Thomas, Davis Don’t Travel With Team

After going through most of the week fine, rookie running back Daniel Thomas has appeared to hit a snag in his rehabilitation from his hamstring injury suffered during training camp. Cornerback Vontae Davis is also still suffering also from a hamstring injury suffered during the Week 2 game against the Houston Texans.

Both players did not make the trip to San Diego with the team today, and were left behind in Miami. Both Davis and Thomas were ruled questionable for Sunday’s game.

Davis failed to get on the practice field all week, but Thomas has just recently reaggravated his injury, only practicing on a limited basis Thursday, and not practicing at all on Friday.

Now it looks like second yet corner Nolan Carroll will get his second career start this weekend, as well as Reggie Bush and Lex Hilliard getting increased reps as well with the absence of Thomas.

Thomas not being able to suit up seriously limits the Fina ability to pound the ball between the tackles, something everyone but Thomas has struggled with this season. Look for Hilliard to get some of the carries as a running back, with Charles Clay as fullback, if Bush and newly signed Steve Slaton cannot get things going on the ground.

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Get Dolphins RB Thomas in your lineup

NFL.com Staff | Tags: Daniel Thomas, Alfonso Smith, Beanie Wells, Ben Tate, Chris Johnson, Fred Jackson, Jahvid Best, Ken Whisenhunt, Knowshon Moreno, LeGarrette Blount, LeSean McCoy, Maurice Jones-Drew, Michael Turner, Mike Tolbert, Reggie Bush, Ryan Mathews, Willis McGahee

Yesterday we took a look at the surprising WRs who were targeted most in Week 3, and also a glance at some surprising trends that brought us names like Andre Caldwell, Davone Bess and Dane Sanzenbacher (Jim Tressel is smiling somewhere). Today, it’s time to spotlight the RBs and take a look at the “touch leaders” for Week 3.

Most touches (rush + reception) by RBs in Week 3

1. Maurice Jones-Drew – 27.
2. LeSean McCoy – 27.
3. Daniel Thomas – 26.
4. LeGarrette Blount/Ryan Mathews/Willis McGahee – 25.

Yes, the first thing this means is put Thomas in your starting lineup or acquire him in a trade. Reggie Bush is back to the decoy role he had in New Orleans, and Thomas has been given/earned not only the number one job in Miami but also garnered a bigger role in the passing game. Mathews is winning the full-time job in San Diego over Mike Tolbert, which we talked about last week. McGahee? Is this 2008? This job-share in Denver might be more one-sided than it’s let on to be. Knowshon Moreno can’t stay on the field, and McGahee has some fresh legs after a lack of usage the last couple of years. McGahee is a good flex play the next couple of weeks while this trend continues.

OTHER THOUGHTS: Who had more total touches in Week 3 than Ben Tate, Jahvid Best, Fred Jackson, and Chris Johnson? Yup, Alfonso Smith of the Cardinals with 20. Ken Whisenhunt was really impressed by him, and it seems he’s leapfrogged Chester Taylor who was benched after a slow start against Seattle. Grab Smith because you know how Beanie Wells’ health has been throughout his career … Darren Sproles is worth a flex play every week — nine targets Sunday from Drew Brees in the passing game and a TD running. If you’re in a PPR league he’s a must-start … beware Michael Turner. As you get older, you get beat up. When your team isn’t as good as you thought, you’re throwing the football more. Add these up and Turner’s total touches for the season are at 46. Twelve touches a week? Considering MJD leads the way so far in 2011 with 72 through three weeks Turner isn’t what he was. I’d look to deal him and get an upgrade if you could.

– Jason Smith

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Broncos Work Out Running Backs Thomas Clayton and Jalen Parmele

The Broncos auditioned former Patriots running back Thomas Clayton and former Ravens running back Jalen Parmele on Monday, this according to a league source.

Clayton originally was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round of the 2007 draft out of Kansas State. After spending all of 2007 on the San Francisco practice squad, Clayton spent the first 14 weeks of 2008 as part of that unit until being signed to the active roster for the final two games of the season.

Parmele is a former Miami Dolphins and Ravens reserve regarded highly for his special-teams work. He was cut during the Ravens’ final major roster cutdown as they retained seventh-round rookie running back Anthony Allen instead of him.

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Saints RB Thomas returns, but Ivory still the play

Published: December 8th, 2010 | Tags: Chris Ivory, New Orleans Saints, pierre thomas, Reggie Bush, Sean Payton

Saints RB Pierre Thomas is expected to return this week vs. St. Louis after practicing on Wednesday, but do not rush him into your starting lineup. Coach Sean Payton has raved about RB Chris Ivory, who is still expected to see the majority of the carries.

Though, Payton did tell NFL Network’s Kara Henderson the team was going to get RB Reggie Bush more involved last week. Yet Ivory still dominated in carries.

The Saints running back situation is not solid at all; in fact it’s nearly volatile. It’s almost like being a guitarist for Guns N’ Roses, which is  obviously not what we want with the fantasy playoffs starting either this week or next week for the majority of you. But if you have to start one of the Saints running backs, Ivory would be the choice. Use him as a low-end No. 2 back or flex starter.

And coach Payton, you had better not burn us again.

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Don’t bank on Saints RB Thomas in Week 13

Published: December 2nd, 2010 | Tags: Chris Ivory, Julius Jones, pierre thomas, Reggie Bush, Sean Payton

After a lengthy absence due to an injured ankle, Pierre Thomas might actually return to action this weekend against the Bengals. However, that doesn’t mean he should be active on your fantasy team.

The Saints official Twitter page reports that Thomas was limited in Thursday’s practice, and coach Sean Payton expects his running back to be a game-time decision. Even if he is active, Thomas is destined to share carries in his initial return.

Chris Ivory has played well in his absence, and Reggie Bush and Julius Jones are also in the mix for work out of the backfield. With so many mouths to feed, it will be hard to trust any Saints runner in Week 13.

In the event that Thomas is inactive, however, Ivory would be a nice sleeper against the Bengals’ weak run defense.

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