Eagles beat writer Sheil Kapadia was asked to come up w...

Jul 16, 2014

Eagles beat writer Sheil Kapadia was asked to come up with a couple possible surprises in the team's starting lineup:

"It's difficult to come up with a second one, but I'll go with Zach Ertz. I know that won't "shock" anybody, but the TE situation is a fascinating one to monitor. We won't know until the season starts how much the offense misses DeSean Jackson. But if teams continue to play man coverage against the Eagles, and guys don't get open, Kelly will have to feature Ertz more. He's a superior option to Brent Celek in the passing game at this point.

"If I'm putting money down, I still say Celek starts and plays more snaps - primarily because he's a much better run blocker. But the TE situation is one to keep an eye on."

Fantasy Impact:

For Ertz, snaps may be the only thing standing in the way of a breakout season. Ertz averaged 2.8-32-.56 over the final nine games of the season (including the Eagles' sole playoff game) and that included two goose eggs in Week 10 and Week 14. That equates to 6.6 fantasy points per game, which is what Martellus Bennett averaged as the #10 TE in fantasy football. With Jason Avant and DeSean Jackson gone, Ertz could play a lot in the slot, though the arrival of WR Jordan Matthews may limit Ertz’s snaps there.

yesterday

Titans RB Tyjae Spears Out, Tony Pollard Questionable for Week 9

Adam Schefter

yesterday · 4:31 PM EDT

Titans RB Tyjae Spears is listed out for Sunday’s game on Tennessee’s injury report.

RB Tony Pollard is listed as questionable.

WR Calvin Ridley is off the injury report.

Related Players: Julius Chestnut

Fantasy Impact:

It looks like this could be the Chestnut show, but we won't know until Sunday. If that is the case, this is a situation we should save for DFS contests, not necessarily in redraft lineups.

Commanders RB Brian Robinson officially Questionable for Week 9

Tom Pelissero

yesterday · 4:28 PM EDT

Commanders RB Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring) is officially questionable for Sunday's game vs. the Giants.

Related Players: Austin Ekeler, Jeremy McNichols

Fantasy Impact:

This is a separate injury than Robinson (knee) was dealing with a couple of weeks ago, so this is unlikely just a flare-up. If BRob misses Week 9, consider Austin Ekeler a fringe RB2/3 with McNichols operating as a desperation flyer.

Seahawks WR DK Metcalf officially Out Week 9

Ian Rapoport

yesterday · 4:24 PM EDT

Seahawks WR DK Metcalf (MCL sprain) has been ruled out for Sunday.

Related Players: Jake Bobo, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Tyler Lockett

Fantasy Impact:

Metcalf was sorely missed in Week 8, when no other receivers were able to step up outside of JSN going 6-69-0. Lockett, in particular, was a regrettable fantasy start, while Geno Smith had only 212 yards and zero touchdowns for the first time all season. Smith-Njigba is the only reliable part of the passing attack (along with Kenneth Walker) this week.