The New England Patriots could get Brandon LaFell back from injury soon and fantasy football owners should look at LaFell and Dion Lewis as waiver wire options heading into Week 6. LaFell can return in Week 7 and adding him to the mix for Tom Brady could help open things up even more in the passing game with Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola and Rob Gronkowski.
The Patriots have been humming along fine without LaFell this season, but getting him back on offense could be huge for Brady and the Pats. The team has a solid number one in Edelman and a freak in Gronkowski, while Amendola has been playing better than last season. According to MassLive.com, LaFell can return from the PUP list after Week 6 against the Colts and his first eligible game to play is against the Jets in Week 7.
LaFell started the season on the PUP list with a foot injury and once he starts practicing with the team, the Patriots will have three weeks to bring him back to the active roster or shelve him for the season. LaFell is reportedly making progress from his injury, as Mike Reiss on ESPN reports that his recovery is "on schedule" and he could be back for Week 7. Adding LaFell behind Edelman is a massive upgrade over Amendola, as LaFell put up career high numbers with 74 catches for 953 yards and seven touchdowns last season.
LaFell may need some time to get work in practice and to get his timing back and fi his return doesn't come in Week 7, it likely will be soon after that. Dion Lewis has continued to be an impressive player for the Pats and according to ESPN.com, Lewis has signed a two year extension with the team. Lewis has continued to get touches even with LeGarrette Blount back from suspension and he was impressive last week with eight catches for 59 yards and a touchdown against the Cowboys. This season Lewis has over 300 total yards in four games and is solid start option in PPR leagues.
The Patriots suffered a huge loss on the offensive line heading into Week 6 against the Colts, as reports have Nate Solder dealing with an elbow injury. According to Pro Football Talk, Jim McBride of the Boston Globe reports that Solder could miss the rest of the season with torn biceps and that would be a major void on the offensive line for Tom Brady.
PFT reports that Solder said on WEEI that his elbow was not an issue on Monday, but clearly that had changed. Solder has been the starter at left tackle in every game over the past two seasons and now the team will have to make a change on the offensive line. The Patriots signed Solder to a two year extension last month and he is a stalwart on the New England line.
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