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Fantasy Updates
Spikes practices on Tuesday
Takeo Spikes, ILB SF
News: 49ers LB Takeo Spikes (shoulder) was back at practice in a limited capacity on Tuesday. The 49ers are preparing to face the Bears on Thursday night of Week 10 and Spikes is questionable.
Analysis: Spikes is a low-end LB in IDP leagues when healthy. Ignore him in all formats for Week 10 against the Bears. Profile
Robinson back at practice
Michael Robinson, RB SF
News: 49ers RB Michael Robinson practiced in full on Tuesday in preparation for Week 10 against the Bears on Thursday night. Robinson did not practice Monday with a shoulder injury.
Analysis: Robinson has minimal Fantasy value when healthy. Ignore him in all leagues against the Bears. Profile
Lewis back at practice Tuesday
Michael Lewis, SS SF
News: After not practicing on Monday, DB Michael Lewis (quadriceps) was back at practice in a full capacity on Tuesday. The 49ers host the Bears on Thursday night of Week 10.
Analysis: Lewis is a low-end DB in IDP leagues and it doesn't seem as if he will miss the Week 10 games. Profile
Arrington promoted over weekend
Kyle Arrington, CB NE
News: Patriots DB Kyle Arrington was promoted to the 53-man roster over the weekend.
Analysis: Arrington is not a recommended Fantasy option for IDP leagues. Leave him on waivers. Profile
Patriots add LB Williams
Thomas Williams, LB JAC
News: The New England Patriots have signed linebacker Thomas Williams to the practice squad. The club says in a statement released Tuesday that Williams joins the eight-man practice squad after cornerback Kyle Arrington was promoted to the 53-man roster over the weekend.
Analysis: The 6-foot-1, 237 pounds Williams was originally a fifth-round draft pick by Jacksonville out of USC in 2008. He appeared in six games for the Jaguars as a rookie. Williams was waived by Jacksonville before the start of the season and spent time on the Seattle and Houston practice squads. He has zero Fantasy value at this time. Profile
Seattle signs Walker, releases Hass
Derek Walker, DE SEA
News: The Seattle Seahawks have added defensive end Derek Walker to their active roster and released wide receiver Mike Hass. Walker made Seattle's opening day roster out of training camp, but was inactive in his only game this season on the active roster. He was released and signed to the practice squad on Sept. 15. Hass, a former star at Oregon State, was signed to Seattle's practice squad on Sept. 7 and to the active roster on Nov. 3. He was inactive last Sunday when the Seahawks beat Detroit.
Analysis: We think it is pretty clear that neither player, Walker nor Hass, should be owned in any Fantasy leagues at this time. Walker will see active duty on Sundays but is not worth owning in Fantasy IDP leagues. Profile
Browns' Barton placed on IR
Eric Barton, ILB CLE
News: Browns linebacker Eric Barton will miss the rest of the season with an unspecified injury. In announcing on Tuesday that Barton was being placed on injured reserve, the Browns did not reveal his injury or a timetable for their leading tackler's recovery. Coach Eric Mangini would not comment during the team's bye week about reports that Barton had a bulging disc in his neck and may need surgery.
Analysis: Barton is a decent LB when healthy for Fantasy IDP leagues. That said, his season is done. You can drop him in all Fantasy leagues at this time. Profile
Don't bank on the Bears DST
Bears, DST CHI
News: Even though they'll be playing at San Francisco on Thursday as part of Week 10 action, don't count on the Bears DST to be a strong performer for your Fantasy team. San Francisco QB Alex Smith might be good for multiple turnovers, but the Niners will likely lean on Frank Gore to gash the Chicago defense before Smith fires downfield to take advantage of a banged-up secondary that allowed five passing touchdowns last week and 16 on the season (vs. eight interceptions).
Analysis: Furthermore, the Bears DST has only come up big lately against the Browns' inept offense. Consider other options before going with this DST in Week 10. Profile
Crabtree's next opponent: The Bears
Michael Crabtree, WR SF
News: 49ers rookie WR Michael Crabtree is coming off his worst performance of the season (three catches, 30 yards vs. Tennessee) to take on the Bears on Thursday as part of Week 10 action. Crabtree has yet to score, but this might be the week: Chicago has allowed 16 passing touchdowns this season including five last week to the Cardinals. If the Bears' secondary is banged up, Crabtree will have a chance to score and put up some decent yardage.
Analysis: Starting Crabtree as anything more than a low-end No. 3/top-end No. 4 Fantasy WR is a risk in Week 10, especially when you consider how many wideout options there are with only two teams on bye. Plus, the matchup looked good for Crabtree last week and he put up poor stats. Try to keep Crabtree benched if possible in Week 10. Profile
Smith to feast on Bears this week?
49ers, TQB SF
News: 49ers QB Alex Smith has been an improvement for the offense since taking over two and a half games ago, cashing in six touchdowns vs. five interceptions, albeit leading the team to no wins vs. the Texans, Colts and Titans. He'll get the Bears on Thursday as part of Week 10 and will take on a pass defense that allowed five passing scores last week to the Cardinals and 16 on the season. Additionally, Chicago allowed two touchdowns to Cardinals tight ends last week, signaling that Smith should be able to connect with his TE, Vernon Davis, in the game.
