Week 2 Essential NFL Practice News & Notes for Friday
Rams QB Shaun Hill (thigh, questionable) returned to take limited reps Friday after missing practice earlier in the week and is questionable for Week 2. Hill is supposedly the starter if healthy, so we’ll have to wait until Sunday to see if he’s active and starting. If he misses the game, Austin Davis will get the start. Either way, the Bucs defense looks like a strong play this week.
Panthers QB Cam Newton (ribs, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 2. Newton is good to go for a date with a historically inept Lions pass defense. Detroit did a pretty good job against Eli Manning and Co. on Monday night, but that’s not saying much at this point.
Cardinals QB Carson Palmer (right shoulder, questionable) took limited practice reps all week and is questionable for Week 2. Per HC Bruce Arians, Palmer has a “nerve thing” and hasn’t thrown much all week. We believe he will play, but we won’t know for sure until Sunday morning. The Cardinals play in the early round of games this week.
Cowboys QB Tony Romo (back, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 2. Romo is a go for a not-so-great matchup with the Titans. He didn’t play well in Week 1, so his owners are hoping for a bounce back in Week 2. We’re not terribly optimistic that will happen, though Dez Bryant remains a must-start.
Titans RB Jackie Battle (neck, probable) took full practice reps on Friday after being limited earlier in the week and is probable for Week 2.
Colts RB Ahmad Bradshaw (not injury related) took full practice reps on Friday after being limited earlier in the week. We feel that Bradshaw is the best fantasy start of the Colts running backs despite his limited role alongside Trent Richardson.
Lions RB Reggie Bush (knee, probable) took full practice reps again Friday and is probable for Week 2. Bush should be good to go for a tough matchup with the Panthers. They were very stingy against the run in 2013 and shut down both Doug Martin and Bobby Rainey in Week 1.
Cardinals RB Andre Ellington (foot, questionable) returned to take limited reps Friday after missing practice earlier in the week and is questionable for Week 2. The team was happy with his progress early in the week and with the limited practice on Friday, it seems likely that he’ll play against the Giants. The Cardinals play early on Sunday.
Texans RB Arian Foster (ribs, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 2. Foster should see another big workload against the Raiders.
Jaguars RB Toby Gerhart (ankle, probable) took full practice reps on Friday after being limited earlier in the week and is probable for Week 2. Gerhart is good to go for a nice matchup with the Redskins.
Jaguars RB Storm Johnson (ankle, out) missed practice again Friday and is out for Week 2.
Raiders RB Maurice Jones-Drew (hand, questionable) missed practice all week and is questionable for Week 2. The Raiders are saying he’s questionable, but the feeling is that he’s out foe Week 2. Latavius Murray is a player that the fantasy community is excited about, but he has been unable to crack the rotation after a lot of early career hype. He's worth a stash in larger formats. As for Week 2, it sounds as if Darren McFadden will get the start, but that the two backs will rotate series by series. The Redskins had a lot of success running on the Texans in Week 1, but the Raiders don't have that type of running game. Neither player is an attractive start at this point, though either player could be started as a desperation play.
Packers RB Eddie Lacy (concussion, probable) took full practice reps again Friday and is probable for Week 2. Lacy is going to play but he has a tough matchup with a very stingy Jets rush defense.
Buccaneers RB Doug Martin (knee, questionable) took limited practice reps again Friday and is questionable for Week 2. Martin should be able to play through the knee injury, but he’s a shaky start given the Bucs inability to run the ball against the Panthers.
Seahawks RB Christine Michael (hamstring, out) missed practice all week and is out for Week 2. Robert Turbin is the proper handcuff for Marshawn Lynch owners.
Dolphins RB Knowshon Moreno (shoulder, probable) took limited practice reps all week and is probable for Week 2. Moreno is good to go for a nice matchup against the Bills.
Vikings RB Adrian Peterson (not injury related) was removed from the injury report Friday. Peterson was indicted on child injury charges in Texas and has been ruled out for Week 2. His long-term status is unknown, but he won’t play this weekend. Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon will likely form a committee with Cordarrelle Patterson assuming a regular role in the backfield given his ability to run the ball.
