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Fantasy Football Weekly - September 6
NFLPA will try to get suspensions issued to Browns WR Josh Gordon, Broncos WR Wes Welker overturned
Week 1: Fantasy Stock Watch
Report: Cardinals RB Andre Ellington could miss 4-6 weeks or longer
Panthers QB Cam Newton goes through practice Friday, will be game-time decision
Week 1: Game Time Decisions
Jaguars WR Cecil Shorts not practicing Friday, listed as questionable
Report: Cardinals RB Andre Ellington could miss 'extended period of time'

Fantasy Football Weekly - September 6

Posted: 06 Sep 2014 07:31 AM PDT

A weekly recap of the big fantasy football headlines and must-know information.

NFLPA will try to get suspensions issued to Browns WR Josh Gordon, Broncos WR Wes Welker overturned

Posted: 06 Sep 2014 12:58 AM PDT

The NFL and the Players Association are working together to agree on a new drug-testing policy. When an agreement comes, NFLPA chief DeMaurice Smith said he wants players who are currently serving suspensions based on the old policy -- including Josh Gordon and Wes Welker -- released from their sentences. quot;We don't want players to suffer because the union and league couldn't get it done before the league year," Smith said during a Friday radio interview. According to Pro Football Talk, the new policy would include the league's first-ever tests for human growth hormone. It would also give the league the ability to suspend players for simply being arrested, no matter if charges were filed or not. However, it would also include a couple of changes that could directly impact Gordon and Welker's cases. Under the new policy, the league's threshold for a positive marijuana test would rise. Gordon was handed at least a year-long suspension last month after testing positive for marijuana, but his results wouldn't have contained enough marijuana metabolites to trigger a positive under the new policy. Also, amphetamines would be moved from the performance-enhancing drugs policy to the league's substance abuse policy. Welker was suspended for four games earlier this week for a violation of the former after testing positive for amphetamines. But a first-time violation of the substance abuse policy does not include an automatic suspension. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Keep in mind that negotiations have been described as "fragile," and an agreement may not come before or during the season. Gordon should probably be picked up just in case a miracle comeback comes to fruition, but don't drop anyone of value for him; it's still likely Gordon will miss the entire season. Someone asked me earlier today if they should drop Hakeem Nicks for Gordon. Knowing this information, I still said "No." Again, there aren't many players I would drop for last season's leading receiver. If you did pick up Gordon today, at least there is reason to be minimally hopeful.

Week 1: Fantasy Stock Watch

Posted: 05 Sep 2014 03:28 PM PDT

Fantasy player evaluations which include recommendations on whether to buy, sell or hold!

Report: Cardinals RB Andre Ellington could miss 4-6 weeks or longer

Posted: 05 Sep 2014 02:49 PM PDT

As an update to what was posted earlier today, Cardinals reporter Mike Jurecki now says running back Andre Ellington may miss 4-6 weeks or more because of his foot injury. It all depends on how quickly he heals. The exact nature of the injury is becoming a little clearer but not yet known. FOX Sports' Jay Glazer reported Friday that Ellington has a muscle injury in his left foot, but his MRI results were still pending. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said Ellington won't need surgery, just rest. Ellington aggravated the ailment during Thursday's practice and obviously didn't practice Friday. Jonathan Dwyer will likely start in his place Monday night against the Chargers. FANTASY ANALYSIS: There are some fantasy owners out there with Ellington and Eddie Lacy trying to figure out today what they have done to deserve this. Again, nothing has been confirmed by the Cardinals, but this is a depressing development. Dwyer must be added in all leagues right now. But there is no comparison between him and Ellington; they are completely different players, and Ellington is, frankly, much better. For one thing, Ellington is a far better receiver, so Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd could see more targets while he is sidelined, I think the Cardinals would be foolish to make Dwyer a workhorse of any sort. He should share some carries with Stepfan Taylor.

Panthers QB Cam Newton goes through practice Friday, will be game-time decision

Posted: 05 Sep 2014 11:21 AM PDT

Quarterback Cam Newton practiced on Friday. Now, the Panthers will wait to see how his body responds tomorrow to the activity before making a determination on his playing status for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers. Head coach Ron Rivera said after practice that Newton took all of his scheduled reps with the first-team offense and quot;looked pretty good" on the field. Rivera also indicated that a final decision on Newton's Week 1 availability will be made either early Sunday morning or even Saturday; he won't wait until pre-game warmups to make his call. Newton, who has been managing a hairline fracture in his ribs for a couple of weeks, was limited in practice Thursday and sat out Wednesday's session. FANTASY ANALYSIS: At least fantasy owners should have an answer in this situation well before lineups lock. Derek Anderson is Carolina's backup QB and is not a fantasy option against a likely improved Bucs defense. When you factor in the painful rib injury, a poor offensive line, and his crop of new/inexperienced wide receivers, it's tough to project Newton being anywhere near as productive as he was from 2011-13.

Week 1: Game Time Decisions

Posted: 05 Sep 2014 11:02 AM PDT

The best Fantasy players who should be monitored until the final minutes before setting your lineups. This week's picks include Cam Newton, Michael Crabtree, Cecil Shorts, Kenny Stills, and Charles Clay.

Jaguars WR Cecil Shorts not practicing Friday, listed as questionable

Posted: 05 Sep 2014 10:45 AM PDT

Injury-prone wideout Cecil Shorts is already hurt and may not play this Sunday against the Eagles. The Jaguars' top wideout was not on the field during the media-accessible portion of practice Friday because of his hamstring injury. He is officially listed as questionable. He will be a game-time decision. Shorts missed about a month of time in July and August because of the bad hammy. He recovered in time to play in a couple of preseason games but has missed multiple practices days this week. It is not clear when Shorts suffered his setback. Shorts has missed 11 games in his three-year career. He missed a handful of games because of a strained hamstring in 2011. FANTASY ANALYSIS: If Shorts can't play against the Eagles, the Jags' three wideouts will be Marqise Lee, Allen Robinson and preseason standout Allen Hurns. Philadelphia ended last season with the league's worst pass defense, but it's difficult to start any of those receivers as anything more than a deep-league WR3, especially since Chad Henne is under center. Jacksonville will likely try to have Toby Gerhart carry the offense in Week 1.

Report: Cardinals RB Andre Ellington could miss 'extended period of time'

Posted: 05 Sep 2014 10:05 AM PDT

No official decision has been made on Andre Ellington's Week 1 status, but according to Cardinals reporter Mike Jurecki, Ellington could be out an quot;extended period of time" because of a foot injury. On Thursday, Ellington aggravated his foot injury, which required an MRI. FANTASY ANALYSIS: There's not a whole lot of information to go on right now -- What kind of foot injury is it? What did the MRI show -- but Jurecki's report sounds ominous. Ellington's owners need to pick up Jonathan Dwyer, who will probably start in his place if needed. Stepfan Taylor will be involved in the running game as well. We'll post an update once more info comes to light.