Team news: Chicago Bears | Page 61

Chargers WR Keenan Allen should benefit from the return of Malcom Floyd. The 6-5, 225-pound receiver has been a surprise addition for the Chargers, returning from a serious neck injury and looking like his old self during offseason work.

From 2010 to 2012, Floyd finished #36, #32 and #36 as the second or third option in San Diego. He returns from a neck injury at the age of 32 (turning 33 in September) and will compete with Vincent Brown to be the team’s WR2 opposite Keenan Allen. Brown flopped in a starting role (scoring just 0.06 FP per snap) last year, so the job is Floyd’s for the taking. If he’s starting and can stays healthy (a rather big “if”), he should be fantasy relevant once again in 2014.

Jaguars OC Jedd Fisch on TE Marcedes Lewis...

“The first thing we found is that we averaged .6 yards more per carry when he was in the game,” Fisch said. “The second thing is he became an explosive play threat for us. And the third thing is, he scored touchdowns. What we’ve learned from doing this evaluation in the offseason is he was able to contribute playmaking ability. He made some big-time plays.”

Lewis was the #8 TE over the final eight weeks of the season, so he has some TE2/streaming appeal for a player going very late in fantasy drafts.

According to U-T San Diego, Chargers WR Malcom Floyd will play in 2014 following a career-threatening neck injury suffered early last year, per team and league sources.

"The doc said ... I'm at risk just like anybody else," Floyd said Monday. "There's not really a worry. As far as going out there and performing, I'm really excited to make plays again. Hopefully, I can do more this year than I ever have. ... I'm feeling good. I think I feel like my old self."

It's outstanding news for a Chargers offense that could use another deep threat. Keenan Allen is coming off a monster rookie year, but the Chargers lacked depth with only Vincent Brown and Eddie Royal on the chart. Floyd will be 33 years old this season, but he topped 800 yards in back-to-back seasons in 2011 and 2012 before getting injured early last season.

Floyd had three straight top 36 finishes from 2010 to 2012 before the injury. He's a capable real-world WR2 if healthy, but it's not clear where he'll fit on the depth chart with Vincent Brown and Eddie Royal.

ESPN's Matt Williamson talked about Chargers WR Keenan Allen:

"As much as I like Allen, to ask him to improve dramatically in one season may be asking too much. He's a really good receiver, but he does not have the athletic ability of an A.J. Green or a Julio Jones. He could be close to his ceiling already.

Williamson added that Allen is an advanced route runner and has good hands, just lacks speed. He pointed out that teams will have another year to study him, too. Still, Allen was really the only WR threat on the Bolts last year, but put up nice numbers despite getting the full attention of defenses. He should fall in the WR2 or 3 zone with potential to exceed that in certain matchups.

Danario Alexander devoted months to knee rehab, working to return from an August injury as soon as possible.

It won't happen as soon as first hoped.

The Chargers wide receiver recently underwent additional surgery to repair the right knee injury that ended his 2013 season, sources said. The revision ACL surgery, performed in January as a follow-up to the primary reconstruction done in August, delays the original timetable for the impending free agent's return to football activities.

It doesn't look likely that Alexander will be healthy to start the 2014 season. It's a shame too -- he and Keenan Allen would have made a dangerous duo for the Chargers. He was outstanding down the stretch in 2012.

The Tennessee Titans have hired San Diego Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt as their new head coach.

Whisenhunt replaces Mike Munchak, who parted with the team after three seasons and a 22-26 record.

Whisenhunt led a revitalized Chargers offense led by QB Philip Rivers, RB Ryan Mathews and WR Keenan Allen. His first order of business will decide who is the future at QB. Jake Locker has been inconsistent, but the Titans hold the #11 pick. Ryan Fitzpatrick could hold down the fort for a year if necessary.

TE Marcedes Lewis expected to return to the Jags.

Keenan Allen is active, as expected.

Chargers WR Keenan Allen (shoulder, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 16. Allen is ready to go for a nice matchup with the Raiders.

Browns TE Jordan Cameron (concussion, out) missed practice all week and is out for Week 16. With Cameron out, Delanie Walker, Martellus Bennett, Dennis Pitta, Charles Clay, Andrew Quarless, Marcedes Lewis and Ryan Griffin are currently ranked as the top plug-and-play options.