Eagles RB Chris Polk (hamstring) took full practice reps again Friday.
Browns RB Ben Tate (knee, out) has been ruled out for Week 2. Tate is reportedly going to miss 2-4 weeks with a sprained knee. Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell were both impressive on Sunday, but West gets the starting nod after being ahead of Crowell all offseason. He is a fantasy RB2 this week against a so-so Saints rush defense.
Chiefs RB De'Anthony Thomas (hamstring, out) missed practice all week and is out for Week 2.
Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams (thigh, questionable) missed practice again Friday and is questionable for Week 2. Per ESPN’s Ed Werder, Williams is “not likely to play” in Week 2. In 11 games with Williams sidelined in 2009 and 2010, Jonathan Stewart averaged 102 total yards and 13.0 PPG in PPR formats. (This is before the arrival of Mike Tolbert.) Williams averaged 13.7 PPG in 17 games that Stewart missed over the last two years. Fantasy owners are understandably wary of the Carolina RBBC, but when Williams or Stewart are out, the other one tends to produce. Owners who need a spot start at RB2/flex (or need a cheap option in daily games) could do a lot worse than Stewart if Williams is indeed sidelined.
Chargers WR Keenan Allen (ribs, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 2. Allen is ready to go for a tough matchup against the Seahawks. If Allen has another quiet game, he will be a prime trade target for those owners wanting to buy low. His schedule lightens up considerably starting in Week 3.
Giants WR Odell Beckham (hamstring, out) missed practice all week and is out for Week 2. Jerrel Jernigan will once again see starter’s snaps in the Giants three-WR attack.
Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe (quadricep, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 2. Bowe is returning from suspension. The Chiefs may be in catch up mode for most of the game if the Broncos jump out to an early lead.
Bengals WR A.J. Green (foot, probable) returned to take full practice reps Friday after missing practice Thursday and is probable for Week 2. Crisis averted. Green is good to go for a great matchup against the Falcons.
Chiefs WR Frankie Hammond (shoulder, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 2.
Chiefs WR Junior Hemingway (hip, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 2.
Bills WR Chris Hogan (ankle, probable) took full practice reps again Friday and is probable for Week 2.
Titans WR Justin Hunter (knee, probable) took full practice reps again Friday and is probable for Week 2. Hunter is in for a very tasty matchup against the Cowboys. He led the Titans in targets in Week 1.
Bears WR Alshon Jeffery (hamstring, questionable) returned to take limited reps Friday after missing practice earlier in the week and is questionable for Week 2. Jeffery is very iffy for Sunday night. Jeffery owners who want to wait should consider picking up Santonio Holmes to start in case Jeffery is a scratch. Riley Cooper, Jordan Matthews and Hakeem Nicks play in the Monday night game and could be used as Plan B-types for Jeffery owners.
Texans WR Andre Johnson (ankle, probable) took full practice reps on Friday after being limited earlier in the week and is probable for Week 2. Johnson is ready to go for a great matchup against the Raiders.
Bengals WR Marvin Jones (foot, out) has been ruled out for Week 2. Jones’ foot is still healing. He’s expected back in Week 5.
Jaguars WR Marqise Lee (hamstring, probable) took limited practice reps Friday and is probable for Week 2. Lee will start alongside Allen Hurns against the Redskins.
Bears WR Brandon Marshall (ankle, questionable) missed practice all week and is questionable for Week 2. Marshall is no sure thing for Sunday night, but the feeling is that he will play. Marshall owners who want to wait should consider picking up Santonio Holmes to start in case Marshall is a scratch. Riley Cooper, Jordan Matthews and Hakeem Nicks play in the Monday night game and could be used as Plan B-types for Marshall owners.
Bears WR Josh Morgan (groin, doubtful) missed practice again Friday and is doubtful for Week 2. Morgan looks unlikely to benefit from the potential absence of Brandon Marshall or Alshon Jeffery.
Jaguars WR Cecil Shorts (hamstring, doubtful) missed practice again Friday and is doubtful for Week 2. It’s going to be Allen Hurns and Marqise Lee starting for the Jaguars in Week 2. HC Gus Bradley said that since Hurns is so familiar with the offense, he would continue to start even when Shorts returns, so he appears to have more long term value than originally thought.
