A.J. Klein Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

The Ravens are acquiring LB Roquan Smith from the Bears for 2nd- and 5th-round NFL Draft picks. Smith is in the final year of his rookie contract, so we'd bet on an extension with Baltimore following. His arrival likely means the end of full playing time for Ravens LB Patrick Queen. They'll likely start together, but the move for Smith signals dissatisfaction with the middle of the defense. Queen has become a full-timer this season after seeing 80% and then 76% the previous 2 seasons. Smith's departure from Chicago leaves tackle upside for LB Nicholas Morrow, who was already playing full-time snaps. Joe Thomas stands 3rd among Bears LBs in playing time currently and might be the top candidate to absorb vacated snaps.

Update: The Ravens are also sending LB A.J. Klein to the Bears, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. He'll likely get at least a shot at stepping into Smith's vacated role.

The Giants are signing S Landon Collins, who started his career with the franchise before a stint with Washington. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that the team plans to use Collins in more of a LB role, which fits what he last did in Washington before his release. The Giants have also recently added former Bills LB A.J. Klein and signed Jaylon Smith to the active roster ahead of last week's game, then played him for 50% of the snaps. The team is clearly still trying to figure out a plan at LB, which doesn't seem like great news for Tae Crowder. He remained the only non-edge LB playing full time for them against the Bears in Week 4 but has been a limited performer throughout his time as a starter. We'll see how this situation develops. Don't be surprised if it becomes a full-on committee.

Bills LB Tremaine Edmunds (hamstring) is inactive for today's game against the Colts. That leaves A.J. Klein in position for full playing time, a role in which he delivered nice fantasy numbers last week.

Bills LB Tremaine Edmunds (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Colts. He missed practice Wednesday and Thursday after sitting out last week's win over the Jets. Edmunds returned for a limited Friday workout, though. We'll check his status Sunday. IDP managers might be better off if he doesn't play, as an active Edmunds would carry elevated re-injury risk. If he's out, A.J. Klein would see a full-time role again.

Bills LB Matt Milano (hamstring) is inactive for tonight's game against the Chiefs. That should mean starter-level playing time for A.J. Klein.

Bills LB Matt Milano will miss at least the next 5 days as a close contact to the staff member who tested positive for COVID. It’s the same situation affecting WRs Cole Beasley and Gabriel Davis, which means Milano is also unvaccinated. Fellow Bills LB A.J. Klein is out for the same reason. As long as both guys test negative, they’ll be back after the 5 days. We’ll see where the situation goes from here

The Bills have activated LB Matt Milano from IR (pectoral) and plan to play him against the 49ers tonight. Coaches haven't revealed details on his role, though. HC Sean McDermott pointed out early in the week that A.J. Klein has been the one playing while Milano has missed weeks. That sounds like a coach hesitant to return even a healthy Milano to full playing time. It's also worth noting that MLB Tremaine Edmunds has scored poorest among Bills LBs across the board in Pro Football Focus grading. Klein, meanwhile, holds a higher coverage grade than even Milano right now and rates among the team's best pass-rushers. If you've been planning to use Klein in your Week 13 IDP lineup, we'd stick with him. We'll see about the role tonight for Milano, who also played limited snaps the 2 games before landing on IR while trying to manage the injury.

The Bills have ruled out MLB Tremaine Edmunds (shoulder) and OLB Matt Milano (hamstring) for Sunday's game in Miami, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. That elevates strong-side starter A.J. Klein to a full-time role and pushes Tyrel Dodson into Edmunds' starting spot. Each carries sleeper potential for deeper IDP leagues this week.

Bills MLB Tremaine Edmunds (shoulder) put in a limited practice for the 2nd straight day Thursday. We had previously seen him as sitting out Wednesday, but Buffalo's official injury report has Edmunds limited in each practice so far. That's obviously good news for his chances of playing Sunday against Miami. LB Matt Milano, however, missed his 2nd straight practice Thursday with a hamstring injury. Milano looks like he's trending toward missing Week 2. Frankly, he'd look like a risky IDP option even if he makes it back for a limited Friday workout. LB A.J. Klein would likely see full playing time if Milano is inactive.

The Saints on Tuesday placed LB A.J. Klein on IR with the groin injury that cost him the past 2 games. That should continue to leave a starting gig for Manti Te'o, who played 100% of the snaps in Sunday's win over the Jets.

Saints LB A.J. Klein left in the 1st half of Sunday's game at Buffalo with an ankle injury and is questionable to return. Manti Te'o stepped in for him.

Panthers HC Ron Rivera confirmed Wednesday that MLB Luke Kuechly will sit out Sunday's season finale against the Buccaneers. Kuechly has cleared the concussion protocol, but Carolina has elected to keep him out of the final few games. Two straight seasons of multiple-game absences for concussions raises questions about Kuechly's long-term future, though he has said he's not considering retirement. We'll see what else this story has in the offseason. A.J. Klein will start in his place again, but OLB Shaq Thompson has passed him to sit #2 behind Thomas Davis in playing time among Carolina LBs.

Panthers MLB Luke Kuechly is inactive for tonight's game against Washington, despite clearing the concussion protocol this week. HC Ron Rivera said previously that didn't necessarily mean Kuechly would play and that he would put the player's future first in making the decision. Carolina's choice to keep Kuechly on the sideline raises the possibility of him sitting out the next 2 games as well. We'll see if/when we get word from the Panthers on that. If you'd been waiting on Kuechly for Week 15, it's time to start someone such as fill-in MLB A.J. Klein or Washington ILB Mason Foster in his place in your IDP lineup.

Panthers MLB Luke Kuechly returned to practice Wednesday, though he has yet to clear the league concussion protocol. ESPN's David Newton reports that Kuechly will be re-evaluated Thursday. We'll see how he progresses this week, though returning to practice is obviously a big step.

The Panthers have ruled MLB Luke Kuechly (concussion) and DE Mario Addison (foot) out for Sunday's game at Oakland. Kuechly will at least travel with the team, which seems like a good sign for his recovery beyond this week. A.J. Klein will start in Kuechly's place Sunday. Carolina will also miss C Ryan Kalil (shoulder), which will make life tougher for QB Cam Newton and RB Jonathan Stewart.