The News:
According to Darren Urban (via Twitter):
“Based on where things are, RB Beanie Wells should play this week in Tennessee.”
However, all reports aren’t so positive regarding Wells’ status. According to Mike Jurecki (via Twitter):
“Hearing RB Beanie Wells is still having a hard time cutting in practice, it may wishful thinking that he’ll play against the Titans on Thurs”
Wells underwent surgery on his right knee back in January and began the preseason on the PUP list.
The Fallout:
If Wells does miss this week’s game, it becomes a very realistic possibility that he misses the entire preseason (generally the starters either don’t play or hardly play during the final preseason game). We’ll have to wait and see, but if he plays or not will have a significant effect on his draft day status.
The fact that he may still be having problems from a surgery that is now 8 months in his rear view mirror is a major issue. While Wells played with the injury in 2011, posting good numbers with 1,047 yards (4.3 yards/carry) and 10 TD, if he is not 100% the Cardinals are not going to put him at risk for further injury. He needs to prove that he is healthy and, thus far, we aren’t getting those indications.
Considering his track record (he’s missed 5 games over the past two years) would it really be surprising to see him miss a few weeks?
Ryan Williams, who recently returned from a ruptured patellar tendon that ended his rookie year last preseason, rushed the ball 5 times for 25 yards and 1 TD in the Cardinals last preseason game. He was a second round pick in 2011 and prior to the injury there was talk that he could push Wells for the starting job.
If he’s healthy (and it appears like he is), he suddenly becomes an intriguing late round target for fantasy owners. Arizona needs to have a running game, given their questionable quarterback play, in order to keep defenses honest. Even if Wells is healthy I would expect Williams to get a healthy dose of carries. If Wells is out, Williams becomes a sneaky pick as a potential FLEX option in Week 1 and beyond.
Make sure to check out our 2012 fantasy football rankings:
