Dose: 25 Touches for Bell?
The wait is finally over. After seven grueling months wandering through the wilderness of the NFL offseason, we have finally arrived back to a place where the games actually matter. Despite the arrival of real football, though, there are a few offseason storylines that we just cannot seem to shake.
The first is the workload of one Le’Veon Bell. Bell was a true workhorse in 2013, receiving 22.2 touches a game and a jaw-dropping 71% of the Steelers’ carries when he was healthy. That massive workload helped Bell finish as the ninth-best running back in per-game production last season, and a similar workload this season would make him a great bet for a top-ten finish.
Coach Mike Tomlin’s words on Tuesday, then, must have been music to Bell owners’ ears. When asked if he could see Bell getting 20-25 touches a game, Tomlin replied, “I think we drafted him with that in mind.” It is a good omen for Bell owners, but Tomlin’s words have to be taken with a huge grain of salt.
Though the Steelers’ may have drafted Bell with 20-25 touches a game in mind, a lot of things have changed since they made him the No. 48 pick of the 2013 draft. Bell struggled to be efficient with his touches last season, averaging only 3.52 yards per carry, and the Steelers added both LeGarrette Blount and rookie Dri Archer this offseason. Those moves suggest the Steelers are not sold on Bell as the feature back.
Bell will still get a healthy workload this season, but it is more likely to be in the 16-18 touch a game range.
Like the running back situation in Pittsburgh, the quarterback situation in Cleveland refuses to go quiet. On Wednesday coach Mike Pettine assured Brian Hoyer he would not have a “quick hook” if Hoyer struggled out of the gate.
Though Pettine's comments may make Hoyer feel more comfortable, the reality is his place atop the Browns’ depth chart is tenuous. Hoyer played terribly in the preseason, completing only 54.5% of his throws and leading only two touchdown drives in 83 preseason snaps. With one of the highest-profile rookies in recent memory breathing down his neck, Hoyer likely needs to be consistently above-average to hang onto his starting spot. Not much in his play this preseason suggests he can handle that task.
Finally, there were two significant injury-related stories in the news Wednesday.
The first was the surprising absence of Michael Crabtree (calf) from 49ers’ practice. The good news is Crabtree did not re-aggravate the hamstring injury that caused him to miss 16 days of practice during training camp, but the bad news is this is yet another lower body injury for a receiver less than 16 months removed from an Achilles’ tear.
Crabtree’s status for Week 1 is unclear, and will hopefully be updated later in the week. Regardless of this week, though, Crabtree’s injury history is becoming a real concern.
The second was the considerably less surprising news that Rob Gronkowski was limited during Patriots’ practice. The fact that he was at practice at all is a great sign for his Week 1 playing status, and most signs point to Gronk being active against the Dolphins on Sunday.
How much he will play remains in question. Gronk is almost certain to be on some sort of a snap count, with some people in the Dolphins’ organization believing Gronk will only be used in certain spots when the two teams meet on Sunday. That usage would not necessarily be a bad thing for fantasy owners, as those spots would likely come during scoring opportunities in the red zone.
If he is active, Gronk’s touchdown potential makes him a must-start option against Miami.
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Injury Quick Slants
Cam Newton (ribs) did not practice Wednesday. He will likely be limited the rest of the week in practice, but he should be ready to go against Tampa Bay. … Knowshon Moreno is fully recovered from his offseason knee scope and practicing in full this week. Despite the clean bill of health, Moreno and Lamar Miller are best left on fantasy benches until their roles in the Miami backfield become clearer. … Bernard Pierce (concussion) practiced fully on Wednesday and has been cleared to play Week 1. … Tony Romo (back) is practicing in full this week. … Chris Polk (hamstring) and Riley Cooper (ankle) are practicing in full this week. … Charles Clay (knee) was limited in Dolphins’ practice Wednesday, but should good to go against the Patriots this weekend. … Jordan Reed (thumb) practiced in full Wednesday. … Sammy Watkins (ribs) was a full participant in practice Wednesday. … Christine Michael (hamstring) has been ruled out of tonight’s opener. Robert Turbin will handle the No. 2 duties behind Marshawn Lynch. … Garrett Graham (back) missed practice Wednesday. The injury is likely minor, and he should resume practicing later in the week. … Kenny Stills (quad) was limited in practice Wednesday. He is unlikely to play Sunday, and is not a quality fantasy option even if he suits up. … Tyler Eifert (shoulder) is on track to play Week 1 after practicing in full on Wednesday. … Allen Robinson (hamstring) was limited during Jaguars’ practice Wednesday. … Matt Schaub (elbow) practiced in full Wednesday. … David Ausberry (knee) practiced “without limitations” on Wednesday. … Lance Moore (groin) and Martavis Bryant (shoulder) both missed Steelers’ practice Wednesday. Moore is more likely than Bryant to suit up this weekend, but neither is a good fantasy option. … Mike James (shoulder) was limited in practice on Wednesday. Bobby Rainey is the handcuff to own in Tampa even if James is healthy.
Depth Chart Quick Slants
Raiders’ coaches are not sure James Jones is “suited” for the No. 1 receiver role. There is unlikely to be a clear-cut No. 1 guy in Oakland this season, with Jones, Rod Streater, and Denarius Moore all sharing targets. … Wednesday 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said it is uncertain if Alex Boone will play against the Cowboys Sunday, though Boone insists he is ready for the opener. … Despite missing most of camp with a hamstring injury, Chris Polk remains the “next guy in” if something were to happen to LeSean McCoy. … Ka’Deem Carey was elevated to the No. 2 running back on the Bears’ depth chart despite a disappointing preseason. … Packers placed J.C. Tretter (knee) on injured reserve/designated for return. Corey Linsley will start at center for the Pack while Tretter is out. … Giants placed Geoff Schwartz (toe) on injured reserve/designated to return. … Buccaneers placed Charles Sims (ankle) on injured reserve/designated to return. He is eligible to return Week 9, but likely will not be ready to go until Week 10 at the earliest. … Jonathan Dwyer is officially the No. 2 running back in Arizona. … Rookie Richard Rodgers is listed as the Packers’ starting tight end. … Robert Meachem re-signed with the Saints. … Nathan Palmer re-signed with the Broncos. … Giants signed Adam Snyder to bolster their hurting offensive line. … Michael Sam was officially signed to the Cowboys’ practice squad. … Major Wright re-signed with the Buccaneers.
