Johnson redux: Tennessee Titans coach Mike Munchak says the team has no plans to bench running back Chris Johnson. The fact that Munchak had to make that abundantly clear is kinda worrisome. Sunday was a re-do of much of Johnson’s 2011 season with CJ (we’re dropping the “2K” until he starts producing consistently again) rushing for just four yards on 11 carries. The six receptions for 47 yards were nice, but fantasy owners won’t be able to count on that every week — especially when Kenny Britt returns to action. Munchak laid some of the blame at the feet of quarterback Jake Locker, who guessed wrong on some run-pass options. That seems petty. If you have a playmaker in the backfield, why wouldn’t you make a concerted effort to put the ball in his hands? Week 2 sends the Titans to San Diego. The Chargers just finished shutting down the Raiders running game. That doesn’t bode well for Johnson breaking out.

Blount questions: Midway through the second quarter of Sunday’s win over the Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back LeGarrette Blount left the game with an apparent leg injury and never returned as he finished the game with just three carries and one catch. It’s a disappearance that confused even head coach Greg Schiano, who said Blount could have returned to the game. Rookie Doug Martin played well in Blount’s stead, rushing for 95 yards and adding another 23 yards receiving. Last season, Blount’s production was stifled by an offense that constantly fell behind by large margins. This season, if he’s hamstringing his own production (pun definitely intended), Martin becomes that much more valuable.

Wounded bird: Kevin Kolb has won the Arizona Cardinals’ starting job. For now. And by default. ProFootballTalk.com reports that John Skelton could miss the next 2-4 weeks with a low ankle sprain. Skelton’s performance wasn’t much to talk about, completing just 14-of-28 passes for 149 yards and an interception before the injury. Kolb took over and finished the game going 6-of-8 for 66 yards and a touchdown. More importantly, three of his first four throws were in the direction of Larry Fitzgerald. With all the uncertain fantasy football values nesting in Arizona, the previous sentence might be the only one that really matters.

– Marcas Grant

Follow Marcas on Twitter @MarcasG

Posted in: Fantasy  |