Dwayne Jarrett got his chance to shine last week... did he deliver?

This week’s report will feature a few players that have already displayed their Week 12 game face on Thanksgiving day.  We also have a few new additions to the list as well as a rookie running back who will be featured at least for the next week. 

Running Backs

Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
Season Stats: 169 car., 1081 yds., 8 TD; 15 rec., 220 yds., 1 TD
Last Week: N/A

Reporting on Peterson this week is just another excuse for us to display his absolutely sick stats for a rookie campaign.  Peterson will definitely miss this week’s game, and will likely be questionable going into week 13 with his knee injury.  Chester Taylor has done a pretty solid job in his place, so there is a good chance that the Vikings are in no hurry to jeopardize their future by having AP come back too soon.  Owners will need to find another option for this week and hope he’s back by the time fantasy playoffs roll around.

Marshawn Lynch, Buffalo Bills
Season Stats: 196 car., 751 yds., 6 TD; 15 rec., 120 yds., 0 TD
Last Week: N/A

Three words that fantasy owners and head coaches never want to hear about their star running back: High Ankle Sprain.  After missing practice for three straight days this week, Lynch has been ruled out for week 12.  Good news is, he is reportedly making solid progress and may be back for week 13’s match-up against the Washington Redskins.  Anthony Thomas will get the start this week, and if it is any consolation, the Bills play against a tough Jaguars run defense this week so owners aren’t missing out on too much.

Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers
Season Stats: 107 car., 494 yds., 2 TD; 24 rec., 123 yds., 0 TD
Last Week: 15 car., 101 yds., 1 TD; 6 rec., 31 yds., 0 TD (Week 12)

Who says that a back needs a ton of carries to put up a solid fantasy day?  Not Ryan Grant.  With only 15 carries, Grant was able to top the 100-yard mark on Thanksgiving day, also finding the end zone once.  PPR owners have to be in love with this rookie as he’s also been catching a ton of balls, snagging 12 passes over the past three weeks.  Think the Packers would like to have that second-round pick back? 

Kenton Keith, Indianapolis Colts
Season Stats: 99 car., 440 yds., 11 rec., 69 yds., 1 TD
Last Week: 17 car., 74 yds., 0 TD; 0 rec., 0 yds., 0 TD (Week 12)

Just when you think the Colts are going back to featuring only Joseph Addai in the running game, he briefly leaves Thanksgiving’s game against Atlanta with an injury and Keith racks up a respectable afternoon.  Though Addai came back, Keith is a must-own in all formats simply due to his potential to tally a monster game if Addai is to miss time.  You can also bet that the Colts will pare back on JA’s carries a bit as the season winds closer to the playoffs – especially if they can lock up a first round bye within the next few weeks.

Kolby Smith, Kansas City Chiefs
Season Stats: 10 car., 19 yds., 0 TD; 7 rec., 62 yds., 0 TD
Last Week: 8 car., 17 yds., 0 TD; 3 rec., 34 yds., 0 TD

In a stunning turn of events, only because of what happened the week before, Priest Holmes has decided to call it quits for good – leaving the rookie Smith with the reigns for the foreseeable future as Larry Johnson remains inactive.  Smith faces the Oakland Raiders this week, and could see the Detroit Lions next.  As the only real back in Kansas City, he is a must-own in all formats and has a ton of upside in the near future.

Wide Receivers

Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City Chiefs
Season Stats: 45 rec., 668 yds., 4 TD
Last Week: 7 rec., 64 yds., 1 TD

Those that decided to punish Bowe for his goose egg a few weeks ago have had the tides turned a bit as the rookie has caught 16 balls for 170 yards and a touchdown in the past two games.  While the Oakland pass defense has had it’s moments in the spotlight, Bowe is a solid option as a second or third receiver in all fantasy formats and should be started as such.  If the Chiefs fall behind at all, as they very well may with a rookie running back at the helm, this means even more looks for the former LSU standout. 

Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions
Season Stats: 31 rec., 485 yds., 4 TD
Last Week: 7 rec., 83 yds., 1 TD (Week 12)

After turning out three straight games of only three catches for minimal yardage, Johnson went from dropping several key passes on Thanksgiving day to being the King of Garbage time as the Lions were forced to air it out big time to catch up to the Packers.  With defenses keying on Roy Williams, Cal J turned out a huge game, putting up over 14 points in non-PPR leagues.  Factor in those seven catches, and those that started the rookie were very thankful this past Thursday.

