Duke Johnson rushed three times for no yards and caught two of four targets for 38 yards and a touchdown in the Browns' Week 9 loss to the Bengals.

The touchdown came late in the first half on a play where Vontaze Burfict lost him in coverage. Johnson also produced a 26-yard catch on a running throw by Johnny Manziel. That was Cleveland’s longest play of the night. Even with little involvement in the running game, Johnson is a good enough receiver to warrant flex consideration most weeks. He'll get the Steelers in Week 10.


(rotoworld.com)

New Colts offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski knows that the Colts’ offense will succeed less because of his play calling than because of Andrew Luck’s execution.

Chudzinski said that he and Luck talked after Pep Hamilton was fired and Chudzinski was promoted this week. Chudzinski came away impressed with Luck’s understanding of what he needs to do.

“Obviously we talked afterwards,” Chudzinski said. “I think Andrew wants to win. That’s what I get out of any conversation with him. He’s a special player and person, really unique. He has a plan for everything that he does, always working to improve and the goal of winning. He’s taken this thing, the bull by the horns and he’s working to get better every day himself.”

Chudzinski said the key for Luck is consistency.

“I see that there’s been times where he’s on fire, and there’s been times where not so much. Again, he knows and he’s worked on and talked about being consistent. Hopefully again, by design, there’s some things you can do to put him in that position where he is. Ultimately he has to go make those plays, and I’m confident he will,” Chudzinski said.

If Luck turns things around, the Colts can turn things around. If he doesn’t, there’s not much of anything Chudzinski can do to change the Colts’ fortunes.


(profootballtalk.com)

Martellus Bennett, like his brother in Seattle, has never shied away from saying what's on his mind. On Thursday, the Bears tight end opened up about an issue that is apparently weighing on him.

And, in the process of opening up, Bennett had some not-so-kind things to say about other tight ends around the league, including Jimmy Graham of the Seahawks.

"You see Jimmy [Graham]. Jimmy can't block worth shit," Bennett said, via ESPN. "They get a lot of credit and a lot of love. But Julius Thomas doesn't block anybody. Antonio Gates doesn't really block anybody. But they do a great job in the passing game. It all depends on the system that they're in."

Oh, and while we're on the topic, Bennett also doesn't seem entirely happy about his role in Chicago's system, saying that he's the team's third or fourth target and "that's the way it's been" his entire career.

"I have to kick ass at the line of scrimmage and kick ass down the field," Bennett said. "Those guys are pass-catching tight ends and they get that freedom to run down the field. Nobody is asking them to pass protect or be one-on-one with the No. 1 pass-rusher."

In many ways, Bennett is correct. I won't use the same language that he used, but he's right about Graham's nonexistent blocking. Thomas was signed by the Jaguars to catch passes, not block. And, he's right that Gates is one of the Chargers' top targets (for what it's worth, Bennett heaped praised on Gates, saying that he's "always loved" him).

Bennett also happens to be correct about his role in Adam Gase's offense. Bennett is often asked to block and he is a dual-threat. Unfortunately, the part where Bennett's argument loses some steam is his claim that he's the third or fourth target on the team. So far this season, Bennett is actually the Bears' leader in targets with 58, though that high number is related to Alshon Jeffery's injury woes.

But Bennett seems to be upset about the recent dip in his production, as he's caught only 13 passes in the last three games.

"I have a lot of responsibilities in the offense," Bennett said. "You guys have to talk to Jay Cutler and [offensive coordinator] Adam Gase about [if my role has changed in recent weeks]. I'm just trying to be a really good employee. That's all. I'm not really tripping. Whatever they ask me to do is what I do. At some point they have to come my way but until they do there is nothing I can do about it. I'm open, so.

"[I don't want to] be a bad employee. I just keep my head down and go to work. Because when you say something you become the asshole even if it's a valid point. So I just avoid drama. They don't pay the asshole. At this point I just want to be a really good employee."

It's worth noting that Bennett, who held out this summer, is under contract with the Bears until the end of the 2016 season. It's also worth noting that Bennett's targets could drop next season when first-round pick Kevin White, a wide receiver, returns from an injury that could wind up sidelining him for his entire rookie season.


(cbssports.com)

INDIANAPOLIS -- You can say Pep Hamilton would still be the Indianapolis Colts' offensive coordinator if the team didn't have a 3-5 record. You can also say the Colts wouldn’t be 3-5 and in the midst of a three-game losing streak if quarterback Andrew Luck wasn’t having the worst season of his NFL career.

