Beat: Matt Cassel very likely to start Week 1

Jun 18, 2014

Michael Rand of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune says that the Vikings QB situation is settled. "Unless (Matt Cassel) is hurt or (Teddy Bridgewater) absolutely blows the Vikings away, Cassel will be the starter when the season opens, Bridgewater will be his understudy and his backup, and (Christian Ponder) in the final year of his rookie contract will hold a clipboard and only see the field in case of an emergency. That's how it should be, and that's how it will be no matter what the coach says right now. You can bank on that."

Fantasy Impact:

Rand speaks as if he knows something we don't, though we doubt that the Vikings would continue to start Cassel if Bridgewater plays well enough to make a close contest. OC Norv Turner did try to acquire Cassel when he was in Cleveland, so he is a fan of the journeyman quarterback.

today

Buccaneers WR Mike Evans practices for second straight day

Greg Auman

0 minutes ago

Cooler weather for Bucs practice today -- Wirfs and Evans practicing again. Still no Zyon McCollum, but Troy Hill and Greg Gaines were practicing today.

Related Players: Sterling Shepard, Jalen McMillan, Trey Palmer

Fantasy Impact:

Fantastic news for fantasy managers hanging on to Mike Evans: he should be considered a WR1 option immediately.

yesterday

49ers TE George Kittle "good to go" for Week 12

KNBR

yesterday · 5:34 PM EST

“I will be playing on Sunday. Very excited, can’t pass up playing the Packers. I will be out there for sure.”

George Kittle says he’s good to go for Sunday

Related Players: Eric Saubert

Fantasy Impact:

Kittle returns to a great matchup against a Packers defense that ranks 26th in TE aFPA. He should be fired up as a high-end TE1 once again.

Bears RB D'Andre Swift misses Wednesday practice

Kevin Fishbain

yesterday · 1:29 PM EST

Per Bears head coach Matt Eberflus: Ryan Bates remains in the concussion protocol. Elijah Hicks (ankle) and D'Andre Swift (groin) won't practice.

Teven Jenkins will be limited.

Related Players: Roschon Johnson, Travis Homer

Fantasy Impact:

This is definitely a situation to keep an eye on, as Johnson would have a huge workload if Swift were to miss Week 12. Homer has three rush attempts and zero targets on the year.