Bills RB LeSean McCoy injured a hamstring in Wednesday's practice, and his status for Week 7 is in doubt. A report surfaced Thursday that McCoy won't play Sunday, but the Bills haven't made such a declaration. Offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn said, "I don't want him playing 85 percent, reinjuring the hamstring and then this thing lingers all year."
Plan for McCoy to be absent against the Dolphins, with serviceable replacement Mike Gillislee (owned in 21.6 percent of FOXSports.com leagues) handling the bulk of the running duties for the Bills.
In other news ...
With RB Carlos Hyde (shoulder) out Sunday, look for a Mike Davis/Shaun Draughn tandem in the 49ers backfield. Davis is probably the better bet to get more carries, but remember that Draughn caught 25 passes in six games after Hyde got hurt last season. Draughn is a PPR option if you're digging deep.
With Doug Martin (hamstring) still out, Bucs RB Jacquizz Rodgers is in line for another busy day against a 49er defense that has allowed 174.5 rushing yards per game. Rodgers had 35 touches against the Panthers in Week 5, and is still owned in just 36.5 percent of FOXSports.com leagues. Of the replacement RBs mentioned so far in this post, I've got Rodgers at RB12 this week, with Gillislee at RB15, Davis at RB27 and Draughn at RB33.
The Redskins held TE Jordan Reed (concussion) and WR DeSean Jackson (shoulder) out of Thursday's practice. Reed appears likely to miss another game, but the 'Skins sound more hopeful about Jackson. If Reed is out, backup Vernon Davis has a terrific matchup against a Lions' team that has allowed seven touchdowns in six games to opposing tight ends.
Bengals TE Tyler Eifert appears on track to make his 2016 debut on Sunday. Eifert is in a great spot against the Browns, but probably won't get a full complement of snaps just yet. He's at TE9 in my rankings.
Browns WR Terrelle Pryor hasn't practiced this week due to a hamstring injury. The beat writers at Cleveland.com sound pessimistic about Pryor's availability, but note that rookie Rashard Higgins is ready to go in Pryor's place.
The Lions will probably be without RB Theo Riddick (ankle) and TE Eric Ebron (knee/ankle) again on Sunday. Rookie RB Dwayne Washington (ankle) is expected to return after a two-game absence, and could be a factor against a Redskins' team that allows five yards per carry.
Did we learn anything from Thursday's Bears-Packers game, aside from the fact that even the great Cam Meredith can't put up numbers with Matt Barkley at quarterback? Well, Jordan Howard owners need to worry, as he got outsnapped 26-22 by Ka'Deem Carey, and out-touched 11-7. Also, the Packers don't have any hesitation about using Ty Montgomery in the backfield - he lined up there 48 times. Looking ahead, why would the Pack lean on a mediocre (at best) back like Knile Davis when things are working so well with Montgomery? They probably won't.
Remember that the Panthers and Cowboys are off in Week 7, and the Giants-Rams game in London begins Sunday at 9:30 a.m. ET. Robbie Gould will replace Josh Brown as the Giants' kicker for at least this week. Maybe for good if the NFL comes down hard on him after Wednesday's graphic documents were released.
Ravens QB Joe Flacco (shoulder) hasn't practiced this week, but head coach John Harbaugh said that Flacco doesn't need to practice in order to play Sunday. Our dreams of a Ryan Mallett-Geno Smith duel at the Meadowlands will be dashed if Flacco can go.
Vikings WR Stefon Diggs (hamstring) has been limited in practice, but looks ready to roll at Philly on Sunday after missing Week 5. In case you forgot, Diggs went 25-372-1 in his first four games. He's pretty good, folks.
Cardinals QB Carson Palmer (hamstring) didn't practice Thursday, but it sounds like he'll play Sunday night against the Seahawks. Just because the Cardinals might start Palmer doesn't mean you should.
CSN Bay Area reports that Raiders RB Latavius Murray is "extremely likely" to play at Jacksonville on Sunday after missing two games with turf toe. In the first four games of the season, Murray was on the field for 146 snaps compared to 54 for Jalen Richard and 51 for DeAndre Washington. The Raiders don't seem to love Murray as a runner, but offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave has complimented Murray's pass blocking, and that skill helps to keep him in the game.
Colts WR Phillip Dorsett (foot/hamstring) hasn't practiced this week, and his status for Sunday is in doubt. Am I the only one who still cares about Dorsett in fantasy football? I probably shouldn't.
Good luck in Week 7!
