FFToolbox - Panthers QB Cam Newton cleared to start second preseason game plus 2 more

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Panthers QB Cam Newton cleared to start second preseason game
Saints RB Pierre Thomas falls to third on depth chart
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Panthers QB Cam Newton cleared to start second preseason game

Posted: 10 Aug 2014 08:49 PM PDT

ESPN's David Newton reports that Cam Newton has been medically cleared to start next Sunday's preseason game against the Chiefs. Newton, who is recovering from offseason ankle surgery, has been limited thus far in camp as he struggled with ankle pains. Newton was also cleared by doctors to run the read-option in practice. Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said that there will be quot;no limits" on Newton going forward in camp. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Newton needs a piece of good news to come his way. With WRs Steve Smith and Brandon LaFell gone, an entirely new group of receivers replacing them, and the ankle recovery hobbling him in camp, Newton's stock is as low as it has been since his rookie season. He's being taken as the eighth quarterback off draft boards. Last year, he saw his rushing numbers decline somewhat severely, and if his ankle is not 100 percent, he won't have the rushing upside that's helped him finish in the top ten among fantasy quarterbacks in each of his three NFL seasons. Prospective owners will have a chance to assess Newton's health for themselves next Sunday when the Panthers play the Chiefs in a nationally televised game.

Saints RB Pierre Thomas falls to third on depth chart

Posted: 10 Aug 2014 08:18 PM PDT

The New Orleans Times-Picayune stated Friday that Saints running backss Mark Ingram and Khiry Robinson quot;continue to pull away" from Pierre Thomas, who has moved to third on the team's depth chart. Thomas has been taking reps with the second team during camp. The Times-Picayune also reports that Thomas was "on the trading block" this offseason. He accepted a reduced salary in order to remain with the team. FANTASY ANALYSIS: This is somewhat surprising for the 29-year-old Thomas, who was viewed by many as the replacement for RB Darren Sproles, who now plays for the Eagles. Thomas is still the best recieving back on the Saints' roster, but the fact that he's not getting first-team reps in training camp is concerning. Ingram's and Robinson's fantasy stock should be boosted by this report while Thomas' should fall. He's being drafted first of the three, as the 29th RB, while Robinson is going 46th and Ingram is going 52nd. Those numbers should move closer together as the season approaches and owners digest the news that a reduced worklload may be in store for Thomas in 2014.