Coming from the New Orleans Saints as quarterbacks coac...

Jul 07, 2014

Coming from the New Orleans Saints as quarterbacks coach, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi has a lot of similar pieces to work with in his new role.

He has the talented quarterback in Matthew Stafford, playmaking wide receivers in Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate, and (hopefully) a playmaking tight end in Eric Ebron.

But who takes the role of Darren Sproles – the shifty, multifaceted running back who can run the ball and make plays as a receiver in the open field?

Backup quarterback Dan Orlovsky has an idea. His bold prediction for the Lions’ 2015 season, as he told Ross Tucker on the Ross Tucker Football Podcast, is that Theo Riddick will catch at least 50 passes.

Fantasy Impact:

Those are pretty lofty totals, especially with two, fine pass-catching backs in Reggie Bush and Joique Bell ahead of Riddick. But if Bell or Bush were to go down at some point this season, Riddick may be able to fill in nicely without much loss in production if the Lions decide to keep the game plan the same.

yesterday

Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker officially Out for Week 17

Adam Schefter

yesterday · 8:09 PM EST

Seahawks ruled out RB Kenneth Walker III for Thursday night’s game at Chicago.

Related Players: Zach Charbonnet, Kenny McIntosh

Fantasy Impact:

No mention of Charbonnet here, so we can assume he's in a good place to take a massive workload against a Bears defense that ranks 27th in RB aFPA. Fire up Charbs as an RB2.

Eagles list QB Jalen Hurts as DNP on estimated practice report

Ian Rapoport

yesterday · 4:01 PM EST

The Eagles list QB Jalen Hurts as DNP on their estimated practice report because of a concussion, putting his status for this weekend in doubt.

Related Players: Kenny Pickett

Fantasy Impact:

Things aren't trending well for Hurts, as fantasy managers should be looking for a Championship Week back-up as soon as possible.

Steelers WR George Pickens officially Active for Christmas Day

Adam Schefter

yesterday · 11:39 AM EST

Chiefs Pro-Bowl DT Chris Jones officially is inactive today vs. the Steelers.

Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr. officially is inactive, WR George Pickens officially active.

Related Players: Calvin Austin III, Van Jefferson, Mike Williams

Fantasy Impact:

The Steelers WR room looks a little more palatable with Pickens in the lineup, but it's still not enough to push Russell Wilson above deep-league SuperFlex territory. Consider Pickens a WR3 for Week 17.