Stampede: Dixon, Brown ready to run for Bills

Both members of the Bills' running back tandem suffered injuries on Sunday, with Fred Jackson looking at a four-week absence due to a groin injury, and C.J. Spiller possibly being done for the season with a broken collarbone. Jackson can be kept on your fantasy bench depending on how desperately you need to fill his slot, but feel free to cut Spiller at any time.

Bills head coach Doug Marrone was non-committal on Monday as to how backups Anthony Dixon and Bryce Brown would replace the injured duo, saying, "We'll just see what gives us the best opportunity and then we'll just watch them in practice." Jackson called Brown an "every-down back" during a Monday radio interview, and a Bills' website beat writer said that Brown should see "plenty of action," while noting that Dixon would likely play more on passing downs due to Brown's likely deficiencies in pass protection. Also, remember that Brown - who is pretty clearly a more talented runner than Dixon, and probably a better receiver as well - had some fumbling issues when he was in Philadelphia.

What to do, fantasy owners? This situation is tough to gauge, but I think we'll see a timeshare this week, with Dixon as the goal-line back and safer play, and Brown as your home-run option. Brown hasn't even been active this season, and while that's partly a function of roster construction (Dixon plays special teams), why did this team let an ineffective Spiller keep playing without even giving Brown an opportunity? My gut says the coaches trust Dixon more, and that will lead to him getting at least as much work as Brown this week against the Jets. Both are flex-y types, but I'd be more hesitant to start Brown, at least until we hear more from this week's practices. If Brown rips off a 100-yard game, you can yell at me later. And if you're hunting for a free agent, I don't like either Bills' back as much as Tre Mason or Denard Robinson.

In other news ...

Lions WR Calvin Johnson (ankle) traveled to London with the team, but that doesn't mean he'll play this week. Bet on Megatron resting again until you hear otherwise.

I have no idea how the Saints will use Jimmy Graham (shoulder) this week. If he's active, I probably start him again, no matter how much he burned me in Week 7.

The status of Bengals WR A.J. Green (toe) is up in the air for Week 8. We should know more on Wednesday.

Reminder: The Giants and 49ers are off Sunday, while your Thursday game is Chargers-Broncos.

Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley said Monday that Denard Robinson would probably remain the team's feature back, and while that makes Robinson a very attractive free-agent target, he probably won't carry 20 times per game when Toby Gerhart (foot) is ready to play again. If you get Robinson, start him now, and manage your expectations later.

Robert Griffin III (ankle) is pushing to return, but early indications are that Colt McCoy will start at quarterback for the Redskins on Monday night at Dallas. The Cowboys' DST is owned in just 16.1 percent of FOXSports.com leagues, and looks to be a fine streaming candidate.

The Browns "briefly" discussed sending Johnny Manziel in to replace Brian Hoyer in their loss at Jacksonville, but say that no QB change is imminent. Nothing to do here now, except remember that Manziel was a first-round pick, and that Hoyer isn't Otto Graham after having a few solid games.

Side note: I was playing golf near Myrtle Beach a few years ago, and they paired me with another player. "Mr. Graham, to the tee," said the starter. The player introduced himself as Otto - from Cleveland, but no relation.

It'll be interesting to see how the Jets use Percy Harvin, but you have to think they'll use him more than the Seahawks did. I'll do rankings on Wednesday, but see Harvin landing on the border of WR2/flex territory.

RBs Ryan Mathews (knee) and Donald Brown (concussion) did not practice Monday for the Chargers, meaning that the Branden Oliver Express will once again be at full capacity on Thursday night in Denver.

The Panthers hope that RB DeAngelo Williams (ankle) will play this week, but with some new injuries to their already-depleted offensive line, you'll want to avoid him (and Jonathan Stewart) against the Seahawks.

Here's an article detailing the recent improvement of Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill, who has run for 35, 49 and 48 yards over his last three games, and posted fantasy totals of 24.6, 22.7 and 27.9 points over that span. I'd be happy to have Tannehill (owned in 33.2 percent of FOXSports.com leagues) as my QB2, rolling with him in any bye week, or if my starter had a difficult matchup. It's about time they started letting him run.

Broncos RB Montee Ball (groin) isn't expected to return until Week 10 or 11. The way Ronnie Hillman is playing, it might not matter.

See you back here Friday morning.