And yes, you can say Luck’s struggles played a part in his longtime coordinator being fired.

“I don’t think the turnovers have anything to do with who the coordinator was," Luck said. “That falls on my shoulders and my shoulders only, the mistakes. Obviously I’ve got to clean that up if we’re going to have a chance to succeed as an offense.”

Receiver Andre Johnson said he hates to see anybody get fired, but the NFL is also a “cutthroat business.”

Out goes Hamilton. In comes Rob Chudzinski.

The task for Chudzinski -- previously an offensive coordinator with the Carolina Panthers and with the Cleveland Browns, for whom he also served one season as head coach -- is to make the Colts a better offensive team in the first half, when they’ve been shut out in three of their eight games this season. That was not supposed to happen with Luck and the skill-position players he has around him.

A significant step in improving the offense is for Chudzinski to get Luck to play like the Andrew Luck of previous seasons.

The fourth-year quarterback leads the NFL in turnovers with 13 -- 12 interceptions and a fumble lost -- this season. Luck referred to his mistakes as “catastrophic.”

“We got to play better at that position and I think we all know you can’t turn the ball over at that position -- we’ve got to get that corrected and our mission right now is to get Andrew going, playing at the level we all know,” coach Chuck Pagano said. “We all know what he can do, and we’ll get there, he’ll be back.”

Luck’s first-half statistics are drastically different from in his second-half numbers this season. He’s thrown just two touchdowns to five interceptions in the first two quarters of games. Meanwhile, Luck has thrown for 1,101 yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions in the second half and overtime of games, when the Colts have often been forced to play catch-up.

“I have to play better,” Luck said. “I've got to take care of the football. I think we need to make sure we get points on the board early, sustain that and finish games strong.”


(espn.com)

Lamar Miller is quietly having a strong season.

Chris Trotman Getty Images

Since his days at college, Lamar Miller has never been viewed as a "power" back. He's more of a one-cut slasher who does most of his damage outside the tackles by breaking long runs.

Well, according to the numbers, that narrative has seemingly changed. According to Omar Kelly of the Sun-Sentinel, Miller leads all running backs with an average of 3.7 yards after contact per carry. Le'Veon Bell is second with 3.4 yards after contact per carry.

That number is a testament to how often Miller breaks tackles and is able to carry defenders after being hit. Incredibly, he's averaging 5.5 yards per carry this season, but he has yet to become a workhorse back for the Dolphins. He's only carried the ball 79 times in seven games despite averaging the fourth-highest yards per carry among running backs with at least 20 carries.

He's deserving of more carries, so it will be interesting to see if Dan Campbell rewards him with more touches. In Campbell's first two games, Miller touched the ball 21 and 17 times respectively before his touches dropped to 14 (just nine carries) against the Patriots last week.


(foxbangor.com)

Hurns (ankle/thigh) was limited at Wednesday's practice.

Hurns has been listed on the injury report nearly every week thus far, but he's yet to miss any games, and that trend will likely continue as the Jaguars prep to face the Jets on Sunday. Coming off of a bye week, Hurns' limited status Wednesday is probably precautionary more than anything else. The second-year receiver has caught a touchdown in each of his last five games.


(cbssports.com)

Shields (shoulder) didn't practice Wednesday, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Shields was an early casualty Sunday versus the Broncos, as he was forced from the contest with a shoulder injury. While he's considered day-to-day, his practice status will be worth watching as the week rolls along due to his status as the Packers' No. 1 cornerback.


(cbssports.com)

Hankerson (hamstring) won't participate in practice Wednesday.

While he won't take part in individual or team drills, Hankerson will work with the training staff on the side, as he did in last Friday's practice before he was ruled out for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers. An appearance at practice before week's end would put him on a path to active status Sunday in San Francisco, but that has yet to occur.


(cbssports.com)

THREE #‎proCane TDs were scored in Week 7 of the NFL!

#‎Dolphins RB Lamar Miller, #Panthers TE Greg Olsen, #Colts WR Andre Johnson

Lamar Miller’s TD extended the streak to 14 straight weeks a #proCane has scored a TD in the #‎NFL.

The Indianapolis Colts fired offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton, replacing him with Rob Chudzinski.

