Andre - Leinart = Problem - 11/28/2011
BY Matt Stroup The good news for the Texans (and for fantasy owners) is that Andre Johnson is back.
The bad news: He suddenly has a third-string QB throwing to him.
With reports surfacing that Matt Leinart is done for the year due to a broken left collarbone, fifth-round rookie T.J. Yates (8-for-15, 70 yds) now stands under center for a dominant rushing offense that has little incentive to throw extensively going forward. Arian Foster (22 rush, 65 yds, TD) has the talent and offensive line to remain an elite RB1, but Johnson (2 rec, 22 yds) will likely struggle to post consistent numbers with Yates guiding this passing “attack” down the stretch.
And for those wondering if the Houston QB situation has any hope for immediate upside, the answer is no: Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk reported on NBC that Brodie Croyle is expected to join Houston as the third-string QB (behind Yates and Kellen Clemens), and there’s no indication that Brett Favre is a potential option for the Texans.
In other injury news…
Sidney Rice left Sunday’s game due to a concussion, finishing with no catches (and one carry for three yards). This marks Sir Sidney’s second concussion in the last three weeks, and leaves Seattle’s No. 1 WR extremely questionable (if not entirely out of the question) for a matchup with the Eagles on Thursday night. Doug Baldwin (5 rec, 60 yds) would theoretically be the top beneficiary, but he hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 5.
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Montario Hardesty was unable to play due to issues with his lingering calf injury during pre-game warm-ups, leading to a full slate of carries for the formerly reliable RB known as Peyton Hillis (19 rush, 65 yds). With Hillis apparently coming out of Week 12 healthy (and with the Ravens due up next in Week 13), Hardesty is safe to drop unless Hillis is on your roster in a deeper league.
Beanie Wells (27 rush, 228 yds, TD) briefly left with a scary-looking right knee injury, but was able to return. This should theoretically be a concern given Wells’ history with knee problems, but he was able to rip off a 53-yard run after re-entering Sunday’s game. It’s possible that Beanie wil miss some practice time this week, but he should be ready to go for his matchup with the Cowboys in Week 13.
Editor’s note: If you want to draft a new fantasy team, check out SnapDraft here.
Other Injury Notes: Troy Polamalu left the Sunday night game due to a head injury … Greg Olsen sustained an ankle injury prior to kickoff, but was able to play through it (3 rec, 24 yds) … Mike Williams (Seattle edition) was slowed by a shoulder injury in the second half on Sunday … Bucs DT Brian Price was carted off with an ankle injury … Falcons CB Brent Grimes left with a non-contact knee injury … The already depleted Vikings’ secondary lost CB Asher Allen to a shoulder injury … Steelers C Maurkice Pouncey missed much of Sunday night’s game due to an illness, but should be fine for Week 13.
Note: For a complete look at all the key happenings from Week 12, check out Chris Wesseling's The Morning After column on Monday. |
