Morning Football Update: McFadden, Mathews, Bradshaw not looking good
Here's the usual Friday rundown on where you can find fantasy football assistance over the weekend:
- Tweet the FOXSports.com fantasy team. I'm at @jhalpin37, and you can also contact Ryan Fowler (@FOXSportsFowler), Joel Beall (@FOXSportsBeall) and Mike Harmon (@SwollenDome).
- Post a message on the Facebook pages for Harmon, Fowler and me.
- Listen to FOX Fantasy Freaks Harmon, Peter Burns and Nate Lundy, on FOX Sports Radio Sunday from 9 a.m. until noon ET. You can also tweet those guys (@FantasyFreaks).
- Chat with Fowler, Beall and me on FOXSports.com Sunday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. I'll be in my regular noon slot this week.
On to the rest of the news:
- Darren McFadden (foot) hasn't practiced this week for the Raiders, and while he hasn't officially been ruled out, look for Michael Bush to carry the load. Bush and rookie Taiwan Jones have been splitting first-team reps in practice, but here's a note from the San Francisco Chronicle: "Jones, the rookie speedster, will be a nice change of pace back but expect Bush to be the bell cow against the Broncos." I've gotten a few questions about Jones, and if you want to grab him as a desperation flier in a deep league, I guess that's OK. He could break a big run for all we know, but he's more likely not to get just a handful of touches. The guy has had five NFL carries, and will be playing behind a pretty good back this week.
- The San Diego Union-Tribune calls Chargers RB Ryan Mathews "iffy, at best" for this week's game against the Packers, as he hasn't practiced this week due to a groin injury. Mike Tolbert looks like a really nice fantasy play against the Packers. Get ready to start Tolbert if you have him.
- The latest on Ahmad Bradshaw's broken foot from the New York Daily News is that he won't need surgery, and still has a chance to play against the Patriots, though he reportedly told some teammates that he'll miss a couple of weeks. I know Bradshaw has played through his foot injuries before, but I have Brandon Jacobs in one league, and I'm planning to start him on Sunday. If you own Bradshaw, don't count on him.
- Giants WR Hakeem Nicks plans to sit out practice again today, and test his hamstring on Saturday. This one sounds close to 50-50, and we could be heading for a gametime decision. My gut says Nicks will play, but maybe that's because I've been predicting a Giants' victory all week. Whether or not Nicks can go, get Mario Manningham and Victor Cruz in your lineups. This could be a shootout.
- Remember your byes: The Panthers, Vikings, Jaguars and Lions are off this week.
- Browns RB Peyton Hillis (hamstring) practiced Thursday, and says he'll return this week after being almost non-existent since Week 2. Figure that Hillis isn't just blowing smoke, but make sure he's active on Sunday morning, just to be safe. I'll tweet news on Hillis and others when I see it. Those of you that picked up Browns RB Chris Ogbonnaya shouldn't get your hopes up.
- The Broncos seem to think that RB Willis McGahee will play on Sunday, less than two weeks after surgery on his broken right hand. I'm a little worried about a late scratch if John Fox is concerned that McGahee can't protect the ball, but the smart bet is that if he practices again today, he'll play.
- We're tracking toward another gametime decision for Texans WR Andre Johnson (hamstring).
- There could be a duel of backup quarterbacks in Arizona on Sunday. John Skelton is expected to start in place of Kevin Kolb (toe) for the Cardinals, while Rams QB Sam Bradford (ankle) only participated in individual drills on Thursday. A.J. Feeley would make his third straight start if Bradford can't go. Is it too late for FOX make Rams-Cardinals the national game instead of Giants-Patriots?
- Cowboys RB Felix Jones (ankle) still isn't practicing, so look for a healthy dose of DeMarco Murray on Sunday. The Seahawks (league-best 3.2 YPC) have a really tough rushing defense, though.
- Falcons WR Julio Jones was limited in Thursday's practice, but it sounds like he'll play after missing two games with a hamstring injury.
- Dolphins RB Daniel Thomas (hamstring) was limited in Thursday's practice. I like Thomas, but his injury issues are getting annoying, and I won't trust him this week until I know he's active.
- Colts RB Joseph Addai has been practicing this week, and should be ready to go after being active only in an emergency capacity for Week 8. Who's excited? Anyone? Hellooooooo ....
- Bengals TE Jermaine Gresham (hamstring) hasn't practiced yet this week.
- Redskins TE Fred Davis was limited in Thursday's practice after resting on Wednesday. Davis' ankle sprain is mild, and he should be OK to play.
- Chargers WR Vincent Jackson (finger) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, while teammate Malcom Floyd (hip) wasn't available and is far from a sure thing for Sunday. The Packers have a terrible pass defense, so V-Jax could have a nice bounceback day for his frustrated fantasy owners.
- 49ers TE Vernon Davis hates getting double-covered. Don't we all?
- Emmanuel Sanders' mother passed away this week, and the Steelers aren't expecting him to play against the Ravens.
- Eagles TE Brent Celek missed Thursday's practice due to a bruised hip, but expects to play Monday. Teammate LeSean McCoy also missed practice due to a stomach flu, but he should be fine.
- RB Mark Ingram (heel) still isn't practicing for the Saints. Ugh. Maybe this is Pierre Thomas' week to play well, since he let us down last week? The Bucs are ranked 23rd in the league against the run.
- On the other side of the ball in the Bucs-Saints game, I'm excited for owners of LeGarrette Blount. Their long-awaited explosion is almost here, as the Saints are giving up 5.5 yards per carry.
- More reps for Patriots WR Taylor Price, huh? He can stretch the field, too? I saw this movie last year, and it was called The Ballad of Brandon Tate, so pardon me for not getting too excited. I'm a little bit intrigued, though.
- This week's guest on Revis Island is likely to be Bills WR Steve Johnson. Enjoy your visit, Stevie! I'll be benching you in favor of Mario Manningham in a two-WR league.
See you back here Tuesday morning.
