New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton expressed optimism that Drew Brees will be able to go against the Cowboys in Dallas next week.
“The one thing (that) is certain is the day-to-day progress he has made and truly a week ago at this time, Wednesday and Thursday, we didn’t know,” Payton said on Monday, via Pro Football Talk. “It was day-to-day and then on Friday, we just felt where it was at that time it was smart to rest it. I would say optimistic and yet will just pay attention to his symptoms and strength.”
With Brees sidelined on Sunday, veteran backup Luke McCown played decent football, completing 31-of-38 passes for 310 yards with zero touchdowns and an interception. McCown, obviously not a fantasy option, will get the start next week should Brees remained sidelined with a sprained Rotator Cuff. It's all about arm strength. If Brees doesn't feel he can make the throws needed to be successful, he will not be ready in time for a big game that could send New Orleans to an 0-4 start.
Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien indicated on Monday that he believes star running back Arian Foster is close to returning from a groin injury he suffered during the summer.
Foster has sat out the Texans' first three games, but has hinted at being near 100 percent and ready to go. A return to limited practice last week could be an indication that Foster will be able to go next Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. Alfred Blue put up 139 yards and a touchdown on 31 attempts in Foster's stead this past weekend.
At 1-2 on the season, Houston is tied with the Indianapolis Colts for first in the AFC South. Getting Foster back as soon as possible is a necessity here. From a fantasy perspective, Foster has proven himself to be one of the top fantasy running backs in the NFL when actually on the field. If he's ready to go against Atlanta, he becomes an immediate must start.
New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz posted a video to Bleacher Report on Sunday evening announcing that he will make his season debut against the Buffalo Bills next week. Cruz, who missed the final 10 games of last season with a serious knee injury, has been dealing with a calf injury over the past several weeks.
Once Cruz does return to the Giants lineup, it will likely push Rueben Randle down to the No. 3 wide receiver role behind Odell Beckham and Cruz. Randle actually put up top-10 fantasy numbers this week, going for seven receptions, 116 yards and a score against the Washington Redskins.
New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles expects Chris Ivory to be able to go next week after he didn't attempt a single rush against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. While Ivory was active, it's clear the Jets weren't prepared to risk further injury to his quad.
As has been the case since the John Fox tenure started in Chicago earlier this year, the team isn't really providing much information to the media. The first-year Bears head coach, who is currently leading an 0-3 squad, refused to comment on Alshon Jeffery's status for Week 4. Jeffery sat out Chicago's embarrassing loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday with a hamstring injury. Even if he's able to go next week against the Oakland Raiders, it's hard to imagine any Bears' pass catchers being a viable fantasy option with Jimmy Clausen likely under center. Chicago punted on all nine possessions in a 26-0 loss to Seattle on Sunday.
Updating a story we covered earlier on Monday, Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan indicated that wide receiver Sammy Watkins could potentially miss the team's Week 4 game against the New York Giants. Watkins has caught just seven passed for 99 yards in three games. A mild calf sprain could spell doom for any production we're expecting from Watkins this upcoming week.
New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton told reporters on Monday that he believes running back C.J. Spiller is 100 percent. The issue here, as Payton indicated, was actually getting Spiller touches on offense. The first-year Saints running back has just seven touches in two games.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown suffered a hand injury in the third quarter of his team's loss to the Oakland Raiders on Sunday. Seen with a swollen hand following the game, McCown indicated that he should be fine.
The larger concern here, however, is whether Cleveland is actually going to stick with the veteran. Johnny Manziel has performed much better in limited time this season, and led the Browns to their only victory of the season back in Week 2 while McCown was sidelined with a concussion.