Morning Football Update: Vick, Maclin iffy for Eagles
Here's my recap of Thursday night's game: Teee-BOW! Teee-BOW! Teee-BOW!
Seriously, nobody else did much of anything. Before the Broncos' game-winning drive, Tebow looked like a fantasy disaster. And then ... unbelievable. Tebow's rushing totals in his five starts are 59-63-118-43-68. You have to keep starting him unless your other QB is a stud.
There are 13 more games on this weekend's schedule, and here's where you can find fantasy football assistance as kickoff approaches:
- 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 news:
- The chances for Eagles QB Michael Vick (ribs) and WR Jeremy Maclin (shoulder, hamstring) to play Sunday night don't look good, as neither player has practiced this week. Backup QB Vince Young took all the reps in Thursday's practice, and appears ready to start in Vick's place. The only reason to consider Young as a fantasy starter is if you've got him as a handcuff to Vick, and want to wait on Vick until the last possible minute. Otherwise, stay away.
- As for the other Eagles, this article suggests that they'll lean more heavily than normal on LeSean McCoy, but he's a must-start for fantasy owners, anyway. A continuation of Brent Celek's recent revival seems likely, and doesn't DeSean Jackson have to do something one of these days?
- Don't forget your byes: The Steelers, Colts, Texans and Saints are off.
- Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw (foot) says he'll "definitely" return in Week 12 against the Saints. Plan to be without him again this week, though.
- Injured Raiders Darren McFadden (foot) and Jacoby Ford (foot) are both likely to miss at least another game. RB Michael Bush is in line for another heavy workload, and should start in all formats.
- 49ers RB Frank Gore (knee) was back at practice on Thursday, and says he'll play Sunday against the Cardinals. However, the San Jose Mercury News notes that the Niners "may want to rotate" Gore with Kendall Hunter and even Anthony Dixon to make sure everyone is healthy for the Thanksgiving night game in Baltimore. If Gore is active, start him. If you're looking for a free-agent running back, grab Hunter, because he'll probably get a fair amount of work.
- The Cincinnati Enquirer calls Bengals WR A.J. Green (knee) "questionable at best" to play against the Ravens. Have a backup plan ready if you own Green.
- How will the probable return of Felix Jones affect DeMarco Murray on Sunday? Probably not too much, since Murray has gained 601 yards in four starts during Jones' absence. If the Cowboys give Murray fewer than 20 carries, they're crazy. I wouldn't be excited about getting Jones back into my fantasy lineup.
- Jets RB Shonn Greene left last night's game with a rib injury, but it doesn't sound serious.
- Looking for a plug-and-play defense? The Patriots have a great matchup against the Tyler Palko-led Chiefs, and the Browns look good against Blaine Gabbert and the Jaguars.
- Before you ask, I have no idea what the Redskins will do in their backfield this week. I wouldn't start Ryan Torain or Tashard Choice if I could avoid it, and Roy Helu is just a low-end PPR option.
- Seahawks wide receivers Sidney Rice and Doug Baldwin, who both suffered concussions last week, practiced fully on Thursday. They'll be active against the Rams.
- Patriots RBs BenJarvus Green-Ellis (toe) and Kevin Faulk (knee) were limited in Thursday's practice, which doesn't necessarily mean much since the Pats routinely seem to list half their roster as "limited." However, Green-Ellis has been bothered by the toe injury for a few weeks, and has 25 carries for 69 yards in his last three games. I'd stay away from him until he shows he can produce again.
- Vikings WR Michael Jenkins (knee) has been limited in practice so far this week. Jenkins will probably play Sunday, but keep an eye on his status as kickoff approaches.
- Something to keep in the back of your mind: Packers head coach Mike McCarthy says that he wants to start getting rookie RB Brandon Saine involved in the offense. It could be idle chatter, and Saine doesn't project to help you now, but if someone ahead of him gets hurt, you never know.
- With RB Jahvid Best still not cleared for physical activity, Kevin Smith appears to have passed Keiland Williams in the Lions' pecking order. Maurice Morris is the starter and should have a strong game against the terrible Panthers' run defense this week, but Smith could help a little as well. I'm thinking about grabbing Smith in a league where my other option is the maddening Torain.
- RB Montario Hardesty has a chance to return for the Browns this week, but it sounds like a longshot. Chris Ogbonnaya is still the man, albeit with a difficult matchup.
- People who think Bears return superstar Devin Hester should be in the Hall of Fame are insane. Please discuss.
- Bills WR Stevle Johnson (shoulder) was limited in Thursday's practice, and his status for Sunday sounds shaky.
- The Ravens seem to think that LB Ray Lewis (foot) will play Sunday. Some reports suggest less certainty. Stay tuned.
- Falcons WR Julio Jones (hamstring) missed another practice on Thursday. Don't expect to see him Sunday.
- Look for Cardinals QB John Skelton to get another start ahead of the injured Kevin Kolb (toe) against the 49ers. Skelton has targeted Larry Fitzgerald 25 times in the last two games. That proves he's smart, right?
See you back here Tuesday morning.
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