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Odell Beckham Faces One-Game Suspension

Fantasy Football
December 21, 2015

3:13pm: Beckham will appeal, and that appeal will be heard by either James Thrash or Derrick Brooks, who are jointly appointed by the NFL and the NFLPA, tweets Mark Maske of the Washington Post. A decision should come within the next couple days.

2:59pm: The NFL has officially announced a one-game suspension for Beckham (Twitter link via Michael Signora). The wide receiver is expected to appeal the ruling.

8:39am: Despite being flagged for three personal foul penalties and taking a blind-side shot at Josh Norman‘s head on Sunday, Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. avoided being ejected or benched. However, the NFL may not be quite as lenient as the referees and head coach Tom Coughlin were. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter), discussions are ongoing, but the league will likely suspend Beckham for one game.

Beckham, who let his emotions get the better of him during Sunday’s 38-35 loss to the undefeated Panthers, would have the option of appealing any suspension he receives from the NFL. To allow time for the appeal process, the league figures to announce any penalty for him sooner rather than later.

If the NFL hands down a one-game suspension and it’s upheld after an appeal, Beckham would have to miss the Giants’ Sunday night game in Minnesota in Week 16, a must-win contest if New York wants to keep its playoff hopes alive. The Giants would have to win their final two games and hope Washington loses out in order to win the NFC East.

Beckham was slowed down somewhat on Sunday by Norman and the Panthers secondary, who held him under 100 yards receiving for the first time since Week 7. However, he has been one of the league’s top wideouts this year, racking up 91 receptions, 1,396 yards, and 13 touchdowns — each of those figures matches or bests his 2014 marks. Needless to say, if he has to sit down for the Giants’ game against the Vikings, it would limit New York’s passing attack.

Colts Announce Several Roster Moves

Fantasy Football
December 21, 2015

Following a disappointing loss to the Texans on Sunday, the Colts have shaken up the back of their 53-man roster, announcing six moves today in a press release. Here are today’s transactions out of Indianapolis:

Signed:

  • RB Trey Williams (from Dolphins’ practice squad)

Promoted to active roster from practice squad:

  • DE Earl Okine
  • DT Kelcy Quarles

Placed on injured reserve:

  • WR Griff Whalen
  • DT Billy Winn

Waived:

  • RB Zurlon Tipton

While Whalen, Winn, and Tipton weren’t among the Colts’ most noteworthy contributors this season, all three players saw some action throughout the year.

Whalen, who lost a key fumble on Sunday, had 19 receptions for 205 yards and a touchdown this season. Winn recorded 14 tackles and a pair of fumble recoveries in 12 games (three starts). Tipton had 20 rushing yards on five attempts, adding another 57 yards through the air on five receptions.

Cardinals’ Tyrann Mathieu Has Torn ACL

Fantasy Football
December 21, 2015

The Cardinals clinched the NFC West with their victory Sunday night over the Eagles, but that win came at a cost. Head coach Bruce Arians announced today that standout defensive back Tyrann Mathieu will miss the rest of the 2015 season – and postseason – after suffering a torn ACL (Twitter link via Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com).

Mathieu, 23, started all 14 games for the Cardinals this season, spending time at both cornerback and safety. Having already established new career highs in tackles (89), interceptions (5), and passes defended (16), the former third-round pick was one of the key players on defense for Arizona, so his loss will be a crushing one for the team.

Pro Football Focus had Mathieu ranked as the top cornerback in the NFL this season, grading him as the best in the league both in coverage and against the run. Defensive coordinator James Bettcher recently told Albert Breer of the NFL Network that he believed Mathieu should receive consideration for the league’s defensive player of the year award.

The Cardinals were also without Rashad Johnson during Sunday’s win over Philadelphia, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the club add another safety to the 53-man roster this week — Tony Jefferson and D.J. Swearinger could see increased roles, with Mathieu headed to IR.

Bills Notes: Woods, McCoy, Williams, Taylor

Fantasy Football
December 21, 2015

It appears likely that Robert Woods‘ season will come to an early end. The Bills wide receiver suffered a groin injury, and head coach Rex Ryan told reporters today that it’s “safe to say” it’s a pretty severe one (Twitter link via Joe Buscaglia of WKBW). While the team hasn’t made anything official yet, Rand Getlin of the NFL Network (Twitter link) hears that Woods will be placed on injured reserve.

With Woods out, there’s “probably a good chance” of Dezmin Lewis being promoted from the Bills’ practice squad to their active roster, according to Ryan (Twitter link via Buscaglia). As we wait for a formal announcement from the club on that roster move, let’s round up a few more items out of Buffalo….

  • While Woods’ season is probably done, it sounds like LeSean McCoy may get back on the field sometime in the last two weeks. Per Getlin (Twitter link), there are no plans at this time to shut down the running back. Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network adds (via Twitter) that McCoy’s MCL sprain may sideline him for Week 16, but he’s expected to be fine for Week 17.
  • Bills safety Aaron Williams, who is currently on IR with the designation to return due to a neck injury, won’t return to action this season, Ryan said today (link via ESPN’s Mike Rodak). Williams will continue to practice while he remains on IR.
  • Addressing a pair of reports that surfaced over the weekend, Ryan denied any sort of rift between him and general manager Doug Whaley, adding that he has a “great deal of respect” for the Bills’ GM. Ryan also dismissed the idea that anyone within the organization doubted whether Mario Williams was sick last week, suggesting that story was “made up” (all Twitter links via Buscaglia).
  • Ryan was also asked about Williams’ comments from Sunday, in which the defensive end didn’t express any openness to the idea of accepting a pay cut to remain in Buffalo. While the Buffalo head coach said he’d love to have Williams – and everyone else on the team – back next season, he acknowledged that change is a part of the NFL offseason (Twitter link via Buscaglia).
  • Ryan gave Tyrod Taylor another vote of confidence, telling reporters that the team is “pretty sure” of who its quarterback will be heading into 2016 (Twitter link via Tyler Dunne of The Buffalo News).
  • Bills outside linebacker Randell Johnson sustained a high ankle sprain, and doesn’t have a great chance to play in Week 16, tweets Buscaglia. Johnson may be a candidate for IR.

Odell Beckham Jr. suspended one game

Fantasy Football
December 21, 2015

Gaints WR will miss Week 16

Odell Beckham Jr. has been suspended for 1 game. Official statement to follow. (NFL.com)

Nerdy Football Analysis: Beckham repeatedly got into it with Panthers DB Josh Norman yesterday including an obvious helmet to helmet initiated by Beckham. Beckham’s loss is a huge blow to fantasy owners playing for a championship next week. Rueben Randle and Dwayne Harris should see increased roles with Beckham out.