Jacksonville reports that Cecil Shorts will be a true game-time decision during Week 7 when the Jaguars welcome in the San Diego Chargers. Shorts is suffering from a sprained sternoclavicular (SC) joint.
Shorts suffered the injury during the Jaguars Week 6 loss to the Broncos and is actually very unlikely to play Week 7. Shorts has been very upbeat and thinks he will be ready to play, but he also admits to being in so much pain that he has not been able to sleep at night.
Shorts hasn’t practiced all week long even though Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley say that Shorts could play. Bradley told the Jaguars website, “He’s sore now, so we’ll know more in a couple of days. The good news is the joint is stable.”
Make sure you have another receiver plugged into your Week 7 lineup.
It’s been a long time since Boldin’s Week 1 romp over the Packers
As the bye weeks are in full swing, fantasy owners will be looking for fill-ins at all positions, including wide receiver.
However, fantasy owners may also want to look for replacements for the following players. All three wideouts are in less than ideal situations to produce this week.
Here’s your bench list for Week 6:
Benching of the Week – Tavon Austin, St. Louis
Without a touchdown reception since Week 2, Tavon Austin’s drought is likely to continue this week against the Houston Texans. The Texans have played opposing wide receivers extremely well this year and have not surrendered a touchdown to a wideout in 3 weeks.
Austin is also not being given a chance to run the ball anymore, limiting the potential of the speedy receiver. Unable to produce last week against the lowly Jaguars, Austin belongs on your bench this week against the league’s top defense.
Anquan Boldin, San Francisco
Since his Week 1 explosion against the Green Bay Packers, Boldin has only had one game of 90 or more yards. With teams realizing Colin Kaepernick’s limitations as a passer and the fact that the 49ers only have one other viable receiving option in Vernon Davis, Boldin has seen double-coverage all season long.
With a matchup against Patrick Peterson, one of the best young corners in the league, Boldin will be in for a long and unproductive day. Leave Boldin on your bench as the 49ers look to pound the rock this week against the Cardinals.
DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia
DeSean Jackson owners may not have the resources in order to do so, but a trip to Revis Island in Week 6 may warrant a benching of the Philly wideout. In their only matchup two years ago, Jackson was a non-factor, posting 2 receptions for 28 yards.
While Revis has been playing less man-to-man in Tampa Bay this year, an improved Bucs’ secondary may still end up giving Jackson fits this week. If you have the depth to do it, move Jackson to your bench, but temper expectations this week if he has to play.
It’s been a long time since Boldin’s Week 1 romp over the Packers
As the bye weeks are in full swing, fantasy owners will be looking for fill-ins at all positions, including wide receiver.
However, fantasy owners may also want to look for replacements for the following players. All three wideouts are in less than ideal situations to produce this week.
Here’s your bench list for Week 6:
Benching of the Week – Tavon Austin, St. Louis
Without a touchdown reception since Week 2, Tavon Austin’s drought is likely to continue this week against the Houston Texans. The Texans have played opposing wide receivers extremely well this year and have not surrendered a touchdown to a wideout in 3 weeks.
Austin is also not being given a chance to run the ball anymore, limiting the potential of the speedy receiver. Unable to produce last week against the lowly Jaguars, Austin belongs on your bench this week against the league’s top defense.
Anquan Boldin, San Francisco
Since his Week 1 explosion against the Green Bay Packers, Boldin has only had one game of 90 or more yards. With teams realizing Colin Kaepernick’s limitations as a passer and the fact that the 49ers only have one other viable receiving option in Vernon Davis, Boldin has seen double-coverage all season long.
With a matchup against Patrick Peterson, one of the best young corners in the league, Boldin will be in for a long and unproductive day. Leave Boldin on your bench as the 49ers look to pound the rock this week against the Cardinals.
DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia
DeSean Jackson owners may not have the resources in order to do so, but a trip to Revis Island in Week 6 may warrant a benching of the Philly wideout. In their only matchup two years ago, Jackson was a non-factor, posting 2 receptions for 28 yards.
