Football Daily Dose: Dose: Brees Banged Up
While becoming only the fourth quarterback ever to throw for 60,000 yards in the Saints’ loss to the Lions this past Monday night, Drew Brees appeared to suffer a right foot injury in the second quarter. He looked a bit hobbled for a stretch of the game, but came out gunslinging in the second half to mount a comeback that ultimately fell short.
On Tuesday, Brees was in a walking boot and scheduled for an MRI. Results of the MRI aren’t yet known, but ESPN’s Ed Werder reports Brees is dealing with a torn plantar fascia. It’s the same injury that sidelined Peyton Manning for a couple weeks earlier this month. Brees is scheduled to visit renowned foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson in North Carolina. For now, Brees said he plans to play the season’s final two games. More should be known Wednesday.
As it stands now, the Jaguars-Saints matchup for Week 16 has the highest over-under of the week at 52 points. New Orleans is favored by 3.5 points with a whopping team total of 27.75. It would be crushing for Brees’ owners for him to miss this one in the season’s most important week for fantasy. The Jaguars have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks on the season. If Brees is forced to sit, Matt Flynn would get the start and all Saints skill players would get downgrades.
In Other News…
The Pro Bowl rosters were announced on Tuesday night. The 14-0 Panthers led the way with 10 players earning selections, while the Seahawks and Cardinals each had seven players earn trips to Hawaii. The game itself is a total joke, but this stuff still gets the fans riled up. The biggest snub of all has to be Allen Robinson. He’s tied for the league lead in touchdowns, fourth in YPR, and seventh in receiving yards. Robinson is a first alternate, so will likely end up in Honolulu anyway.
After playing every single offensive snap in the Jaguars’ Week 15 loss to the Falcons, Denard Robinson emerged from it dealing with a sprained foot. On Tuesday, coach Gus Bradley suggested the injury isn’t serious. But Bradley has been known to be rosy on injuries in the past. By the early looks of things — Robinson finishing the game, not missing a snap, and not being in a walking boot Monday — it sounds like Robinson truly may be fine. We’ll update him on Wednesday. With T.J. Yeldon (knee) looking on the doubtful side of questionable for Sunday against the Saints’ league-worst defense, Robinson will again be on the RB1 radar if healthy.
The biggest storyline of Week 15 and the early part of Week 16 is Odell Beckham drawing a one-game suspension for his on-field actions against CB Josh Norman and the Panthers in last Sunday’s loss to Carolina. He was suspended on Monday, appealed the ban, and the appeal is expected to be heard Wednesday when a formal, final decision will be announced. There are likely a ton of Beckham owners going for a fantasy championship this week, so it’s something to track closely.
Editor’s Note: For updated rankings, fantasy news columns, IDP, injury analysis, dynasty and much more, check out the Rotoworld Season Pass.
Quarterback & Running Back Slants
Adrian Peterson (ankle) admitted he may miss practice time this week, but continues to say he’ll play Sunday night against the Giants. … Free agent RB Vick Ballard worked out for the Bears on Tuesday after Chicago waived RB Antone Smith. … The Colts expect Matt Hasselbeck to start Week 16 against the Dolphins. Andrew Luck has already been ruled out. … 49ers rookie RB Mike Davis (hand, I.R.-return) will resume practicing this week and is eligible to play Week 17. … Shaun Draughn (knee) is believed to be day-to-day. … 49ers signed RB DuJuan Harris off the Ravens’ practice squad and waived Travaris Cadet. … C.J. Spiller played a season-high 26 snaps in Week 15. … Chargers promoted RB Dreamius Smith from the practice squad. … Jonathan Stewart (foot) was noncommittal on his Week 16 status. He didn’t practice Tuesday. … The Texans will cross-train B.J. Daniels at both quarterback and receiver. … Patriots OC Josh McDaniels called James White a dependable option. … Ryan Mallett has a shot to start the Ravens’ final two games, per coach John Harbaugh. … Coach Bill O’Brien praised Alfred Blue’s running in Week 15. … Cowboys placed Tony Romo on I.R., officially ending his season now that Dallas has been knocked out of playoff contention.
Editor’s Note: This is your chance to try FanDuel risk free! Sign up today and if you lose your first contest, you’ll be refunded the entry fee up to $10. Play now.
Wide Receiver & Tight End Slants
T.Y. Hilton wants the Colts to start taking more shots downfield on offense. That’s hard to do with Matt Hasselbeck at quarterback. … Amari Cooper (foot) was limited in Tuesday’s practice. … The Bucs are expecting “big things” from WR Kenny Bell in 2016. … Vincent Jackson (knee) remained sidelined at Tuesday’s practice. … Bills placed Robert Woods (groin) on I.R. and signed WR Greg Salas while also promoting WR Walter Powell from the practice squad. … Stevie Johnson (groin) resumed practicing Tuesday. Ladarius Green (ankle) sat out practice. … Browns re-signed WR Darius Jennings. … Packers WR Ty Montgomery will undergo ankle surgery next week to clean up cartilage damage. He was placed on I.R. this week. … Tyler Eifert remains in the league’s concussion protocol. … With the Cowboys now out of playoff contention, coach Jason Garrett reiterated that Dez Bryant will not be shut down for the remainder of the season and will play.
This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service – if this is your content and you’re reading it on someone else’s site, please read the FAQ at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php#publishers.