“Through the first eight weeks of the season, we have felt our offense hasn’t performed at the consistent level that we need,” Colts coach Chuck Pagano said. “Because of this we’ve decided to go in a different direction and relieve Pep Hamilton of his duties as offensive coordinator. As head coach of this team, it’s my responsibility to make sure I’m doing everything we can to put us in the best position to succeed. We thank Pep for his service to the team and wish him all the best.”


(thenationalfootballpost.com)

HAMILTON -- The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have put Jeff Mathews on the injured list, which means either Jacory Harris or Jeremiah Masoli are likely to start in Week 20. The Ticats battle for first place with the Ottawa REDBLACKS on Saturday afternoon.

Harris and Masoli split reps at practice with the first team on Tuesday morning but no confirmation has been given on who will start the deciding tilt at TD Place. Masoli has spent the last three seasons with the Ticats organization while Harris has been with the team for parts of two years.

“The thing that’s helped Jacory is that he’s been with us for a while now and he’s absorbed a lot. He’s smart,” said head coach Kent Austin. “But Jacory’s not necessarily our quarterback. We split reps today… so we haven’t made that decision yet.

“We needed to split reps to get guys as much play time on the field with the first unit as we can depending on which way we go. Jacory is like Jeremiah and others that have been with us in that they’ve been around the offence and expectations and understand conceptually what we’re doing.”

Mathews was forced out of the Ticats' 12-6 loss to the REDBLACKS on Sunday and Harris finished the final drive of the game. The 25-year-old Harris had warmed up on the sidelines during the fourth quarter of that game even before Mathews' injury. In his post-game press conference, Austin said that the quarterback position would be evaluated and that Harris could get the start.

Both pivots are preparing for the start but the pair just want to help the team win.

“It’s football. These are situations that happen no matter what level you’re playing,” said Harris. “You’re going to have to step up eventually. Eventually, the spotlight’s going to find you and you have to go out there and execute and play football.”

They each credit spending time with Zach Collaros in helping to ease them into the offensive system.

“I feel like the couple games I got in last year, just stuff that I’ve learned over time with Zach, that experience right there is invaluable as far as just learning how to manage the game and what type of game this is,” said Masoli.

“I got to sit back and watch Zach and all the guys go through different situations last year, this year,” added Harris. “The way they run the offence, the way different quarterbacks run the offence, it’s almost you can sit back and learn from mistakes, learn from the positives and soak everything in.”

Regardless of the decision, Austin still has faith in both quarterbacks to be able to execute on the field and indicated that the playbook wouldn’t change drastically with a new starter.

In an additional roster move, the team announced the signing of former Argos pivot Mitchell Gale. 

Mathews took over the Ticats' starting quarterback position on Sept. 19, when Collaros suffered a torn ACL that would sideline him for the remainder of 2015. The 24-year-old rookie made his first career start the very next week in a loss to the Stampeders, and this season owns an 84.4 passer rating with six touchdowns and eight interceptions and a 66.7 per cent completion rate.

In a 12-6 loss to the REDBLACKS, the first of back-to-back games that will decide first place in the East, Mathews threw two ill-timed interceptions with the Ticats in scoring range. He finished that game with 160 passing yards on 20-of-35 passes while failing to find the end zone.

Harris, a former Miami Hurricane, has completed 10 of 17 passing attempts this season in limited action. Jeremiah Masoli has not attempted a pass in 2015.

The Ticats are playing for first in the East and a chance to host the Eastern Final on Saturday, needing to not only beat the Ottawa REDBLACKS but beat them by six or more points in order to claim the tie-breaker.


(cfl.ca)

Former NFL defensive lineman Travis Johnson was no Ray Lewis on the field, but he sure can give Lewis' off-field persona a run for his money. 

Johnson, a former No. 1 pick who spent six seasons with Houston and San Diego, donned a Lewis costume for Halloween and gave a motivational trick-or-treat speech for the ages. Johnson has the look, the mannerisms, and the inflections all down pat. The material was also outstanding because as we all know, "if tomorrow wasn't promised, how would you trick or treat for today?" 

Part 1 of @raylewis Halloween pre-Game speech!! Motivation pic.twitter.com/XVPk4oETbj

— Travis Johnson (@trapj99) October 31, 2015

Hahahahah part of a motivational @raylewis Halloween Pre-game pic.twitter.com/FoE9BqWQFX

— Travis Johnson (@trapj99) October 31, 2015

Coincidentally, Lewis was in attendance for Sunday's game and delivered one of his textbook motivational speeches to Ravens players in the locker room before the game. Perhaps uncoincidentally, Baltimore prevailed 29-26 over the Chargers.

