We haven’t heard as much as a peep out of Philadelphia Tuesday morning. The last we heard Monday night, neither Michael Vick nor Foles had been informed of a quarterback switch. It makes all of the sense in the world for the Eagles to stick with Vick, who has shown better than usual accuracy over the past three games.If Foles gets the call, however, he immediately becomes relevant in fantasy circles versus a historically bad Saints defense. New Orleans is not just the first team in NFL history to allow 400+ yards in seven consecutive games; they’ve also allowed more yards through seven games (3,321) than any team in NFL history. Foles would be a risk/reward QB1 option if coach Andy Reid opts to turn the page.Recommendation: Worth a look in all leagues.Wesseling's Waiver Wired column
After a career-high 303 yards at Green Bay, it can be argued that Gabbert has shown promise in three of the past four games -- with the lone exception coming against the Bears’ shut-down defense. Gabbert produced a career-high 67.6 completion percentage in Week 4 (Bengals), was knocked out of the Week 7 Raiders game with a career-high 123.6 passer rating and notched his first 300-yard game a week ago. While fantasy owners should remain skeptical, Jaguars GM Gene Smith has to be thrilled that Gabbert is finally looking like a legit prospect.Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues.Wesseling's Waiver Wired column
In a rare turn of events, it was Seattle’s vaunted defense that let down the passing attack at Detroit. Wilson showed veteran savvy in command of the offense and decision-making. After failing to top 200 yards in any of the first four games, Wilson has averaged 218 over the past four. He’s a decent QB2 option against a Vikings defense allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues.Wesseling's Waiver Wired column
Starter Ryan Tannehill’s Week 9 status is up in the air after being diagnosed with a left knee bone bruise and deep thigh bruise on Monday. Moore was an effective game manager in relief of Tannehill last week. If he gets the starting nod at Indianapolis, Moore is fantasy option only in two-quarterback leagues. The Dolphins will go with a run-heavy game plan regardless.Recommendation: Worth a look in two-quarterback leagues.Wesseling's Waiver Wired column
Matt Cassel (pictured), Tim Tebow, Jake Locker With Brady Quinn (concussion) out on a short week, turnover machine Cassel will be under center versus the Chargers. The Chiefs QB is only relevant in two-quarterback leagues. … The Jets are sticking with Mark Sanchez for now, but he’s fallen apart at the seams any time there’s been a hint of defensive pressure in the pocket. Sanchez has over- or under-thrown 23.4 percent of his passes this season, the highest rate in the NFL. The leash can’t be long. … Yet to receive medical clearance, Locker isn’t going to play before the Week 11 bye.Wesseling's Waiver Wired column
Keep an eye on Dwyer’s quad injury, which will keep him out of Wednesday’s practice. The Steelers tentatively expect him back by Thursday, but the injury may lead to his fantasy window prematurely closing if it’s decided that he’s not healthy enough to carry the load with Rashard Mendenhall (Achilles) already gaining clearance for Week 9.If the quad injury is indeed minor, Dwyer has earned the early-down role by accomplish a feat in two starts that has eluded Mendenhall in five years -- back-to-back 100-yard games. Dwyer has done it in impressive fashion, gaining 187 of 239 (78.2 percent) after contact. With Mendenhall reaching free agency in 2013, it’s not unreasonable to believe Dwyer should hold onto the starting gig for the rest of the reason.Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues.
Mr. Outside to Steven Jackson’s Mr. Inside, Richardson is averaging 76 scrimmage yards per game since the Rams made an effort to expand his role in the game plan three weeks ago. The team’s use of Richardson suggests he would share the load with Isaiah Pead in the event of a Jackson trade. The latest report from ESPN’s John Clayton is that there is “no action right now” on Jackson, whose $3.705 million in remaining salary may be prohibitive. Richardson is worth owning as a flex option regardless. His value could bump to RB2 range if a contender splurges on Jackson.Recommendation: Worth a look in all leagues.
With less than $300,000 remaining on his salary and likely to cost no more than a late-round pick, Blount may be the most likely candidate to be traded this week. He’s never going to be an asset on passing downs and would only stumble into weekly fantasy value if he lands in a clear-cut early-down role in a place like Green Bay. Blount can be picked up as a trade deadline flier, but expectations should remain low. Recommendation: Worth a look in all leagues.
Alex Green has been running hard, but his ability to read holes has left a lot to be desired. Working as the unquestioned feature back the past three games, Green has managed just 2.40 yards per carry. Coach Mike McCarthy has expressed disappointment with his running game over the past two games. The Packers are a good bet to at least explore trade options this week. If the swing and miss, Starks is the next man up to put pressure on Green for the starting job. Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.
