Dose: A Timetable For Foster?
As fantasy football draft season begins to bloom, NFL injury news can have an immediate impact on the average draft position of top fantasy options and potential draft value can quickly emerge or vanish as timetables for return come into focus. One of the most intriguing cases in the preseason injury department is running back Arian Foster (groin), who has seen his ADP fluctuate wildly as news regarding his groin injury has surfaced. On Monday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reported that Arian Foster could resume playing at the end of September in a best-case scenario. This news makes Foster’s fantasy outlook a bit more positive and should safely boost the Houston running back into the middle rounds of fantasy drafts. With a well-constructed foundation, a fantasy roster with Arian Foster mending on the bench will be primed for fantasy league dominance once the star running back returns to the field.
In Other News…
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers knocked off the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night, with rookie quarterback Jameis Winston and running back Doug Martin looking sharp along the way. Lovie Smith’s squad did get a couple bad bounces, as both Winston (ankle) and wide receiver Mike Evans (hamstring) left the game early due to injury. Neither player is expected to miss significant time, but stay tuned to Rotoworld this week as more news filters out of Tampa Bay regarding this bright young duo.
Reggie Wayne hooked up with the New England Patriots on Monday, signing a one-year contract to catch passes from Tom Brady. Wayne will have plenty of competition on the New England depth chart, so Tom’s new target is better left on the early-season waiver wire watch list.
Colorado’s 9News believes that running back Ronnie Hillman is the “1B runner behind C.J. Anderson.” Nightmares of 2014’s Montee Ball fiasco still dance in the heads of fantasy owners, but Anderson can be safely relied upon as an early-round draft pick with Gary Kubiak’s rushing attack ready to keep Anderson in the top-tier of fantasy rushers. Hillman is still better left as a late round stab, but he is now firmly in the conversation as fantasy drafts motor into the late rounds.
Browns running back Duke Johnson has been slow to return from a hamstring injury, but ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi believes the rookie will have a “real big” role if he stays healthy. It is beginning to look like Johnson could provide piles of draft value this season as long as he remains injury-free and is an attractive addition to any fantasy bench.
Brian Hoyer will be the starting quarterback for the Houston Texans this season, as coach Bill O’Brien announced that his quarterback battle has come to a close. Hoyer’s time under center will likely provide plenty of handoffs for Houston running backs and targets for DeAndre Hopkins as the Texans attempt to move the ball.
Rookie running back T.J. Yeldon will reportedly work with the starters in Jacksonville’s third preseason game, which will give the Jaguars coaching staff a longer look at the youngster who has yet to play a preseason snap. Yeldon will attempt to separate himself from Denard Robinson and Toby Gerhart with a strong performance this Friday against Detroit. Despite Jacksonville’s anticipated offensive struggles, Yeldon could chip in for fantasy teams if he can safely secure the starting role.
Peter King reported that Peyton Manning said he still lacks feeling in the fingertips on his right hand, which sounds unsettling as fantasy drafts quickly approach. Manning is certainly no spring chicken, but he is still worthy of being drafted as an upper-level QB1 despite the risk involved with his past neck issues.
Dallas running back Joseph Randle told the Dallas Morning News that there is still competition for work in the Cowboys’ backfield as the preseason moves along. Randle seems like the best bet for fantasy production in this backfield but is still a risky proposition at his early ADP.
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Quick Slants
The St. Louis Rams cleared wide receiver Brian Quick (shoulder) for contact and running back Todd Gurley (knee) for team drills. The Rams offense will need both of these potential weapons back up to full speed as soon as possible. … New Cardinals running back Chris Johnson (hamstring) is now listed as day-to-day but won’t be doing much damage to the Arizona depth chart while on the shelf. … ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler feels it is “obvious” that Pittsburgh wide receiver Markus Wheaton has earned the trust of Ben Roethlisberger. Wheaton’s duel with Martavis Bryant for snaps opposite Antonio Brown will be intriguing as the preseason continues to roll along. … Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (elbow) missed practice on Monday with a sore wing, but OC John DeFilippo said he thinks “Manziel is a new guy” this season in terms of understanding the NFL game. If Manziel gets a chance to start and can improve his comfortability in the pocket, he could quickly move to a nicer neighborhood in fantasy quarterback rankings. …DeSean Jackson (shoulder) is back at practice after spraining his shoulder early in camp. … Giants coach Tom Coughlin is reportedly “confused” about why receiver Rueben Randle (knee) has been missing practice. All signs still point to Randle being ready for Week 1 but this knee issue may hurt his chances of reaching his full potential in Ben McAdoo’s offense. … Tampa Bay tight end Tim Wright is rumored to be on the roster bubble and won’t be making noise in fantasy leagues this season. … Lions running back Joique Bell (knee, Achilles’) is still not practicing and is beginning to feel heat from the other Detroit running backs who are soaking up the vacant preseason snaps behind Matthew Stafford. … Ravens running back Lorenzo Taliaferro (knee) will be out for a “few weeks” with a sprained MCL, giving rookie Buck Allen a chance to leap frog ‘Zo in the Baltimore backfield. … ESPN Bills reporter Mike Rodak expects both Bryce Brown and Marquise Goodwin to be traded or released. … New York Jets rookie Devin Smith (ribs, lung) won’t be back for Week 1 and is likely to be watching from the sidelines until late September.
