RADIO
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown has been one of the best fantasy football surprises of the season thus far. During his rookie season last year he flashed signs of greatness, but was too inconsistent to start on a weekly basis. But this season Brown has put up great numbers in every game he has played.
Through just seven games Brown has 37 receptions for 562 yards and three touchdowns. He has become quarterback Carson Palmer’s favorite target and for good reason – he’s a threat to score every time he gets the football in his hands.
Unfortunately, Brown is now dealing with a hamstring injury, which could force the team to sit him out Week 8 against the Cleveland Browns.
"We’re trying to get him well instead of aggravating him," coach Bruce Arians said, according to the Arizona Republic.
Considering Brown’s importance to the team’s success, it would be understandable if the team did decide to rest him. Hamstring injuries are very difficult to deal with for speedy receivers like Brown. And since the Cardinals have a bye week following Week 8, sitting him against the Browns would give him two weeks to heal.
If Brown does play, he can be considered a high-end WR2 against the Browns. If he doesn’t play, Larry Fitzgerald Will be come a high-end WR2 and Michael Floyd will become a high-end WR3. I’d also expect tight end Jermaine Gresham to see more passes thrown in his direction. Gresham would be considered a TE2 with Brown out.
On the other side of the country, New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker missed Wednesday’s practice with a bruised knee. The team claims this is a different injury than the sprained knee that limited earlier in the season, but the Jets are still being cautious with it. Head coach Todd Bowles said the team is “trying to be careful.”
Decker has a nice matchup in Week 8 against the Oakland Raiders. If he’s able to play, I’d consider him a low-end WR2. Through five games this season he has caught 24 footballs for 333 yards and four touchdowns.
It sounds like Decker will be able to play in Week 8, but if he can’t go wide receiver Brandon Marshall immediately becomes a WR1 in all fantasy leagues. Without Decker, Marshall is the only real receiving threat on the Jets squad and will be overloaded with targets and chucks from quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. Even if Decker does play, Marshall is a WR1, but his ceiling becomes higher without Decker suited up.
Jeremy Kerley would likely see some more targets as well if Decker is out, but I wouldn’t recommend starting him.
