Mathews and Moreno Head List of Injured Players Doubtful For Week 3 NFL Action

By Micah Roberts

Here’s the latest NFL injury news regarding key players heading into this weekends games beginning with the running backs:

The Broncos Knowshon Moreno is out for Sunday’s game against the Colts thanks to some hamstring issues. Starting in his place will be veteran Correll Buckhalter or Laurence Maroney. Buckhalter is a steady back who has filled in nicely for Moreno and there shouldn’t be much of a drop off.

Chargers rookie Ryan Mathews is listed as doubtful and Mike Tolbert will get the nod at Seattle this week. There are a lot of expectations placed on Mathews, but we haven’t seen what he can thus far into the regular season. Tolbert came in last week and did a nice job of moving the chains, scoring and holding onto the ball, something that has haunted Mathews early on.

Beanie Wells should see his first action of the year this week against the Raiders cutting into Tim Hightower’s time. Also, Atlanta’s Michael Turner and Jacksonville’s Maurice Jones-Drew are both listed as probable and expected to play. Michael Bush is also expected to return for the Raiders Sunday, but how much is still a question since Darren McFadden had a great game last week.

Key receivers that have some questions this week include Pierre Garcon, who is listed as questionable with hamstring problems, and Hines Ward calf issue has him listed as probable at Tampa Bay.

Jake Delhomme is still nursing a sore ankle and is doubtful for the Browns game at Baltimore meaning Seneca Wallace will likely start again. Injuries didn’t force new starters on four teams this week, just simple poor play. Bruce Gradkowski will start for Oakland, Michael Vick for Philadelphia, Ryan Fitzpatrick for Buffalo and Jimmy Clausen at Carolina. Shaun Hill also gets the nod in Detroit again as Matt Stafford will be out for another four weeks.

On the defensive side, Darrelle Revis is out for the Jets Sunday night game at Miami. It must have really hurt when Randy Moss scored easily on him -- one handed -- last Sunday. The Broncos are all banged up on Defense with several starters being questionable led by Champ Bailey. Peyton Manning is not the type of player a hurt secondary wants to face.  

FANTASY FOOTBALL: Mathews Looks To Warrant Serious Consideration as No. 5 RB Drafted

by Micah Roberts
Las Vegas Review-Journal

Every year as NFL fantasy drafts near, the biggest dilemma every owner has centers on running backs. The backs are the most eagerly sought after position and can be the foundation for any successful team.

Last season's best first-round bargain ended up being the Titans' Chris Johnson, who ran for more than 2,000 yards in addition to having more than 500 reception yards en route to 16 total touchdowns.

Backs who consistently hurt teams by underachieving were Michael Turner, Matt Forte, Frank Gore and Steven Jackson, all of whom were drafted by most within the top six picks.

While Jackson had his second-best career output with 1,416 yards rushing, he scored only four touchdowns. Injuries kept Gore and Turner from living up to the numbers expected of a top-six pick. Forte never got a grip on his role in Jay Cutler's offense.

After scanning each team's rosters, considering their game plans and seeing where some of this year's backs have been taken in mock drafts, there appears to be value for a few this season who warrant earlier consideration because they could become breakout performers.

The first is San Diego rookie Ryan Mathews. In the past two seasons, many blamed the Chargers' lack of production in the running game on a change in offensive philosophy geared more toward quarterback Philip Rivers and the offensive line not doing its job in run-blocking situations.

Perhaps the media and coaching staff were just being kind to future Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson by regularly placing blame elsewhere. The reality is that Tomlinson lost a step after seven stellar years in the NFL, averaging 3.3 yards per carry.

Mathews' biggest contribution might be his pass-catching, an amenity that virtually disappeared for Rivers last season, as Tomlinson caught only 20 passes -- the lowest total of his career. Some fantasy players think backup Darren Sproles could see more time with Tomlinson gone, but that notion should be put to rest as Sproles remained a third-down back even as Tomlinson struggled last year.

Look for Mathews to get more than 300 carries and crack 1,400 yards rushing with double-digit touchdowns. The Chargers are going to score lots of points and are helped by playing six games against weak AFC West competition, and Mathews will be the new face of that attack.

After Johnson, Adrian Peterson, Maurice Jones-Drew and Ray Rice have been taken, Mathews should garner consideration as the fifth back taken.

Other running backs to consider early:

■ Shonn Greene, Jets: He'll be running behind perhaps the NFL's best offensive line and replaces Thomas Jones, who ran for 1,402 yards in 2009. Greene has been drafted as about the 12th back, but he should be looked at earlier than the likes of Rashard Mendenhall, Cedric Benson and Turner.

■ LeSean McCoy, Eagles: He is being drafted by most in the fourth round as the 20th back taken. He takes over the role of Brian Westbrook in coach Andy Reid's West Coast offense, which means his expected receptions and receiving yards will be higher than most backs in the league. He could be one of the best bargains in the draft.

On the web: Roberts Top-50 Running Back Rankings

Micah Roberts is a former Las Vegas sports book director who covers sports for various publications. He can be reached at MM.Roberts7@gmail.com.