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Walker Goes Under the Knife
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A couple days ago Javon Walker expressed optimism about returning to the lineup in Week 7, but coach Mike Shanahan announced Thursday that he'll undergo arthroscopic knee surgery and miss "a few weeks." Shanahan said that he had "no idea" when asked if Walker could potentially miss the remainder of the season and with Rod Smith still trying to make his way off the PUP list by Week 10 the Broncos' receiver depth is suddenly in rough shape.
Brandon Stokley moves into the starting lineup in place of Walker alongside Brandon Marshall and is worth grabbing in most leagues, with the Rocky Mountain News speculating Friday that the Broncos may increase tight end Tony Scheffler's role in the passing game and give running back Selvin Young some action at receiver. Jay Cutler has been very inconsistent in his first full year as a starter and the road to a strong season just got a lot tougher.
Perhaps the only positive from Walker's injury is that Marshall now gets an extended chance to establish himself as a No. 1 receiver. The former fourth-round pick out of Central Florida flashed his incredible raw talent while totaling 309 yards on 20 catches as a rookie and has turned in four strong games in five chances this season. He's on pace for 1,150 yards on 85 catches and there's now a clear path for him to get double-digit targets every week.
While Shanahan and the Broncos try to salvage their season by leaning heavily on Travis Henry and their famous running game, here are some other notes from around football …
* After the Lions announced earlier this week that he's reclaimed the starting job, Kevin Jones said Thursday that he's ready to carry the ball 20-25 times despite not expecting to be 100 percent healthy at any point this season. "I just want to go out there and carry the load and play," Jones said. The Lions' style offensively makes 20-25 carries wishful thinking, but Jones could end up with 20-plus touches thanks to his strong receiving skills. He's a solid RB2 option.
* Despite Alex Smith saying that he's able to return from his shoulder injury this week, the 49ers announced Thursday that Trent Dilfer will make another start. It looked briefly like the team's passing game would get a huge boost with both Smith and Vernon Davis returning in Week 7, but instead Davis isn't much of a fantasy play with Dilfer trying to get him the ball and Frank Gore looks likely to see 20-plus touches against the Giants. Smith is now aiming to return next week.
* Steven Jackson hasn't been ruled out Week 7 and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Thursday that he "is making a spirited run at playing Sunday," but that seems unlikely given that he's been sidelined since September 23 with a torn groin and was only able to participate in limited drills Thursday. Jackson's progress is good to see, but don't count on him being in the lineup until at least Week 8 and the Rams may hold him out through their Week 9 bye.
* Todd Heap started Sunday despite ongoing hamstring problems, but exited after aggravating the injury in the second quarter. He's yet to practice this week and coach Brian Billick said Thursday that Heap is unlikely to play in Week 7. With backup Daniel Wilcox also out, the Ravens will start Quinn Sypniewski against the Bills. It's a good opportunity for Sypniewski and Heap's many targets need to go somewhere new, but his pass-catching ability is very limited.
* When Kurt Warner left Sunday's game with a torn ligament in his non-throwing elbow, initial speculation was that he could miss 6-8 weeks. The timetable then changed to Warner potentially returning in Week 9 following the Cardinals' bye. And now reports indicate that Warner might play Sunday. Whether it says more about Warner's toughness or the team's desire to avoid using Tim Rattay, there's a good chance that he'll see some action this week even if he doesn't start.
Two-Minute Drill: Clearly playing at less than 100 percent physically, Clinton Portis hasn't topped 100 rushing yards in any of his last 11 games … Chris Chambers said Thursday that he's comfortable with the Chargers' playbook and "can pretty much step into the huddle and play a game" following the team's bye … Meanwhile, with Chambers in San Diego, Derek Hagan is expected to take over as Miami's starting flanker opposite Marty Booker … Offensive coordinator Mike Martz said Thursday that Calvin Johnson is "100 percent" physically and will likely see his role in the offense increase going forward … Priest Holmes hasn't been promoted to the active roster yet, but has now put in back-to-back full practices … Despite his recent lack of production, Mark Clayton said Thursday that he's healthier than he's been all season … Stuck at the bottom of the running-back depth chart, the Dolphins reportedly may convert Lorenzo Booker to wide receiver … Already sporting a full red beard, Matt Jones said Thursday that he won't shave until he scores a touchdown, which he hasn't done since Week 16 of last season.
Red Zone: Joseph Addai (shoulder) practiced fully Thursday, but Marvin Harrison (knee) was listed as being limited leading up to Monday night's game … Drew Bennett (hamstring) looks unlikely to play in Week 7, but the Rams figure to have both Torry Holt (knee) and Isaac Bruce (hamstring) in the lineup … According to the Miami Herald, the Dolphins have no plans to let Trent Green (concussion) play for them again … Both Fred Taylor (groin) and Maurice Jones-Drew (thigh) were limited in practice Thursday, but figure to suit up Monday night … Sammy Morris (chest) is now expected to be sidelined through at least Week 10 … Ahman Green (knee) is expected to start this week after practicing fully Thursday … Both Brandon Jacobs (ankle) and Derrick Ward (ankle) were limited in practice Thursday, but the Giants indicated that Ward's injury is more of a concern … Offensive coordinator Gil Haskell indicated Thursday that he doesn't expected to have D.J. Hackett (ankle) at his disposal in Week 7 … Michael Pittman said Thursday that his injured ankle is "80 percent" healthy and he expects to be back in about two weeks, severely limiting Michael Bennett's potential value.
There is already an open DataReader associated with this Connection which must be closed first.
