Buccaneers’ 2^nd year player Da’Quan Bowers tore his Achilles earlier this month, the latest in what is seemingly a long line of Achilles injuries since the lockout ended, but the Buccaneers have not given up hope on Bowers returning late this season. GM Mark Dominik says that Bowers will be undergoing rehab with Shannon Merick, who is one of the best in the world at what he does and that maybe Bowers could play late in 2012.

Right now, that seems like a long shot as none of the players who suffered Achilles injuries last offseason played last season, but you never know. Whether or not he comes back late in the season will probably depend on whether or not the Buccaneers are still in it late in the season. If they’re out of contention, there will be no point to bring him back.

Bowers had a solid rookie year in a limited role after being taken in the 2^nd round in 2011, but they were obviously counting on him more in 2012. It looks like they may have to wait for 2013 for him to potentially have a breakout season. Once considered a possibility for the #1 pick, Bowers fell all the way to the middle of the 2^nd round thanks to concerns about his knee. His knee has been fine thus far, but his Achilles isn’t. In his absence, situational player Michael Bennett may have to become more of an every down player opposite Adrian Clayborn.

[switch_ad_hub]

The Bengals are moving forward from the Cedric Benson era in Cincinnati and going with a running back tandem of BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Bernard Scott. Green-Ellis was their offseason acquisition from New England and Scott has been their backup for the past few years and someone they’ve said they’d like to get more involved in the offense.

Just how involved each back will be and how this timeshare could work out is yet to be determined but according to the Cincinnati Enquirer, Green-Ellis is the favorite to lead the team in carries. This makes some sense as they spent 9 million dollar over 3 years on Green-Ellis coming over from New England and Scott struggled to see the field even when Cedric Benson was struggling. I believe there’s a strong chance he starts the season as the lead back.

However, there’s a good chance BenJarvus Green-Ellis was just the product of the offense around him in New England and that he’ll really struggle on an inferior offense in Cincinnati. In that case, Scott could get more and more carries and eventually end up as the lead back. Whoever leads the team in carries, the Bengals figure to be one of the league’s worst teams on the ground once again. Both BJGE and Scott averaged less than 4 yards per carry last year. It wouldn’t shock me if 6^th round rookie Dan Herron started seeing significant carries down the stretch.

[switch_ad_hub]

Well we can cross another team off the list of teams that Cedric Benson could possibly sign with, a list that isn’t very long any more. After the Raiders reportedly said they were not interested last week, the team which Benson has led in carries for the last 3 years, the Cincinnati Bengals seem to be out of the question as well.

The Cincinnati Enquirer is saying that the “ship has sailed” between the two sides. Having gone on no visits this offseason, it’s possible Benson could be done or have to wait for an injury to make a roster. 30 years old in December, Benson has been one of the worst lead backs in the league over the last 3 years and with a history of off the field trouble, he might not be worth the trouble any more.

[switch_ad_hub]

Earlier this offseason, there was some speculation that Devin Hester could be contributing in a bigger role offensively this year. This speculation was fueled by Brandon Marshall saying Hester could outperform him and an ESPN Chicago report that Hester would start opposite Marshall. However, the Bears acknowledged today that his offensive snaps would be limited once again. He’ll still remain their top return man, where he’s arguably the best of all time. He will have special packages where he’s used offensively, but he’s still not any higher than 4^th on their depth chart behind Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, and Earl Bennett.

[switch_ad_hub]

Rashean Mathis is one of the Jaguars’ long tenured players, but he’s 32 in August and tore his ACL last season. However, the Jaguars still resigned him to a one year deal with minimal risk this offseason, even though he was not yet 100% back from that injury. Until now it had been unclear when he would be 100%, but Head Coach Mike Mularkey believes he could be 100% for mandatory minicamp in June.

Mathis will need a good training camp to stay on the roster. The Jaguars will have to pay him a million dollars if he’s on the active roster week 1 and if he can’t beat out one of Derek Cox, William Middleton, Aaron Ross, and Ashton Youbouty for a spot in dime packages, he could be too cost prohibitive for the Jaguars as a 5^th cornerback.

[switch_ad_hub]

It’s been pretty universally understood for a couple weeks, but today Jaguars Head Coach Mike Mularkey confirmed that the reason Maurice Jones Drew is absent for voluntary OTAs is because he’s unhappy with his contract. MJD is owed 4.45 million in 2012 in the 4^th year of a 5 year contract, but like Chris Johnson last offseason, he knows how quickly things can change at the position so he wants his money sooner rather than later. MJD was basically the Jaguars whole offense last year, but they might have to cave and earlier than the Titans did last offseason with Johnson. Another report says there have been no contract discussions between the two sides yet.

[switch_ad_hub]

Dashon Goldson is one of several still unsigned franchise players and he doesn’t seem to be in a big hurry to sign. According to CSN Bay Area, Goldson has no plans to sign the tender or even visit the Bay Area. It’s clear he’s unhappy and wants the long term deal they did not give him last offseason when he was a free agent.

Goldson is coming off a career best season in which he made the Pro Bowl, as he had 6 interceptions on the league’s best defense, but in depth statistics show he was one of the more frequently torched safeties in one on one coverage in the league. The 49ers would be wise not to give him a huge, long term deal, especially since he only has one good season on his resume. He is, however, a perfect fit for the 49ers defense. With their pass rush, his playmaking abilities are able to be best utilized as the front 7 forces frequent hurried throws.

[switch_ad_hub]

DeMarco Murray was one of the breakout stars of the 2011 NFL season, especially in fantasy football circles as he rushed for 897 yards and 2 touchdowns on 164 carries after an injury to Felix Jones left the door open for him. That was until he suffered an injury himself, an ankle injury that ended his season. As of today, doctors have cleared him for a full return to practice from this ankle injury.

Murray will continue to be the lead back this year over an injury prone and overall disappointing Felix Jones and could be among the league’s leaders in rushing if he plays like he did last season and stays healthy for the whole year. He did have a reputation for being injury prone coming out of Oklahoma, which dropped him to the 3^rd round of the 2011 NFL Draft, so there is some buyer beware on him early in fantasy drafts.

[switch_ad_hub]

The Raiders struck gold with a wide receiver in the 5^th round of the 2011 draft, taking Denarius Moore, who proved to be an instant contributor last season as a rookie. The way Juron Criner has been impressing in practice, the Raiders coaching staff might be thinking they’ve struck gold again. Criner, also a 5^th round pick, but from this year’s draft, has really impressed in rookie minicamp, making at least 4 head turning catches in a 20 minute span, according to the Contra County Times.

This is still minicamp, but many felt Criner was a steal in the 5^th round. He’s not a vertical threat, but he’s got great hands and body control and made several jawdropping catches in his time at Arizona. He’ll start the season as no higher than 4^th on the depth chart behind Darrius Heyward-Bey, Denarius Moore, and Jacoby Ford, but he offers a possession receiver element that none of those 3 do so he could push for playing time early, especially if he continues to impress in practice.

[switch_ad_hub]

Jaguars Head Coach Mike Mularkey said earlier this week that there is absolutely no competition at quarterback between incumbent Blaine Gabbert and free agent acquisition Chad Henne. However, there are some in the Jaguars organization who believe Henne is the better quarterback, according to SI’s Don Banks. Banks did not mention names, but it’s possible that GM Gene Smith is not among them since he traded up to get Gabbert in 2011, essentially tying his job security to his success. Gabbert will start the season as the starter, but could easily be pulled midseason for Henne. There’s no guarantee Henne would be any better, however.

[switch_ad_hub]