Marquess Wilson penciled in as Bears WR3

Mar 23, 2014

Marc Trestman said the Chicago Bears are not "anointing" Marquess Wilson as the No. 3 receiver in the offense, but the coach hopes the second-year player can develop like Alshon Jeffery did a year ago.

Wilson apparently will get the first shot at replacing Earl Bennett, who was released Tuesday after declining to take a pay cut. It creates a sizeable void in the offense. Bennett was only fifth on the team in receptions with 32, but he was on the field for 51.2 percent of the snaps.

That means the Bears must replace Bennett’s playing time with a new wide receiver or make a subtle shift in the offense and not rely on three-receiver sets as often. Wilson, a seventh-round pick last year from Washington State, has a wide-open opportunity.

“I think he showed that we can work with him and develop him,” Trestman said Sunday at the NFL owners’ meeting. “He’s got the football intelligence that we’re looking for and the ability to be flexible within the offense. He was consistent. So we’ll see how it goes. We’re not anointing people at this point in time. He’s going to have a chance to compete and be a part of what we do after Alshon and Brandon (Marshall). We’ll see how it goes. We’ve got a long way to go but we like (Wilson) and we’re excited about him to develop him and work him.”

Fantasy Impact:

Bennett wasn't much of a fantasy factor, and there probably aren't enough targets to go around to make Wilson fantasy-relevant (top 60) in 2014, though he looks like a good prospect in dynasty formats. He'll be a good handcuff for either Brandon Marshall or Alshon Jeffery in deeper leagues.

yesterday

49ers RB Isaac Guerendo (foot) listed as DNP Tuesday

Pro Football Talk

yesterday · 6:31 PM EST

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan shared his team’s pre-practice injury report at a Tuesday press conference and it was the same as Monday’s estimated one, so several key players are on the sideline ahead of Thursday’s game against the Rams.

Among them was RB Isaac Guerendo.

Related players: Patrick Taylor, Israel Abanikanda

Fantasy Impact:

Guerendo had a great game in Week 14, but left with a sprained foot. Guerendo said afterward he felt great and it was just precautionary. However, we know by now we can't always trust when a player talks about his status for the following week. The DNPs for both Monday and Tuesday are not a great sign for Guerendo's chances to play in Week 15, which is a short week against the Rams on Thursday Night Football. Guerendo's practice status for Wednesday will hopefully will give us a better idea. Taylor would likely be next up for the 49ers if Guerendo can't go.

Moore: Eagles want to 'increase the likelihood' WR A.J. Brown gets the ball

Pro Football Talk

yesterday · 4:49 PM EST

Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown’s comment that the team’s passing offense needs to improve in the wake of Sunday’s 22-16 win over the Panthers has been the biggest topic of conversation of the week in Philadelphia and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore got his chance to weigh in on it Tuesday.

Moore said he speaks to Brown and other members of the offense every week and said “the flows of seasons” call for weekly conversations about how to get the most out of the passing offense. Part of that process for this week is working on ways to get the ball to Brown after he was targeted four times against Carolina.

“I’m going to focus more on trying to find different ways of increasing the likelihood of the ball going to him,” Moore said, via a transcript from the team.

Fantasy Impact:

Brown came out and criticized the passing game after just getting by the Panthers in Week 14. The Eagles, thanks to Saquon Barkley, have been a run-first team this year, and it's largely worked, thanks also to an improved defense. DeVonta Smith has also voiced frustration recently. The Eagles aren't likely to stop giving Barkley the ball, but we've had a few stories in the news this week featuring unhappy WRs, and there can often be a bit of a change in the game plan to keep players happy. The Eagles host the Steelers this week, so things may not come easy again for the offense.

Steelers call WR George Pickens doubtful, outside chance to play

Pro Football Talk

yesterday · 12:37 PM EST

The Steelers did not have receiver George Pickens for their Week 14 victory over the Browns and they are likely to be without him again against the Eagles on Sunday.

Head coach Mike Tomlin said in his Tuesday press conference that Pickens could be characterized as doubtful for Week 15, but there is still an outside chance he’ll play.

Fantasy Impact:

The Steelers thought Pickens would play last week but was eventually ruled out. After Sunday’s contest, Pickens underwent an MRI, which revealed the injury was more significant than initially believed, the story said. Reports from those who follow the team on Monday mentioned it was unlikely Pickens would play, and that's certainly looking like the case.