Broncos RB Montee Ball (appendectomy) not expected to play until Week 1

Aug 20, 2014

While it would be nice for the Denver Broncos to get running back Montee Ball into a preseason game for a few snaps, get him a carry, see him run through some contact, his real target date to be ready to go is still Sept. 7, or the regular-season opener against the Indianapolis Colts.

Ball, who had an appendectomy Aug. 4, returned to the practice field Tuesday and did a little more on Wednesday, but as it stands now the Broncos’ top running back is not expected to play in Saturday night’s preseason game against the Houston Texans. And since the Broncos usually play few, if any, starters in the fourth preseason game, Ball’s most likely return date is still the regular-season opener.

Fantasy Impact:

We're not worried at all about the injury, though his conditioning might need some work if he doesn't see game action prior to Week 1. Ball had a higher YPC (4.7) than Knowshon Moreno (4.3), but wasn’t quite the weapon in the passing game. Still, his catch percentage (receptions/targets = 74.1%) wasn’t bad for a running back. His play down the stretch (8.5 FP/game in final eight games) is encouraging. He’s locked in as the RB1 in a great offense, so 10+ touchdowns seems likely.

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Raiders RB Alexander Mattison set to return Week 15, Sincere McCormick still starting

Levi Edwards

0 minutes ago

Antonio Pierce stated that Sincere McCormick will remain the team’s starting running back even with Alexander Mattison nearing a return this week.

“He deserves it. … He has run his tail off.”

Related Players: Ameer Abdullah

Fantasy Impact:

At 2-11, the Raiders would be silly to not see what they have in McCormick, with 31-year-old Abdullah and Mattison, who is on a one-year contract, only there to give the former UDFA a breather. Consider McCormick a volume-based RB3.

Giants QB Drew Lock in walking boot, Tommy DeVito set to start Week 15

Adam Schefter

1 hour ago

Giants HC Brian Daboll told reporters that QB Drew Lock is in a walking boot due to a heel injury and Tommy DeVito now is expected to start Sunday vs. the Ravens.

Fantasy Impact:

The Ravens path to an overall D/ST1 finish on the week becomes a little clearer. DeVito can safely be kept on benches in SuperFlex leagues on a week with zero byes.

Bills WR Keon Coleman, TE Dalton Kincaid return to practice ahead of Week 15

Ian Rapoport

2 hours ago

Good news on the way for Buffalo: Bills WR Keon Coleman (wrist) and TE Dalton Kincaid (knee) are expected to practice fully today. A positive step forward in advance of the showdown with the Lions.

Fantasy Impact:

It's probably still best to start other options over Kincaid, as he takes on a Lions defense that ranks 4th in TE aFPA, but there could be a ton of points here, so if you're in a bind he makes sense as a top-15ish option.

As for Coleman, he's more in the boom/bust WR4 range as Shakir should continue standing atop the target share.