Fantasy News

Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer didn’t rule out using Dalvin Cook as a kick returner this season.

Cook is their dynamic second-round running back from Florida State. The team’s special teams coordinator Mike Priefer said earlier this week he would like Cook to return kicks this season, and Zimmer said they’ll do whatever helps them win games. Zimmer also said pass protection is “always the number one thing” for young running backs if they want to play on offense, so Cook will likely focus on that to have a big offensive role. If Cook isn’t expected to get a lot of work on offense, it’d probably make it more likely he returns kicks. The Vikings are looking for someone to replace Cordarrelle Patterson, who might be the best returner in the NFL and left for the Raiders in free agency.

7/23/17 - 07:19 PM ET

Jay Cutler would consider coming out of retirement to join the Dolphins, according to Jeff Darlington.

Darlington writes, “Sources said that Jay Cutler would be willing to delay his broadcast career at Fox in order to play for Dolphins coach Adam Gase, who helped him revitalize his career when he was the QB’s offensive coordinator in 2015.” He also adds that Cutler would want to be a full-time starter and make starter money if he does decide to play—and that the Dolphins are the only “practical” job he’d consider walking away from FOX for. The Dolphins received good news when Tannehill didn’t have any more structural damage than he did in the morning, but he still might get season-ending surgery on the knee he injured at the end of last season. Cutler, who didn’t “officially” retire from the NFL, would probably be the Dolphins’ best option at quarterback if Ryan Tannehill is out for the year.

Via: ESPN 8/3/17 - 07:23 PM ET

Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer talked about the team’s running back situation.

Zimmer said “pass protection is always the number one thing” for young running backs. Second-round rookie Dalvin Cook impressed the team throughout the offseason and reportedly received a lot of first team reps, but how well he pass protects will likely be a big factor in the amount of playing time he gets this season. Zimmer said he doesn’t anticipate pass protection being an issue for veteran running back Latavius Murray, while he said Jerick McKinnon held up well in pass protection last season. The Vikings head coach also said it’ll be important for the coaching staff to find the roles for each of the backs. Latavius Murray also talked to the media and said while he feels good, he isn’t sure if he’ll practice yet, also stating he knows he’ll “have some catching up to do” when he hits the field. Minnesota’s running back situation will be one of the biggest things to watch this preseason.

7/23/17 - 07:13 PM ET

Michael Campanaro has been taken off the PUP list.

Campanaro passed his physical and is set to practice for the Ravens tomorrow. Campanaro will be battling for a roster spot in a deep Ravens receiving corps.

7/31/17 - 11:18 AM ET

Mike Zimmer thinks Teddy Bridgewater will start training camp on the PUP list.

The Vikings head coach was asked about Bridgewater, and didn’t seem to have or want to give much information. Zimmer said he knows Bridgewater is improving, but he hadn’t seen him yet (the team is just arriving at training camp). When asked if Teddy will start on the Physically Unable to Perform list, Zimmer said, “I think so. But again, I haven’t seen him.” With Sam Bradford healthy and locked in as the starter after a full offseason, Minnesota is going to take it slow with Bridgewater after his very bad knee injury late last summer. Everything has seemed positive around Bridgewater, however, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him on the practice field soon.

7/23/17 - 06:41 PM ET

Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com thinks Joe Mixon will get 18+ touches starting in Week 1.

Hobson wrote that Mixon spent ten days with Adrian Peterson before training camp—Peterson of course, like Mixon, went to Oklahoma and has been sort of a mentor to him. Even with Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard in the backfield, Hobson wrote “I think you have to think about him as a 15-to-20-carry-a-game guy with three to five catches. Right away. Sept. 10. Vs. Baltimore.” That’d be anywhere from 18-25 touches to open the year. If Mixon gets that kind of work in what should be a solid offense, he could immediately be an RB1.

Via: Bengals.com 8/3/17 - 07:04 PM ET

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones doesn’t believe Ezekiel Elliott did anything related to domestic violence.

The Cowboys owner talked to reporters at the team’s training camp and said he reviewed everything and there is “absolutely nothing – not one thing – that had anything to do with domestic violence.” Elliott and his personal have asserted the running back’s innocence since the the alleged domestic violence came about last year, and Jerry Jones is also now backing him up as the NFL wraps up its investigation into the events. A suspension seems extremely likely given Elliott’s sporadic behavior over the past year-plus, including pulling down a woman’s shirt at a Saint Patrick’s Day parade; so the NFL is going to want to send a message. We’ve certainly seen the NFL hand down harsh suspensions, even if unjustified. An Elliott suspension of at least one game is a good bet.

Via: ESPN 7/23/17 - 06:40 PM ET