Johnny

Knox

Williams is nothing more than a crumb on the screen of the fantasy radar, but the real news here is that Johnny Knox will be playing off the bench. Fantasy leaguers will be hard pressed to put Knox in their lineups in Week 3 with news that Williams will play.

Knox is fresh off a four-catch, 84-yard performance against the Packers, both numbers which Williams has failed to eclipse if you total his entire season statistics. Look for the more talented Knox to keep the starting job for the remainder of the year. As for Week 4, he’s our No. 33 ranked receiver play.

He started ahead of Roy Williams, but gave way to Sam Hurd and saw his snaps cut considerably. Owners should be patient to figure out what the culprit was, but not at the expense of a hot free agent. Unless there’s something more at play, we like Knox’s talent to rise to the top of an underwhelming receiving corps. Just keep your expectations in check.

Johnny Knox is a superior receiver, but the Bears are infatuated with Williams’ size. Knox no longer has fantasy value as more than a WR5 roster stash. Williams looked as good as he has all season, but managed just three catches for 50 yards. He’s not a weekly fantasy option.

A typical day for Knox, who has now been held to three or fewer catches in six of his first seven games. With Roy Williams “getting on track” this afternoon, Knox won’t be worth starting in fantasy leagues any time soon.

“His rehab has been going great,” the agent said. “He’s on the schedule that he planned to be back by early to mid July. He feels good.” Knox won’t shed his restrictive back brace until mid-March, so we’re skeptical that he’s going to be ready for contact by training camp.

“A quarterback doesn’t have to have that ball right in the perfect spot every time if you have a big body to throw to,” Smith said, echoing Jay Cutler’s recent comments. Smith realizes Johnny Knox (back surgery) is a wild card this year, so there’s a need for depth regardless.

A candidate to open the season on the PUP list following serious back surgery, Knox seems increasingly likely to play a minor role in the final year of his rookie contract. It’s not clear yet if Devin Hester, Earl Bennett, or an early-round rookie will start opposite Marshall at flanker.

At first glance, it’s an odd fit with Devin Hester locked in on punt returns. Weems has been an All-Pro special teamer in the past, but he has just 24 receptions in 54 career games. The move suggests the Bears can’t count on Johnny Knox for kickoff returns in 2012. Weems has been a favorite of GM Phil Emery, who was in Atlanta before Kansas City and Chicago.

Knox’s agent claimed in February he was on pace to be back to full strength by July, but one source tells the Tribune there was “more structural damage than initially anticipated.” Knox is expected to spend the majority of training camp rehabbing. At this point, it should be assumed Knox won’t take the field during the final year of his rookie deal. He’s off the fantasy radar outside of exceptionally deep dynasty leagues.