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Dose: Ben Tate Cut Again

Justin Bailey reviews the Targets and Touches Report for the NFC in Week 6

Ben Tate received his second pink slip of the 2014 season on Tuesday, with the Minnesota Vikings being the latest team to cut ties with the struggling running back. Tate originally signed a two-year deal with Cleveland last March, but has now overstayed his welcome with two NFL teams this season after he was originally cut by the Browns in November.

Tate’s fantasy stock was seemingly on the rise as the 2014 season approached, but early injuries and ineffectiveness coinciding with the development of rookies Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell made Tate expendable in Cleveland. After Tate was given a second shot in Minnesota, he proved to be largely forgettable as a contributing running back once again, receiving just 13 carries and turning in 38 yards (2.9 ypc) as a member of the Vikings.

The fact that Tate couldn’t at least carve out a minor role in a backfield inhabited but the likes of Matt Asiata and Joe Banyard speaks volumes about the view of Tate’s current abilities through the eyes of NFL talent evaluators.

In Other News….


Jerry Jones declared on Tuesday that Dallas’ stud wide receiver Dez Bryant won’t be leaving The Lone Star State anytime soon via free agency. If Dez and Dallas can’t agree to the long-term deal most expect, Jones and the Cowboys can elect to slap the franchise tag on Bryant. Look for a deal to be announced early in the offseason.

The arm injury that ended A.J. Green’s Monday night appearance in Week 16 was reportedly just “swelling” and the Bengals expect Green to suit up in Week 17. This news provides little comfort to fantasy owners who were buried by Green’s Week 16 goose egg, but it is good to hear that Green isn’t facing a serious injury.

Running back Justin Forsett missed the latter stages of Baltimore’s Week 16 game with an ankle injury, but insists he is fine as the season heads toward Week 17. With fellow Ravens back Bernard Pierce sliding down the depth chart, it will likely be former practice squad player Fitzgerald Toussaint replacing Forsett if the ankle injury flares up on Sunday.

With quarterbacks Brian Hoyer (shoulder, bicep) and Johnny Manziel (hamstring) dinged up, the Cleveland Browns will be left with just Connor Shaw and Tyler Thigpen on Sunday against Baltimore. Shaw is the favorite to start, which will make Baltimore a top choice among DFS and streaming defense enthusiasts.

News and Notes


San Diego coach Mike McCoy confirmed on Tuesday that Philip Rivers (back) will play in Week 17 despite back problems. With Ryan Mathews and Keenan Allen likely out again, Rivers will look heavily toward Antonio Gates and Eddie Royal for another week. … Charlie Whitehurst will get the start again for Tennessee in Week 17 but will remain far off the fantasy radar. … Michael Vick reportedly believes he has a “good, solid two years” left in his NFL career. Vick is a free agent this offseason and is hoping to find an NFL team that agrees with this sentiment. … Jeremy Maclin is on the verge of reaching free agency this offseason and declared on Tuesday that he would like to remain in Philadelphia in the future. Maclin is having a terrific season and will likely be receiving a beefy contract from whoever he elects to sign with. … Kyle Orton will have the pleasure of starting for the Bills in Week 17, as Buffalo has decided against giving E.J. Manuel another shot after the team was eliminated from playoff contention. … The New York Jets expect Percy Harvin (ribs) to miss Week 17.


Injury Notes


Carlos Hyde (ankle, back) missed practice on Tuesday and will likely sit out on Sunday as San Francisco hosts Arizona. Frank Gore will handle the lead rushing role in this tough matchup. … Aaron Rodgers (calf) participated in Green Bay’s practice on Tuesday and is no danger of missing Week 17. Rodgers tweaked his calf in Week 16, but won’t be missing Green Bay’s crucial matchup with Detroit this Sunday. … Larry Fitzgerald (knee) is currently playing at 70 percent according to coach Bruce Arians. Fitzgerald is in no way startable in Week 17 against San Francisco with Logan Thomas potentially leading the Arizona offense. … T.Y. Hilton was back at practice on Tuesday but will likely see little of the field if he returns in Week 17 with Indianapolis essentially locked into their playoff spot. … DeAngelo Williams (hand) returned to practice on Tuesday but hopefully the Carolina coaching staff continues to ride Jonathan Stewart even if Williams suits up this week at Atlanta. … Tight end Dwayne Allen (knee) did not practice on Tuesday and is a long shot to play in Week 17. … Keenan Allen (collarbone) and Ryan Mathews (ankle) both missed San Diego’s practice on Tuesday. Don’t expect either to suit up this Sunday. … Seattle wide receiver Jermaine Kearse (hamstring) is expected to miss Week 17, which will open up more snaps for rookie Paul Richardson.