Jordan

Shipley

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.

Shipley could be out for awhile, if not the year. The slot receiver suffered the injury on a low hit by Broncos CB Cassius Vaughn, and had to be assisted off. Andre Caldwell stepped up for three catches, 27 yards, and a touchdown.

Shipley tore his left ACL on September 18, 2011. While some players don’t get full explosion back for a full year, the “good news” for Shipley is that his knee ligament tear occurred so early last season. As a rookie in 2010, Shipley caught 52 passes for 600 yards and three touchdowns. With A.J. Green since added to the fold, Shipley would do well to get back to those numbers in 2012.

“I’m planning on doing some stuff but it depends on what they want me to do,” Shipley said. “If it was up to me I would be out there.” Penciled in as the Bengals’ slot receiver, Shipley has guaranteed he’ll be ready for training camp.

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.

Shipley still doesn’t have a firm return date, but has been targeting May for a return to football activities. He will be a year removed from tearing his ACL in September. The Cincinnati Enquirer expects Shipley to be the Bengals’ slot receiver in 2012.

The September ACL surgery was the second in Shipley’s playing career, though the first was to his other knee. His 2012 role is up in the air, as Andre Caldwell was already pushing him for playing time before the injury.

Shipley was cleared for full participation earlier this month, but Muckelroy is believed to be limited. Sims tore ankle ligaments last December. Shipley is already penciled in as the Bengals’ slot receiver, but would do well to have a strong and productive preseason after missing all but two games in 2011.

Cowboys.com’s Bryan Broaddus believes the team is “entertaining putting a claim” on the third-year slot receiver. The Cowboys have a logjam behind Dez Bryant and Miles Austin, with Andre Holmes, Danny Coale, Kevin Ogletree, and Cole Beasley all yet to run with No. 3 duties. Shipley landing in Big D would kill Coale’s already limited deep-league PPR appeal.

He only made it past four teams in the waivers process, which is based on 2011 won-loss records. Shipley was waived by the Bengals after not appearing to be fully healthy following his September 2011 ACL tear, but is still only two years removed from hauling in 52 catches for 600 yards and three touchdowns as a third-round rookie. Bucs slot WR Preston Parker drew some offseason hype, but has had a quiet camp. Shipley’s arrival could be a sign new coach Greg Schiano is hoping for more. Of course, Shipley can’t put heat on Parker if he’s not healthy.