Three and out: Best advised to sit rest of season
NFL.com Staff | Tags: Three and out, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Jahvid Best, LeGarrette Blount, Maurice Morris, Peyton Hillis, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Best dealing with second concussion: The Lions had their trade for RB Ronnie Brown voided and now might have even bigger issues in the backfield. CBSSports.com reported Thursday that people close to RB Jahvid Best are expressing concern to him that he should consider sitting out the rest of the season after suffering his second concussion of the year. For now, Detroit offensive coordinator Scott Linehan believes that Best will return before the season ends. From a fantasy perspective, it means Maurice Morris could be in line to become the Lions’ No. 1 running back, at least in the short term. This week’s matchup against the Falcons won’t have fantasy owners turning backflips over his prospects, but with Detroit’s offense running like a new Ford engine, Morris will have the opportunity to produce.
Hillis to rehab hamstring: Your fantasy day wouldn’t be complete without a Peyton Hillis update. According to coach Pat Shurmur, Hillis is expected to train in a pool Thursday to help strengthen his injured hamstring. Hillis didn’t practice on Wednesday, and although Shurmur isn’t ruling him out, it’s hard to envision Hillis taking the field on Sunday. Get ready for another week of RB Montario Hardesty.
Blount’s status murky: Similarly, Buccaneers RB LeGarrette Blount looks unlikely to be ready when the Bucs take on the Bears this week in London. Earnest Graham excelled in Blount’s absence last week, catching two passes for 22 yards (no surprise) and rushing for 109 yards (big surprise) against a Saints defense that had been tough on fantasy running backs. This week, Tampa will see a Bears defense that has been quite generous against passing offenses. If QB Josh Freeman can reprise his performance in Week 6, it should once again open running lanes for Graham. It will be hard to expect another 100-yard day, but he’s definitely worth adding to your lineup as a No. 2 running back.
– Marcas Grant