Coach Jim Schwartz’s handling of Mikel Leshoure leaves us to interpret the starter’s disappearing act in the final quarter and a half versus the Seahawks. Leshoure limped off the field grabbing his calf or ankle with six minutes left in the third quarter. Matthew Stafford threw an interception on the next throw. Bell and Kevin Smith handled the entire drive late in the third quarter and early in the fourth while Leshoure presumably had the lower-leg injury checked out. After a lengthy Seahawks scoring drive, the Lions got the ball back one more time while playing from behind. Leshoure remained sidelined, which is hardly unusual. Bell has been handling the no-huddle, two-minute drill snaps for weeks now.Schwartz insisted after the game that Leshoure was uninjured. If he can be trusted -- and he usually cannot -- then Leshoure should practice Wednesday and start at Jacksonville. Bell remains the change-of-pace option, two-minute specialist and fourth-quarter closer, but he’s not overtaking a healthy Leshoure.Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.
Don’t go crazy over the speedy rookie’s 86 yards on 14 carries Sunday night. The events surrounding Hillman’s breakout game won’t happen again. Facing a historically bad defense, Hillman saw an increased workload because the Broncos jumped out to a commanding 24-7 lead in the third quarter. Although Hillman isn’t suddenly a weekly fantasy option, he remains a high-upside roster stash. Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.
Philip Rivers has morphed into a checkdown artist, throwing 29 percent of his passes to tailbacks this season. Brown surprisingly has accrued not only more receiving yards than Ray Rice, but also the second-most among all running backs (behind Darren Sproles). Averaging six receptions and over 50 receiving yards per game over the past month, Brown has emerged as a decent flex option in PPR leagues. Recommendation: Worth a look in PPR leagues.
Atlanta’s third-down back is coming off his best game of the season, thanks to a 43-yard run -- the longest allowed by the Eagles this season. Prior to that breaking free on that run, however, Rodgers had shown precious little big-play ability on the ground. In denial about Michael Turner’s ineffectiveness, the Falcons have shown no inclination to reduce the starter’s role. Rodgers remains a low-upside flex option best used in PPR formats. Recommendation: Worth a look in PPR leagues.
Returning from a concussion, Thomas played more than twice as many snaps as Reggie Bush (43 to 20) in last week’s blowout victory. That pattern isn’t going to continue, but Thomas appears to be locked in as the short-yardage power back with the Dolphins looking to lessen Bush’s load in an effort to keep him healthy. Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.
Beanie Wells (pictured), Cedric Benson, Shane Vereen, Peyton Hillis, Andre Brown, Toby Gerhart, Mike Tolbert, Robert Turbin, Evan Royster, Mike Goodson, Bernard Pierce, Justin Forsett, Bryce Brown, Isaiah PeadWells can’t return before Week 12, Benson before Week 14. Barring a trade this week, both will return to major roles in the fantasy playoffs -- assuming they’re back to full health. … Vereen should be rostered in most leagues, but that may be a luxury entering the bye week … The rest of the list is essentially handcuffs who could stumble into weekly fantasy value if the starter goes down. All handcuffs should be rostered ahead of low-upside WR5s and TE2s, especially if the bye-week crunch on your own team is over. … Keep an eye on Goodson’s turf toe injury this week. … Pead’s role would increase in a timeshare with Richardson if Steven Jackson is traded.
Amendola isn’t viewed as a difference-making talent, but the Rams are 10-11 with him in the lineup the past three years -- and 2-17 when he sits out. Noting that Amendola was separating with ease, running more downfield and outside-the-numbers routes, and showing improved after-catch ability early this season, I pulled the trigger on a Dynasty league trade for him after his clavicle injury. A top-15 fantasy receiver (in points per game to date) even in standard-scoring formats, Amendola is still unowned in roughly half of Yahoo leagues. With the possibility of a monster second half, he should be picked up in the remaining leagues this week. Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues.
I’m shocked to find that Young is owned in just 40 percent of Yahoo leagues after he was a no-brainer recommendation last week. In a breakout game versus the Seahawks’ stout pass defense, Young became the first Lions starting receiver since 2001 to catch all of his intended targets in a game. He also joined Randall Cobb as the only receivers this season to record a perfect catch percentage on at least eight targets. Young is an every-down receiver with elite speed facing single coverage afforded by the presence of Calvin Johnson. He’s here to stay as an upside WR3 option.Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues.
Shorts has essentially played five quarters as a starter with Blaine Gabbert under center, producing a 10/177/1 line on 16 targets. With an average of 11 targets, six receptions and 97.5 yards the past two weeks, Shorts should be locked into the No. 1 receiver role regardless of Laurent Robinson’s (concussion) health. His fantasy viability depends on your faith in Gabbert’s progress. I remain skeptical that the Jags passing attack can support a reliable WR3 option week-in and week-out. Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.
