Andre

Caldwell

Shipley drew five targets in his first two games, catching four passes for 14 yards and splitting snaps with Andre Caldwell in the slot. Even with the slot now all to himself, Caldwell is unlikely to become a fantasy factor. Shipley, who turns 26 in a few months, will need reconstructive knee surgery. While he’ll have a lot of time to recover, Shipley’s role was minimal in Jay Gruden’s offense, and he’ll carry little value in long-term leagues heading to 2012.

Caldwell ended up with three total catches for 27 yards. The status of Shipley is unclear, but it won’t matter in fantasy anyway. Even as the starting slot receiver, Caldwell isn’t a difference-maker and would struggle for targets most weeks.

Per the Cincinnati Enquirer, “how much playing time Simpson sees today remains to be seen.” As a meager talent without a guarantee of a full load of snaps, Caldwell is a weak fantasy play. The Bengals are operating under the mantra of “innocent until proven guilty” for now with Simpson.

It was Andy Dalton’s worst game as a pro. Caldwell, who runs short, possession routes, capitalized as Dalton’s go-to option over the middle. Simpson is likely to get his job back soon, sending Caldwell back to obscurity in fantasy circles.

It’s a two-year deal, per Profootballtalk.com. Caldwell ran a 4.37 at 6-foot-1, 209 at the 2008 Combine, but he doesn’t play nearly that fast. His career yards-per-catch average is 9.5. In Denver, Caldwell figures to compete for third receiver duties and play on special teams. He is a willing blocker, and can play both the Z (flanker) and slot positions on offense. With Peyton Manning at the helm, it’s certainly not out of the question that Caldwell will come into 2012 fantasy value.

Even though Jermaine Gresham (hamstring) was inactive, Caldwell saw only six targets underneath. He’s averaging just 3.0 catches for 24.7 yards through seven games this season.

Caldwell’s groin/abdominal injury is serious enough that he went to see a specialist this week. He may be done for the year. The rest of the Bengals’ inactives: RB Brian Leonard, TE Colin Cochart, G Otis Hudson, DT Nick Hayden, LB Dontay Moch and S Robert Sands.

The Enquirer also believes free agents Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell may both be allowed to walk. Shipley didn’t appear to be a fit for OC Jay Gruden’s offense before blowing out his knee in Week 2, but will apparently get a second chance next season. Aiming for a May return to football activities, Shipley notched 52 catches for 600 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie in 2010.

Green conceded that if the game was today, he’d be iffy. The MRI on his hyperextended knee showed no ligament damage, but did reveal some bone bruising. It’s a concern for a player who relies on explosion and leaping ability. Andre Caldwell would likely see a little bump in targets if Green can’t go, but Andy Dalton would rely mostly on Jerome Simpson and Jermaine Gresham.

Reedy was just answering a Twitter question, but he’s as plugged into the Bengals’ thinking as any beat writer in the NFL. Caldwell ran 4.37 at 6'0/209 coming out of Florida in 2008, but he’s been strictly a possession threat at the NFL level. With ex-Bengals OC Bob Bratkowski now coordinating the offense in Jacksonville, the Jags may give Caldwell a look as a third receiver.