huge in New Orleans’ offense, but his injury risk means he needs to be downgraded a round or two.
Julius Thomas suffered a “stable fracture” on the back of his hand in the Jaguars’ opening preseason game. ESPN’s Adam Schefter said Thomas is done for the preseason, but he should be ready to go by Week 1. Always set for regression after leaving Denver, this injury only slightly knocks Thomas down the draft board. Jaguars SS Johnathan Cyprien suffered a similar injury in the same game. He is also done for the preseason.
For individual player updates from all the preseason action, check out the Rotoworld News Page. Also Buy the Rotoworld Draft Guide and follow @Rotoworld_FB and @RMSummerlin on Twitter. Championship
In Other News…..
Sammy Watkins has been “head-and-shoulders” above every other player at Bills’ camp. A special talent well worth his No. 4 overall pick pedigree, the concern for Watkins’ fantasy outlook this season has little to do with his abilities. Rex Ryan had five players total and three wide receivers see more than 100 targets in his six years in New York with no player seeing more than 115. Watkins will almost certainly see fewer than the 128 targets he garnered in 2014, and his per-target efficiency will be damaged by the quarterback situation in Buffalo. Despite his talent, Watkins is not worth his fifth-round ADP.
ESPN Colts reporter Mike Wells said first-round WR Phillip Dorsett has been the team’s most impressive rookie. With T.Y. Hilton (personal) and Donte Moncrief (groin) out of the preseason opener, Dorsett opened the game with the first-team offense and turned eight targets into 51 yards on four receptions. Dorsett’s avenue to production is partially blocked by Hilton and Andre Johnson, but with targets to go around and Andrew Luck under center, Dorsett should carry a high week-to-week ceiling.
Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt said rookie RB David Cobb will get reps with the first-team offense this preseason. Cobb put on a show in the preseason opener, gaining 53 yards on 11 attempts. Bishop Sankey started the game but gained just 15 yards on eight carries. With Dexter McCluster’s role as the third-down back secure, Cobb and Sankey will likely form an early-down committee to start the season.
David Johnson is expected to miss “at least another week” as he recovers from a hamstring injury. Coach Bruce Arians has already said the missed practice time is “killing” Johnson and vowed “there’s no way in hell I’m putting him out there” if he misses camp. With Arizona set to bring in free agent Chris Johnson, David Johnson‘s shot at a rookie-year impact is decreasing by the day.
The Buffalo News believes Karlos Williams has a “legitimate shot” to win the Bills’ No. 2 running back job. A converted safety, Williams did not show natural running instincts at Florida State and was benched his senior year in favor of Dalvin Cook. He does have 4.48 speed at 6’1, 230 pounds, though, and the upside those tools bring could be enough to win him the job if Fred Jackson (hamstring) cannot get healthy.
Tyrod Taylor will start the Bills’ second preseason game. A true dual-threat quarterback who rushed for 47 yards in the preseason opener, Taylor brings an athletic element to the offense Matt Cassel simply cannot match. Cassel, who started the opener, will work with the second team with E.J. Manuel quarterbacking the third.
Ryan Mallett will start the Texans’ second preseason game. Brian Hoyer is still the favorite to open the season as the starter, but Mallett will get his shot to show what he can do with the first-team offense. Hoyer completed 2-of-4 passes for 67 yards and a touchdown playing with the first team in the preseason opener.
ESPN Boston considers second-year RB James White the favorite for third-down snaps. White led New England in receiving in the preseason opener, catching four passes for 52 yards. Even if he wins the job, White is unlikely to match the roughly 10 touches a game Shane Vereen garnered during his time with the Patriots.
Quick Hits
Chargers signed Philip Rivers to a four-year, $83.25 million extension. The deal will keep Rivers with the organization until 2019 though the city he will be playing his home games remains in doubt. … C.J. Anderson “tweaked” his ankle in the Broncos’ preseason opener. He should be fine. Ronnie Hillman shined after Anderson left, but at this point he is not a real threat to Anderson’s starting job. … Browns rookie RB Duke Johnson (hamstring) returned to practice on Saturday. With Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West failing to capitalize on his missed time, Johnson still could earn a significant role in Cleveland’s offense. … Jamaal Charles’ handcuff – aka Knile Davis – escaped Saturday night’s knee scare with a “sprain.” He should still miss several days of practice. … Breshad Perriman has been out since the first practice of training camp with a “strained tendon.” Kamar Aiken started the Ravens’ first preseason game. … Darren McFadden (hamstring) was activated from the active/PUP list on Saturday. Lance Dunbar (ankle) returned to practice on Saturday as well. … Redskins placed Niles Paul (ankle) and Logan Paulsen (toe) on injured reserve. Washington will be in serious trouble if Jordan Reed (hamstring) cannot stay healthy and productive. … Rueben Randle is not practicing after his knee tendinitis flared up after three plays of the Giants’ preseason opener. Randle’s regular season availability is not in serious doubt. … Bucs RT Demar Dotson is expected to miss “roughly six weeks” with an MCL sprain. With a rookie at left tackle and questions up and down the offensive line, the Bucs need Dotson to get healthy in a hurry. … Brandon Coleman worked with the Saints’ first-team offense in Saturday’s practice. First preseason game aside, Coleman appears to be pushing Nick Toon for the No. 3 receiver job. … Raiders activated Rod Streater from the active/PUP list. He should slot in behind Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree in three-wide sets. … Dolphins rookie RB Jay Ajayi (hamstring) returned to practice on Saturday. He needs a strong finish to training camp to climb any higher than third on the depth chart. … Jace Amaro is week to week after spraining his shoulder in Friday’s preseason opener. … ESPN and The New York Daily News both said the Jets’ quarterback job is Ryan Fitzpatrick’s to lose. … Seahawks WR Chris Matthews will miss 10-14 days after spraining his AC joint in the preseason opener. Matthews saw some work with the first-team offense before going down. … Falcons signed RB Evan Royster. With Tevin Coleman, Devonta Freeman and Antone Smith all dealing with hamstring injuries, Royster could see meaningful carries in Atlanta’s second preseason game. … Rookie T.J. Clemmings will get the first shot at replacing Phil Loadholt (Achilles’, out for season) at right tackle. … Giants SS Landon Collins suffered an MCL sprain in the preseason opener. The Giants are desperately thin at safety. … Bills CB Leodis McKelvin (ankle) is expected to open the season on the reserve/PUP list.
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