Sammy Watkins Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

The Bills have hired Sean McDermott as their HC. He's spent the past 8 seasons as a defensive coordinator -- 1st in Philadelphia, then in Carolina -- but has no HC experience. McDermott and the Bills should make an OC hire within the next couple of weeks.

Bills WR Sammy Watkins will undergo another foot surgery this week, according to the Buffalo News' Tim Graham. Watkins went under the knife to repair his fractured foot back in April and was reportedly playing through a still-broken foot when he returned in Week 12. It's unclear how long he'll be sidelined this go-around, but Watkins will be 1 of the biggest injury risks in 2017 fantasy drafts. On top of the foot, he's dealt with rib, groin, hip, calf and ankle issues through his first 3 NFL seasons.

The Bills have fired HC Rex Ryan and DC Rob Ryan. The news is only surprising in that it came before this weekend's season finale. Ryan finishes his 2-year Bills tenure with a 15-16 record. OC Anthony Lynn will take over as interim HC and reportedly has a shot to earn the full-time gig next season.

Bills WR Sammy Watkins managed just 1 reception for 10 yards among 4 targets in Sunday's win over the Browns. Tyrod Taylor attempted just 24 throws in the game (plus 1 more from EJ Manuel), but Watkins still saw WR Marquise Goodwin match his target count and TE Charles Clay beat it by 3. Watkins also saw his playing time dip to 63% of the offensive snaps after he topped 90% the week before. He remains in play for a Week 16 battle with Miami, but keep the risk in mind as you weigh Watkins against your other options.

The forecast for today's Browns-Bills game calls for a slight chance of snow but winds of 20-30 mph. That's certainly enough to impact the passing games. Hopefully you're not relying on any part of Cleveland's passing attack. Downgrade Bills QB Tyrod Taylor and WR Sammy Watkins a tad, but both are still fine fantasy starters. Expect a heavy dose of RB LeSean McCoy today.

Bills WR Sammy Watkins saw just 6 targets but caught 4 for 54 yards and 1 TD vs. Pittsburgh. Watkins scored on a pass over the middle on 3rd and goal. Game flow set up favorably here — Buffalo played from behind in the 2nd half — but Tyrod Taylor labored through another shaky outing. Watkins does retain major fantasy upside next week against the lowly Browns.

The forecast for today's Steelers-Bills game calls for 1-3 inches of snow and winds of 10-15 mph. Those certainly aren't ideal conditions for the passing and kicking games, but it's also not enough for us to lower the projections for anyone involved. Use the weather as a tiebreaker if deciding between 2 similarly ranked guys.

Bills WR Sammy Watkins feels healthier this week than he did last. “I feel great for this week,” Watkins said after Thursday's practice. “I think it’s just the routine and the reps and things. I’m more comfortable running routes full speed. It’s more a game plan thing now, not a foot issue or body issue I can’t just go out there and play. No limitations. My body had to get used to the workload. Now I’m out there during practice I’m running 30 to 40 plays. So I’m feeling good.” After playing just 45.5% of the snaps in Week 12, Watkins was out there for 68.1% this past Sunday and saw 9 targets. The foot and Buffalo's low passing volume add risk, but Watkins has breakout potential in a home game against the Steelers this weekend.

Bills WR Sammy Watkins (foot) is active for today’s game against the Raiders. He dealt with soreness in that foot early this week and figures to be on a snap count again today. Of course, Watkins racked up 80 yards on limited snaps last week. He’s a risk/reward WR3.

Bills WR Sammy Watkins (foot) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Raiders. But HC Rex Ryan said Friday that his #1 WR will play. The question now becomes exactly how much Watkins will play. He was limited to 45% of the snaps last week and then dealt with soreness in that troublesome foot on Wednesday. OC Anthony Lynn revealed that Watkins is playing through a broken bone in the foot. He's obviously a risky Week 13 fantasy play -- although there's a decent ceiling vs. a burnable Raiders secondary.

Bills WR Sammy Watkins (foot) returned to a limited practice on Thursday after sitting out Wednesday's workout. HC Rex Ryan said afterward that he expects Watkins to play against the Raiders this weekend. OC Anthony Lynn was less optimistic. "I don't know if he's gonna play 1 play or 20 plays," Lynn said. Watkins is shaping up as an extremely risky Week 13 fantasy starter.

Bills WR Sammy Watkins did not practice on Wednesday after experiencing soreness in his surgically repaired foot. He, of course, just returned last week after missing the previous 8 games. We'll see whether this is just regular early-week soreness or a real setback. Check back tomorrow for another update.

Bills WR Sammy Watkins (foot) is officially active for today’s game against the Jaguars. He’s expected to be limited in his 1st action since Week 2 — insider Joe Buscaglia guesses 50-60% of the snaps — and Jacksonville has been tough against the pass all year. But Watkins has the raw talent to do damage on just a few targets. He’s a risk/reward WR3.

Bills WR Sammy Watkins' playing time against the Jets today "will depend on how his foot feels," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Rapoport adds that Watkins will start, which doesn't necessarily mean much for his playing time. We'd still try to avoid using Watkins in fantasy lineups in his 1st action since Week 2, but he's capable of posting nice fantasy numbers on limited snaps.

Bills WR Sammy Watkins (foot) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jaguars. He practiced all week, though, and HC Rex Ryan said Friday that Watkins is "good to go." Ryan said earlier in the week that Watkins will be on a pitch count in his 1st action since Week 2. That, plus a matchup with the league's 8th-ranked WR defense, makes Watkins just a WR3 flier for Week 12.

Bills HC Rex Ryan said Thursday that he "feels pretty good" about WR Sammy Watkins' chances of playing against the Jaguars on Sunday. He's put in 2 limited practices so far this week. Ryan added that Watkins would likely be on some type of snap count if he plays. He'll be a risky fantasy play, especially against a talented Jacksonville secondary.

Bills WR Sammy Watkins (foot) has been cleared to practice on Wednesday, GM Doug Whaley said. It's still unclear if he'll play against the Jaguars this weekend. Watkins would be tough to trust in fantasy lineups in his 1st action since Week 2 and facing a talented secondary. But he could become an upside option as soon as Week 13.

Bills HC Rex Ryan suggested Monday that WR Sammy Watkins (foot) could return for this weekend's game against the Jaguars. "I'm speaking on behalf of every Buffalo Bills fan: I hope he can play some," were Ryan's exact words. Watkins hasn't even returned to practice yet and would almost certainly be on a snap count if he plays on Sunday. Watkins won't be a Week 12 fantasy option but is worth stashing in most leagues at this point.

Bills HC Rex Ryan said Monday that WR Sammy Watkins (foot) isn't yet ready to practice. There'd been speculation that he'd be ready to return when first eligible in Week 12, but that seems doubtful now. Watkins is only worth stashing in deep fantasy leagues.

ESPN's Mike Rodak expects Bills WR Sammy Watkins (foot) to return in late November, barring a setback. That'd presumably put him back on the field for Week 12, when he's 1st eligible to be activated from the IR. It'd be at least another week beyond that before we could trust him in fantasy lineups. But Watkins does have a nice late-season schedule, with Raiders, Steelers, Browns and Dolphins in Weeks 13 through 16.