Jene Bramel
Footballguy
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Highlights include:
Cameron Wake continues to be limited by his MCL sprain. He's reportedly closer to playing this week, but he may only see situational pass rusher duty. He's an option in big play leagues only and probably won't be full strength for another week or two. Dion Jordan will continue to be used in a situational role as long as Derrick Shelby holds his own on base downs. Don't expect much more than 25 snaps from Jordan until later in the season.
The Rams brought Jo-Lonn Dunbar back this week after his four week suspension. He's no threat to Alec Ogletree's nickel spot but Dunbar could cut down on some of Ogletree's range opportunities. Dunbar's return will put even more variance in the safety stat lines. The matchup and home stat crew make Ogletree and James Laurinaitis, who's no longer on the injury report with his foot problem, the only viable starters in the back seven. Robert Quinn could have a monster day against the Jags and Chris Long is a viable play in sack-heavy leagues, too. Cortland Finnegan will likely sit with a thigh injury today.
The Bengals used Taylor Mays in the base defense heavily with Reggie Nelson injured last week. That put Rey Maualuga into a near every-down role. Nelson is back healthy this week and it's hard to see Cincinnati using Maualuga in subpackages against the New England offense. However, the Bengals could be without three cornerbacks today, making it hard to use a dime package. We'll not know Maualuga's role until the first series, so he's a risky start today.Michael Johnson did not practice on Friday with a concussion and is likely well on the doubtful side of questionable.
The Giants acquired Jon Beason from Carolina this week. He could work into some packages today but won't be a fantasy option unless and until he (a) plays the majority of downs at middle linebacker and (2) shows he's capable of running and staying healthy for more than a week. Spencer Paysinger and Jacquain Williams are likely to see the most snaps today. Paysinger has LB2 upside. Jason Pierre-Paul is back on the injury report with a knee injury that he's said is a low-grade MCL sprain but fully practiced all week. He has DL1 upside against Michael Vick at home today. Linval Joseph and Corey Webster are unlikely to play.
The local media clarified a report that Bruce Carter had been benched for Ernie Sims late this week. Sims looks to be starting in the nickel package only, with Carter still likely to see the majority of base defensive reps. Carter hasn't been bad in coverage, but he's not yet grasped the correct zone drops in Kiffin's Tampa-2 defense. It's a scheme that Sims has played in previously. Sims' issues have always been poor fundamental tackling and durability. Still, the Denver matchup should skew the snap count heavily in Sims' favor. Carter should be out of your lineup today. Sims is a boom-bust LB3 in all formats. We could see our first solid snap count for DeVonte Holloman today with Justin Durant unlikely to play with a groin injury. George Selvie is questionable after last week's concussion but practiced in a helmet on Friday. That's a good indication that he's been cleared for contact and likely to play.
The Falcons have multiple issues at linebacker. Akeem Dent is out with an ankle injury. Paul Worrilow is limited with a knee injury. Sean Weatherspoon remains on the IR / return list with his foot sprain. As usual, there's little information in the local media here. I think Worrilow has a better than questionable shot at starting and playing every-down with Joplo Bartu. We'll likely see some of Omar Gaither at middle linebacker whether Worrilow is active or not, with Jonathan Massaquoi seeing more snaps if Worrilow is down. If you can hedge Worrilow with Gaither, it's a reasonable plan. If not, Bartu is your only certain fantasy option.
Highlights include:
Cameron Wake continues to be limited by his MCL sprain. He's reportedly closer to playing this week, but he may only see situational pass rusher duty. He's an option in big play leagues only and probably won't be full strength for another week or two. Dion Jordan will continue to be used in a situational role as long as Derrick Shelby holds his own on base downs. Don't expect much more than 25 snaps from Jordan until later in the season.
The Rams brought Jo-Lonn Dunbar back this week after his four week suspension. He's no threat to Alec Ogletree's nickel spot but Dunbar could cut down on some of Ogletree's range opportunities. Dunbar's return will put even more variance in the safety stat lines. The matchup and home stat crew make Ogletree and James Laurinaitis, who's no longer on the injury report with his foot problem, the only viable starters in the back seven. Robert Quinn could have a monster day against the Jags and Chris Long is a viable play in sack-heavy leagues, too. Cortland Finnegan will likely sit with a thigh injury today.
The Bengals used Taylor Mays in the base defense heavily with Reggie Nelson injured last week. That put Rey Maualuga into a near every-down role. Nelson is back healthy this week and it's hard to see Cincinnati using Maualuga in subpackages against the New England offense. However, the Bengals could be without three cornerbacks today, making it hard to use a dime package. We'll not know Maualuga's role until the first series, so he's a risky start today.Michael Johnson did not practice on Friday with a concussion and is likely well on the doubtful side of questionable.
The Giants acquired Jon Beason from Carolina this week. He could work into some packages today but won't be a fantasy option unless and until he (a) plays the majority of downs at middle linebacker and (2) shows he's capable of running and staying healthy for more than a week. Spencer Paysinger and Jacquain Williams are likely to see the most snaps today. Paysinger has LB2 upside. Jason Pierre-Paul is back on the injury report with a knee injury that he's said is a low-grade MCL sprain but fully practiced all week. He has DL1 upside against Michael Vick at home today. Linval Joseph and Corey Webster are unlikely to play.
The local media clarified a report that Bruce Carter had been benched for Ernie Sims late this week. Sims looks to be starting in the nickel package only, with Carter still likely to see the majority of base defensive reps. Carter hasn't been bad in coverage, but he's not yet grasped the correct zone drops in Kiffin's Tampa-2 defense. It's a scheme that Sims has played in previously. Sims' issues have always been poor fundamental tackling and durability. Still, the Denver matchup should skew the snap count heavily in Sims' favor. Carter should be out of your lineup today. Sims is a boom-bust LB3 in all formats. We could see our first solid snap count for DeVonte Holloman today with Justin Durant unlikely to play with a groin injury. George Selvie is questionable after last week's concussion but practiced in a helmet on Friday. That's a good indication that he's been cleared for contact and likely to play.
The Falcons have multiple issues at linebacker. Akeem Dent is out with an ankle injury. Paul Worrilow is limited with a knee injury. Sean Weatherspoon remains on the IR / return list with his foot sprain. As usual, there's little information in the local media here. I think Worrilow has a better than questionable shot at starting and playing every-down with Joplo Bartu. We'll likely see some of Omar Gaither at middle linebacker whether Worrilow is active or not, with Jonathan Massaquoi seeing more snaps if Worrilow is down. If you can hedge Worrilow with Gaither, it's a reasonable plan. If not, Bartu is your only certain fantasy option.
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