Lions Beat: Reps may 'fluctuate' based on matchup, but Joique Bell and Ameer Abdullah will split touches

Aug 12, 2015

The Lions are pretty excited about Abdullah, and rightfully so. He’s looked really good this first week of camp.

But don’t discount what Joique Bell can bring to the table behind a more consistent and athletic offensive line this year. Bell had to scratch and claw his way from team to team and practice squad to practice squad before finally getting his shot. A guy like that plays with an edge. A player like that has value.

Bell told me recently he’s finally pain-free for the first time in a couple years and motivated to have a great season.

Running backs coach Curtis Modkins likes the running back by committee style and Bell will have an important role as a tough, hard-nosed runner inside. Abdullah is a big-play threat with speed and agility and will be a nice complement to Bell's tougher running style.

I expect that the reps will fluctuate between the two depending on the weekly matchup, but it's unlikely we ever see a 3-to-1 or 2-to-1 ratio one over the other if both stay healthy.

Fantasy Impact:

We currently project a 217-to-194 ratio for Bell and Abdullah, so that falls in line with what Twentyman believes will happen once the regular season begins. Abdullah gets the nod in PPR formats, but Bell has the edge in our standard rankings.

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Chiefs WR Hollywood Brown's practice window to open "Friday or Monday"

Ian Rapoport

2 hours ago

Chiefs WR Hollywood Brown has received final clearance to practice, paving the way for him to play before the regular season ends.

Brown, who is recovering from surgery to repair his SC joint, should have his window opened Friday or Monday. The team will be cautious.

Fantasy Impact:

If Brown were cleared by Week 17, he would be incredibly tough to start in pretty much any sort of fantasy league with Championships on the line. However, he could be an interesting click for Playoff-only leagues if he can ramp up in time.

Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker misses second straight practice

Adam Schefter

2 hours ago

For a second straight day today, Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III didn’t practice due to his calf injury.

Related Players: Zach Charbonnet, Kenny McIntosh

Fantasy Impact:

Looks like things should be cleared out for Charbonnet once again in what could be a very close game against the Packers. If Walker misses Week 15, fire Charbs up as a high-end RB2.

49ers RB Isaac Guerendo, Nick Bosa, and Dre Greenlaw active for Week 15

Lindsey Pallares

3 hours ago

In Week 15, the red and gold have defensive lineman Nick Bosa and linebacker Dre Greenlaw active and ready for the team's second meeting with their NFC West rival, the Los Angeles Rams.

On the other side of the ball, the 49ers will have rookie running back Isaac Guerendo available against the Rams. He was listed as questionable on Wednesday on account of a foot sprain but was given the green light to play ahead of "Thursday Night Football."

Fantasy Impact:

We do expect Guerendo to handle the majority workload for TNF, but you do have to wonder if he gets the same type of workload he would have, had he avoided the injury report all week. Consider him closer to an RB3 than a locked-in RB2 he otherwise would have been.