While Revis has been playing less man-to-man in Tampa Bay this year, an improved Bucs’ secondary may still end up giving Jackson fits this week. If you have the depth to do it, move Jackson to your bench, but temper expectations this week if he has to play.
Montee Ball still struggling to hold onto the ball
Suffice it to say, this year hasn’t been smooth sailing for most fantasy owners and their running back situation. Many teams might be regretting using their first round pick on the likes of CJ Spiller and Ray Rice as they also wonder how they can mix and match enough viable options each week to come out with a victory.
Perhaps Adrian Peterson and LeSean McCoy owners are laughing their way toward the playoffs at this point, but it has otherwise been an unpredictable and frustrating time concerning running backs.
In any case, a shrewd owner will look to tweak their lineup from week-to-week, without overreacting and making a rash decision. That is to say, don’t bail on player because they had one bad game. However, if you have one player who has yet to produce, you may want to try another option.
Here are some options for this week that may pay dividends down the line.
Montee Ball (DEN)
Coming into the season, Ball was being groomed as the new workhorse in Denver. However, all those expectations have fallen short and he’s been nothing more than the third option in a three-man rotation. He has rushed 40 times for 124 yards on the entire year while also coughing up the ball at the most critical junctures.
However, Ball is in a prime position to scoop up garbage time yards and more importantly touchdowns (don’t forget that at Wisconsin he set the all-time Division I FBS record for TD’s). The Broncos offense is operating at an historic clip and Ball still remains the future in John Elway’s eyes.
He’ll want to see what he’s got in his second-round pick from the most recent draft and that analysis will start this week when Denver takes on the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars have been abysmal in all facets of playing the game of football, but no more so than against the run: they rank last in rushing defense and are giving up a healthy 4.9 yards per carry.
Andre Ellington (AZ)
It’s one of the great mysteries of football how the Arizona Cardinals are 3-2 after five games. Going into Week 6, Carson Palmer has thrown 9 picks which ties him for second in the league behind only Eli Manning. Furthermore, Rashard Mendenhall is averaging just over 3 yards per carry, demonstrating why the Steelers slowly lost faith in him after his knee injury.
Enter Andre Ellington, an exciting rookie from Clemson. Ellington’s stock in the draft slid after he ran a slower 40-time than expected, but he’s impressed so far in Arizona. His touches have been limited, but he’s putting up 6.7 yards per carry and has also been a legitimate target for Palmer out of the backfield with 13 catches. He’s yet to score a touchdown, but if he continues to outplay Mendenhall, he should see an increased workload going forward.
Arizona is playing San Francisco this week which hasn’t been as stingy against the run as the past two seasons. Ellington could be a slight risk as a starter against the 49ers, but should be added in most leagues given the volatility of the position across the board.
Montee Ball still struggling to hold onto the ball
Suffice it to say, this year hasn’t been smooth sailing for most fantasy owners and their running back situation. Many teams might be regretting using their first round pick on the likes of CJ Spiller and Ray Rice as they also wonder how they can mix and match enough viable options each week to come out with a victory.
Perhaps Adrian Peterson and LeSean McCoy owners are laughing their way toward the playoffs at this point, but it has otherwise been an unpredictable and frustrating time concerning running backs.
In any case, a shrewd owner will look to tweak their lineup from week-to-week, without overreacting and making a rash decision. That is to say, don’t bail on player because they had one bad game. However, if you have one player who has yet to produce, you may want to try another option.
Here are some options for this week that may pay dividends down the line.
Montee Ball (DEN)
Coming into the season, Ball was being groomed as the new workhorse in Denver. However, all those expectations have fallen short and he’s been nothing more than the third option in a three-man rotation. He has rushed 40 times for 124 yards on the entire year while also coughing up the ball at the most critical junctures.
However, Ball is in a prime position to scoop up garbage time yards and more importantly touchdowns (don’t forget that at Wisconsin he set the all-time Division I FBS record for TD’s). The Broncos offense is operating at an historic clip and Ball still remains the future in John Elway’s eyes.