PRINTER FRIENDLY Football Daily Dose Archives
A couple days ago Javon Walker expressed optimism about returning to the lineup in Week 7, but coach Mike Shanahan announced Thursday that he'll undergo arthroscopic knee surgery and miss "a few weeks." Shanahan said that he had "no idea" when asked if Walker could potentially miss the remainder of the season and with Rod Smith still trying to make his way off the PUP list by Week 10 the Broncos' receiver depth is suddenly in rough shape.
Brandon Stokley moves into the starting lineup in place of Walker alongside Brandon Marshall and is worth grabbing in most leagues, with the Rocky Mountain News speculating Friday that the Broncos may increase tight end Tony Scheffler's role in the passing game and give running back Selvin Young some action at receiver. Jay Cutler has been very inconsistent in his first full year as a starter and the road to a strong season just got a lot tougher.
Perhaps the only positive from Walker's injury is that Marshall now gets an extended chance to establish himself as a No. 1 receiver. The former fourth-round pick out of Central Florida flashed his incredible raw talent while totaling 309 yards on 20 catches as a rookie and has turned in four strong games in five chances this season. He's on pace for 1,150 yards on 85 catches and there's now a clear path for him to get double-digit targets every week.
While Shanahan and the Broncos try to salvage their season by leaning heavily on Travis Henry and their famous running game, here are some other notes from around football …
* After the Lions announced earlier this week that he's reclaimed the starting job, Kevin Jones said Thursday that he's ready to carry the ball 20-25 times despite not expecting to be 100 percent healthy at any point this season. "I just want to go out there and carry the load and play," Jones said. The Lions' style offensively makes 20-25 carries wishful thinking, but Jones could end up with 20-plus touches thanks to his strong receiving skills. He's a solid RB2 option.
* Despite Alex Smith saying that he's able to return from his shoulder injury this week, the 49ers announced Thursday that Trent Dilfer will make another start. It looked briefly like the team's passing game would get a huge boost with both Smith and Vernon Davis returning in Week 7, but instead Davis isn't much of a fantasy play with Dilfer trying to get him the ball and Frank Gore looks likely to see 20-plus touches against the Giants. Smith is now aiming to return next week.
* Steven Jackson hasn't been ruled out Week 7 and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Thursday that he "is making a spirited run at playing Sunday," but that seems unlikely given that he's been sidelined since September 23 with a torn groin and was only able to participate in limited drills Thursday. Jackson's progress is good to see, but don't count on him being in the lineup until at least Week 8 and the Rams may hold him out through their Week 9 bye.
* Todd Heap started Sunday despite ongoing hamstring problems, but exited after aggravating the injury in the second quarter. He's yet to practice this week and coach Brian Billick said Thursday that Heap is unlikely to play in Week 7. With backup Daniel Wilcox also out, the Ravens will start Quinn Sypniewski against the Bills. It's a good opportunity for Sypniewski and Heap's many targets need to go somewhere new, but his pass-catching ability is very limited.
* When Kurt Warner left Sunday's game with a torn ligament in his non-throwing elbow, initial speculation was that he could miss 6-8 weeks. The timetable then changed to Warner potentially returning in Week 9 following the Cardinals' bye. And now reports indicate that Warner might play Sunday. Whether it says more about Warner's toughness or the team's desire to avoid using Tim Rattay, there's a good chance that he'll see some action this week even if he doesn't start.
Two-Minute Drill: Clearly playing at less than 100 percent physically, Clinton Portis hasn't topped 100 rushing yards in any of his last 11 games … Chris Chambers said Thursday that he's comfortable with the Chargers' playbook and "can pretty much step into the huddle and play a game" following the team's bye … Meanwhile, with Chambers in San Diego, Derek Hagan is expected to take over as Miami's starting flanker opposite Marty Booker … Offensive coordinator Mike Martz said Thursday that Calvin Johnson is "100 percent" physically and will likely see his role in the offense increase going forward … Priest Holmes hasn't been promoted to the active roster yet, but has now put in back-to-back full practices … Despite his recent lack of production, Mark Clayton said Thursday that he's healthier than he's been all season … Stuck at the bottom of the running-back depth chart, the Dolphins reportedly may convert Lorenzo Booker to wide receiver … Already sporting a full red beard, Matt Jones said Thursday that he won't shave until he scores a touchdown, which he hasn't done since Week 16 of last season.
Red Zone: Joseph Addai (shoulder) practiced fully Thursday, but Marvin Harrison (knee) was listed as being limited leading up to Monday night's game … Drew Bennett (hamstring) looks unlikely to play in Week 7, but the Rams figure to have both Torry Holt (knee) and Isaac Bruce (hamstring) in the lineup … According to the Miami Herald, the Dolphins have no plans to let Trent Green (concussion) play for them again … Both Fred Taylor (groin) and Maurice Jones-Drew (thigh) were limited in practice Thursday, but figure to suit up Monday night … Sammy Morris (chest) is now expected to be sidelined through at least Week 10 … Ahman Green (knee) is expected to start this week after practicing fully Thursday … Both Brandon Jacobs (ankle) and Derrick Ward (ankle) were limited in practice Thursday, but the Giants indicated that Ward's injury is more of a concern … Offensive coordinator Gil Haskell indicated Thursday that he doesn't expected to have D.J. Hackett (ankle) at his disposal in Week 7 … Michael Pittman said Thursday that his injured ankle is "80 percent" healthy and he expects to be back in about two weeks, severely limiting Michael Bennett's potential value.
