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.

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.