The Indianapolis Colts have downgraded running back Donald Brown to questionable after he was previously listed probable due to a knee injury. Brown was able to practice fully on Friday, but team doctors found swelling in his knee yesterday. Likely a game-time decision, Brown will see his role decrease to Vick Ballard if he does play. It seems like the Colts don’t want to take any chances with their 25-year-old back.
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So far this season, Donald Brown has averaged 4.3 yards per carry on 74 rushes which is down from last season’s third-year breakout. He’s come on strong after averaging under four yards per carry in two dismal seasons to start his career, and I have the feeling that the Colts will let him play with a close split between him and Ballard.
When Brown missed practice on Thursday, shockwaves were sent around the fantasy universe worrying about his status for Week 9. It was supposed to be a week of rest and most beat writers said that Brown would be expected to play Sunday. The swelling issue is the first real injury problem that points to Brown missing this game, but there is a higher probability that he will be able to play.
Detroit Lions superstar receiver Calvin Johnson is also listed questionable with a knee injury, and he never practiced this week. That’s not of grave concern, because Jim Schwartz has went on record saying that Johnson can play in a game without practicing. Schwartz said, “He’s done it before. He obviously knows our offense and his heath is the more important thing.”
Pro Football Weekly’s Eric Edholm tweeted that Megatron is a game-time decision and could only play on third-downs due to the injury.
The Jacksonville Jaguars secondary is nicked up and terrible anyway, so Johnson should be able to make an impact on this game even if he only plays third-downs. I could see the Lions giving their star wideout snaps on first and second downs at certain points in the game, but they will almost certainly limit Johnson- especially since it’s the Jaguars secondary.
Update: Donald Brown is unlikely to play.
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