ALLEN PARK
T.J. Hockenson Jersey Womens , Mich. (AP) — The Detroit Lions have allowed 16 sacks in the past two games — and this week isn’t off to a good start either for
the offensive line.The Lions put guard T.J. Lang on injured reserve with a neck
injury Wednesday. Lang has missed three games this season, including last
weekend’s loss at Chicago. Detroit signed cornerback Mike Ford to the active
roster from the practice squad and signed safety David Jones to the practice
squad.“He was a good veteran leader,” center Graham Glasgow said. “All of us
will need to pick up the slack a little bit on that end.”The 31-year-old Lang is
in his second season with the Lions after playing eight with Green Bay. Lang
signed a three-year deal with Detroit before the 2017 season, returning to his
home area. He was born in Royal Oak, went to high school in Bloomfield Hills and
went to college at Eastern Michigan.Lang hasn’t played a full 16 games since the
2014 season, but he’s also never played fewer than 12 in his career. That
obviously changes now. Lang has also dealt with back, concussion and hip
problems this year.Guard Kenny Wiggins, who signed with the Lions in March, has
started the three games that Lang missed so far this season.“Same way I always
approach it,” Wiggins said. “I’ve been preparing all year like I was a starter.
Now it’s just how it’s going to be now from now on.”Detroit (3-6) has lost three
straight. The Lions yielded 10 sacks against Minnesota two weekends ago and six
against the Bears.“It just hasn’t been our best performances,” Glasgow said.
“Part of it has just been the situations that have been, just throughout the
game. Down by a few scores, trying to come back and get some points on the
board. It’s a lot of pass pro
Tracy Walker Jersey , a lot of pass rush.”The Lions have invested a lot in recent years to try to improve their offensive line. Detroit has used four of
its past seven first-round draft picks on offensive linemen. Two of those
selections — Taylor Decker and rookie Frank Ragnow — have started every game for
the Lions this season.Lang, however, has been limited, and his future seems
uncertain. Detroit’s running game has improved a bit, but the sack totals have
stood out over the past two weeks. The Lions have fallen behind early, which
makes it harder for them to take advantage of their running game.Quarterback
Matthew Stafford has attempted 118 passes over the past three games.“We have to
do better as a line and as an offensive unit,” Glasgow said. “You never plan to
pass the ball every play. But, I mean, that’s just how it works. The game plan
adapts to the situation.” This is the final time you will have to deal with byes
this season — but the most challenging. The Rams and Chiefs have a break after
their historic Monday night shootout, two prolific teams with numerous fantasy
stars.Tough timing, with many owners vying for key victories to strengthen
playoff positioning. Some other key injuries also make this a crucial waiver run
with only two weeks left in many fantasy regular-season schedules.RUNNING
BACKSGUS EDWARDS, Ravens (0.2 percent owned): The undrafted rookie surprisingly
took hold of the lead role in the Baltimore backfield in Week 11, rushing for
115 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries
Kerryon Johnson Jersey , and now he has an apparent opportunity to continue as the No. 1 RB as the Ravens take on the Raiders. It’s a fine matchup for Edwards to
continue to build on his momentum. John Harbaugh does not seem to trust Alex
Collins and there aren’t really other competitors for the carries. You have to
take the flier on Edwards, but keep in mind the Ravens have not leaned heavily
on any one RB this season yet.JOSH ADAMS, Eagles (28.1): We have recommended
this other undrafted rookie previously, and 22.1 percent of fantasy players
added him last week, but he remains underowned. Adams has yet to reach double
digit carries or 65 rushing yards in a game, but he was on his way to officially
seizing the lead RB role last week before the Eagles were blown out by the
Saints. He provided Philadelphia’s only score on a 28-yard TD run, flashing his
upside, and we could see his best production this week in a much friendlier
matchup with the Giants.LEGARRETTE BLOUNT, Lions (9.8): The well-traveled
veteran has rushed for only 16 yards in his last four games, as he became a
complete afterthought with Kerryon Johnson moving into clear lead back and
Fantasy RB1 territory. But Johnson is expected to miss Thursday’s game against
Chicago with a knee injury and Blount should be the top ball carrier for the
Lions. It’s not a good matchup against Chicago’s elite run defense and Theo
Riddick is a better add in PPR leagues if available, but Blount will start for
Detroit and may have to be the alternative option if you need a one-week play
and cannot acquire Edwards or Adams.WIDE RECEIVERSKEKE COUTEE, Texans (14.3):
Most rookie receivers are unreliable, but Coutee seems to have a safer floor
than others when he has been healthy. He also seems to be a preferred target
over recently acquired veteran Demaryius Thomas
Frank Ragnow Jersey , who seems to be fading into the twilight of his career. Coutee already has three double figure PPR performances in four relatively
healthy appearances this year.D.J. MOORE, Panthers (32.0): He previously showed
some glimpses of his considerable promise before breaking out with seven catches
for 157 yards and a TD in Week 11 against Detroit. Like many first year
wideouts, Moore is a risky play and can follow up a big game with a quiet one.
But he has the most pure talent and potential of any Carolina WR and the
opportunity to take the lead role in the Panthers pass-catching corps if he can
continue to trend upward.TRE’QUAN SMITH (13.4): Because he plays in such an
explosive offense, Smith could be the top add of the week, especially after
registering 10 catches for 157 yards and a TD in the destruction of the Eagles.
Smith seems set to be the Saints’ top pure deep playmaker for some time to come.
There may be a quiet outing here and there, but it’s unlikely in Week 12 against
Atlanta.QUARTERBACKSJAMEIS WINSTON, Buccaneers (9.4): He Is back as the starter
again, but just like the guy he replaced, Ryan Fitzpatrick, he has a lot of
upside with big risk. Winston threw four TD passes against the Falcons in Week 6
and was intercepted four times by the Bengals in Week 8. The matchup vs. the
49ers this week can inspire confidence, but he’s a roller coaster ride vs. any
opponent. Taking Winston is advised if you need to replace Patrick Mahomes or
Jared Goff and the waiver wire is very thin at QB, If you have a backup with a
safer floor, you may want to stick with that.BAKER MAYFIELD
Marvin Jones Jersey , Browns (37.5): Mayfield is a very good replacement for Mahomes or Goff, and may not melt like Winston when you need him to be stable.
Mayfield has thrown nine TD passes in his past four games, with two TD passes in
three of them and three vs. Atlanta before last week’s bye. He has a friendly
matchup vs. Cincinnati this week.TIGHT ENDSCAMERON BRATE, Buccaneers (8.9):
Brate has faded into the background recently with the ascension of O.J. Howard,
but a knee injury has clouded Howard’s outlook for Week 12. If Howard is out or
limited against the 49ers, Brate could re-emerge as a prime TD threat for
Winston, who has favored him often in scoring situations in the past.CHRIS
HERNDON, Jets (6.6): This rookie does not have much upside, but he caught TD
passes in three consecutive games from Weeks 6 to 8 and then caught four passes
for 62 yards in Week 9. Herndon may not hurt you this week and is obviously a
threat to score. The Jets passing game has looked bad lately, but if they can
show respectability against New England, Herndon should be involved
somehow.
