QB challenges youngsters to emerge as 3rd WR

Jun 01, 2009

Colts QB Peyton Manning has noticed and, with the void created by Marvin Harrison's cost-cutting release in February, has served notice. "Every one of those guys, I've told them, 'There's a WR's spot open right now,' " Manning said earlier this week. The likely scenario in the base offense has Reggie Wayne lining up at his normal spot on the left side and Anthony Gonzalez replacing Harrison as the right-side starter. At issue is who assumes the #3 WR role -- either in the slot or split out wide -- that Gonzalez has handled for 2 years. The candidates, Manning said, "need to be saying, 'Hey, that's my job to go win.' It doesn't matter how old you are, how many years you've been in the league. If you win the job, it's yours." The presence of Dallas Clark mitigates the immediate concern over the absence of a legitimate #3 WR. He is a TE by trade but possesses receiver-like skills and can be a matchup nightmare when he lines up in the slot.

Fantasy Impact:

today

Chargers set to open window for RB J.K. Dobbins (knee)

Daniel Popper on X

0 minutes ago

Chargers will be opening J.K. Dobbins' 21-day window today, Jim Harbaugh tells reporters.

Related players: Gus Edwards

Fantasy Impact:

Dobbins has been on IR for the past four games with a knee injury. He's not a lock to play this week and he's not a lock for a safe workload even if he does play. The Chargers travel to New England in Week 17, so the matchup isn't a bad one. It's an early window game on Sunday, so owners should have plenty of notice. We'll also keep an eye on the practice reports this week.

Dolphins unsure of WR Jaylen Waddle's (knee) status for Week 17

Barry Jackson on X

5 minutes ago

McDaniel non-committal on whether Jaylen Waddle (knee) will practice this week: "I'm expecting to get everything from Waddle that he can do... I've [talked to] the trainer to make sure we protect him from himself. We will see how the week progresses. I don't know exactly what it will look like."

Fantasy Impact:

Waddle owners should probably not count on Waddle for Week 17, or at the very least have a backup plan. Waddle and the Dolphins play the Browns in the later window on Sunday so it could further complicate things for owners who were hoping to play him.

Texans WR Tank Dell tore ACL, dislocated knee

DJ Bien-Aime on X

9 minutes ago

DeMeco Ryans says WR Tank Dell tore his ACL along with dislocating his knee.

Fantasy Impact:

No surprises here as it was a terrible injury to watch during the game. While he's obviously out for the season, the bigger question is what will his status be for 2025. It's a huge question mark at this point given the seriousness of the injury. Even if Dell is able to play next season, he may take a while to get back to 100%.