Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant is likely to suit up and play Week 8 against the Seattle Seahawks, according to NFL Network’s Rand Getlin and Bryan Broaddus off of the Cowboys’ official website.
The last time we saw Bryant play was in Week 1 when he suffered a foot injury that required surgery. At that time, many people thought Brynat would miss the entire season, so one can’t help but wonder if the Cowboys are rushing him back too quickly. Hopefully that’s not the case because his injury is said to have a high-rate of re-injury.
I would not recommend starting Bryant this week in any fantasy football leagues. Not only are the Cowboys playing the tough Seahawks defense, nobody knows how much the team will actually use Bryant. As far as we know he’ll only play a handful of snaps. Plus, you must take into account that Matt Cassel will be throwing him the ball, or at least attempting to throw him the ball.
Bryant’s far too risky to start in Week 8, in my opinion. Take a wait and see approach. If he looks good, he will could become a WR1 starting in Week 9 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
In other news, fantasy football owners may be wondering why Minnesota Vikings owner Kyle Rudolph hasn’t been very productive thus far this season. Well, according to offensive coordinator Norv Turner, that’s because the team is using him more as a blocker.
"We can’t leave our linemen hanging and leave them out there by themselves," Turner said, according to ESPN. "When you’re playing three wide receivers as much as we are, the tight end isn’t as big of a part on a lot of the routes. Right now, his contribution a lot of the time is making sure we’re solid there at the right tackle and then continuing on into his route."
Thus far this season Rudolph has only 18 receptions for 123 yards and three touchdowns. From a fantasy perspective, he is living and dying by the touchdown.
Rudolph has a lot of talent as a tight end, and he’s actually a much better receiver than a blocker, so Turner’s game plan doesn’t make too much sense. Aside from Stephon Diggs and Mike Wallace, Rudolph is the team’s best receiving weapon.
Rudolph can be considered a TE2 against the Chicago Bears. If the Vikings used him more he’d be a TE1, but until them – only start him if you absolutely have to.