FANTASY FOOTBALL NFL PLAYERS

Posted: 10/23/2012 7:37pm et

Minnesota Vikings TE John Carlson (concussion) will not play in Week 8 because of a concussion. Carlson has not been cleared by doctors to take part in workouts on the field before the team's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Thursday, Oct. 25.

Huddle Up: More tough luck for Carlson, who missed all of last season with a shoulder injury and has played in only 3 games this season. In the meantime, Kyle Rudolph will go back to being a one-man band at TE.

Posted: 10/20/2012 12:36am et

Minnesota Vikings TE John Carlson (knee) hoped to be a big part of the offense after signing a 5-year, $25 million contract during the offseason, but he has only been thrown to six times in as many games, catching three passes. He was slowed by a knee injury in training camp. Carlson said Friday, Oct. 19, that he is now fully recovered from his knee ailment.

Huddle Up: With Carlson limited, Kyle Rudolph has developed into one of fantasy's top tight ends with 25 catches for 225 yards so far. Most importantly, he leads all NFL TEs with 5 scoring receptions. Getting something out of Carlson going forward this season would really put the pressure on opposing defenses, who already have to contend with Rudolph and stud WR Percy Harvin.

Posted: 10/5/2012 3:51pm et

The Minnesota Vikings are trying to find ways to involve TE John Carlson in the game plan. Carlson has just one catch for minus one yard in the first four games, and he didn't catch a single pass in the first three games. He started off the season slow after dealing with a sprained knee early in training camp. 'It just hasn't worked out yet but we know he's going to be a big factor in our pass offense,' head coach Leslie Frazier said. 'He's doing a good job in run blocking. His time will come.'

Huddle Up: Minnessota's $25 million backup tight end has clearly been out of the loop in the offense. He could threaten to take some of Kyle Rudolph's production, but it is unlikely he will really reduce Rudolph's role or fantasy value. If you are desperate in a deep league, Carlson might be a decent stash, but do not bother unless Rudolph suffers an injury.

Posted: 9/3/2012 7:31pm et

Minnesota Vikings TE John Carlson (knee) said he expects to play Week 1 and will wear a knee brace to stabilize his knee. Carlson missed most of training camp because of a sprained medial collateral ligament.

Huddle Up: If it's targets and fantasy points you're looking for out of a Vikings TE, then hopefully you have second-year man Kyle Rudolph on your roster. Carlson missed all of 2011 after sustaining a preseason shoulder injury and will need time to round into game shape.

Posted: 8/24/2012 8:31pm et

Minnesota Vikings TE John Carlson (knee) has not returned to practice because he is still recovering from a sprained medial collateral ligament. He will not play in the third preseason game Friday, Aug. 20, and likely will not play in the preseason finale either. Carlson said he believes he knows the playbook but will have to get up to speed once he is cleared to practice.

Huddle Up: The Vikings entered the preseason with plans of featuring two-TE sets with Carlson and second-year man Kyle Rudolph, but Carlson's slow recovery obviously has put those plans on hold. Carlson missed all of last season with Seattle before signing a lucrative free-agent deal with Minnesota in the offseason. Even when Carlson finally does get on the field, he's better suited to blocking while Rudolph figures to have more targets and catches and is the Vikings' TE fantasy GMs want.

Posted: 8/1/2012 4:22pm et

Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier said TE John Carlson suffered a Grade 2 medial collateral ligament sprain during practice Tuesday, July 31, and will be sidelined for one to two weeks.

Huddle Up: Carlson is expected to operate opposite Kyle Rudolph in the Vikings' two-TE sets. Even if Minnesota is cautious with his injury, Carlson should be back to action in plenty of time to open the season. Right now, however, he's missing out on valuable practice reps and opening the door wider for Rudolph to claim the bulk of the snaps in one-TE sets; that, in turn, boosts Rudolph's already-climbing fantasy value.