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NFL Player News for Week 16 - Early Edition
Source: footballguys.com
DAL - RB DeMarco Murray Week 16 Status Unclear
Source: NFL.com - Dan Hanzus
Dallas Cowboys RB DeMarco Murray (hand) has a good chance to play in Week 16 against the Indianapolis Colts after breaking a bone in his left hand, according to a team source. 'Obviously, DeMarco Murray has a broken bone in his hand,' owner Stephen Jones said. 'At the same time, he hasn't been ruled out. It's not something that if it responds well after surgery today, that he can't come back and play this weekend. It's probably a tough expectation to think that he can, but we'll see.'
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It's way too early to tell right now. We'll have to see if Murray is available for practice at all this week.
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DAL - RB Joseph Randle to see bigger role
Source: NFL.com - Dan Hanzus
Dallas Cowboys RB Joseph Randle will be the primary running back in Week 16 against the Indianapolis Colts if RB DeMarco Murray (hand) is forced to miss the game. RB Lance Dunbar would likely step into a bigger role, as well. 'I have a lot of confidence that Joseph Randle would step up and play big for us,' owner Stephen Jones said. 'Anytime that he's had a chance to run the ball this year -- which maybe hasn't been enough -- he's been very successful.'
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Murray has never played a full season in his pro career. This year things looked different as Murray had the largest workload he's ever seen as a football player. This hand injury could knock him out of a sweet matchup against a poor Colts rush defense in Week 16. Randle would be a RB2 with RB1 upside if he gets the start in your fantasy championship.
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BUF - RB C.J. Spiller to return to roster this week
Source: BuffaloBills.com - Chris Brown
Buffalo Bills RB C.J. Spiller (shoulder) will reclaim a roster spot this week, according to head coach Doug Marrone.
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Spiller has been cleared and it will be decided if he plays based on how he practices, Marrone added. When Spiller returns to the field, he will take a few snaps away from Fred Jackson.
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ATL - WR Julio Jones expected to play
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - D. Orlando Ledbetter
Atlanta Falcons WR Julio Jones (hip) is expected to be ready to play in Week 16, according to head coach Mike Smith.
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We'll see what Jones looks like during the week of practice. If all systems are "go" we see Jones as a WR1 for championship rounds in Week 16.
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IND - WR T.Y. Hilton's MRI negative
Source: ESPN.com - Mike Wells
Indianapolis Colts WR T.Y. Hilton (hamstring) had his MRI exam come back negative Monday, Dec. 15.
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Great news for Hilton and his fantasy owners here. The team is hoping that Hilton will be able to practice Wednesday, Dec. 17, or Thursday, Dec. 18. Hilton finished with four catches for 50 yards in Week 15 against the Houston Texans.
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HOU - WR Andre Johnson should play this week
Source: ESPN.com - Tania Ganguli
Houston Texans WR Andre Johnson (concussion), who sat out in Week 15, is looking good and is expected to play in Week 16 against the Baltimore Ravens, according to head coach Bill O'Brien.
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We'll see if Johnson can get back in practice after dealing with his concussion last week. Johnson had to go through the NFL's protocol for concussions and get cleared by an independent doctor before being cleared to practice.
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WAS - Robert Griffin expected to start
Source: NFL.com
Washington Redskins QB Robert Griffin III is expected to be the starting quarterback for Week 16, according to head coach Jay Gruden.
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We'll see if Griffin can continue building confidence here. Griffin showed more confidence as a passer, and he ran the ball effectively against the Giants in Week 15.
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ARI - QB Ryan Lindley to start in Week 16
Source: AZCardinals.com - Darren Urban
Arizona Cardinals QB Ryan Lindley will be the starting quarterback in Week 16, according to head coach Bruce Arians.
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This headline should send chills down the spines of Cardinals fans. They're having a great season, but all of these QB injuries are likely to shorten their year. Arians said the team will also have a package for QB Logan Thomas during the game.
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SD - WR Keenan Allen being evaluated
Source: NFL.com
San Diego Chargers WR Keenan Allen (ankle) is having his ankle injury evaluated Monday, Dec. 15, according to head coach Mike McCoy.
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Allen was banged up early in the game against the Broncos in Week 15. We'll see if he can get treatment and get back to practice before the Week 16 matchup against the 49ers on Saturday.
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JAX - QB Blake Bortles may miss Week 16
Source: The Florida Times-Union - Ryan O'Halloran
Jacksonville Jaguars QB Blake Bortles (foot) is dealing with a mid-foot sprain and is expected to be questionable for the team's Week 16 game.
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Great. The Jaguars play on Thursday night against the Titans, and we may see Chad Henne at quarterback.
