Louis Murphy Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

Bucs WR Vincent Jackson has been diagnosed with a torn ACL, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, and has been placed on IR. The injury occurred 2 weeks ago, but V-Jax practiced on Monday before realizing that something wasn't right. This might be the end of the line for the 33-year-old, who was ineffective through the first 5 games, averaging just 11.5 yards per catch. Adam Humphries is next up on Tampa's depth chart, although he's more of a slot guy. WR Louis Murphy, who was activated from the PUP list on Monday, is also an option. Regardless, WR Mike Evans will continue to dominate targets.

Update: ESPN's Ed Werder reports that Jackson has not yet been diagnosed with a torn ACL. He's still heading to IR, but there's a chance he's able to return before the end of the season. He remains droppable in all fantasy leagues.

Bucs WR Louis Murphy tore his ACL in Sunday's loss to the Redskins, according to insider Rick Stroud.  Tampa's #3 WR caught just 10 balls for 198 scoreless yards in 6 games.  Rookie Donteea Dye, who caught a TD yesterday, will step into Murphy's spot.  

Bucs WR Vincent Jackson injured his knee in the 3rd quarter of Sunday's game against the Redskins.  He's considered questionable to return.  Tampa Bay lost WR Louis Murphy earlier in the game, leaving them with only Mike Evans and Russell Shepard.

Bucs WR Mike Evans (hamstring) is inactive for today’s game against the Titans. WR Louis Murphy is expected to replace Evans in the starting lineup but is a weak fantasy option. WR Vincent Jackson figures to dominate targets. TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins should also get a volume boost.

Bucs WR Mike Evans (hamstring) missed practice on Wednesday. It’s not yet time to panic, but owners should start considering alternatives just in case. Evans has been out of action since sustaining a hamstring injury in Week 2 of the preseason. Louis Murphy would likely start if Evans is out, but he’s not a viable fantasy option.

Bucs WR Mike Evans is expected to miss 2-3 weeks with the groin injury suffered in Sunday's game against the Steelers, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.  The rookie was having his best game before exiting, hauling in 4 of 7 targets for 65 yards and a score.  Evans looks capable of emerging as a weekly WR3 over the 2nd half of the season and is worth stashing in deeper leagues.  WR Louis Murphy will replace Evans in the starting lineup for the next few weeks.  He went off for 99 yards on 6 catches against the Steelers but will be tough to count on going forward.

The Star-Ledger reports that the Giants will sign former Panthers WR Louis Murphy. The soon-to-be 26-year-old caught just 25 passes for 336 yards and a TD with the Panthers last year after 3 seasons in Oakland. Murphy is merely a depth signing with no fantasy relevance unless someone in front of him gets hurt. (Of course, that's always a good possibility when Hakeem Nicks is involved.) Murphy's arrival also likely signals that the Giants don't expect to retain Ramses Barden or Domenik Hixon. Both are free agents.

Panthers WR Brandon LaFell (turf toe) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Chargers. He returned to a limited practice on Friday. HC Ron Rivera says LaFell is "50-50" to play. But at less than 100%, he won't be a recommended fantasy option. If LaFell can't go, WR Louis Murphy will get another start.

Panthers WR Brandon LaFell (turf toe) is inactive for today's game against the Falcons.  WR Louis Murphy starts in his place but is just a desperation fantasy option.

Panthers WR Brandon LaFell (turf toe) was unable to practice all week. He's listed as questionable but seems like a long shot to play against the Falcons on Sunday. Even if LaFell does suit up, he won't be a fantasy option at less than 100%. If LaFell is inactive, WR Louis Murphy will start in his place. But after catching just 1 pass with LaFell sidelined earlier this year, Lou-Murph isn't a fantasy option either.

Panthers WR Brandon LaFell is dealing with turf toe.  He's considered questionable for Sunday's game against the Falcons.  That suggests it's a relatively minor case.  But at less than 100%, LaFell won't be a fantasy option even if he plays this weekend.  If he sits out, WR Louis Murphy would move into the starting lineup.

Panthers WR Brandon LaFell sprained his foot during Sunday's loss to the Chiefs.  "He sprained the foot and we'll see how that goes," HC Ron Rivera said afterwards.  LaFell will undergo additional testing today to determine the severity.  We'll pass along an update when we get one.  Louis Murphy would likely step in as Carolina's #2 WR if LaFell misses time.

As expected, Panthers WR Brandon LaFell (concussion) is inactive for today's game against the Redskins.  WR Louis Murphy is expected to start in his place but is just a flier in fantasy.

Panthers WR Brandon LaFell (concussion) was unable to practice all week and is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Redskins. WR Louis Murphy will start in his place and is a viable fantasy flier against the league's 32nd-ranked WR defense. Steve Smith figures to dominate targets though.

Panthers WR Brandon LaFell (concussion) missed practice again on Thursday.  He's in a race to get cleared by Sunday, and we don't like his odds.  If LaFell can't play against the Redskins, WR Louis Murphy would move into the starting lineup.  Check back tomorrow for another update.

Yahoo's Jason Cole reports that the Raiders have traded WR Louis Murphy to the Panthers.  No word yet on what's heading back to Oakland.  The news at least raises some eyebrows around the DS office.  Murphy was banged-up last year and tumbled down the Raiders' depth chart.  He finished with just 241 scoreless yards on 15 catches.  There's talent here though.  Murphy racked up 1,130 yards and 6 scores in his first 2 pro campaigns, and he's averaging a healthy 15.2 yards per catch for his career.  That downfield speed makes him a good fit in Panthers OC Rob Chudzinski's vertical attack.  Steve Smith is locked-in as Carolina's #1 WR, but we don't consider Brandon LaFell a sure-thing for the #2 spot.  Murphy -- along with WR David Gettis -- are capable of pushing for playing time.

Raiders WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (neck, concussion) is active for today's game against the Bears, but it sounds like he could be limited.  DHB told ESPN's Josina Anderson during pregame warmups that his neck is still giving him discomfort and that he'll leave his playing time up to the coaching staff.  Heyward-Bey should only be used as a last-ditch fantasy option.  WRs Louis Murphy and Chaz Schilens will see increased roles today.

Raiders WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (concussion, neck) practiced on Thursday and Friday.  He's listed as questionable but is expected to play against the Bears this weekend.  It's quite the recovery after he was taken off the field on a stretcher last week.  With Jacoby Ford (foot) out and Denarius Moore (foot) unlikely to play, DHB will serve as Oakland's #1 WR on Sunday.  He's a risky WR3 fantasy option though.  Chaz Schilens and Louis Murphy will likely split snaps opposite Heyward-Bey.

Raiders WR Louis Murphy (groin) is active for today's game against the Browns.  It'll be his season debut.  Murphy is buried on the depth chart for now and isn't a fantasy option.

Raiders WR Louis Murphy (groin) put in a full week of practice and is expected to make his 2011 debut on Sunday against the Browns. Oakland's WR corps is deep, with Denarius Moore and Darrius Heyward-Bey starting, and Jacoby Ford serving as the #3.  That leaves Murphy to battle with Chaz Schilens for the #4 spot.  He's worth monitoring but isn't a fantasy option.