It is safe to assume that nobody was happier to hear about Rob Gronkowski’s bruised knee that quarterback Tom Brady. Not only will he have Gronk back in a few weeks, Brady can also look forward to having wide receiver Danny Amendola back in the lineup soon.
Amendola was limited in practice on Wednesday, but it sounds like he has the green light to play on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, unless he suffers a setback. Then again, it’s always a guessing game when it comes to predicting the status of Bill Belichick’s players. He is always super secretive when it comes to these things.
But all indications point toward Amendola suiting up. And with Julian Edelman still out of action, Amendola can be considered a WR2 in Week 13. Brady loves slot receivers and Amendola is the best one he has to work with. Thus far this season Amendola has 49 receptions for 520 yards and two touchdowns.
Another wide receiver who is questionable for Week 13 is Detroit Lions star Calvin Johnson. Johnson is currently listed as questionable on the team’s official injury report with an ankle injury and he has been limited in practice this week. However, nobody actually believes he is in jeopardy of missing the team’s big Thursday night game against the Green Bay Packers.
Johnson hasn’t had the type of season we are used to from him, but he has still been great. He is a safe WR1 for Week 13. Through 11 games this season Johnson has compiled 921 yards and six touchdowns on 67 receptions.
In addition to Johnson, I also like Matthew Stafford as a QB1 this week and receiver Golden Tate as a WR2. I even like tight end Eric Ebron as a TE2.
In other wide receiver news, Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Vincent Jackson did not practice on Wednesday due to a knee injury. It’s he same knee injury that forced him to miss a couple of games earlier in the season.
Head coach Lovie Smith is being secretive about Jackson’s status, but the belief is that Jackson just missed Wednesday’s practice for some extra rest.
I like Jackson’s matchup against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 13. If he suits up I would consider him a WR2. I’d also consider his teammate Mike Evans a WR2 for the contest. If Jackson misses the game for some reason, I would then consider Evans a must start WR1.