Darren Sproles | RB | New Orleans Saints
Posted: 11/23/2012 5:36pm et
New Orleans Saints RB Darren Sproles (hand) fully participated in practice Friday, Nov. 23, and is listed as probable for Week 12.
Huddle Up: This means Mark Ingram, Chris Ivory and Pierre Thomas take a hit in terms of fantasy value. It looks like Ingram may have played his way into being the No. 2 guy instead of Thomas, but we won't know until the Saints play a game. Sproles doesn't have a great matchup against the 49ers defense, but he presents a difficult matchup himself as a quick, pass-catching back. He should be fine in PPR leagues.
Posted: 11/16/2012 11:10pm et
New Orleans Saints RB Darren Sproles (hand) said Friday, Nov. 16, that he is fit to return kicks, if needed, in Week 11 against the Oakland Raiders. He has been battling some swelling in his hand, and his status will be decided Saturday, Nov. 17.
Huddle Up: Signs point to Sproles having some sort of role Sunday, and if so, the Saints' RB situation will be a fantasy quagmire with Pierre Thomas, Mark Ingram and Chris Ivory also expected to share in the touches.
Posted: 11/16/2012 2:59pm et
New Orleans Saints RB Darren Sproles (hand) fully participated in practice Friday, Nov. 16, and is listed as questionable for Week 11. Interim head coach Joe Vitt said Sproles is still experiencing some swelling in his hand.
Huddle Up: It sounds like we will have to wait and see how he is feeling on Sunday morning, but it will be a good bet that Sproles plays, even if it is in a limited role. Again, this would diminish or eliminate the fantasy value for the other running backs in New Orleans; Pierre Thomas, Mark Ingram and Chris Ivory will all have to share behind Sproles is he is fully active.
Posted: 11/15/2012 4:00pm et
New Orleans Saints RB Darren Sproles (hand) fully participated in
practice Thursday, Nov. 15.
Huddle Up: The positive signs continue for a Sproles return as he participated
in practice a second straight day.
Posted: 11/15/2012 12:11pm et
New Orleans Saints RB Chris Ivory believes he should remain in the starting lineup despite the return of RB Darren Sproles to practice. Ivory was asked Wednesday, Nov. 14, if he thought the last two weeks would make coaches think twice about sending him back to the bench. The Saints nearly doubled their rushing average the past two weeks without Sproles (72.6 yards per game through seven games, 144 yards per game the last two). "Yeah, they would," Ivory said. "But I think as long as I'm doing the right things and get a plus on the plays that I get, I think that just helps me out and allows them to give that much more trust in me."
Huddle Up: Ivory has easily been the Saints' most effective back, but they're an RBBC team and the return of Sproles only adds another back to the mix. If you're forced to start one New Orleans RB Ivory is the best bet to produce helpful fantasy numbers for you, but he's still sharing carries and that doesn't look like it's going to change in New Orleans any time soon.
Posted: 11/14/2012 3:25pm et
New Orleans Saints RB Darren Sproles (hand) returned to practice on a limited basis Wednesday, Nov. 14. Sproles was a full-go in shells and looked good, according to head coach Joe Vitt.
Huddle Up: This is why putting in a waiver claim for Chris Ivory or Mark Ingram was a bit of a waste. Sproles looks like he's on track to return soon, which would marginalize both Ivory and Ingram, unless the Saints decide not to use Pierre Thomas anymore.
Posted: 11/9/2012 4:00pm et
New Orleans Saints RB Darren Sproles (hand) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 9, and has been ruled out for Week 10.
Huddle Up: This was not unexpected as Sproles continues to heal from a broken hand. Pierre Thomas will get another run as the starter, but the committee in New Orleans makes any of those running backs unsafe starts.
Posted: 11/3/2012 7:45pm et
Updating a previous report, New Orleans Saints RB Darren Sproles' (hand) timetable to return is expected to be 4-to-6 weeks, but there is optimism that he could return sooner.
Huddle Up: Sproles' injury has caught his fantasy owners off guard and they've been left scrambling with the fantasy playoffs a month away. Pierre Thomas is the most logical replacement on the Saints, but he's not likely available in the majority of leagues. In any case, look for the Saints to take a committee approach with Thomas, Mark Ingram and Chris Ivory all getting more involved.
Posted: 11/3/2012 12:41am et
New Orleans Saints interim head coach Joe Vitt said losing RB Darren Sproles (hand) for an undetermined amount of time with a hand injury will open the door for some of the team's other running backs to receive more reps and showcase what they're capable of doing. RBs Chris Ivory or rookie Travaris Cadet could see increased work along with that of Pierre Thomas and Mark Ingram. Cadet has played special teams so far this season, appearing in four games. Ivory has been active for just two games this season, but has proven in the past he can fill in admirably when his number is called. Cadet noted if his number is called, he'll do his best to step up and help the team.
Huddle Up: Of the 4 Saints backs looking to fill Sproles' sizable cleats, Thomas is likely your best fantasy bet as he is the most reliable pass catcher out of the bunch.
Posted: 11/2/2012 3:05pm et
New Orleans Saints RB Darren Sproles (hand) had surgery on his hand, and there's no timetable for his return. He'll be re-evaluated next week.
Huddle Up: This is terrible, sudden news for him and his fantasy owners. Hopefully he can return sooner than later, but now would be the time to scramble to pick up Pierre Thomas, who will be the biggest beneficiary of Sproles' absence. Mark Ingram should see a bump in production as well. This also seems like it will be Mark Ingram's last, best chance to get things right in New Orleans.
Posted: 11/1/2012 8:09pm et
New Orleans Saints RB Darren Sproles (hand) did not participate in practice Thursday, Nov. 1.
Huddle Up: With the Saints playing on Monday night in Week 9, this was their initial practice of the week so Sproles' absence is no cause for any red flags. Monitor his progress over the next few days.
Posted: 10/25/2012 4:30pm et
New Orleans Saints RB Darren Sproles (personal) did not participate in practice Thursday, Oct. 25.
Huddle Up: More misery for the running back pool. If Sproles is limited Pierre Thomas becomes an interesting play.
Posted: 8/23/2012 12:04pm et
New Orleans Saints RB Darren Sproles said his sore knee will not be a problem once the regular season starts. The team is simply being cautious with the running back. "If I had to play, I could," Sproles said. "But this is the thing. They don't want to rush me right now. They see it as preseason games so there's no use in risking it." Sproles added he'll feel even better about his health once he fully returns to practice. He said timing may be the only thing he'll need to catch up with on offense and special teams.
Huddle Up: Teams are cautious with their stars in the preseason, so don't read too much into Sproles sitting; he'll be back on the field to assume his duties once the games start to count, making him a PPR stud and a factor in yardage leagues as well.
Posted: 8/22/2012 4:54pm et
New Orleans Saints interim head coach Joe Vitt said he would be fine with RB Darren Sproles (knee) sitting out the final two preseason games so he can get ready for the start of the regular season.
Huddle Up: Sproles has not been known to have injury issues, but it is good for him that the Saints have decided to rest him. He continues to be much more valuable in PPR leagues than others, especially considering the continual emergence of second-year back Mark Ingram and the presence of Pierre Thomas on the roster.
Posted: 8/20/2012 10:44pm et
New Orleans Saints RB Darren Sproles (knee) will not play in the preseason game
Saturday, Aug. 25, because of a knee injury.
Huddle Up: This sounds more precautionary than anything, but also keep in mind that Sproles
isn't the biggest of backs and is closing in on age 30.
Posted: 6/5/2012 2:43am et
New Orleans Saints RB Darren Sproles said he is working on improving his running skills to become a better inside runner. 'It's like, my role was to come in and catch passes,' Sproles said. 'What I need to work on is more running the ball, like the hard-nosed runners. I only had certain types of runs, and I want to go in and run power (plays) sometimes. That will keep the defense honest.'
Huddle Up: Watching Sproles last year you realized he was squarely in his prime as a halfback. He averaged 7.6 yards per touch from scrimmage while juking guys out of their shoes. Inside or outside, it really doesn't matter; Sproles is so small that defensive linemen can't see him scurry through the gaps.