Fantasy Football: Quick Hits

• Rashard Mendenhall - RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
  Mendenhall (knee) was upgraded to full participation in Thursday’s practice.= Not the best fantasy match-up this week. Fast Willie Parker is a great option for Roethlisberger against the pass rush. Gridiron Experts expects to see a lot of screens and quick passes out in the flats to avoid pressure from the Vikings pass rush.
• LaDainian Tomlinson – RB, San Diego Chargers
  LT was one of four Chargers players to miss Thursday’s practice with illness.=Stay posted as LT finally has a good fantasy match up.
• Mark Sanchez – QB, New York Jets
  Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer expressed confidence in Mark Sanchez Thursday, comparing his first six starts to those of Carson Palmer, Peyton Manning, and Eli Manning.
• Braylon Edwards – WR, New York Jets
  B.Edwards (quadriceps) was limited again in Thursday’s practice.= Avoid Edwards if you can until Sanchez gets back on track.
• Jerricho Cotchery – WR, New York Jets
  Though he was held out of team drills again Thursday, Jerricho Cotchery (hamstring) has a “real shot” to play this week according to Jets coach Rex Ryan.
• Cedric Benson – RB, Cincinnati Bengals
  Cedric Benson believes the Bears tried to blackball him from the league after he was released in 2008.=I think he blackballed himself after the booze-cruise.
• Troy Polamalu – S, Pittsburgh Steelers
  Troy Polamalu (knee) missed a second straight practice Thursday.=Stay posted
• Kevin Curtis – WR, Philadelphia Eagles
  Eagles beat writer Geoff Mosher doesn’t expect to see Kevin Curtis (knee) on the field again this season.=Maclin owners are licking their lips.
• Chad Clifton – T, Green Bay Packers
  Packers LT Chad Clifton (ankle) watched the team’s walk-through Thursday, indicating that the team isn’t ruling him out for this week.=That’s good, as Aaron Rodgers fantasy owners are tired of cringing after every hit.
• Pierre Thomas – RB, New Orleans Saints
  PT Cruiser is not on the Saints’ Week 7 injury report.= The Saints are still splitting carries with Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell, a risky fantasy option this week.
• Frank Gore – RB, San Francisco 49ers
  Frank Gore (ankle) has resumed practicing fully, as expected.= Texans are improving everywhere except the run defense, good start.
• Marion Barber – RB, Dallas Cowboys
  Cowboys coach Wade Phillips revealed Wednesday that Marion Barber fractured his left thumb in Week 6, but it won’t affect his playing status. Barber is practicing without limitations.= a fractured thumb does affect his catching skills through.