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CAR - QB Cam Newton's Week 16 status uncertain
Source: The Charlotte Observer - Joseph Person
Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton (back) will only start in Week 16 if the team believes Newton can protect himself during the game, according to head coach Ron Rivera. 'I don't want to put a guy out there that can't protect himself,' Rivera said. 'By that it's being able to run out of the way, scramble out of the way, stay alive, keep the play alive by being able to get away. That's all part of it. That's all part of the decision that went into the first Tampa Bay game.'
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Derek Anderson is a fine starter, and there's no need to rush Newton back until he's ready. The team has a rehab program for Newton, and his status will be determined based on if he can meet the rehab goals during the week.
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PHI - QB Nick Foles will not play Week 16
Source: NFL.com
Philadelphia Eagles QB Nick Foles (collarbone) has been ruled out for Week 16, because his collarbone is not completely healed, according to head coach Chip Kelly.
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Well, that ends any sort of budding QB controversy we could have had this week in Philadelphia. Mark Sanchez has looked shell shocked since getting rocked by the Seahawks defense a couple of weeks ago. He'll be the starter on Saturday against Washington.
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DEN - QB Peyton Manning fine for Week 16
Source: ProFootballTalk.com - Mike Florio
Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning (thigh, illness) is not expected to be in danger of missing Week 16. The thigh injury is believed to be related to his illness, and the team isn't concerned.
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Manning suffered from flu-like symptoms on Saturday night, but he played Sunday and was decent. This isn't the same Broncos offense as before, and fantasy owners who relied on Manning to get to the championship game should look for better options in Week 16. Denver is going to be run-heavy the rest of the way this season.
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ARI - Cardinals to re-sign Zach Bauman
Source: NFL.com - Ian Rapoport
Free-agent RB Zach Bauman (Cardinals) will sign with the Arizona Cardinals.
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The former Northern Arizona back can be a good change-of-pace player. He's quick to and through the hole, plus Bauman has some quickness in the open field. Fantasy owners in super deep dynasty leagues need to be monitoring him.
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PIT - Roethlisberger, OC clicking
Source: ESPN.com - Scott Brown
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger and offensive coordinator Todd Haley are working very well together this season. With the game on the line late in the fourth quarter in Week 15 against the Atlanta Falcons, Haley gave Roethlisberger the freedom to decide between two different plays. The fact that Haley didn't insist on a run with just one yard to gain shows how well the relationship between the coordinator and QB is going.
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Giving Roethlisberger freedom to run the offense has benefited the Steelers greatly. Haley is taking more of a backseat on game day, and it's helped the team thrive on offense. Roethlisberger was 12-for-14 for 191 yards on plays in which the Falcons rushed at least five defenders, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
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JAX - RB Jordan Todman, WR Cecil Shorts see valuable time
Source: ESPN.com - Michael DiRocco
Jacksonville Jaguars RB Jordan Todman saw his most playing time of the year in Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens, playing 27 of 68 offensive snaps. However, he ran just three times for seven yards and had a catch for 19 yards. WR Cecil Shorts was targeted 11 times in the game, which was his second highest total of the season (16).
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Each week the leading target in Jacksonville's offense seems to change. One week, Shorts is the man. Next week, Marqise Lee is the leader. Then, another week Allen Hurns will be at the top. The Jaguars offense is best avoided by fantasy owners.
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JAX - QB Blake Bortles too indecisive
Source: ESPN.com - Michael DiRocco
Jacksonville Jaguars QB Blake Bortles, who has been sacked 46 times in just over 10 games this year, needs to improve his decision making in the pocket, according to head coach Gus Bradley.
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The rookie is getting an education this year, that's for sure. Bortles has taken a pounding this year partly because he is holding onto the ball too long instead of making a quick throw or throwing the ball away.
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JAX - Jags continue to struggle with protection
Source: ESPN.com - Michael DiRocco
Jacksonville Jaguars QB Blake Bortles was sacked eight times in the team's Week 15 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, which was the fifth game in a row where he was sacked at least five times. Bortles had 10 dropbacks against the blitz, and they lost 17 yards on those plays, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
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Bortles has been sacked 46 times this year, and the Jags have given up 62 sacks in 14 games, which is one shy of the team record set in 2001.
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WAS - RB Roy Helu may play in Week 16
Source: ESPN.com - John Keim
Washington Redskins RB Roy Helu (toe) has a chance to play in Week 16. Helu was not able to play in Week 15 because of the toe injury.
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If Helu plays, then Chris Thompson will see fewer snaps.
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GB - Packers hurt by drops in Week 15
Source: ESPN.com - Rob Demovsky
Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers had one of his worst games as a pro in Week 15 against the Buffalo Bills, but he wasn't helped by seven dropped passes in the game, either, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
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Seven drops by seven different receivers. Green Bay entered Week 15 with only 13 drops in the entire season.
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WAS - QB Colt McCoy could go on IR
Source: ESPN.com - John Keim
Washington Redskins QB Colt McCoy (neck) could be placed on the Reserve/Injured list after he aggravated a neck injury during the team's Week 15 game.
