Wilson Out Multiple Weeks?
David Wilson is awaiting a second opinion on his injured neck. He won’t receive that until next week. However, early word is that Wilson is expected to miss “several weeks.” At least that’s what the Giants’ reported understanding is.
"With treatment, this thing could settle down within a couple of weeks,” a source familiar with the injury told the New York Daily News.
Nothing will be certain until Wilson meets with Dr. Robert Watkins, a spinal surgeon in Los Angeles, on Monday. The team’s goal is to try and get the “tingling” and nerve reaction in Wilson’s neck to “settle down.” It’s never a good sign when we’re talking about “tingling” and “nerve reaction.” The team is going to be extra cautious. Wilson isn’t expected to miss the remainder of the season, but 2013 is shaping up as a lost year for the second-year pro out of Virginia Tech. The good news is the Giants face a handful of soft defenses down the stretch, making Wilson worthy of a “hold” in fantasy leagues until we find out more. Matchups with the Eagles, Cowboys, Redskins, and Packers are still left on the schedule.
Brandon Jacobs and Da’Rel Scott will split backfield duties in the meantime. Andre Brown (broken leg) is eligible to return to action in Week 10. He resumed running last week. Once Brown returns, we’d expect him to handle all short-yardage and goal-line work. While Jacobs and Scott are handling the load, look for Eli Manning to load up and throw the ball a vast majority of the time. Jacobs is absolutely dunzo, while Scott is just lucky to be on a 53-man roster. Wilson has already been ruled out for Thursday night’s game against the Bears. Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks, Rueben Randle, and Brandon Myers need to be in fantasy starting lineups. We’ll have plenty of Wilson updates next week.
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News Nugget #2
Alfred Morris is practicing in full this week. The second-year back downplayed his ribs injury Monday, saying it’s “a little tender still but nothing serious.” On Wednesday, though, Morris said the ribs are no longer an issue and he will play Sunday night against the Cowboys.
"All is well with me," Morris said. "There are some remnants of it. But it’s nothing serious, nothing that will hinder me out there playing, so I’m not worried about it."
Morris is expected to wear some extra padding around his torso area, but it shouldn’t affect his game much. It’s safe to pen Morris into Week 6 fantasy lineups. Being that there are “some remnants” of the rib injury, Roy Helu Jr. is still worth adding and holding onto in all leagues, as well. Morris has never missed a game in his football career. He’s only failed to finish two career games. One was in college, and the other was Week 4 against the Raiders. In two games against Dallas as a rookie, Morris rushed for 313 yards and four touchdowns. He’s an easy top-ten running back play for Week 6.
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News Nugget #3
Owen Daniels was diagnosed with a non-displaced fibula fracture on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the Texans placed Daniels on short-term injured reserve. He’ll be out a minimum of eight weeks. Garrett Graham will take over as the Texans’ top tight end. Graham will be a borderline TE1 for the remainder of the fantasy season, while rookie DeAndre Hopkins could end up seeing a couple more passes come his direction each week. Daniels was averaging eight targets per game through five weeks. Both Hopkins and Graham have juicy Week 6 matchups against a weak Rams defense. Graham has already been a red-zone favorite of Matt Schaub’s, scoring three times. Daniels is safe to drop in all re-draft formats, being that he won’t be back until Week 15 at the earliest. The Texans could easily be out of the playoff picture by then if Schaub continues his downward spiral at quarterback.
Quarterback/Running Back Slants
The Texans announced that Matt Schaub would start Sunday against the Rams. His leash remains short. … Christian Ponder (ribs) was limited on Wednesday. Matt Cassel took the first-team reps and is fully expected to start against the Panthers. Josh Freeman isn’t up to speed, yet. … Ben Roethlisberger (finger) is practicing in full. … Michael Vick (hamstring) was limited on Wednesday. He said his hamstring is starting to “loosen up” a bit. Nick Foles is still expected to start against the Bucs. … The 49ers claimed QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson off waivers from the Vikings and waived John Skelton. … Shonn Greene (knee) is working his way back slowly. He’s not expected to play Sunday. Jackie Battle will continue to serve as the Titans’ goal-line and short-yardage back. … Arian Foster (thumb, chest) was limited in Wednesday’s practice. There’s zero concern here. … Chris Ivory (hamstring) was limited Wednesday. He’s the No. 3 running back in a three-man committee. … Mark Ingram (toe) returned to practice Wednesday. He’s not worth owning in re-draft formats. … Zac Stacy (chest, ribs) was absent from Wednesday’s practice. He’ll be good to go for Sunday against the Texans. Stacy remains the starter in the Rams’ backfield. … Rashad Jennings (hamstring) and Darren McFadden (hamstring) were both practicing Wednesday. McFadden took first-team reps. … Jamaal Charles (blisters) missed practice but is in no danger of sitting out Week 6. … C.J. Spiller (ankle) is still walking with a noticeable limp. … Stevan Ridley (knee) practiced Wednesday and is on track to play Sunday.
Wide Receiver/Tight End Slants
Calvin Johnson (knee) missed practice Wednesday. He’s fully expected to play this week after being close to suiting up last Sunday. … Andre Johnson (hamstring) was absent from Wednesday’s practice. Johnson has battled an array of injuries this young season, but he’s yet to miss a game. … Cecil Shorts (groin) was limited on Wednesday. He’s a lock for a ton of garbage-time targets this week against Denver. … Larry Fitzgerald (hamstring) was limited on Wednesday. … Alshon Jeffery (ankle) is probable for Thursday night against the Giants. He’s a high-upside WR3 play. … Santonio Holmes (hamstring) is not expected to play this week. … Miles Austin (hamstring) practiced Wednesday. He’s no lock to be 100 percent by Sunday, however. … Mike Williams (hamstring) was limited on Wednesday. … Donnie Avery (shoulder) was limited on Wednesday. He had trouble raising his arm after Sunday’s win, but Avery is on track to play this week. He’s not a reliable fantasy option. … The Falcons signed WR Brian Robiskie. He’s the son of Atlanta’s receivers coach, Terry. The Falcons, of course, are battling injuries to Julio Jones (foot) and Roddy White (hamstring). Jones was officially ruled out for the season Wednesday, while White is “50-50” to play in Week 7. … Marlon Brown (hamstring) said he’s “good to go” for Sunday against the Packers. … Vernon Davis (hamstring) has resumed practicing in full. … Marcedes Lewis (calf) has yet to resume practicing. … Rob Gronkowski (back, forearm) remained limited Wednesday, as usual. Pencil him in fantasy lineups as a TE1 this week. Gronkowski is fully expected to make his season debut. … Kellen Winslow (knee) took a day off from practice Wednesday. … Jordan Reed (quad) is practicing in full. … Greg Olsen (foot) missed practice Wednesday but plans to practice Thursday and play Sunday. … Brandon Myers (ankle) is questionable for Thursday night but is expected to play, while Martellus Bennett (knee) is shaping up as a game-time decision for the Bears. … Chiefs rookie TE Travis Kelce had his knee scoped Wednesday and could be done for the year.
