Week #10: Final Fantasy Thoughts
Michael Nazarek

Los Angeles Rams RB Todd Gurley (thigh - questionable) was a full participant in practice on Friday, and though the team has officially listed him as questionable, the expectation remains that Gurley will play against the New York Jets on Sunday. "I feel pretty good today," Gurley said after practice. "I'll just leave it at that." Gurley, who has been limited to 41 carries over the last three games, expressed the need for remaining patient and not trying to do too much. "Even when the hole is not there," Gurley said, "still being able to just read it the same, and don't try to do nothing outside of the play." Asked how his body feels, considering he benefitted from a full training camp, Gurley said: "I feel like this year, my body has been a lot healthier." The Rams play in an game on the road against the New York Jets, so we'll know his official status before the gaems begin...

 

A Few Thoughts on Injury Situations…

 

New York Jets QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (knee - questionable) was limited at practice on Friday and he's "questionable" for Sunday. HC Todd Bowles said it'll be a game-time decision for him to play this week.

 

Dallas Cowboys WR Dez Bryant (knee) and QB Tony Romo (back) are questionable to play this week. Romo will be an inactive player, while Bryant is expected to play.

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers HC Dirk Koetter says RB Doug Martin (hamstring) will be a "game-time decision." He still hasn't been cleared to play. He said he's done a little more each day this week. Martin fully practiced on Friday. The Buccaneers play the Bears in an early game, so we'll know whether he plays or sits before the games begin on Sunday morning.

 

San Francisco 49ers RB Carlos Hyde (shoulder) and WR Torrey Smith (back) are questionable to play this week. If his right shoulder continues to progress the way it has so far this week, Hyde (shoulder) said "there's a good chance" he'll be on the field Sunday against Arizona. Hyde hasn't played since Oct. 16 and he's been wearing a blue, no-contact jersey in practices that signal to other players he is to avoid contact. But on Thursday, he tested his shoulder on the blocking sled for the first time sine the injury occurred and sounded decidedly more optimistic about playing than he did at this point last week. He officially was listed as limited on the team’s injury report. "I was fine," he said of his encounter with the sled. "That was the only kind of contact I've had so far. I was fine. No setbacks right now, so that's good." In fact, Hyde he said he made sure he struck the sled hard as he could. "As if I was running somebody over," he said. "I need to know, just in case I do play and I do need to use my shoulder to get some yards. I need to know how it's going to hold up. … And I was fine." HC Chip Kelly said Hyde’s status for Sunday’s game in Arizona, he has missed the past two games, will be determined after this Saturday’s practice. He said Hyde’s range of motion and his comfort level will be the deciding factors on whether he plays against the Cardinals. As for Smith, he's a shot in the dark to produce whether he plays or not, so it's probably best to sit him and look elsewhere for more fantasy production.

 

Green Bay Packers RB James Starks (knee) is questionable to play this week. "James is very close," Packers HC Mike McCarthy said. Starks hasn't played since his Oct. 16 knee surgery. The Packers play in an early game, so we'll know whether he plays or sits before the games begin on Sunday morning.

 

Miami Dolphins WR Jarvis Landry (shoulder) and WR Kenny Stills (calf) are questionable to play this week. Word is that both Landry and Stills will play in a late game on Sunday against the Chargers. Start them accordingly.

 

Houston Texans WR Will Fuller (Knee) is questionable to play this week. The Texans play at Jacksonville in an early game, so we'll know whether he plays or sits before the games begin on Sunday morning.

 

Jacksonville Jaguars WR Allen Hurns (concussion) is questionable to play this week. The Jaguars host the Texans in an early game, so we'll know whether he plays or sits before the games begin on Sunday morning.

 

Chicago Bears WR Eddie Royal (toe) is questionable to play this week. The Bears play at Tampa Bay in an early game, so we'll know whether he plays or sits before the games begin on Sunday morning.

 

San Diego Chargers WR Tyrell Williams (knee) and TE Hunter Henry (knee) are questionable to play this week. Williams seems on track to play since he's yet to miss any real playing time. Henry, is more of a question mark. The Chargers play in a late game against the Dolphins, Henry owners need to have a solid alternative to switch to in a late game, Sunday night, or Monday night otherwise you are taking the chance you get a ZERO from him.

 

New England Patriots WR Chris Hogan (back), TE Martellus Bennett (ankle), and WR Julian Edelman (foot) are questionable to play this week. Hogan (back) is truly questionable for Sunday with his back issue, per source. He will undergo treatment around the clock. It's too soon to know if he plays or not this week. Coming off the BYE, both Edeleman and Bennett are expected to play.

REMINDER: Be sure to check Premium Injury Quick Bits every day for the latest on all NFL injuries. Check it every 5 minutes Sunday morning for the latest injury news and all inactive lists!

 

A Few Thoughts on Thursday Night's Game…

 

Gut Calls from Thursday night...

 

1) Ravens QB Joe Flacco is not a solid fantasy starter every week, but there is always one thing you can count on him, and that is a good fantasy game from him anytime her plays the Browns. He scored 27 points tonight. Mission accomplished. He is now 15-2 against them in his career!

2) RB Terrance West may finally be yielding the starting job to rookie RB Kenneth Dixon after rushing for only 65 yards Thursday night. Time will tell, but Dixon certainly looked better overall than West. If I won West, it may be a good time to trade him!

3) WR Steve Smith just keeps plugging away, and is the most consistent producer from the Ravens WR corps when healthy. He showed that is still the case with another TD on Thursday night.

4) WR Breshad Perriman is learning, and appears to be on track to becoming a fantasy force down the road, but with both Smith and WR Mike Wallace playing well, that is unlikely to happen consistently until 2017.

5) TE Dennis Pitta is a contradiction for fantasy owners in 2016. If you play in a non-PPR league, he is pretty much worthless. Heck, he is totally worthless in a basic scoring league since he has ZERO TDs in 2016. However, in PPR leagues, he's OK, and in the 1.5 PPR for TE FFPC scoring system, he is a solid starter. Go figure.

6) Browns QB Cody Kessler may not be the long-term answer for the team, but switching to QB Josh McCown Thursday night was a bigger mistake, as evidenced by McCown's three turnovers.

7) RB Isaiah Crowell is slowing down, and is not the long-term answer for the Browns. I hope they realize that by the end of the season, so they can fix this glaring need in the off-season.

8) WR Terrelle Pryor is clearly the best wideout on the Browns roster. The should continue to try to get him the football as often as they can. He's a beast!

9) Rookie WR Corey Coleman has talent, but still has a lot to learn. Not every rookie wideout can produce big numbers consistently when they first play.

10) Remember when TE Gary Barnidge was actually worthy of a fantasy start? After another one catch night on just four targets, it seems like a decade ago, eh?

 

Final, Final Thoughts…

 

A subscriber asked me before the Monday night game if I stood by my ranking of a nicked up Buffalo Bills RB LeSean McCoy over a healthy backup RB Mike Gillislee. I told him, I did. And I told him I would ALWAYS start the official starter when given this choice. That is my fantasy BLANKET RULE of the day. When you own the starter and his backup, ALWAYS start the starter.


Good luck to everyone this week!

 

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