NFL Quick Hits: Waiting on Jeffery, Marshall
Have you ever seen so many NFL injuries? Probably, since there's a week every year when we say that. Fantasy football owners got hit hard in Week 2, and the damage might not be done yet. Let's get to the news and notes to help you prepare for Week 3. Basically, everyone in the league aside from Eli Manning is dealing with some sort of injury.
Bears WR Alshon Jeffery didn't practice Friday due to a knee issue, and always-ebullient head coach John Fox didn't offer many details to help fantasy owners. The Chicago Tribune reports that Jeffery will "push to play Sunday night" for the privilege of tracking down passes from Brian Hoyer.
Jets WR Brandon Marshall hasn't practiced this week, and his status for Sunday is "very much up in the air," per NJ.com. Feel free to fire up Quincy Enunwa (owned in 20.2 percent of FOXSports.com leagues) if Marshall can't play.
Dolphins RB Arian Foster hasn't practiced this week due to a groin injury, and was tabbed by NFL.com as a "long shot to play." The Miami Herald suggests that the Dolphins will use a committee to replace Foster, with Jay Ajayi leading and Kenyan Drake "expected to get a good amount of work." Drake seems like a longshot fantasy start, though.
Bills head coach Rex Ryan noted "heightened concern" regarding Sammy Watkins' status for Sunday, and offered only an "I certainly hope so" when asked Thursday if he thought Watkins would play. There are no other Bills' receivers worth your consideration.
The Bucs are ready to roll with Charles Sims as their lead back while Doug Martin (hamstring) is out. Sims is RB18 on my board this week.
This was by far the best tweet I saw during the Patriots' surprising destruction of the Texans on Thursday. My answer to the question was Dillon Panthers QB Matt Saracen. Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said Wednesday that RB Thomas Rawls (shin) was on track to play this week, but Rawls missed practice again Thursday. If Rawls can't go, Christine Michael will be a solid fantasy start against the 49ers. If Rawls plays, a dreaded timeshare awaits.
Wait, there's actually good news to report on someone? Redskins WR DeSean Jackson (knee, ankle) returned to practice on Thursday, and is hopeful about his status for Sunday.
The Dolphins' DST is still owned in just 30.6 percent of FOXSports.com leagues. You know that Cody Kessler is starting at QB for the Browns, right? And that the rest of his teammates are still the Browns?
Saints WR Willie Snead didn't practice Thursday due to a toe injury. With the Saints playing Monday night, you'll want clarity on Snead before setting your lineup. If you need to pick up someone to use as a late swap for Snead, Falcons WR Mohamed Sanu is owned in 30.3 percent of FOXSports.com leagues. There's really nobody else worth doing it for, unless you want to take a flier and flex Travaris Cadet.
In other Saints' news, Sean Payton wants his team to run more against a Falcons team that has allowed 4.6 yards per carry. If Mark Ingram doesn't have a big game this week, when will he?
The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that the Chargers will "lean on" rookie TE Hunter Henry in the event of Antonio Gates' absence, which appears likely at this point. If we find out Friday that Gates won't play because of his hamstring issue, don't be afraid to replace him with Henry, a second-round pick who can catch the ball. The Chargers are hurting for receiving options, and they probably won't hesitate to target Henry, who is owned in just 1.1 percent of FOXSports.com leagues.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said this week that "another week is going to help" Jamaal Charles. Charles' absence isn't confirmed, but plan to be without him again.
Julio Jones' calf injury doesn't sound like anything to worry about, but you'll want to monitor news about it just to be safe, since he plays Monday night.
RB Chris Ivory should be back this week for the Jaguars, but he might have to run behind a patchwork offensive line. Avoid Ivory if you can.
Zach Ertz (rib) still doesn't sound ready to play, so backup Trey Burton (1.1 percent owned) will again be an option after posting a 5-49-1 line against the Bears in Week 2. I'd lean toward Henry over Burton if looking for a tight end, though.
Speaking of tight ends, Tyler Eifert (ankle) is practicing again, but he won't be ready to return until at least next week.
In one last tight end note, Virgil Green (calf) is expected to be a gametime decision for the Broncos.
Our positional rankings are posted here if you need help with lineup selections. We'll have our usual Sunday morning chat from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. ET to offer more advice, and I'll do a Facebook Live Q&A from 10-10:30 a.m. Sunday to answer more questions. Finally, you can catch me on Twitter (@jhalpin37) anytime. Good luck in Week 3!