David

Nelson

Johnson’s condition appears to be worsening after last week’s eight catches for 96 yards with a touchdown. “Last week, I didn’t feel it when I walked, only when I got out on the field, but now it [the pain] is just there,” he said. Even though Johnson said he doesn’t expect to miss any games, it’s another plus for hot waiver add David Nelson.

We don’t have the details on the injury just yet, though coach Chan Gailey termed it “more long term than short term, unfortunately.” This should close the book on Parrish’s Buffalo career, as he’s a free agent after the season and the Bills have a promising player in David Nelson to fill the slot role. Nelson is neck-and-neck with Denarius Moore for this week’s top waiver addition.

It sounds like Parrish could eventually head to injured reserve, but for now he’ll remain on the roster. The Bills’ slot receiver, Parrish has been outplayed by David Nelson early this season and could remain behind Nelson on the depth chart even once Parrish returns. He’s not worth holding onto in any format.

“It’s going to be awhile on Roscoe,” said Gailey. David Nelson stepped up for 10 receptions and a touchdown in Parrish’s absence against the Raiders, and will be worth a look as a WR3 for the foreseeable future. Nelson is good enough that he could Wally Pipp Parrish for the primary slot role in the offense.

Nelson’s eight targets were two fewer than the 10 tosses to Donald Jones and Stevie Johnson. He wasn’t featured in the red zone this week, but that won’t be the case every week. Nelson should remain a viable WR3 for next week’s game against the Bengals.

Naaman Roosevelt took over in the slot. Nelson said it was his first time playing outside since college, and he predictably struggled. Much of Nelson’s fantasy appeal stemmed from his role as the slot man in Chan Gailey’s spread scheme, so there’s reason for concern here. Nelson already had a yellow flag thanks to his three catches for 24 yards over the last two weeks.

Jones’ absence thrusts David Nelson into the starting lineup opposite Stevie Johnson, and leaves Naaman Roosevelt as the No. 3 wideout in Buffalo’s injury-riddled receiver corps. Nelson was quiet after Jones went down Sunday, but should see the biggest boost in targets. Roosevelt is an intriguing flier after hauling in five passes for 41 yards against the Eagles, but is only three weeks removed from the practice squad. Johnson and Nelson are the only two Bills pass catchers worth starting in fantasy leagues right now.

The score was Nelson’s only catch. He was targeted just twice. An extremely disappointing day considering Donald Jones departed with an ankle injury midway through the first quarter and the vast majority of Ryan Fitzpatrick’s 21 completions came over the middle. Nelson has now hauled in just three catches for 24 yards on five targets the past two weeks after tallying at least four receptions and 60 yards in each of Buffalo’s first three games. If he’s bottled up for the third straight week by the Giants in Week 6, his WR3 status may be in jeopardy.

As one of the weaker No. 2 receivers in the NFL, Jones is hardly entrenched. While the Bills remain high on size/speed prospect Marcus Easley, beat writer Joe Buscaglia believes it’s a “stretch” to expect him to compete for the starting job after missing two seasons due to injuries. David Nelson will work out of the slot again this season.

Nelson kept the chains moving on possession routes, but he hasn’t shown much big-play ability, and nor has he scored since October 9. While we like Nelson as a consistent WR4/5, he offers scant upside in fantasy lineups.