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McCoy has been beat up over the last two weeks. Washington will move forward with Robert Griffin III as the starter so long as McCoy is hurt/out.
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ARI - QB Drew Stanton could miss 2-4 weeks
Source: ESPN.com - Josh Weinfuss
Arizona Cardinals QB Drew Stanton (knee) could be out two to four weeks, according to head coach Bruce Arians. 'Everybody's so different in how they heal,' Arians said. 'So much of it's your makeup mentally -- how bad do you want to heal? And he wants to heal up fast. We'll see.'
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Are you ready for the Ryan Lindley era? Yeah, the Cardinals are hurting at quarterback. Lindley has a strong arm but little accuracy. That's similar to the skill set of rookie QB Logan Thomas. While Lindley has more experience, Thomas at least has the athleticism to break away and run if need be.
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CLE - QB Johnny Manziel prevented from scrambling left
Source: ESPN.com - Coley Harvey
Cleveland Browns QB Johnny Manziel was held to just 107 yards of total offense in the Week 15 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Bengals defensive coordinator watched game tape of Manziel's two college losses to Louisiana State and Missouri in order to game plan for him. 'Those were his worst two games in college,' Guenther said. 'You could see obviously what their plan was -- to keep him in the pocket or to move him to a side where he wasn't throwing.' The Bengals prevented Manziel from going to his left.
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The Bengals were ready for Johnny Manziel, and they have now given a blueprint for the rest of the league--from his first start. Things looked bad out there for Manziel, and he certainly didn't show any fantasy potential in Week 15. As a starter, Manziel is a low-end QB2 until we see more development from the rookie.
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TEN - QB Jake Locker to have surgery
Source: TitansOnline.com
Updating a previous report, Tennessee Titans QB Jake Locker (shoulder) will undergo shoulder surgery Tuesday, Dec. 16, according to head coach Ken Whisenhunt. Locker was placed on Reserve/Injured Monday, Dec. 15.
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Even Sam Bradford thinks that Locker is banged up too much. Locker's time as the franchise quarterback in Tennessee is likely over. He's athletic and has flashed a *little* bit at times, but he's hurt way too much. Locker is a free agent in 2015, and he'll have to latch on (likely somewhere else) as a backup quarterback.
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DEN - WR Cody Latimer cleared to practice
Source: The Denver Post - Troy E. Renck
Denver Broncos WR Cody Latimer (concussion) has cleared the concussion protocol and will be able to practice this week.
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That's awesome....now we just wish the Broncos would actually use him. Dynasty owners don't lose faith here. Latimer has a ton of talent, and he fits right in with this amazing 2014 rookie WR class. However, in Denver he's buried on the depth chart behind Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders and Wes Welker. We'll see Welker likely move on next year, and that could catapult Latimer into the starting lineup outside opposite Thomas (assuming Sanders moves to the slot). That's a great scenario for Latimer, and plenty of reason for dynasty owners to keep him or add him.
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TEN - Signing QB Jordan Palmer
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
The Tennessee Titans are signing free-agent QB Jordan Palmer (Bills) Monday, Dec. 15, according to a source.
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The Titans want some veteran experience here. Plus, they needed to add another QB because Jake Locker (shoulder) is lost for the season.
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HOU - Houston starting QB not decided yet
Source: HoustonTexans.com
Houston Texans QBs Case Keenum and Thaddeus Lewis will find out later this week which one of them will start versus the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16.
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Keenum has more experience after serving as a backup and spot starter for the Texans for years. Lewis has a stronger arm and is more athletic, but the team could choose to keep him as a backup.
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HOU - QB Ryan Fitzpatrick has surgery
Source: Houston Chronicle - John McClain
Houston Texans QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (leg) underwent surgery Monday, Dec. 15, on his broken tibia he suffered in Week 15. QB Tom Savage (knee) will miss at least this week's game against the Baltimore Ravens.
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The Texans are in real trouble here. It's now going to be the Case Keenum or Thad Lewis show at quarterback.
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BAL - Asa Jackson out for season
Source: WNST
Baltimore Ravens CB Asa Jackson (knee) will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury suffered in Week 15.
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Another Ravens CB lost for the season due to injury. The team is incredibly thin at the position, and they'll be in trouble in the postseason (provided they make it) when facing pass-happy teams.
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DEN - OLB Danny Trevathan out for the year
Source: The Denver Post - Mike Klis
Denver Broncos LB Danny Trevathan (knee) is out for the remainder of the season after suffering another left knee injury versus the San Diego Chargers in Week 15.
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Bad news for the Broncos here. Their linebacker corps is already an injury-depleted group. Trevathan is their best linebacker in coverage. Now, they'll have to lean on younger players like Lamin Barrow or Corey Nelson.
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Originally Posted by dfish
