Dose: Go West, Young Man
On Wednesday the Browns confirmed what we all already assumed. Ben Tate will miss the Browns’ Week 2 contest against the Saints, and could miss upwards of a month with a sprained knee. This news is anything but a shock for a player with Tate’s injury history, but the ramifications of the injury are important to discuss.
The big question following the Tate news is who will take over the lead-back job in Cleveland? Terrance West carried the majority of the load after Tate went down Week 1, but fellow rookie Isaiah Crowell was impressive in a more limited role, rushing for 32 yards and two touchdowns on only five carries.
Despite Crowell’s impressive performance, coach Mike Pettine has already confirmed West will get the start this week against New Orleans, and should see the majority of the work against a Saints’ defense that gave up 123 rushing yards to the Falcons last week. The matchup along with Cleveland’s dedication to the run – they ran the ball 30 times last week in a game they were losing 27-3 at halftime – should make West a solid RB2 this week.
Crowell will still have a role in the offense, though he will likely be a change-of-pace option. Even with a limited role now, his talent makes him well worth a pickup in deeper redraft leagues.
The reports of Bernard Pierce’s demise may have been greatly exaggerated. Following the release of Ray Rice – and perhaps because of it – the Ravens have taken steps to limit the damage of Pierce’s unceremonious benching in Week 1.
On Tuesday coach John Harbaugh said Pierce would remain a big part of the Baltimore offense, saying, “You do not lose faith in a player because of a bad play.” Then on Wednesday ESPN Ravens reporter Jamison Hensley said, “Of all of the Ravens' backs, Pierce figures to be the back who ends up with the most carries by the end of the season.”
Justin Forsett will likely start against the Steelers Thursday night, but the reality is he is not lead-back material. Pierce profiles as an early-down back, but we have not seen him be effective in that role. Rookie Lorenzo Taliaferro is unproven, but could also be in the mix as well. Altogether it creates a quagmire in the Ravens’ backfield, but one from which Pierce is the most likely to emerge. Pierce is a must hold, while Taliaferro is an under-the-radar pickup in deeper leagues.
On Wednesday ESPN's Adam Schefter reported John Abraham had left the Cardinals and is contemplating retirement after suffering a concussion against the Chargers Monday night. Abraham has suffered multiple concussions throughout his career, and has reportedly been experiencing memory loss for over a year. At this point retirement may be the best option for Abraham, and we wish him nothing but the best moving forward.
If he does decide to hang up his cleats, Abraham will leave a huge hole on the Cardinals’ defense. He is Arizona’s only pure edge-rusher, and without him the Cardinals will struggle to generate a consistent pass rush. After already losing several players to injury or suspension, Abraham’s loss could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back for the Arizona defense.
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News and Notes
Joe Flacco said he still thinks Torrey Smith can be a “100-catch guy.” Smith only saw 7 targets in Week 1, while Steve Smith and Dennis Pitta saw 15 targets each. … Coach Bruce Arians said he was encouraged by how well Andre Ellington’s foot bounced back after 18 touches on Monday night. Ellington did not practice Wednesday, but he did not suffer any setbacks Week 1. … Eli Manning is "still having issues with the footwork and timing aspects" of new OC Ben McAdoo’s system. Thing could get worse before they get better in New York. … The Bengals’ official website still expects Jeremy Hill to see close to 170 carries this season. He had four carries Week 1. … Free agent WR Vincent Brown has drawn interest from “at least 8 teams.” He was released with an injury settlement by San Diego on Saturday. … Maurice Jones-Drew underwent a “procedure” on his hand Monday. He is “not expected to miss much time, if any,” but his Week 2 status is in doubt. He did not practice Wednesday.
Injury Quick Slants
Jordan Cameron said his shoulder was “all good” after an MRI showed no structural damage. He is day-to-day. … Coach Jay Gruden said Jordan Reed’s hamstring strain was “minor,” though admitted there is “little chance” he plays Week 2. … Eddie Lacy is near the end of the league’s concussion protocol. He is likely to play this weekend … Doug Martin (knee) did not practice Wednesday. His status for Week 2 is unclear. … Ravens CB Lardarius Webb (back) practiced in full Wednesday, but is listed as questionable for Thursday night’s game against the Steelers. ... Rob Gronkowski (knee) was limited in practice Wednesday, but is fully expected to play. … A.J. Green (foot) was limited at Bengals practice Wednesday. … Brandon Marshall (ankle) and Alshon Jeffery (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday. Marshall should start, but Jeffery’s status is still up in the air. … Cam Newton (ribs) practiced in full. … Michael Crabtree (calf) is a full go at practice this week. … Toby Gerhart (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. He played through the ankle injury Week 1, so his absence is likely just precautionary. … Roddy White (knee) was limited on Wednesday. … Charles Clay (knee), Knowshon Moreno (shoulder) and Mike Wallace (hamstring) were all limited in practice Wednesday. All three should play Week 2. … Reggie Bush (knee) was limited on Wednesday. … Antonio Gates (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday. … Andre Johnson (ankle) was limited on Wednesday. … Austin Seferian-Jenkins (foot) missed practice Wednesday. He was spotted wearing a walking boot. … Cecil Shorts (hamstring) returned to practice Wednesday. … Marqise Lee could not finish Jaguars practice Wednesday after pulling a hamstring. … Justin Hunter (knee) was limited on Wednesday. … Dwayne Bowe (quad) is practicing in full. … Christine Michael (hamstring) missed practice Wednesday. … Kenny Stills (quad) returned to limited practice Wednesday. … Rams LE Chris Long will undergo ankle surgery and miss 8-10 weeks. … SLB Justin Durant will miss three-to-four weeks with a groin injury. … Falcons LT Jake Matthews (ankle) is not expected to play Week 2. Gabe Carimi would fill in at left tackle if Matthews cannot go.
Depth Chart Quick Slants
Chargers placed C Nick Hardwick (neck) on injured reserve. Rich Ohrnberger will slot in as the starting center in San Diego. … CB Dimitri Patterson worked out for the Lions on Wednesday. … Bengals placed TE Tyler Eifert on injured reserve/designated for return with a dislocated elbow. He is eligible to return Week 10. … Buccaneers placed CB Mike Jenkins (torn pectoral) on injured reserve and signed CB Crezdon Butler. … Lions placed T Corey Hilliard (foot) and CB Bill Bentley (knee) on injured reserve.
