Fantasy Football: Quick Hits

• Adrian Peterson – RB, Minnesota Vikings
  Adrian Peterson said his body feels good right now, not having as much “wear and tear” as he did at this point last season.

• Terrell Owens - WR, Buffalo Bills
  Bills coach Dick Jauron remains hopeful that Terrell Owens will play this week even though he’s yet to practice since coming down with a strained hip Tuesday.

• Felix Jones - RB, Dallas Cowboys
  Coach Wade Phillips clarified that the team is looking at other options on kickoff returns because Felix Jones is ready for a heavier offensive load.

• Nick Hardwick – C, San Diego Chargers
  Chargers C Nick Hardwick (ankle surgery) has been ruled out for this week’s game against the Eagles.

• Keith Rivers – LB, Cincinnati Bengals
  Bengals WLB Keith Rivers (calf) will reportedly miss this week’s game against the Steelers.

• Brandon Gibson - WR, St. Louis Rams
  Newly acquired WR Brandon Gibson took “a number of reps” with the Rams’ first-team offense in Wednesday’s practice.

• Kolby Smith - RB, Kansas City Chiefs
  Asked about Kolby Smith’s status on the depth chart Wednesday, coach Todd Haley said he “wouldn’t put it past” Smith to take over as the Chiefs’ starting tailback.

Fantasy Football:

Fantasy Football: Quick Hits

• Ryan Moats – RB, Houston Texans
  Ryan Moats will start at running back for the Texans on Sunday, according to ESPN’s Bob Holtzman.

• Antonio Bryant – WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  Antonio Bryant said the long plane ride home from London was partially to blame for the setback he is having with his knee.

• Malcolm Kelly – WR, Washington Redskins
  The Redskins demoted Malcolm Kelly from his starting flanker job in large part because of his route running.

• Willis McGahee – RB, Baltimore Ravens
  ESPN’s James Walker speculates that Willis McGahee will see more touches when the weather turns for the worse.

• Ronnie Brown – RB, Miami Dolphins
  Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said he’s gaining confidence in Ronnie Brown’s ability to throw the ball out of the Wildcat.

• Pierre Garcon - WR, Indianapolis Colts
  Pierre Garcon (questionable, ankle) is expected to play Sunday despite taking Friday off.

• Donald Brown – RB, Indianapolis Colts
  Rookie Donald Brown (questionable, shoulder) is expected to play on Sunday against the Texans.

• Anquan Boldin – WR, Arizona Cardinals
  According to ESPN’s John Clayton, Anquan Boldin (ankle) looked “great” on the practice field Friday and is expected to suit up Sunday against the Bears.

• Steve Slaton – RB, Houston Texans
  Steve Slaton will come off the bench for the Texans on Sunday against the Colts.

• Roddy White – WR, Atlanta Falcons
  Roddy White (knee) returned to practice on a limited basis and is expected to start Sunday versus Washington.

Fantasy Football:

Fantasy Football: Quick Hits

• Owen Daniels - TE, Houston Texans
  Owen Daniels has a torn ACL and is out for the season, according to the Houston Chronicle.

• Anquan Boldin – WR, Arizona Cardinals
  Coach Ken Whisenhunt said Monday that the Cardinals will take a “wait and see” approach regarding Anquan Boldin’s aggravated ankle injury.

• Steve Slaton - RB, Houston Texans
  Texans coach Gary Kubiak was noncommittal when asked if Steve Slaton had lost his starting job to Ryan Moats after Sunday’s performance.

• Kevin Smith – RB, Detroit Lions
  Lions coach Jim Schwartz said in his post-game presser that the injury Kevin Smith suffered in Sunday’s loss wasn’t serious.

• Trent Edwards – QB, Buffalo Bills
  NFL.com’s Jason La Canfora confirms that Trent Edwards (concussion) will be ready to resume playing after Buffalo’s Week 9 bye.

• Brian Westbrook – RB, Philadelphia Eagles
  Brian Westbrook is expected to continue off-field exercises Monday before returning to practice later this week.

• Jay Cutler - QB, Chicago Bears
  Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner said he will scale back the playbook.

• Dwight Freeney – DE, Indianapolis Colts
  Dwight Freeney recorded a sack in his eighth consecutive game Sunday, matching Robert Mathis’ 2005 team record.

• Vince Young - QB, Tennessee Titans
  FoxSports’ Jay Glazer reported during Sunday’s pregame show that the Titans’ decision to start Vince Young over Kerry Collins was “not being met with open arms” in the locker room.

