Dose: Le'Veon Leads Steelers
DeMarco Murray gets all of the running back love. Deservedly so. But Le'Veon Bell needs his, too. Both Murray and Bell are the only running backs in the league to total at least 100 yards in each game this season. Murray is doing it more on the ground with seven straight 100-yard rushing games and scoring touchdowns. Bell is more of a threat as a receiver and scored his first touchdown since Week 1 on Monday night in the Steelers' 30-23 win over the Texans. That has caused him to fly under the radar a bit, but Murray and Bell are Nos. 1 and 3 respectively in running back fantasy points through seven weeks.
Bell, a chunk ball coming out of Michigan State last year, completely transformed his body in the offseason. He's noticeably slimmer and lighter on his feet in 2014. Bell is much quicker than as a rookie when he averaged a pedestrian 3.5 YPC on 244 totes. On 117 carries this season, Bell is behind only Justin Forsett, Jerick McKinnon, and Khiry Robinson with his 5.12 YPC. As Jon Gruden mentioned on Monday night's telecast, Bell also could play H-back or tight end in the league thanks to his soft hands. The Steelers have no problem lining Bell up out wide with LeGarrette Blount in the backfield. After his eight-catch effort against the Texans, Bell is on pace to catch 83 balls. He's put himself in the conversation for best receiving back in the NFL. Bell is an elite matchup-proof RB1, as he and Antonio Brown have become the foundation of Pittsburgh's offense.
Monday Night Football Notes
Martavis Bryant made his NFL debut. His five targets were third on the team only to Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell. Bryant turned one into a 35-yard touchdown on a double-move. He's making a move on Markus Wheaton for No. 2 duties. … Jadeveon Clowney didn't show enough lateral agility in pre-game warmups to be active. He still hasn't played since Week 1 when he hurt his knee. … Sandwiched between DeMarco Murray and Bell as the No. 2 fantasy scoring running is Arian Foster. He went over 100 yards again Monday and found the end zone in the fourth quarter. Keep riding Foster until he gets hurt again. … Heath Miller has become a fantasy backup the past three weeks. He's averaging just three targets per game over that span. Miller is a low-upside TE2. Owners still hang in on need to cut bait. … Andre Johnson deserves better. He should have had a touchdown, but was overshot on a corner route. Ryan Fitzpatrick didn't even leave the ball in bounds for Johnson to try and make a play. Johnson had a step on the defensive back.
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In Other News…
Kirk Cousins has tossed eight interceptions to just five touchdowns over his past four starts. Finally, on Sunday, coach Jay Gruden had enough and pulled the plug, inserting Colt McCoy under center. On Monday, Gruden announced McCoy has officially passed Cousins on the depth chart. It's not a one-time thing. Robert Griffin III (ankle) has been "medically cleared to add to his workload," but Gruden said McCoy will likely get the Week 8 start against the Cowboys. RGIII appears to be aiming for a Week 9 return against the Vikings. Cousins can safely be dropped in all formats, while McCoy is a bottom-barrel fantasy option. Fire up the Cowboys defense in Week 8 if McCoy starts.
Making the start Sunday against the Browns, Denard Robinson managed to rush for 127 yards and one touchdown on 22 carries. When asked Monday whether Robinson would keep the starting job, coach Gus Bradley said, "Yeah, I think so." Shoelace is now comfortably ahead of Storm Johnson on the depth chart, and should remain atop the pecking order when Toby Gerhart (foot) returns from injury. Gerhart will likely still have a role since he's being paid $4 million, but Robinson is the back to own in Jacksonville. Gerhart has been safely droppable for weeks. Next up for the Jaguars is the Dolphins at home.
Rashad Jennings (knee) said Monday that he's "hopeful" he can return to the lineup after the Giants' Week 8 bye. Coming off a sprained MCL, Jennings expects to begin running this week. He didn't guarantee a return, instead acting rather noncommittal, but he can at least be considered questionable at this point for Week 9. Andre Williams has been disappointing in two spot starts but needs to continue to be held in all formats until we know more on Jennings. Jennings also needs to be rostered across the board as a locked-in RB1/2 as the Giants' workhorse.
Quarterback & Running Back Slants
Jake Locker (thumb) is expected to throw on Tuesday. Coach Ken Whisenhunt reiterated that Locker is the starter when healthy. … Donald Brown (concussion) remains out of practice. He's highly unlikely to play Thursday night against the Broncos. Ryan Mathews (knee) also remains sidelined. … Trent Richardson is undergoing an MRI on his injured hamstring. … Coach Jay Gruden says Alfred Morris "missed some cuts" Sunday and isn't working "in concert" with the offensive line. He's only averaging 63 yards per game this season. … Andre Ellington has been diagnosed with sore ribs. … The Bills are holding off on placing C.J. Spiller (collarbone) on I.R. … DeAngelo Williams (ankle) may practice this week. … Josh McCown (thumb) has resumed practicing. We expect Mike Glennon to keep the starting job. … Tre Mason led Rams running backs playing 27-of-51 snaps Sunday. … When speaking about Bryce Brown, Fred Jackson called Brown an "every-down" back. Jackson (groin) and Spiller (collarbone) have multi-week injuries. Brown and Anthony Dixon will carry the load with Brown the back to own in fantasy. … Coach Ken Whisenhunt expressed displeasure with Bishop Sankey on Monday. Sankey ran out of bounds late with the Titans trying to salt the clock, and he also dropped a pass earlier in the game. … Coach Mike Pettine admitted he "briefly" considered benching Brian Hoyer for Johnny Manziel against the Jaguars. Hoyer will start Week 8 against the 0-6 Raiders, but can't afford back-to-back losses to winless teams.
Wide Receiver & Tight End Slants
Reggie Wayne is undergoing an MRI for his injured elbow. … A.J. Green (toe) has made "tremendous" progress, per coach Marvin Lewis. … Vincent Jackson (ribs) sat out Monday's practice with the Bucs coming off their bye week. … Coach Jim Caldwell said Calvin Johnson (ankle) won't be active until he can be full go. Johnson will travel with the Lions to London. He wasn't close to playing Week 7. … Percy Harvin admits he was frustrated with his role in Seattle. … Travis Kelce remains a part-time player in the Chiefs' offense. He played just 40-of-75 snaps Sunday. … Justin Hunter has played 95.6 percent of the snaps the past three weeks. … Jimmy Graham played just 30-of-75 snaps Week 7. … The Rams waived possession receiver Austin Pettis. … The Saints re-signed TE Tom Crabtree.
