Schefter: 'Still optimism' that Rob Gronkowski will play Week 1

Aug 13, 2014

Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski still not cleared for contact. Would be surprising to see him play this preseason. Still optimism for opener.

Fantasy Impact:

Gronkowski has been hugely productive when healthy, but his health is still a concern heading into the 2014 season. He reportedly had surgery on Jan. 9 to reconstruct a torn ACL. It typically takes a full year to recover, though Adrian Peterson and Robert Griffin III have made quicker returns (with varying success). He will be eight months into his recovery when Week 1 rolls around. Given the news that he avoided preseason PUP, Gronkowski is tentatively expected to be ready for the start of the season, and his return would be a big boost to Tom Brady and the entire New England offense. Another report pegged Gronk's chances of playing Week 1 at 50/50. When we add in replacement level value from a backup TE, Gronkowski holds 2nd round value in fantasy drafts.

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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.