NFL Quick Hits: Bears' Jeffery headlines Week 1 concerns

By John Halpin
Published

Bears WR Alshon Jeffery (calf) didn't participate in the open portion of practice on Monday. No big deal, you say? Jeffery hasn't finished a practice since Aug. 11, and missed all four of the Bears' preseason games. Add a head coach whose responses to injury questions tend to feature five words or less, and we've got fantasy's biggest mystery heading into Week 1. If you own Jeffery, you're probably in for a long week of crossing your fingers.

In other news ...

The following players will miss Thursday's Steelers-Patriots opener: RB LeGarrette Blount (suspension), RB Le'Veon Bell (suspension), WR Martavis Bryant (suspension), WR Brandon LaFell (foot). DeAngelo Williams is the big fantasy winner here, as he'll get most of the backfield work for Pittsburgh.

As for the Pats' backfield, Monday's Boston Herald reported that "as the most experienced back in the system, (Brandon) Bolden is likely to start off assuming the early down role ... but Belichick will likely ride the hot hand as he tends to do once the game progresses, at which point any conventional wisdom flies out the window." So, maybe Bolden is a better bet than teammates James White, Dion Lewis or Travaris Cadet, but that doesn't make him a good option. I've got Bolden as a lukewarm RB37 this week. Stay away from this mess unless you're desperate.

Giants WR Victor Cruz (calf) didn't practice again Monday. NJ.com says "as far as we're aware, he hasn't done any running now in almost three weeks," so plan on being Cruz-less in Week 1. I get the feeling that RB Shane Vereen will be a busy man in the Giants' passing game Sunday night.

STLToday.com expects Rams RB Todd Gurley (knee) - who has been cleared for full contact in practice - to make his debut in Week 3 or 4. With Tre Mason (hamstring) looming as a gametime decision this week, Benny Cunningham is in play for fantasy owners.

Bucs WR Mike Evans (hamstring) didn't practice Monday, and missed the final two preseason games, but the team doesn't sound worried.

Browns RB Duke Johnson is still in the NFL's concussion protocol, so his status for Sunday is murky. Isaiah Crowell should be a busy man, though that won't be fun against the Jets.

The Browns are thin at running back after cutting Terrance West, who signed with the Titans. Do you still trust Bishop Sankey? I think I do for this week, at least.

The Falcons' website reports that rookie RB Tevin Coleman "will likely be the go-to guy against Philadelphia next Monday," mainly because Devonta Freeman's hamstring isn't a sure thing for Week 1.

The Texans say that RB Arian Foster (groin surgery) is "ahead of schedule" in his recovery. Week 4 or 5, maybe?

New Cowboys RB Christine Michael might make a fantasy impact down the road, but he's a "long shot" to play in Week 1, according to team VP Stephen Jones. Michael is a bit of a lottery ticket, and I picked him up in two leagues over the weekend. The players I dropped were Robert Turbin and Brandon LaFell, so it's not like I made any big sacrifices. You shouldn't, either.

Did you draft a few weeks ago: New kickers include Josh Lambo (Chargers), Andrew Franks (Dolphins), Zach Hocker (Saints), Kyle Brindza (Bucs), Jason Myers (Jags). 

Note on WR James Jones from the Green Bay Press-Gazette: "Jones would be a likely candidate to enter in three-receiver packages, allowing (Randall) Cobb to drop into the slot. The Packers like the long-term potential of (Ty) Montgomery and Jeff Janis, but also need to get immediate production." I wouldn't ditch Montgomery just yet, since Jones has been cut by two teams this year.

See you back here Friday morning, or sooner if necessary.