Saints WR Kenny Stills (quadricep, probable) took full practice reps on Friday after being limited earlier in the week and is probable for Week 2. The probable tag means that Stills should make his return in Week 2. He will likely play alongside Marques Colston and Brandin Cooks in three-wide sets, replacing Joe Morgan in the lineup.
Dolphins WR Mike Wallace (hamstring, probable) took limited practice reps all week and is probable for Week 2. Wallace played through the injury in Week 1. He will be fine to face the Bills.
Bills WR Sammy Watkins (ribs, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 2. Watkins isn’t 100 percent, but he’s going to continue to play through the injury.
Colts WR Reggie Wayne (not injury related) returned to take full practice reps Friday after missing practice Thursday. Wayne was just getting a veteran’s day off. He’s good to go for a great matchup with the Eagles.
Falcons WR Roddy White (knee, probable) took full practice reps on Friday after being limited earlier in the week and is probable for Week 2. White is good to go for a tough matchup with the Bengals, though it’s a little concerning that he’s having knee problems this early in the season.
Cowboys WR Terrance Williams (back, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 2. Williams is good to go for a matchup with the Titans. We have him ranked as a fringe WR3 due concerns about Tony Romo and the Dallas passing attack.
Packers TE Brandon Bostick (fibula, probable) took full practice reps on Friday after being limited earlier in the week and is probable for Week 2.
Browns TE Jordan Cameron (shoulder, questionable) missed practice all week and is questionable for Week 2. Cameron is very iffy for Week 2. The Browns play early on Sunday, so owners should get a Plan B ready.
Dolphins TE Charles Clay (knee, probable) took limited practice reps all week and is probable for Week 2. Clay will be fine to face the Bills. He has struggled against the Patriots in recent matchups, but should bounce back against Buffalo.
Jets TE Jeff Cumberland (not injury related, probable) took full practice reps again Friday and is probable for Week 2.
Bengals TE Tyler Eifert (elbow) has been ruled out for Week 2. Eifert isn’t eligible to return before Week 10, so it’s Jermaine Gresham’s show now. Gresham was #14 and #10 in 2011 and 2012, before Eifert’s arrival. He doesn’t hold much upside, but he offers baseline production.
Texans TE C.J. Fiedorowicz (foot, out) missed practice all week and is out for Week 2. Ryan Griffin will back up Garrett Graham, who will play this week.
Chargers TE Antonio Gates (hamstring, probable) returned to take full practice reps Friday after missing practice Thursday and is probable for Week 2. Gates is going to get a lot of mid-week practice rest, it seems. He’s a go for a tough matchup against the Seahawks.
Texans TE Garrett Graham (back, probable) took full practice reps on Friday after being limited earlier in the week and is probable for Week 2. Graham is in for a nice matchup against the Raiders. He holds low-end TE2-type value.
Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski (knee, probable) took limited practice reps all week and is probable for Week 2. Gronk is good to go for a date with the Vikings. We’re expecting the Patriots to slowly ramp up his snaps.
Jaguars TE Marcedes Lewis (knee, probable) took full practice reps again Friday and is probable for Week 2. Lewis should offer solid baseline TE production.
Panthers TE Greg Olsen (not injury related, probable) returned to take full practice reps Friday after missing practice Thursday and is probable for Week 2. Olsen is a full go for a Week 2 matchup with the Lions.
Lions TE Brandon Pettigrew (foot, probable) took full practice reps again Friday and is probable for Week 2.
Redskins TE Jordan Reed (hamstring, out) missed practice all week and is out for Week 2. Desperate owners could turn to Niles Paul, who turned four targets into four catches for 84 yards filling in for Reed in Week 1 against the Texans.
Buccaneers TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins (ankle, out) missed practice all week and is out for Week 2. Brandon Myers is a deep sleeper for Week 2. He turned seven targets into a 6-41 line against the Panthers in Week 1.
Redskins K Kai Forbath (right groin, questionable) took limited practice reps again Friday and is questionable for Week 2. Forbath owners may want to pick up a non-injured kicker.
