Pats Beat: No need to rush RB Dion Lewis

Oct 18, 2016

Wednesday could mark the return of Dion Lewis, the dynamic New England Patriots running back who averaged nearly 90 yards from scrimmage in half a season a year ago.

Details on Lewis' recovery from his latest surgery have been scarce. It was reported by CSNNE's Tom Curran that the surgery was not related to knee ligaments. Lewis, of course, had the ACL in his left knee repaired in November of 2015.

We do not definitively know how far along Lewis is in his latest rehab. We also do not know what exactly his latest rehab entails.

What we do know: The Patriots won't want to bring Dion Lewis back unless he is truly Dion Lewis, unless he is capable of making the explosive jump cuts and change-of-direction moves that define his game.

Simplified timeline for Lewis:
The earliest Lewis can return to practice: This week
The latest Lewis can begin practicing: Tuesday, November 22
The earliest Lewis can make his 2016 debut: Week 7 versus Pittsburgh
The latest Lewis can make his 2016 debut: Week 14 versus Baltimore

Related players: James White

Fantasy Impact:

The author went on to say that, right now, the Patriots do not need Lewis. They are 5-1 and alone atop the AFC. James White has done a fine job filling in for Lewis. His 15 touches Sunday against the Bengals marked a career high. Also: Only once in Lewis' seven games a year ago did he top 15 touches in a game.

yesterday

Lions WR Jameson Williams faces concealed weapon charge

Pro Football Talk

yesterday · 8:39 PM EDT

Embattled Lions receiver Jameson Williams has another issue to deal with.

Currently serving a two-game PED suspension, Williams faces a charge for carrying a concealed weapon in a motor vehicle.

Via WXYZ.com, the Detroit Police Department is looking into why Williams wasn’t formally arrested at the time of the incident.

Fantasy Impact:

On October 8, Williams was a passenger in a car his brother was driving. The vehicle was pulled over, for speeding. Two guns were in the car; one was registered to Williams’s brother, and one was registered to Williams, the story said. The story added, Williams will be facing both prosecution by authorities and a potential suspension by the league.

Texans Beat: Expectation is WR Nico Collins (hamstring) good to go for Week 10

USA Today

yesterday · 4:48 PM EDT

According to KPRC 2 Sports’ Aaron Wilson, Nico Collins is trending upward entering Week 9’s matchup against the New York Jets. While he can’t be cleared off the injured reserve until Nov. 4, the expectation is he’ll be good to go when the Detroit Lions arrive in Week 10.

Fantasy Impact:

Collins was placed on the injured reserve following Week 5’s win over the Buffalo Bills after tweaking his hamstring in the first quarter. Week 9 will be his fourth game missed. The timing couldn't be better for the Texans, who have now lost Stefon Diggs for the season with a torn ACL.

Panthers have no plans to trade RB Chuba Hubbard

Pro Football Talk

yesterday · 4:44 PM EDT

Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports, though, reports the Panthers have no plans to trade cornerback Jaycee Horn or running back Chuba Hubbard.

Fantasy Impact:

Hubbard has played very well at RB and has been a pretty consistent player for his fantasy owners this season. He's averaged over 17 touches per game. However, owners need to remember that Jonathon Brooks is lurking on the IR and should be back sooner than later. It only makes sense for the Panthers to give Brooks work as the season goes on. He'll likely be eased into thing at first, but it seems like it's always been expected Brooks would at the very least split work, if not take on the lead back role for the Panthers.