• Brady Quinn – QB, Cleveland Browns
  Browns coach Eric Mangini was predictably tight-lipped when ask who will be the starting quarterback coming out of the Week 9 bye.

• Aaron Stecker – RB, Atlanta Falcons
  Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularky confirmed that newly signed RB Aaron Stecker will “get a chance to play this week.”

Fantasy Football:

• Alex Smith – QB, San Francisco 49ers
  Coach Mike Singletary announced Monday that Alex Smith will take over as the 49ers’ starting quarterback beginning in Week 8. = Pick this guy up now, Alex Smith would be an excellent back up quarterback to have on your bench.

• Braylon Edwards – WR, New York Jets
  The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that Braylon Edwards has been charged with misdemeanor assault stemming from an incident that took place outside a Cleveland nightclub before his trade to the Jets.

• DeMarcus Ware - LB, Dallas Cowboys
  Cowboys agreed to terms with OLB DeMarcus Ware on a new six-year contract that includes $40 million guaranteed. = Does this mean DeMarcus Ware can relax now that he just got paid?

• Leon Washington- RB, New York Jets
  Jets running back Leon Washington has been placed on season-ending injured reserve after having surgery in which a rod was inserted into his broken right leg. Washington suffered a compound fracture of the tibia and fibula when a Raiders defender rolled up on his leg after a 6-yard run in the first quarter of the Jets’ 38-0 win Sunday. =Invest in Shonn Greene on this weeks waiver wire ASAP.

• Larry Johnson-RB – Kansas City Chiefs
  Chiefs running back Larry Johnson used a gay slur for the second time in as many days Monday, the Kansas City Star reported on its Web site. Johnson refused to speak with reporters Monday, a day after the Chiefs’ 37-7 home loss to the Chargers. Sitting in front of his locker, he turned away and muttered the slur in telling reporters to get “out of here,” according to the Star, which recorded the comment.

• Jake Delhomme – QB Carolina Panthers
  Panthers coach John Fox hasn’t decided whether to bench quarterback Jake Delhomme. Saying Monday that he doesn’t know if the “status quo is the answer or not,” Fox indicated he’ll decide later this week whether to play Matt Moore or A.J. Feeley. = My god, what is it going to take!

• Walter Jones - T, Seattle Seahawks
  Seahawks coach Jim Mora acknowledged Monday that LT Walter Jones’ (knee) status for Week 8 is uncertain.

Fantasy Football:

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.

Fantasy Football:

Fantasy Football: Quick Hits

• Jerricho Cotchery – WR, New York Jets
  The Jets have reportedly decided to hold Jerricho Cotchery (hamstring) out of Sunday’s game against the Bills. With Jerricho Cotchery sidelined, David Clowney is expected to start opposite Braylon Edwards this week.
• Joshua Cribbs – WR, Cleveland Browns
  Josh Cribbs would reportedly welcome a trade out of Cleveland if the Browns are unwilling to renegotiate his contract.= With the rumors flying, you might want to pick this guy up on the waiver wire in hopes he lands on a top team; Cribbs can be used for more than just kick returns.
• Correll Buckhalter – RB, Denver Broncos
  Correll Buckhalter (ankle) participated in a full practice Thursday.
• Kevin Curtis – WR, Philadelphia Eagles
  The Eagles reportedly had “the process already set in motion” for Jeremy Maclin to replace Kevin Curtis in the starting lineup before the team’s Week 4 bye.= Maclin won’t see a day like he had last week, but his value shouldn’t be ignored.
• Rashard Mendenhall – RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
  Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians indicated that the Steelers won’t decide which running back will get the majority of carries until game time Sunday.
• Wes Welker – WR, New England Patriots
  Welker (knee) was limited in practice for the second straight day.=The on again off again injury is driving fantasy owners crazy, but if he starts watch out as the Titans secondary is banged up.
• San Diego Chargers Defense
  The Chargers offer plenty of big-play potential (two TDs), but they’re mediocre at getting after the quarterback (six sacks) and forcing turnovers (seven takeaways).
• Clinton Portis – RB, Washington Redskins
  Clinton Portis (calf) was limited again on Thursday.
• Cortland Finnegan - CB, Tennessee Titans
  Titans RCB Cortland Finnegan (hamstring) and FS Michael Griffin (neck) missed practice for the second straight day.
• Percy Harvin – WR, Minnesota Vikings
  Vikings coach Brad Childress characterized Percy Harvin as “semi-limited” in Thursday’s practice after he did “most of everything.”