He’ll want to see what he’s got in his second-round pick from the most recent draft and that analysis will start this week when Denver takes on the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars have been abysmal in all facets of playing the game of football, but no more so than against the run: they rank last in rushing defense and are giving up a healthy 4.9 yards per carry.
Andre Ellington (AZ)
It’s one of the great mysteries of football how the Arizona Cardinals are 3-2 after five games. Going into Week 6, Carson Palmer has thrown 9 picks which ties him for second in the league behind only Eli Manning. Furthermore, Rashard Mendenhall is averaging just over 3 yards per carry, demonstrating why the Steelers slowly lost faith in him after his knee injury.
Enter Andre Ellington, an exciting rookie from Clemson. Ellington’s stock in the draft slid after he ran a slower 40-time than expected, but he’s impressed so far in Arizona. His touches have been limited, but he’s putting up 6.7 yards per carry and has also been a legitimate target for Palmer out of the backfield with 13 catches. He’s yet to score a touchdown, but if he continues to outplay Mendenhall, he should see an increased workload going forward.
Arizona is playing San Francisco this week which hasn’t been as stingy against the run as the past two seasons. Ellington could be a slight risk as a starter against the 49ers, but should be added in most leagues given the volatility of the position across the board.
Fantasy owners must ride Alshon Jeffery while he’s hot
Thursday Night Football is just around the corner, and this week’s matchup between the struggling New York Giants and the much improved Chicago Bears holds plenty of fantasy value. Regardless of the struggles the Giants have faced this year, they still have players with plenty of fantasy value. The Giants weak defense provides plenty of potential fantasy breakouts in the Bears offense as well.
Sit:
Eli Manning- Three of Eli Manning’s last five games have resulted in him throwing for three or more interceptions. Until Eli can prove that he can throw more touchdowns than interceptions in a game, keep him on your bench, especially against a potent Bears defense.
Da’Rel Scott, Brandon Jacobs- Tuesday’s news reported that Giants running back David Wilson will miss Thursday’s game with the Chicago Bears due to a neck injury. For those fantasy owners who read this and immediately went to claim backups Da’Rel Scott and/or Brandon Jacobs, do not throw them into your starting lineup. The two will split carries Thursday and the Bears possess the 13th best rush defense in the league.
Start:
Matt Forte- Chicago’s Matt Forte is having a spectacular season this year and for those fantasy owners who have him in PPR leagues, he’s been nothing short of a stud. While his rushing numbers have not been spectacular, he does have three rushing touchdowns on the season and has recorded at least 4 receptions in each game. His ability to be a threat in the passing game will cause many headaches for the struggling New York defense.
Alshon Jeffery- Bears second year receiver Alshon Jeffery has come on very strong as of late. With his stellar performance in Week 5, he’s already surpassed his 2012 receiving yardage total with 429 yards through the air.
Jeffery will be vying for his third straight game with at least 100 yards receiving and one touchdown. With the Giants focusing more on fellow receiver Brandon Marshall, expect Jeffery to have a strong fantasy performance during Week 6.
Victor Cruz- While quarterback Eli Manning’s performance has been dreadful this season, Victor Cruz has had quite a year so far. Through his first five games, he’s recorded 473 yards and 4 touchdowns. Not to mention that he has three games with more than 115 yards this season.
The Chicago Bears have given up an average of 278.4 yards per game this season, so expect Cruz to be one of the few bright spots for the Giants offense this week.
Bennett looking forward to playing against his old team
The Chicago Bears were happy to see Martellus Bennet healthy and able to join them at practice this week. Bennett has been dealing with a lingering shoulder injury, but was still able to participate in a limited practice and should be able to start against the Giants on Thursday night.
This is the same shoulder issue that left the 26 year old tight end in question for last week’s game against the Saints, but he was able to play. Bennett caught all 5 of his targets for a total of 56 yards.
This is Bennett’s first year with the Bears, but he has already become one of Jay Cutler’s favorite targets. While Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery make their living up the sidelines, Bennett has added a threat for Chicago to throw up the middle.
The struggling Giants have not been much of a defensive presence this season, so there will be plenty of opportunities for Bennett to make plays during Week 6.
Touring the Capitol 