This speech tho🙌🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/7QNby723Jz

— Hit The Quan (@HitTheQuan_) November 2, 2015

(foxsports.com)

When asked about flexing Jimmy Graham out wide against the Cowboys, head coach Pete Carroll pointed out that the Seattle Seahawks have used him that way all season.

"We’ve really done that in every game," Carroll said. "Maybe you haven’t noticed it, but he did catch a couple balls from outside. He’s been out in every game, so we continue to do that."

But in the first seven weeks, Graham caught three balls for 18 yards when split out wide like a receiver, according to ESPN Stats & Information. In Week 8 against the Cowboys, he caught three balls for 28 yards from that alignment.

On one play, the Seahawks isolated Graham on the left side, and the Cowboys matched up cornerback Morris Claiborne against him in man coverage. Graham ran a slant, used his big frame to get position in front of Claiborne and picked up 11 yards.

They went to a similar look later in the quarter. This time, the Cowboys were in zone coverage, but Graham still picked up 9.

And on a key third down on the game-winning drive, the Seahawks lined Graham up out wide once again. This time, wide receiver Tyler Lockett was in the slot, and the rookie set a pick on Graham's defender, giving him space on a slant that picked up 8 yards and a first down.

"We want to move [him] all around the field," said quarterack Russell Wilson. "... We want to find different ways in getting him the football and make it tough on the defense. We were able to get him the ball there several different times, and he came up with some catches. We should have had more."

Graham finished with seven catches for 75 yards against the Cowboys. This season, he's the team's leading receiver and on pace for 76 catches and 900 yards.

Graham has eight catches of 20-plus yards, already matching his total from last season. The one area where the Seahawks need to get more from him is in the red zone. Graham has three red-zone catches for eight yards and one touchdown, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

But with an impressive three-game stretch, his role in the offense appears better defined. And don't be surprised if they split Graham out wide more in the second half of the season.


(espn.com)

A former Baltimore Ravens reserve running back who missed a court date in Maryland has been arrested in Florida after speeding in an ATV on a city street, police said.

Damien Jamaar Berry, 27, was being held Tuesday in the Broward County jail on charges of driving with a suspended license, carrying a concealed firearm and an out-of-state hold, according to jail records.

Berry has a no-bond warrant from Howard County, where he failed to appear in Circuit Court in August for a pre-trial settlement conference in a case where he's accused of writing a bad check to buy a 2015 Land Rover Range Rover.

A police officer in Pembroke Pines, Fla., saw Berry driving a 2014 Honda four-wheeler on a city street on Sunday night and pursued him for about a mile before pulling him over, according to a police report.

The officer said Berry was speeding and appeared to be trying to avoid being pulled over. When Berry was arrested, he told police that he had a gun in his backpack. Officers found a loaded Springfield XDS .45-caliber pistol in the bag. Berry does not have a Florida concealed weapons license, police said.

It's not yet clear when Berry will be returned to Maryland. If Berry fights extradition, it could take weeks, said T. Wayne Kirwan, a spokesman for the Howard County State's Attorney's Office.

"He will be extradited back and when he's brought before a judge, he won't be able to bond out because it's a no-bond bench warrant," Kirwan said.

A Howard County judge issued the warrant for Berry after neither he nor an attorney showed up in court on Aug. 24. He has no attorney listed in Maryland court records and no one answered Berry's phone on Tuesday.

In the Howard County case, Berry is accused of writing a bad check from a closed account for $106,024 to buy a 2015 Land Rover Range Rover from a Clarksville car dealership, according to the Howard County State's Attorney's Office. He's charged with theft of more than $100,000, writing a bad check of more than $100,000, vehicle theft and unauthorized removal of property.

Berry initially was charged in March in Howard County District Court, was picked up on a warrant in Lee County in Florida in May and was extradited to Maryland. He showed up for a court date in District Court and asked for a jury trial, which moved the case to Circuit Court.

Berry is a native of Belle Glade, Fla., and played for the University of Miami before being signed by the Ravens in 2011. He spent time on the practice squad and injured reserve before being released in 2013.


(baltimoresun.com)

Johnson caught four passes (on eight targets) for 81 yards and a touchdown in Monday night's overtime loss to the Panthers.