Fantasy Football:

It was a very interesting week 5 in the NFL. There were a few upsets that had many people scratching their heads, but it was reliable fantasy players who seemed to fall asleep at the wheel, allowing a few newbies (and old timers) to pick up the slack.

• Willis McGahee: Fantasy owners were just getting comfortable with their forgotten fantasy stud. McGahee was starting to look like his old self, but had an awful day getting only 1 carry and 1 catch.
• Pierre Garcon: Only 1 rec for 9 yards after many had thought that he was going to have a monster game against a weak pass defense. Instead, Austin Collie was the man of the hour snagging 8 balls for 97 yards and two touchdowns.
• Miles Austin had 5 catches all year before breaking out against the Chiefs. The 6’4″ receiver hogged all the passing yards with his 10 catches for 250 yards and 2 TD’s. Witten, Barber, and Crayton owners must have been a little jealous seeing all the fantasy love sent one way.
• DeSean Jackson: 1 rec for 1 yard, while Jeremy Maclin stole the show with 6 catches totaling 142 yards and 2 touchdowns. We had noticed that Maclin was going to start around Thursday with K. Curtis  banged up, but didn’t think much of it. With such an amazing performance and Curtis’ injury possibly being a season long headache, it’s safe to say that Maclin should steal the starting job and play opposite DeSean Jackson.
• Jamal Lewis still plays football? Of course he does, just no one ever starts him anymore. Well today you saw 117 rushing yards sitting on your bench.

Other Strange Occurrences:

• Patriots blow a 10 point lead to lose in overtime?
• Derek Anderson gets a win after completing only 2 passes?
• The number of blown 4th down plays – I don’t have the exact number, but for the all of the games I watched (which was almost all of them) I saw more teams going for it on 4th down, but calling stupid plays that never seemed to work.

Fantasy Football:

• Matt Hasselbeck – QB, Seattle Seahawks
  Hasselbeck (ribs) is listed as probable for Week 5 and due back in the lineup Sunday against the Jaguars.= The Seahawks are not in a must win situation yet, but they’re close. I’m not sure if rushing Hasselbeck back into the lineup is the smartest move with Walter Jones out (and most of the offensive line) this Sunday. Hasselbeck does have more fantasy value than S.Wallace though.
• Jerricho Cotchery – WR, New York Jets
  Jets coach Rex Ryan said Friday that Jerricho Cotchery (hamstring) is in real danger of missing Monday night’s game against Miami. = Braylon Edwards is going to be thrown into the fire on Monday night, fantasy owners might want to wait a week as a jersey color change doesn’t fix his butter fingers.
• Joseph Addai – RB, Indianapolis Colts
  Addai practiced fully on Friday, but is listed as questionable for Week 5 with a hand injury= Donald Brown just became a sleeper pick for week 5.
• Eli Manning – QB, New York Giants
  Eli Manning (questionable, foot) took half of the first-team snaps in Giants practice on Friday and will be a game-time decision for Week 5.= David Carr is a solid quarterback that will throw all day in hopes of catching some GM’s eye for a starting gig some day. Giant receivers are still a good play.
• Braylon Edwards - WR, New York Jets
  Because the Browns’ and Jets’ offenses have so much in common, Braylon Edwards was much further along than expected in his first practice.= I’m not buying it, timing was the problem with the passing game. The late decision by the Browns on their starting QB killed Edwards rhythm, he’ll need a week.

• Derrick Ward - RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  D.Ward (knee) made it through a complete week of practice and is listed as probable for Week 5.= Bench warmer with the Cadillac out of the shop

• Zach Miller – TE, Oakland Raiders
  Zach Miller (concussion) is listed as questionable for Week 5, but practiced fully Friday and is expected to start against the Giants.

• Greg Jennings – WR, Green Bay Packers
  Packers receivers coach Jimmy Robinson attributes Greg Jennings’ slow start to the pressure on Aaron Rodgers, which isn’t allowing Jennings the time to get downfield. = The bye week should give the Packers offensive line much needed rest to regroup, hence more pocket time for Rodgers.

• Felix Jones – RB, Dallas Cowboys
  Jones (knee) is officially listed as doubtful for Week 5.

• Roy Williams – WR, Dallas Cowboys
  Roy Williams (ribs) is listed as doubtful for Week 5 against Kansas City.

