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Wideout Ted Ginn stepped up big for the New Orleans Saints while receiver Willie Snead was inactive with a hamstring issue. Ginn caught a perfect seven passes for 141 yards in the Saints Week 7 win over the Packers. It was Ginn’s first 100-plus receiving yards game this season.
New Orleans host the Chicago Bears this week. The Bears defend well against opposing receivers, allowing just one 100-plus yard receiving effort this season — in Week 3 to Pittsburgh Steeler great Antonio Brown. The Saints should get Snead back in the lineup Sunday; however, Michael Thomas missed practice Wednesday with a knee injury and looks to be a game-time decision. Ginn should see an expanded role if Thomas cannot go Sunday.
Fantasy impact: Ginn is always a threat on the field, but he is boom or bust in fantasy. The silver lining: His production is better whenever the Saints receiving core is not at full strength. The last two games with Snead on the sideline, Ginn caught all 11 of his targets for 207 yards and a touchdown. He totaled 11 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown in the first four games of the season. The Saints are reluctant to say whether Thomas will play Sunday. If he does not, Ginn is looking at another big week against Chicago.