Johnson's 81 yards marked a season-high and actually led all players Monday night, when heavy rain made catching the ball no easy task. The veteran also helped kick-start the Colts' fourth quarter comeback with an 18-yard touchdown catch, his third score through eight games this season. On the whole, Johnson can be encouraged by his performance Monday, which came against one of the league's best defenses, but his Week 9 matchup versus the Broncos poses yet another stiff test.


(cbssports.com)

Frank Gore rushed 22 times for 70 yards and caught all three of his targets for 22 yards in the Colts' Week 8 loss to the Panthers on Monday night.

The 22 carries tied a season-high while the 25 touches set a new benchmark for Gore. The veteran did much of his damage in the first half before Andrew Luck took over in the fourth quarter with Ahmad Bradshaw handling pass-game work in the Colts' backfield. At the halfway point of the season, Gore is on pace to rush 240 times for 1,032 yards (4.3 YPC) and six touchdowns. The touchdown total is a bit of a disappointment, but if the offense can find its way over the final eight games, that number could potentially come close to doubling. Gore remains a strong RB2 but gets a bump down next week against the Broncos' elite defense.


(rotoworld.com)

Greg Olsen caught 6-of-12 targets for 79 yards and one touchdown in the Panthers' Week 8 win over the Colts on Monday night.

Olsen's night started with a bad drop down the left side when he was left wide open on a wheel route. He also took a bad offensive pass interference penalty on a pick play, negating a large gain. But Olsen redeemed himself, beating Vontae Davis down the seam for a 27-yard touchdown and making a critical one-handed catch in overtime with SS Dwight Lowery draped all over him to lead to a field goal. Olsen remains a top-end TE1. The Packers come to town Week 9.


(rotoworld.com)

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians is known to publicly call out some of his top players, presumably as motivation.

Calais Campbell is the latest to have his play questioned by the coach.

The remarks came in Arians' Monday day-after news conference following Sunday's 34-20 victory at Cleveland.

"He needs to be dominating the game," Arians said. "He got very close, but he loses his technique sometimes and doesn't use his hands. He should have had a four-sack day. His stats were minimal."

Campbell had three tackles, one quarterback hit and no sacks against the Browns.

"He's got the talent (to dominate a game)," Arians said, "and he's shown he can. He needs to do it all the time."

Campbell wasn't around to respond to his coach's criticism during the time the locker room was open to reporters following Tuesday's brief practice. The practice Wednesday probably will be even shorter, then the players are off before reassembling next Tuesday to begin preparation for a Nov. 15 Sunday night game at Seattle.

It's probably no coincidence that Arians publicly criticized his 6-foot-8, 300-pound Pro Bowl defensive lineman ahead of that contest, where Campbell will go against a sometimes shaky Seahawks offensive line.

Campbell is fifth on the team in tackles with 40. He has five tackles in the last two games after compiling 35 in the first six contests. Still, he is by far the tackle leader among defensive linemen. Frostee Rucker is a distant second with 16.

But tackles don't tell the whole story. Campbell often occupies opposing players while Arizona's linebackers make the play.

Defensive coordinator James Bettcher calls him "a special player."

No player in the Arizona locker room is more amiable than Campbell, who's in his eighth season with the Cardinals. There's a school of thought that he's just too nice of a guy to consistently be a fierce defensive lineman. Bettcher firmly rejects that idea.

"I honestly don't even look at that," Bettcher said after Tuesday's practice. "I see him when he plays and he plays hard, he plays violent, he makes plays and he's disruptive. It's just his expectations for himself and mine for him are really high."

Because he plays in a 3-4 defense, Campbell is not the conventional, high-profile pass-rushing defensive end often found in a 4-3 scheme. He's more of a tackle listed as a defensive end. That was among the reasons that he didn't make the Pro Bowl until last year.

This season, he's played all three positions up front, often lined up as an imposing figure at nose tackle. He towers over the line regardless of where he plays, and he increasingly knows how to use that size.

"One thing I think he's done over the past couple of years is he's really learned to play with his length well," Bettcher said. "If he does that consistently, there's not a lot of people who will be able to block him.”

Campbell's breakout season last year made blocking him even more of an emphasis for opposing teams.

"I think that's one thing that moving him around helps," Bettcher said, "so they can't just zero in and find that he's always playing on the left, or he's always playing on the right, or he's always playing the middle."

