NFL Quick Hits: Who runs for the Seahawks?
Seahawks RB Thomas Rawls broke his ankle on Sunday, and with Marshawn Lynch's regular-season return up in the air, the team needs to cobble together a backfield for Sunday's game against the Browns. DuJuan Harris carried 18 times for 42 yards after Rawls got hurt, and the team re-signed Bryce Brown on Monday. Head coach Pete Carroll said that Fred Jackson will remain the third-down back, so either Harris or Brown (with a splash of fullback Derrick Coleman) is likely to carry the load this week.
Harris is a little guy (5-8, 197) who was signed from the practice squad a few weeks ago, while Brown has already been waived twice by the Seahawks, so it makes sense that they prefer Harris over fumble-riffic Brown. This could be some sort of committee, but Harris is the fantasy free agent to target, and you can get him everywhere if you're first in line. He's the one to spend your FAAB on, too.
In other news ...
Bengals QB Andy Dalton (broken thumb) is being called week-to-week, but unless you have a Week 17 championship game - and even that would be a stretch - you can waive him. A couple of decent, low-owned QBs on FOXSports.com are Ryan Fitzpatrick (26.4%) and Kirk Cousins (20.8%). If you can't get them, everyone else is a complete dart throw, with Cincy's A.J. McCarron as the best one. Bengals OC Hue Jackson joked Monday that the team won't run 70 times to take the ball out of McCarron's hands, but 40 rushes is a possibility.
Colts QB Andrew Luck (lacerated kidney) wants to return to practice this week, but says he's not yet 100 percent, and if that's the case he won't play Sunday. If Matt Hasselbeck (ribs) can't go, Charlie Whitehurst will start Sunday for the Colts. The Colts are targeting a Thursday return to practice for Hasselbeck, according to the Indianapolis Star.
Jaguars RB T.J. Yeldon left Sunday's game with a knee sprain, but the team doesn't seem too worried. The team's website reports that Yeldon's status "will be updated in more detail on Wednesday," so Denard Robinson (2.6 percent owned) can be viewed as a speculative fantasy pickup. The Jags signed Jonas Gray this morning, which makes you think things might be more serious than they're letting on.
Bengals TE Tyler Eifert (concussion) is in wait-and-see mode for Week 15.
Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart (ankle) and TE Greg Olsen (knee) had MRIs on Monday, and the results are TBD. Stewart was seen in a walking boot on Monday, while Olsen is expected to play. If Stewart can't play, Fozzy Whittaker is the best choice from what should be a committee of Panther backs. Cameron Artis-Payne has been inactive most weeks, so it's hard to imagine him stepping into a big role.
Bucs WR Vincent Jackson is probably done for the season with a sprained knee.
The Patriots didn't offer any update Monday on RB LeGarrette Blount (hip), and we'll have a better idea Wednesday if WR Julian Edelman (foot) can return this week.
The Redskins are calling WR DeSean Jackson day-to-day with a bruised knee, but they don't sound concerned.
With Brian Hoyer (concussion) considered doubtful for Sunday's game at Indy, the Texans are preparing to start T.J. Yates. In light of this news, the Colts (4.1 percent owned) make for an interesting DST flier.
Chiefs RB Spencer Ware missed some of Sunday's game with bruised ribs, but he did re-enter the contest after the injury, so it's probably not THAT bad.
With Dexter McCluster done for the season due to a broken wrist, Bishop Sankey will take over the pass-catching role in the Titans' backfield.
DraftKings notes: Cam Newton ($7,800) certainly looks good against a bad Giants' defense, but I'll go with a cheaper option such as Matthew Stafford or Blake Bortles at $6,100, or even Alex Smith ($5,100). Stafford is at New Orleans, so he'll probably throw six TD passes ... Adrian Peterson ($7,100) is worth the price at RB, and Buck Allen ($4,500) is likely to provide solid value due to DK's PPR format ... Tim Hightower's high volume warrants the $3,900 price tag ... Julio Jones ($8,500) is my favorite of the big four, as I'd rather not spend on OBJ versus Josh Norman ... Sammy Watkins ($6,200), Doug Baldwin ($5,800) and Golden Tate ($5,500) are solid mid-priced options, and Michael Floyd ($4,400) at Philly can save money ... Ben Watson ($4,400) has been solid, with 32 catches in his last six games ... The Seahawks ($4,200) and Pats ($3,700) are the obvious DST plays, with the Texans ($2,500), Vikings ($2,500) and Colts ($2,000) looking like budget-minded plays.
See you back here Friday morning.