Courtesy of Footballguys.com
CHI - OLB Jared Allen traded away
Source: ESPN.com
The Chicago Bears traded DE Jared Allen to the Carolina Panthers Monday, Sept. 28, in exchange for a conditional draft pick. The Bears are paying $11.5 million of Allen's salary, while Carolina will pay him $823,000, according to sources.
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Allen did not fit into the Bears 3-4 defense, and he should look more at home as a defensive end with the Panthers. Charles Johnson is banged up with a hamstring injury, so the Panthers needed to make a move to add a pass-rusher. Allen is not the same player he used to be, but he could work well as a part-time player for the Panthers.
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PIT - Bruise a concern for QB Ben Roethlisberger
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger's (knee) bone bruise is as big as or bigger of an issue than his medial collateral ligament sprain.
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Reports at this time indicate Roethlisberger is more likely to miss six weeks than four weeks. We shall see about that. Roethlisberger will not be rushed back, but it wouldn't surprise us if he was ready to go in a month. Stay tuned.
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BAL - No practice for TE Crockett Gillmore
Source: Baltimoreravens.com
Baltimore Ravens TE Crockett Gillmore (calf) did not practice Monday, Sept. 28, due to a calf injury.
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Keep an eye on Gillmore and whether he can practice later this week.
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SEA - RB Marshawn Lynch to undergo MRI
Source: ESPN.com - Sheil Kapadia
Seattle Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch (hamstring) is scheduled to undergo an MRI on his injured hamstring Monday, Sept. 28.
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His status for the Week 4 game against the Detroit Lions is not known at this point, and head coach Pete Carroll said he probably will not have a good idea until Friday, Oct. 2.
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PIT - PIT HC confident in QB Michael Vick
Source: ESPN.com
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Michael Vick still has plenty of playing time left in his career, according to head coach Mike Tomlin. Vick will be the Steelers' starting quarterback for several weeks with QB Ben Roethlisberger (knee) sidelined. Vick completed five of six passes for 38 yards after Roethlisberger exited in Week 3.
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What else is Tomlin supposed to say, "Vick sucks unless he cares, then he's just average as a starter." The Steelers should use a simplified playbook for Vick as he gets used to the players around him on the Todd Haley system. One would think an absolute mandate for the Steelers offense is to get RB LeVeon Bell involved early and often. Another command should be getting WR Antonio Brown the ball about 10 times per game.
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NYJ - N.Y. non-committal on WR Eric Decker
Source: ESPNNewYork.com - Rich Cimini
New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles is non-committal on whether WR Eric Decker (knee) will play in Week 4 against the Miami Dolphins.
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The two teams play bright and early in London on Sunday morning. Move forward as if Decker is not going to play or at least very limited. In other words, have other options at the ready.
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STL - WR Brian Quick could play in Week 4
Source: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
St. Louis Rams WR Brian Quick has a chance to be active for the Week 4 game against the Arizona Cardinals, according to head coach Jeff Fisher.
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We'll believe it when we see it. Quick has been a healthy scratch the first three weeks of the season. At one time, the shoulder injury he had last year was thought to be career threatening. Now, we just don't know what's going on with Quick.
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CLE - WR Dwayne Bowe staying on roster
Source: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot
Cleveland Browns WR Dwayne Bowe will remain with the team and is expected to contribute as the season goes on, according to head coach Mike Pettine. Pettine said the team has not considered releasing Bowe.
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Here's the reason why Bowe is staying on the roster (per Spotrac.om) -- Dwayne Bowe signed a 2 year, $12,500,000 contract with the Cleveland Browns, including a $3,500,000 signing bonus, $9,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $6,250,000. In 2015, Bowe will earn a base salary of $2,650,000, a signing bonus of $3,500,000 and a workout bonus of $100,000. Bowe has a cap hit of $4,500,000 while his dead money value is $9,100,000. 'Nuff said.
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PHI - Coach happy with RB Ryan Mathews' play
Source: ESPN.com - Phil Sheridan
Philadelphia Eagles RB Ryan Mathews showed good size and explosion during the Week 3 game against the New York Jets, according to head coach Chip Kelly. 'He's a real decisive, one-cut runner. Stick[s] his foot in the ground and go. You're going to have to run through some arm tackles and he did. He's got some size to go with his explosion. You've got to be physical through there and he was really physical today,' Kelly said.
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Kelly should be happy as Mathews was the best part of the team's offense on Sunday. Who knows how this RB situation is going to work out when DeMarco Murray (hamstring) is healthy enough to play. Stay tuned.
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HOU - RB Arian Foster close to return?
Source: Houston Chronicle - Aaron Wilson
Houston Texans RB Arian Foster (groin) could be close to returning, according to head coach Bill O'Brien.
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This was about the expected timetable for Foster's return. The guy is in tune with his body, perhaps more than any other player in the league. When he's practicing fully, we're going to trust him as a RB1 upon his return.
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NE - RB Dion Lewis similar to former NE RB
Source: ESPNBoston.com - Mike Reiss
New England Patriots RB Dion Lewis reminds running backs coach Ivan Fears of former Patriots RB Kevin Faulk. 'He's very similar to Kevin. The only limitation that these guys have had is the size factor,' Fears said. 'Everybody just knocked them because of it. But believe me, they've proven a lot of people wrong.' Fears did also say that Lewis still has a lot of work to do.
