Malcolm Smith Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

Browns LB Anthony Walker will miss today's game against the Ravens on the COVID list. Malcolm Smith is expected to start in his place. Smith will carry some IDP upside, but Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is the top play among Cleveland LBs.

Browns DE Myles Garrett (knee, ankle) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Cardinals. He was questionable last week for the same issues and played. Garrett finished the week with a limited Friday practice -- an improvement over last week, when he sat out Friday. DE Jadeveon Clowney (elbow, knee) is also questionable. He missed last week's game. CB Denzel Ward (neck) and CB Greg Newsome (calf) are questionable as well. LB Malcolm Smith has been ruled out. We'll update statuses for the questionable defenders come Sunday afternoon. Plan on using Garrett as usual in IDP lineups. You can probably find better options than the risk of waiting on the others.

The Browns list multiple defensive starters as questionable for Sunday's game against the Chargers. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, however, reports that the team is "expecting most of their defensive nucleus intact." DE Myles Garrett is officially questionable, listed with knee and ankle issues that kept him out of Friday's practice. Garrett said earlier Friday that he expects to play, though. Also questionable are DE Jadeveon Clowney (elbow), CB Denzel Ward (neck) and LB Malcolm Smith (abdomen). Garrett is easily the biggest IDP factor of the group, so his optimism is good news. The late-afternoon Sunday kickoff makes it tougher to wait on any of them, and the other 3 probably aren't worth the wait in most cases. We'll update them all when game inactives come out, though.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that LB Anthony Walker is signing a 1-year, $3.5 million deal with the Browns. That's not necessarily starter money, but Walker should compete for starter-level playing time in a shaky and unproven Cleveland LB corps. Walker was a solid player for the Colts, though he's coming off his worst overall Pro Football Focus grade through 4 seasons (by far). Walker also ceded the #2 LB role to Bobby Okereke in 2020. We'll see how the Browns' group shakes out.

The Browns have activated S Ronnie Harrison, TE Harrison Bryant and LB Malcolm Smith from the COVID list. That makes all 3 available for Sunday's game against the Steelers. None figures to be a big fantasy factor. Harrison carries nice tackle upside for IDP lineups, though, against a pass-heavy Pittsburgh offense.

He Browns have placed LB B.J. Goodson on the COVID list. That obviously knocks him out for Sunday’s game against the Jets. He’s likely the player that the team announced earlier in the day had tested positive. In that case, Goodson would likely miss Week 17 as well. Malcolm Smith looks like the best bet to lead Cleveland LBs in snaps while Goodson is out, with Jacob Phillips and Sione Takitaki behind him. Smith is the only one we’d consider for IDP use this week, in most cases

NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports that the 49ers will keep rookie Fred Warner at MLB today against the Chiefs and start Reuben Foster and Malcolm Smith at the OLB spots. Foster is returning from a 2-game suspension, while Smith missed the 1st 2 games with a hamstring injury. It remains to be seen who the Niners will keep on the field for passing sub packages. IDP owners can use Warner and Foster in Week 3 lineups, but be aware of the lingering playing-time question if you're facing tough starting decisions.

The 49ers got LBs Malcolm Smith and Reuben Foster back on the practice field Wednesday. Smith didn't even appear on the injury report, putting in a full workout after missing the 1st 2 games with a hamstring injury. Foster, meanwhile, completed his 2-game conduct-policy suspension and is eligible to return against the Chiefs this Sunday. HC Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday the coaches haven't decided on a plan for their LBs yet. The performance of rookie Fred Warner through 2 weeks complicates the decision. We'll watch for word from the coaches through the week. If we don't gain clarity before Sunday, though, it'll be tough to trust any Niners LB in IDP lineups.

Niners LB Malcolm Smith (hamstring) is inactive for the 2nd straight game. He entered the weekend questionable but appeared in only 1 practice this week -- a limited Friday workout. If rookie LB Fred Warner puts up another big game -- filling in for Reuben Foster in the middle -- Smith might not find a starting job available once his hamstring allows him to return.

Niners LB Malcolm Smith left Thursday night's preseason opener early in the 1st quarter with a hamstring injury. Smith began training camp on the non-football injury list because of a lower-leg injury. He also missed all of last season with a torn pectoral muscle. At this point, you should let Smith go undrafted in IDP leagues and make him prove that he can be a factor.

Niners rookie LB Reuben Foster gained medical clearance for his rehabbed shoulder and participated in the team's 1st training-camp practice Friday, according to CSN Bay Area. That significant because the 1st-round pick missed all offseason work as he rehabbed from shoulder surgery. The injury may have played a key role in pushing him down near the bottom of Round 1 in the NFL Draft. But if he can avoid setbacks, Foster could quickly overtake limited veteran Malcolm Smith for the weak-side LB job.

Raiders LBs Malcolm Smith (hamstring) and Perry Riley (hamstring) are active for today's game against the Broncos. Both entered the day questionable but are fine to use if you planned to do so.

Raiders LB Malcolm Smith (hamstring) is active for today's game against the Colts. He's fine to use in your IDP lineup as planned.

Raiders LB Malcolm Smith (hamstring) is active for today's game against the Chargers. The issue presents some durability risk, but he's OK to use at his normal IDP level.

Raiders LB Malcolm Smith (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Chargers. He put in limited practices all week. We'll check on his status Sunday. Oakland has already ruled out S Karl Joseph (toe).

Raiders CB David Amerson (knee) and LB Malcolm Smith (hamstring) are active for today's game against the Bills and ready to use in your IDP lineups if they make sense for you.

Raiders CB David Amerson (knee) and LB Malcolm Smith (hamstring) are questionable for Sunday's game against the Bills. Both players put in limited practices all week and seem on track to play. Amerson told reporters that he's ready to play after missing last week's game. We'll check on the status for each come Sunday.

Raiders LB Malcolm Smith is active for today's game against the Chiefs after sitting out Week 5 with a groin injury. Smith practiced all week but was limited each day, so we might see Oakland limit his snaps a bit. Smith's decreased production to date vs. last year makes him not worth the risk if you're trying to break a tie for your IDP lineup.

Raiders LB Malcolm Smith is questionable for Sunday's game against the Chiefs with the quad injury that cost him Week 5. He put in limited practices all week. We'll keep an eye on his status this weekend. But after Perry Riley played well in Smith's place last Sunday, we'd wait at least a week before using Smith in IDP leagues even if he's active and starting again.