7-on-7: Mathews looks good for Thursday. McFadden, not so good
It just wouldn't be a proper 7-on-7 without an update on some broken San Diego running back, so let's get started with the delicate flower pictured above...
• Ryan Mathews reportedly put in a full practice on Tuesday, so he looks promising for the Thursday night match-up with the Raiders. Mathews has managed to top 100 scrimmage yards in six of his seven games this season, so you can't easily bench him, not unless your bench options are stellar. Oakland's defense currently ranks No. 29 against the run (139.6 YPG, 5.2 YPC), and of course that group just allowed triple-digit yardage to both Willis McGahee and Tim Tebow.
• Darren McFadden is apparently still riding around in a Rascal, a warm blanket on his lap, wishing his grandkids would call more often. Doesn't sound like he'll be playing on Thursday, so it's another excellent week to start Michael Bush. Here are some key McFadden details, via Steve Corkran:
It's a long-shot, at best, that McFadden will return after missing most of the Kansas City Chiefs game, every practice the past two-plus weeks and the Denver Broncos game last Sunday.
When last spotted, McFadden was on crutches and with his right foot in a protective boot. The smart money says, Jackson rests McFadden this week in hopes of getting him back for the Minnesota Vikings game Nov. 20.
• Hakeem Nicks (hamstring) is expected to practice in some capacity did not practice on Wednesday. Neither did Ahmad Bradshaw (broken foot). The match-up ahead against San Francisco isn't too appealing for anyone — the Niners are holding opponents to just 14.8 points per game, the lowest number in the league — but it's particularly bad for the New York running game. San Francisco has the NFL's top-ranked run D and, incredibly enough, they still haven't allowed a rushing score.
• There's no link in this blurb, just a piece of advice: We're nearly finished with the bye weeks, so it's time to deal. As we get closer to the end-game, it becomes increasingly important to have the best possible starting fantasy roster. Trade surplus, upgrade your active lineup. Make a strong multi-player offer, maybe trading three singles for another owner's five. When we hit Weeks 15 and 16, all those useful bench players will be wasted resources.
• I can't see any obvious reason to be hopeful about a Felix Jones return this week. He's not practicing on Wednesday, instead just heading in for ankle maintenance. I've got DeMarco Murray at No. 5 in my RB ranks this week, facing a Buffalo defense that allows 4.6 yards per carry and 120.8 rushing yards per game. Murray was fantastic last Sunday, against a highly ranked Seattle run D. He gets the strongest possible endorsement in Week 10.
• As you might have already heard, the Lions re-signed Kevin Smith recently, and he's now running behind Maurice Morris and Keiland Williams. The team would like you to believe that this addition is unrelated to Jahvid Best's playing status, but ... well, c'mon. There hasn't been much in the way of good news on Best, who's suffered multiple concussions this season. Best is not likely to be available in Week 10 against the Bears, but he's talking as if he still expects to play at some point in the second half. So that's somewhat encouraging.
• Frank Gore suffered a left ankle sprain in Week 9 and limped away from the Niners' win. But when asked about his availability for the Giants game, he said, "I'll be all right." He wore no boot on Monday, which is a relatively good sign. There's really no benching him now, as he's coming off five straight 100-yard performances.
---
Photo via Getty Images
