Morris makes case for two-back run game

Nov 02, 2009

Many successful teams in the NFL use a two-back system. The Lions might consider it, if only to help prevent injuries to Kevin Smith.

In Sunday's loss to the St. Louis Rams, Maurice Morris rushed 14 times for 63 yards, a 4.5-yard average per carry. Smith, who aggravated a shoulder injury and also had a foot problem, ran 16 times for 45 yards, a 2.8-yard average.

"Did a good job, and that's why we signed Maurice in the offseason," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. "He's a running back that's proven in this league. And he's gonna need to carry a load for us. He had some injury problems, been set back over the first half of the season, but we need him at full speed and we need him to be able to get some yards like that."
Morris was hampered by a hip problem earlier in the season but appeared to be at full strength after the bye week.

Smith has also been hampered by injuries in his short career. But he said he'd be ready to play next week in Seattle.
"We'll have to see sort of where Kevin is," Schwartz said. "He got beat up a little bit in the game, a couple different things. It wasn't a situation where he was benched or anything. Mo was being effective, Kevin was limited. I think he could have gone back in the game. But the decision was made to keep him out."

Fantasy Impact:

yesterday

Update on Gardner Minshew: Broken collarbone, out for season

Ian Rapoport

yesterday · 7:57 PM EST

A quick update on Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew: he suffered a broken collarbone against the Broncos and is out for the season.

Fantasy Impact:

We had just posted the quote from head coach Antonio Pierce, saying it didn’t look good. It turned out it wasn’t good. Minshew looked like he was in a lot of pain after taking the his late in the game. Now we have an understanding of that pain. Desmond Ridder came on in relief and the team is expected to activate Aidan O’Connell this week from injured reserve. The Raiders visit Kansas City on Friday.

Antonio Pierce on Gardner Minshew injury: ‘It doesn’t look good.’

Adam Schefter

yesterday · 7:53 PM EST

Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said “It doesn’t look good” in regards to the shoulder injury to quarterback Gardner Minshew.

Fantasy Impact:

Minshew went down late in the game against the Broncos after taking a sack and looked to be in quite a bit of pain. He’ll undergo further testing to determine the severity of the injury.

Desmond Ridder came on in replacement. He went 5-of-10 for 64 yards and was sacked twice. If Minshew is to miss time, which looks very likely, the Raiders may look to see what they have in the former Falcons quarterback. Vegas is also expected to have Aidan O’Connell back this week. The Raiders are on a short week as they head to Kansas City on Black Friday.

Romeo Doubs ruled out with concussion

Green Bay Packers

yesterday · 6:48 PM EST

Packers WR Romeo Doubs was ruled out of Sunday’s game against the 49ers with a concussion.

Fantasy Impact:

Doubs suffered the injury while attempting a catch in the end zone and landing hard on the back of his helmet. Doubs will not return tonight and it’s almost certain he’ll be ruled out for Thursday night against the Dolphins. If that’s the case, his next chance to return would be the following Thursday against the Lions.