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Faulk was a fantastic receiver out of the backfield, but we feel that Lewis is a better runner. Going forward, Lewis should be the team's lead back. In blowouts, the Patriots could turn to LeGarrette Blount just like they did in Week 3 against the Jaguars. The Patriots have a bye this week.
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CAR - RB Jonathan Stewart should be fine
Source: ESPN.com - David Newton
Carolina Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart (calf) should be able to play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 4 even though he suffered a calf injury in Week 3.
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Isn't that what we're always hearing about Stewart. The dude is talented, but man does he get banged up quite a bit. This week against the Buccaneers, Stewart should be able to perform like a RB2 with RB1 upside.
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NYJ - RB Chris Ivory will be able to play
Source: New York Daily News - Manish Mehta
New York Jets RB Chris Ivory (quadriceps) should be good to go against the Miami Dolphins in Week 4, according to head coach Todd Bowles. Ivory will rest a couple days this week.
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Watch for him to practice fully later in the week before trusting him in your lineup as a RB3/flex play. The Jets go up against the Dolphins in London on Sunday morning bright and early.
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DET - RB Joique Bell struggling early
Source: ESPN.com - Michael Rothstein
Detroit Lions RB Joique Bell has not been the running back he was in the past, but head coach Jim Caldwell said he believes he will able to return to that level of play. Bell is averaging only 1.1 yards per carry during the first three games of the season.
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The team has been loyal to Bell up to this point, but quite frankly the team is just better when Ameer Abdullah is getting featured. We'll see if Bell's role continues to shrink as Abdullah's role continues to grow as the season rolls on.
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CLE - QB Josh McCown feels fine
Source: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot
Updating a previous report, Cleveland Browns QB Josh McCown (hand, finger) said he feels fine despite a swollen right hand and a wrapped ring finger. McCown also said he won't miss practice.
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McCown doesn't want to miss any time because that could open the door for Johnny Manziel to be the starter again. Sounds like he's good to go for the team's Week 4 game against the Chargers.
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ARI - RB Andre Ellington expected to practice
Source: AZCardinals.com - Darren Urban
Arizona Cardinals RB Andre Ellington (knee) will participate in practice in a limited fashion during the early part of the week, according to head coach Bruce Arians.
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Watch to see if Ellington can practice fully later in the week. If he can play, it will hurt the fantasy value of both Chris Johnson and David Johnson.
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IND - WR Andre Johnson off to slow start
Source: Houston Chronicle - John McClain
Indianapolis Colts WR Andre Johnson has only tallied seven catches on 18 targets for 51 yards and no touchdowns through the first three games of the 2015 season.
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Father Time catches up with everyone, and it seems like Johnson is just a shadow of his former self. This reminds us so much of how Hakeem Nicks looked last year struggling to make plays for the Colts. Fantasy owners can feel confident in moving on to waiver-wire additions like Travis Benjamin or Allen Hurns.
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NYG - WR Victor Cruz works out
Source: ESPN.com - Dan Graziano
New York Giants WR Victor Cruz (calf, knee) ran routes and caught passes on a side field during the team's walkthrough Monday, Sept. 28, and believes he will be able to play against the Buffalo Bills in Week 4.
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The team plans to have Cruz practice Wednesday, Sept. 30, and possibly again Thursday, Oct. 1, if does not have any problems. Cruz could be held out another game if he has any problems with his knee or calf.
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STL - WR Nick Toon will join St. Louis
Source: FOXSports.com - Ross Jones
Free-agent WR Nick Toon (Saints) will sign with the St. Louis Rams, according to a source.
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This could be bad news for Brian Quick. He's recovering from a shoulder injury that was once thought to be career threatening. Quick has been a healthy scratch for every game this year, and there's been no spotting him on the injury report. It's one of the most mysterious situations right now. If Toon signs, then perhaps it's a sign that Quick is done.
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BUF - WR Sammy Watkins avoids serious injury
Source: NFL.com
Buffalo Bills WR Sammy Watkins (calf) was diagnosed with a mild calf strain and is listed as day-to-day, according to a source informed of the injury. However, head coach Rex Ryan said there's a chance that Watkins won't be able to play in Week 4 against the New York Giants.
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The Bills will be cautious with their superstar wide receiver here. Before he was hurt, Watkins had one catch for 39 yards. So long as Tyrod Taylor continues to gain confidence as a passer, we could see Watkins flourish.
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CAR - WR Jerricho Cotchery to miss a few weeks
Source: NFL.com
Carolina Panthers WR Jerricho Cotchery (ankle) is making progress in his recovery from an ankle injury but likely will not return to the field until after the Week 5 bye.
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That could lead to more of rookie Devin Funchess. The no1 WR in Carolina is Ted Ginn Jr. as he seems to have the best chemistry with QB Cam Newton. We'll see if Funchess can do more with an increased role.
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STL - RB Todd Gurley will need some time
Source: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
St. Louis Rams RB Todd Gurley, who had only six carries for nine yards and one catch for five yards in Week 3 against the Pittsburgh Steelers in his first game of the season, said it will take him some time to get back up to speed after recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee last year. Gurley doesn't expect his knee to be very sore this week.
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We're not surprised. It's not even been 12 months since Gurley originally hurt the knee. Fantasy owners just need to be patient as the Rams are wisely being cautious with their potential superstar.
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Source: footballguys.com