Routes run by Lions receivers in Week 8: Titus Young (50), Calvin Johnson (49), Broyles (23). Detroit’s new slot receiver played 34-of-73 snaps, essentially splitting the third receiver role with No. 2 tight end Tony Scheffler. Broyles has been a favorite red-zone target of Matthew Stafford the past two weeks, but he’s going to need to put distance between himself and Scheffler before he gains weekly fantasy value. In the meantime, Broyles should be stashed in 12 team leagues. Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.
The fourth-round rookie speedster is the first player since Detroit’s Pat Studstill (1966) with a reception of 50+ yards in five consecutive games. Essentially a poor man’s DeSean Jackson, Givens should hold onto a starting role opposite Danny Amendola in the second half of the season. Although Givens is worthy of a roster spot in 12-team leagues, he can’t be counted on as a Week 9 starter because the Rams are on bye.Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.
LaFell’s role is on the rise again after a late September swoon. He’s now topped 50 yards in four of seven games and is 44th in fantasy points on the season. Those desperate for a WR3 option can point to LaFell’s Week 9 matchup against a Redskins secondary that has allowed the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season.Recommendation: Worth a look as a matchup play.
Jeffery (fractured hand) is reportedly targeted Week 10 for his return to game action. Devin Hester has predictably offered very little production as a starter in the rookie’s absence. Jeffery was averaging just 37 yards per game prior to the injury, so keep expectations low. He’s a talented but raw roster stash. Recommendation: Worth a look as a roster stash.
We’ve reached the underwhelming portion of the wide receiver list. McCluster has sandwiched 82- and 69-yard outings in Weeks 1 and 8 around four games of fewer than 40 yards. Those in PPR leagues can cite his back-to-back six-catch games and the possibility of an increased role if the Chiefs can unload Dwayne Bowe’s remaining $5 million this week.Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper PPR leagues.
Justin Blackmon (pictured), Clyde Gates, Marvin Jones, Vincent BrownBlackmon can’t break out of his rookie funk. His effort at the end of last week’s game was questionable to say the least. … Hold off on Gates. He did all of his damage in garbage time and remains low on the depth chart. … Jones is a name to watch in deeper leagues. The Bengals had plans to increase his role before the bye, only to see him go down with an MCL tear on the opening kickoff. … Brown isn’t close to returning.
Fantasy owners are asleep at wheel after Keller’s early-season hamstring injury. Despite averaging seven catches and 80 yards over the past two games, Keller remains unowned in over half of Yahoo leagues. If you plan to pluck him from the wire this week, be warned that the Jets are on their bye. Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues.
Olsen is owned in just over half of Yahoo leagues due to a three-game slump that has coincided with Steve Smith returning to full health after battling knee pain. If Olsen is available in your league, though, he has an excellent matchup this week against a Redskins defense that has given up the second-most fantasy points to tight ends this season. Recommendation: Worth a look as a matchup play.
Would you believe only five tight ends have more than Myers’ 383 yards this season? Myers has been a model of consistency, topping 40 yards in six of seven games. The problem is his 21st-place fantasy ranking because he’s yet to find the end zone and doesn’t make plays after the catch. Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.
The third-rounder continues to outplay the more ballyhooed Coby Fleener, grading out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 4 all-around tight end this season. Allen is averaging just 34 yards over the past five games, though, so he’s a low-upside option versus a Dolphins defense allowing the 19th-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues.
Know this up front: Jay Cutler rarely looks at his tight ends. Davis has exceeded five targets just once this season. The athletic tight end isn’t bereft of pass-catching ability, though, and the matchup couldn’t be better against a Titans defense that was picked on by Dwayne Allen early in last week’s game. No defense has allowed more fantasy points to opposing tight ends this year.Recommendation: Worth a look as a desperation matchup play.
Logan Paulsen (pictured), Tony Moeaki Paulsen played 95 percent of the snaps last week while Chris Cooley ran just five pass routes. The problem is Paulsen has just one game as a low-end TE2 option before the Week 10 bye. … Moeaki saw a season-high eight targets, a sign that his knee might finally be coming around. He had been used as a blocking specialist to this point.
The best-case scenario would have been facing a wholly ineffective Brady Quinn, but he couldn’t gain clearance from his concussion on a short week. The fallback plan is Matt Cassel, author of 16 turnovers in five starts this season. Either way, the Chargers defense is gold this week.Recommendation: Worth a look as a matchup play.
Miami has held opponents to 12 points per game over the past three weeks while averaging 4.5 sacks per game over the past month. They have a decent matchup at an Indianapolis team that had trouble giving Andrew Luck a clean pocket versus the Titans. Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.