Football Daily Dose: Dose: Tyrod Banged Up?
Tyrod Taylor has taken the league by storm the first five weeks and currently sits as the overall QB5 heading into Week 6. He showed promise as a passer the first three weeks before the Bills’ passing game has crumbled back to Earth the past two weeks without Sammy Watkins (calf) in the lineup. Still, Taylor has made plays with his legs and is willing his way to success. He’s been sacked 14 times and has run the ball 31 other times. Taylor has been subject to hits, and they might be catching up to him. Coach Rex Ryan admits Taylor hasn’t been 100 percent healthy all season.
Ryan cited an ankle issue as the ailment that has been hobbling Taylor. But CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora reported Tuesday that Taylor has a sprained MCL in his knee and could miss “multiple games.” Taylor apparently suffered the knee sprain on a horse-collar tackle Week 5 against the Titans. The report came a little bit out of left field, but Taylor is clearly battling something, considering the Bills also signed veteran QB Josh Johnson on Tuesday. WGR 550 Buffalo’s Sal Capaccio, who’s probably a bit more plugged into all things Bills than La Canfora, reports the Bills have yet to make a decision on Taylor’s status for Week 6 against the Bengals.
The Bills will put Taylor through treatment sessions during the practice week before making a call on the quarterback’s Sunday status. E.J. Manuel and Johnson will likely handle the majority of the practice reps, with Manuel working with the ones as the early favorite to start against Cincinnati. Taylor owners need to be making other plans at quarterback. Manuel isn’t a realistic option considering his numerous past failures. This doesn’t sound like a long-term issue, but one that could keep Taylor out possibly through the Week 8 bye. All Bills’ skill players would take a hit without Taylor.
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In Other News…
Brandon Weeden has started the past three games for the Cowboys, losing all three of them. He’s completed a high percentage of his throws, but Weeden isn’t challenging defenses and has a measly 1:2 TD:INT ratio across 91 pass attempts in his starts. With the Cowboys on their bye week, they’ve decided to make a change at quarterback, inserting Matt Cassel as the starter. A turnover-prone “game manager”-type, Cassel doesn’t project to be much, if any, better than Weeden. Tony Romo (collarbone) isn’t eligible to be activated off I.R./return until Week 11.
Julio Jones played through his balky hamstring Week 5 against the Redskins, posting a 5-67 receiving line on 10 targets. He played 73-of-80 offensive snaps, but apparently is still fighting the injury. Jones hasn’t practiced at all this week in the lead-up to Thursday night’s game with the Saints. Coach Dan Quinn has said he “anticipates” Jones playing Thursday, but Jones, himself, admitted he doesn’t know if he’ll play. ESPN has also reported that Jones is uncertain for Thursday night. If Jones can’t go, Leonard Hankerson, Roddy White, Jacob Tamme, and Devonta Freeman will all see increased looks in the pass game. Freeman figures to be a usage monster again.
Jamaal Charles’ torn ACL was easily the biggest storyline of Week 5. He was officially placed on season-ending I.R. Tuesday. As for the Chiefs’ healthy running backs, coach Andy Reid said he expects to go with a committee to replace Charles, though many expect Charcandrick West to lead said committee. Reid believes West has more of a similar skill set to Charles, while Knile Davis is more of a downhill runner. Both backs need to be owned in all formats, but West is the preferred add.
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Quarterback & Running Back Slants
Devonta Freeman (toe) remained limited in Tuesday’s practice but will be fine for Thursday night’s tilt against the Saints. … Seahawks waived RB Rod Smith and WR/QB B.J. Daniels. … Dolphins waived RB Raheem Mostert. … Russell Wilson is on pace to be sacked over 70 times this season. … Blake Bortles should be able to keep playing through his sprained throwing shoulder. … The Raiders want to use their Week 6 bye to work on their running game. Latavius Murray admitted he wasn’t seriously injured in Week 5 and sounds fine. … Bengals OC Hue Jackson remains committed to Jeremy Hill as the “starting tailback.” … Andrew Luck has been practicing “without limitations” this week. … Marshawn Lynch (hamstring) is fully expected back Week 6, but coach Pete Carroll said Thomas Rawls will still be part of the weekly game plan.
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Wide Receiver & Tight End Slants
Leonard Hankerson (ribs) remained limited in Tuesday’s practice but should be fine for Thursday night against the Saints. … Coach Pete Carroll said he’d “love” to get the ball to Jimmy Graham more. … Saints re-signed WR Joe Morgan. It’s an indication Marques Colston (shoulder) could miss Thursday night. Colston remained sidelined at Tuesday’s practice. … Cowboys waived WR Vince Mayle. … Texans waived WR Chandler Worthy. … The Steelers activated Martavis Bryant from the suspended list. Expect him to be ready for Week 6. … Jordan Reed (concussion) isn’t expected to play Week 6. Derek Carrier will get another start. … Coach John Fox remained vague when asked about Alshon Jeffery’s (hamstring) Week 6 availability. … Jerricho Cotchery (ankle) was back at Panthers practice Tuesday. … Giants TE Daniel Fells’ (foot, MRSA) career is likely over. He’d endured at least five surgeries since coming down with staph infection last week. … Cecil Shorts (shoulder) said he’s “way ahead of schedule” in his recovery.
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