Campbell joins the likes of Patrick Peterson, Larry Fitzgerald, and even Carson Palmer as those to be mentioned publicly by the coach in a less-than-positive light.

"He wants to put that pressure on you," Palmer said, "that kind of tough-minded, always-yelling, never-good-enough mentality, because he knows that's what it takes to win."


(foxsports.com)

When the Bengals played at Cleveland in December, Hue Jackson looked at Eric Winston at halftime and asked him if he was ready to go in the game.

With right tackle Andre Smith on IR and the offensive coordinator playing with combinations to replace him, he turned to the nine-year veteran who signed one week prior to see what he could do. What he did was step in and start the rest of the season.

As Smith battles a concussion and looks unlikely to play Thursday, Jackson turns to Winston again. Only, nearly a year later, the transition comes much easier.

"It helps a lot that I was here last year and played some last year," Winston said. "Then it all comes back a little faster. It's a little more muscle memory now, I'll be able to hone in on giving great effort and playing well. Not necessarily just being on the right guy."

The third-round pick of the Houston Texans also serves as the NFL Players' Association president and quickly found a connection and camaraderie within the Bengals' locker room. Cincinnati re-signed him this offseason for the reliability he brings as an insurance policy. He spent much of camp also working inside at guard for the first time in his career so he could step in at backup should an injury occur there.

The juxtaposition is interesting considering the arrival of first-round pick OL Cedric Ogbuehi and second-round pick OL Jake Fisher. Ogbuehi is done with his rehab, but still working out on the Physically Unable to Perform list, meanwhile Fisher spends most of his time working as a backup at left tackle and large tight end in specific formations.

They are next in line if an injury occurs in some spots, but Winston spent his entire career manning the right tackle spot so he's the sure choice at this point in time to step in for Smith.

"When I came into the league I started at right tackle and stayed there the whole time," Winston said. "A lot of guys have a year or two where they back up a lot of places and then get entrenched somewhere they play but always rely on that stuff. I've never played guard or really any other spots. Obviously I've played left tackle in college but, then moving to right for the last 10 years it's been right tackle."


(cincinnati.com)

In the latest round of Baseball America's minor-league transactions, for the period of October 24-30, Matt Eddy reports that the New York Yankees have released first baseman Kyle Roller and re-signed catcher Eddy Rodriguez.

Rodriguez, who turns 30 on December 1, was signed last winter as a minor-league free agent and split the season between Double-A and Triple-A. The veteran hit just .170 with three homers and 20 RBI in 57 games, but was noted for his work with top prospect Gary Sanchez - and with Sanchez also likely ticketed for the minors to start 2016, Rodriguez may have been brought back to continue that mentorship with the young backstop.


(yesnetowork.com)

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants have signed linebacker James Morris off their practice squad and waived cornerback Brandon McGee.

The Giants announced the moves Saturday, less than 24 hours before their game in New Orleans against the Saints.

New York made the moves because starting linebacker J.T. Thomas is going to miss the game with an ankle injury and middle linebacker Jon Beason is questionable with an ankle injury.

Morris has been on the practice squad since Sept. 16.

McGee was signed to the practice squad Oct. 14, and to the active roster four days later. He played against Philadelphia on Oct. 19, and was inactive vs. Dallas last week.


(bostonherald.com)

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields avoided a serious shoulder injury, according to a league source.

Although Shields could not finish Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos after leaving in the first quarter, tests performed on Monday showed that there was no major damage. The source put Shields in the day-to-day category, meaning it’s possible he could return for this Sunday’s game at the Carolina Panthers.

The Packers lost Shields, their best corner, on the Broncos’ first touchdown drive. Rookie Damarious Randall replaced Shields, and although the first-round pick nabbed his first career interception, he struggled in coverage just like the rest of the Packers secondary. Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning threw for 340 yards.

Randall and Casey Hayward were responsible for most of the damage done by Broncos receiver Demaryius Thomas (eight catches for 168 yards).

The Packers also lost rookie cornerback Quinten Rollins to a shoulder injury on a special-teams play during Sunday’s 29-10 loss. There was no immediate indication about the severity of his injury.


(espn.com)

The Buffalo Bills are coming off of a much-needed bye week and will prepare for their Week 9 matchup with the Miami Dolphins. Injuries have played a big part in preventing the Bills from reaching their full potential, but a week off could help key players get back on the field.