Analysis: Smith is not good enough to start as anything more than a No. 2 quarterback in Week 10 unless you're desperate for help. But the fact that it's more of a numbers game why he shouldn't start and not because of consistently awful performances is a positive for him. Keep him benched for his game against the Bears. Profile
Niners D ready for the Bears
49ers, DST SF
News: The 49ers defense and special teams haven't been great lately as opponents have beaten up San Francisco lately. The 49ers have lost four straight games and allowed over 24 points in three of the four (18 to the Colts, believe it or not). The Bears limp into the Thursday night matchup losers of three of their last four and struggling to run the ball but have a rejuvenated passing game thanks to Jay Cutler under center. Despite Cutler's nice totals on the season, the Bears have topped 21 points in just half of their games and only once on the road. Cutler has tossed seven touchdowns vs. 10 interceptions on the road thus far with at least one interception in every road game and two in three of the four.
Analysis: If you're looking for a decent DST option for Week 10, the 49ers are it. If you're using the waiver wire for DST help from week to week, do the legwork to ensure that you get the Niners. Profile
Forte to face the 49ers
Matt Forte, RB CHI
News: Week 10 looks like a tough matchup for Bears RB Matt Forte as he prepares to play at San Francisco on Thursday. The Niners' run defense has allowed eight rushing touchdowns over their last five games and got walloped by Chris Johnson last week, but they've held all other opposing running backs to under 100 rush yards this season. They've also yielded opposing rushers to 3.4 yards per carry, and that total factors in Johnson's Week 9 outing. Forte has only one 100-yard game on the season but has totaled over 100 total yards in each of his two games as the Bears have reshuffled their offensive line. But one more factor might decide it all: Forte has struggled this year vs. 3-4 defenses, only overpowering the Browns two weeks ago and failing to top 3.5 yards per carry in any game vs. a 3-4 defense this season.
Analysis: Consider other options before starting Forte in Week 10. While it's entirely possible that he totals 100 yards for a third straight week, you might have someone with a better matchup available to you. Think of him as a top-notch No. 3 Fantasy RB for Week 10. Profile
Knox falling off the radar
Johnny Knox, WR CHI
News: Bears rookie WR Johnny Knox started the season red hot with 17 catches for 224 yards and three touchdowns, not including a special-teams score. Since then, the rook has chilled, catching 11 balls for 116 yards with no scores in his last three games. There's some hope for a good game in Week 10 when he plays at San Francisco on Thursday, however: The 49ers are ranked 24th vs. the pass and the Bears have had a hard time running the ball. But with Greg Olsen and Devin Hester clearly the top two targets of Jay Cutler, and Earl Bennett carving out a role as well, Knox seems to be in a bit of a slump.
Analysis: Knox can't be trusted beyond a No. 4 Fantasy WR in this game. Part of the reason for his subpar play is a recent case of the dropsies, evidenced just last week vs. the Cardinals. There's no denying his speed, but with the rest of the NFL catching up to his play he's not worth starting in Week 10 unless you're thin on options. Profile
Bennett stepping up in Bears losses
Earl Bennett, WR CHI
News: We've caught an interesting trend with Bears WR Earl Bennett, but it's one that makes plenty of sense. In each of the Bears' losses Bennett has caught four passes with two games with seven receptions. He is averaging 66 yards per game in those contests while hauling in just under 41 yards per Bears win. It makes sense since the Bears pass from behind in their losses and run more in their wins, of course. Bennett and the Bears will play at the 49ers this Thursday as part of Week 10 action, and the second-year receiver is coming off his best game of the season (seven catches, 93 yards) but has yet to score.
Analysis: Bennett is a decent low-end No. 3 Fantasy WR in deeper PPR leagues because he'll probably see a lot of work in the Chicago offense against a 49ers pass defense that ranks 24th in the league. He's more valuable in those formats that Johnny Knox at this point. Profile
More scores coming for Olsen?
Greg Olsen, TE CHI
News: Bears TE Greg Olsen finds himself with a good matchup, albeit on short rest, in Week 10. He and his teammates will take on the 49ers on Thursday as part of Week 10 action. The Niners' secondary was decent vs. Vince Young and the run-wielding Titans last week but have allowed three-straight 100-yard receivers in the three games prior, including a 100-yard game to tight end Owen Daniels in Week 7 and 99 yards to Dallas Clark in Week 8. Olsen caught three touchdowns last week for the Bears and leads them with six on the season.
Analysis: Consider your options when evaluating whether or not to start Olsen in Week 10, but the bottom line is that the 49ers have struggled with top-tier tight ends like Olsen recently and he's clearly a top target of QB Jay Cutler's. We like him to continue his hot streak in Week 10 at San Francisco. Profile
Hester to stay hot at 49ers?
Devin Hester, WR CHI
News: Bears WR Devin Hester finds himself with a good matchup, albeit on short rest, in Week 10. He and his teammates will take on the 49ers on Thursday as part of Week 10 action. The Niners' secondary was decent vs. Vince Young and the run-wielding Titans last week but have allowed three-straight 100-yard receivers in the three games prior. Hester has at least six catches for 80 yards in each of his last four games.
Analysis: There's a realistic shot that Hester posts a strong effort in Week 10 against San Francisco, who is ranked 24th vs. the pass and has allowed nine passing scores on the year including five in their last four. If you own Hester, consider him a No. 2 Fantasy WR for his matchup against San Francisco. Profile
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