Ted Ginn, Jr., Miami Dolphins
Season Stats: 12 rec., 205 yds., 1 TD
Last Week: 4 rec., 52 yds., 0 TD

The damage that’s listed above does not even count the touchdown run that Ginn had on special teams, making the rookie a very versatile option in deeper formats and dynasty leagues.  Maybe fellow rookie teammate in John Beck has developed a rapport with Ginn, but his big play ability cannot be ignored any longer.  Let’s face it.  The ‘Phins will be coming from behind a bit more this season, which means great things for Ginn’s potential.  Did they reach on draft day?  Of course.  But that doesn’t mean they won’t try to get the most out of their pick.

James Jones, Green Bay Packers
Season Stats: 40 rec., 594 yds., 2 TD
Last Week: 5 rec., 75 yds., 0 TD (Week 12)

It isn’t often that a third option on offense can rack up 75 yards on any given day.  While the touchdowns aren’t there, Jones has more receptions and yardage that Calvin Johnson – but was likely drafted considerably later, if at all.  The fact that the Brett Favre and the Packers throw the ball as much as they do will continue to keep Jones’ value afloat.  Just be prepared for the occasional rough day of two-to-three catches for modest yardage.

Dwayne Jarrett, Carolina Panthers
Season Stats: 6 rec., 73 yds., 0 TD
Last Week: 3 rec., 39 yds., 0 TD

Steve Smith misses a game and Dwayne Jarrett steps up, right?  Wrong.  The big guy saw several targets in the red zone, but just couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity that was thrown his way.  Smith is likely returning this week, so maybe Jarrett will be able to take advantage of a single coverage or two.  Just don’t hold your breath. 

Quarterbacks

John Beck, Miami Dolphins
Season Stats: 9-22, 109 yds., 0 TD, 0 INT, 56.8 PR
Last Week: 9-22, 109 yds., 0 TD, 0 INT, 56.8 PR

Okay, Beck obviously needs some time to adjust to the speed of the professional game, but at least he didn’t throw a pick!  Of course, playing Pittsburgh this week won’t make matters much better, but any experience is good experience.  Beck should only be owned in dynasty leagues right now, but monitoring his progress should be fun for ‘Phins fans as well as those simply looking for a win out of South Beach.

JaMarcus Russell, Oakland Raiders
Season Stats: N/A
Last Week: N/A

So maybe the JaMarcus Russell experiment will have to wait a bit.  The Raiders actually put up some points last week with Daunte Culpepper under center.  The Oakland Tribune has now reported that Russell will not play this season as Lane Kiffin does not want the rookie to “endure the pounding.”  It’s not often that the coach of a terrible team will do his players any favors, but Kiffin will likely get two more years of this mess before his job will be in jeopardy. 

Trent Edwards, Buffalo Bills
Season Stats: 80-121, 790 yds., 1 TD, 5 INT, 69.9 PR
Last Week: N/A

The Bills got slaughtered by the Patriots last week but will still go to battle with J.P. Losman this week as they lock horns with the Jaguars.  This could be Dick Jauron simply doing Edwards a favor due to the defensive skill sets or it could be Jauron just not making the right decisions for the team’s future.  I expect Losman to get thumped this week and believe we’ll finally be talking about Edwards’ upcoming start come week 13.  Plan accordingly.

Brady Quinn, Cleveland Browns
Season Stats: N/A
Last Week: N/A

Just a reminder that Brady Quinn should not be owned in any format that is not dynasty, and even long-long-term leagues look like a gamble with the way Derek Anderson is playing this season.  The only thing that Quinn has going for him at this point is the fact that DA is a free agent at the end of the year.  If the Browns give him the franchise tag, it may be another season of headsets and clipboards for the former Notre Dame star.

Tight Ends

Greg Olsen, Chicago Bears
Season Stats: 28 rec., 298 yds., 2 TD
Last Week: 7 rec., 43 yds., 0 TD

Owners can now breath a sigh of relief as Rex Grossman did not forget that he has a stud rookie tight end.  Though a lot of his passes were of the shorter variety, PPR owners have to love the seven catches on the afternoon.  While the deep looks will go to other members of the Bears, the red zone targets will be in Olsen’s neighborhood.