One player who's been forced to miss time this season is right tackle Seantrel Henderson, who sat out Week 7 due to a concussion suffered in the first quarter of the team's Oct. 18 loss. On Sunday, Henderson hinted that he could return this week against the Dolphins.

Can't wait to get back out there with my teammates. #RockTheRalph next Sunday.

— Seantrel Henderson (@66_Henderson) November 1, 2015

The Bills' offensive line has had its issues this season, outside of Richie Incognito who's been one of the top guards in the league. The run game hasn't gotten on track, while the aerial attack has struggled greatly without Sammy Watkins and Tyrod Taylor on the field together.

Henderson's return could certainly help the reeling Bills, but Taylor's return would be much more significant. Rex Ryan is expected to provide an update on both players Monday.


(foxsports.com)

Graham caught 7-of-10 targets for 75 yards in Sunday's 13-12 win at Dallas.

Graham could have had a bigger game, but he and Russell Wilson's timing were a little off on a couple of deep shots. The star TE continues to be either completely uninvolved or a beast, with little in between. The lack of consistency might be frustrating to fantasy owners, but his upside cannot be ignored. He and the Seahawks will be on bye next week, before facing the Cardinals at home in Week 10.


(cbssports.com)

Duke Johnson rushed one time for three yards and caught both of his targets for 68 yards in the Browns' Week 8 loss to the Cardinals.

Johnson surprisingly played very little after chewing up 52 yards on a first-half catch-and-run that set up Gary Barnidge's three-yard touchdown. Robert Turbin got a bunch of second-half work and fumbled twice, losing one. Johnson simply needs a lot more playing time. Both Turbin and Isaiah Crowell have proven to be average-to-below average runners. Johnson remains and RB2/3 in PPR formats and will get the Bengals on the road on Thursday night.


(rotoworld.com)

Travis Benjamin caught 3-of-5 targets for 26 yards in the Browns' Week 8 loss to the Cardinals.

Benjamin has now been shut down in back-to-back tough matchups against the Rams and Cardinals. He ran a lot of routes at Patrick Peterson, which allowed Brian Hartline to score a pair of touchdowns. Benjamin should get back on track Thursday night against the Bengals.



(rotoworld.com)

Trent Dilfer called to discuss topics related to the Monday night matchup between Carolina and Indianapolis. But after 15 minutes talking about Cam Newton, Andrew Luck and Panthers offensive coordinator Mike Shula, Dilfer had something else he wanted to get off his chest.

Dilfer, the former Tampa Bay quarterback and current ESPN analyst, thinks Panthers tight end Greg Olsen is a special talent. And Seattle tight end Jimmy Graham, who’s been to two more Pro Bowls than Olsen?

Dilfer says he’s not in Olsen’s league.

“I think the gap between (Olsen) and Jimmy Graham is a chasm, not a gap,” Dilfer said Thursday.

While Pro Football Focus views Olsen as the league’s worst run-blocking tight end, Dilfer believes Olsen’s blocking is better than Graham’s.

“The Seahawks running the football with Graham on the field are pathetic. Brutal. With him off the field, they’re dynamic,” Dilfer said. “Greg Olsen’s playing 90 percent of the snaps and they’re leading the league in rushing. And he’s a dynamic receiver.”

Olsen, who went to his first Pro Bowl last season, is third among tight ends (trailing Antonio Gates, Rob Gronkowski and former Panther Gary Barnidge) with an average of 73.2 receiving yards a game.

Graham is 12th among tight ends at 53.6.

Dilfer says the 6-foot-7 Graham thrived in the Saints’ offense because of Sean Payton’s ability to get him in isolation matchups. He says Graham also caught a lot of passes against soft zones “where anybody can get open.”

Dilfer doesn’t think Graham is a bad player. But he thinks it’s time Olsen received his due.

“This guy’s one of the most underappreciated players in football,” Dilfer said. “He is amazing.”


(charlotteobserver.com)

NEWS UPDATE
Braun will need 3-4 weeks to recover from offseason back surgery, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports.

ROTOWIRE FANTASY ANALYSIS
This comes as no surprise considering the Brewers expected Braun to need at least a month of rest in order to heal from an offseason surgery on his back. New general manager David Stearns didn't anticipate any complications with Braun saying, "Our expectation is he'll be ready to go when we get to Maryvale (for spring training)."


(rotowire.com)