Beat: Look for Rob Gronkowski between Weeks 3-6

Sep 02, 2013

The expectation is that he won't be ready for the Sept. 8 opener against the Bills, or for the quick turnaround against the Jets on Thursday, Sept. 12.

Then it lines up this way:

Sept. 22: vs. Buccaneers
Sept. 29: at Falcons
Oct. 6: at Bengals
Oct. 13: vs. Saints

Sometime within that range looks like the sweet spot for when Gronkowski might be ready to deliver one of his "boom" touchdown spikes. The Patriots almost certainly would have placed him on the reserve/physically unable to perform list if that were not a realistic expectation.

Fantasy Impact:

The Boston Herald is reporting Monday that Gronk was in 11-on-11 drills and is hearing whispers that a Week 2 return is possible, which is a Thursday night. The Week 3 or 4 reports fall in line with what we've been hearing the most. Any time after the above dates and the team likely would have put Gronk on the PUP list. All things considered, it certainly seems like Gronk will return sooner than later, making those who took a shot on him in drafts very happy. If you haven't drafted yet, the safest spot is still round 3 or 4, but you should also get a capable backup.

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Bears RB D'Andre Swift, WR Keenan Allen both Questionable for Week 12

Scott Bair

33 minutes ago

D'Andre Swift is questionable to play Vikings with a groin injury, though he was limited Thursday and a full participant on Friday.

Keenan Allen is questionable with an ankle injury. He was limited on Friday, his first day on the participation report.

Related Players: Roschon Johnson, Travis Homer, D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze

Fantasy Impact:

Separate reports called Swift "very likely" to play, but this is seemingly a new issue for Allen.

If Keenan were to miss Week 12, it would boost the floor of all pass-catchers, namely Moore, Oduzne, and Cole Kmet. Moore + Odunze would sneak closer to WR2 territory than their low-end WR3 designations they have with a healthy Allen.

Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco officially Out for Week 12

Matt McMullen

42 minutes ago

Charles Omenihu (knee) and Isiah Pacheco (ankle) won’t play on Sunday, per Coach Reid.

“Just taking it day-by-day,” Reid added.

Related Players: Samaje Perine

Fantasy Impact:

It was later reported that Pacheco was "healthy enough" but they're hoping to hold him back one more game with a short week coming up. This makes Hunt a volume-based RB2 in Week 12.

Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb returns to Friday practice

Joseph Hoyt

1 hour ago

CeeDee Lamb practiced today, per Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy. That’s a good sign.

Lamb (back/foot) was limited in a walkthrough on Wednesday and missed practice on Thursday.

Related Players: Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin, Jalen Brooks, Ryan Flournoy

Fantasy Impact:

Obviously good news for the Cowboys' potential in rolling out an NFL offense in Week 12. The floor is capped for Lamb but we should expect a ton of action funneling his way against the Commanders, which puts him on the WR1/2 fringe.