• Marc Bulger – QB, St. Louis Rams
  Bulger (shoulder) is listed as “questionable” on the injury report, and Kyle Boller is expected to get another start this week against the Vikings.

• Jonathan Stewart – RB, Carolina Panthers
  J.Stewart (Achilles’) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Redskins, but he returned to a complete practice Friday.
• Fred Taylor – RB, New England Patriots
  Fred Taylor revealed that Thursday’s ankle surgery was “more serious than a scope,” but he still hopes to return this season.

• Donnie Avery – WR, St. Louis Rams
  Rams starting wideouts Donnie Avery and Keenan Burton are both listed as questionable for Week 5 with hamstring injuries.

Fantasy Football:

Fantasy Football: Quick Hits

• Rashard Mendenhall – RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
  Steelers coach Mike Tomlin insisted Tuesday that Rashard Mendenhall is not in his doghouse, despite Mendenhall’s zero-carry Week 3.= Right now, Mendenhall is a pipe dream and should sit on your fantasy bench. He isn’t stealing anybodies job just yet
• Shonn Greene - RB, New York Jets
  Despite the Jets’ struggles on the ground in Week 3, coach Rex Ryan says the club has no immediate plans to get Shonn Greene more involved.=Greene has zero fantasy value on fantasy teams with little bench room, he is a long term project better for deep keeper leagues

• Kevin Smith – RB, Detroit Lions
  Kevin Smith revealed that he has a “tweaked” knee in addition to his reportedly “significant” shoulder injury.= Smith seems upbeat about his two injuries and might be in better shape than you think.

• Matt Forte – RB, Chicago Bears
  Bears beat writer Brad Biggs doesn’t believe that Matt Forte is running at 100 percent right now.= Not all the blame can be put on Forte, the running lanes don’t seem to be as open as they were a year ago.
• Beanie Wells – RB, Arizona Cardinals
  Beanie Wells was on the sidelines for virtually all of Week 3 because the Cardinals were in passing situations for most of the game. = Beanie Wells isn’t a smart fantasy option these days, at least with a guy like Donald Brown you know he’s going to get a few caries, but in Beanie’s case his value as a running back is being wasted on a team that loves to pass. With Hightower’s ability to catch and the questionable play calling in the red zone, some are left wondering why the Cardinals even drafted this power RB.
• Eddie Royal - WR, Denver Broncos
  The Broncos are employing Eddie Royal as strictly an outside wideout, but focusing on over-the-middle drag patterns in the passing game.= Another struggling second year player just trying to make plays. Royal owners need to be patent with Royal’s fantasy numbers as the first 3 games for the Broncos were against easy opponents that the running game and defense could control. Royal should break open in the next few games including the big home game against the Cowboys
• Clinton Portis – RB, Washington Redskins
  Redskins beat writer Jason Reid doesn’t believe Clinton Portis will reach 1,000 rushing yards this season.= The Redskins are in hot water and could be this years Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If a turnaround doesn’t start soon, expect this team to be stripped down and rebuilt next year.
• Felix Jones – RB, Dallas Cowboys
  ESPN Dallas’ Calvin Watkins reports Felix Jones will miss Sunday’s game at Denver with a sprained left knee. Tashard Choice rushed 18 times for 82 yards and a touchdown in the Cowboys’ Monday night victory.
• Frank Gore – RB, San Francisco 49ers
  The MRI Frank Gore underwent on Monday revealed a right ankle strain and a right hind foot sprain that will keep him out of action for approximately three weeks.= Glenn Coffee is a great sleeper who could do fine as Gore’s replacement.
• Pierre Thomas - RB, New Orleans Saints
  Coach Sean Payton confirmed Monday that the Saints are confident that Pierre Thomas is “close to 100 percent” after his 126-yard, two-touchdown effort against the Bills in Week 3. = Mike Bell was a nice waiver wire pick-up while it lasted. Expect to see more and more carries go Thomas’s way to the point where Bell becomes a non-factor.
• LeSean McCoy – RB, Philadelphia Eagles
  Eagles coach Andy Reid suggested Monday that LeSean McCoy will be in a rotation with Brian Westbrook going forward.= McCoy is playing great and getting a ton of action thanks to Westbrooks no action in the pre-season and his recent injury. McCoy will be the featured back in Philly before you know it.
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• LaDainian Tomlinson – RB, San Diego Chargers
  SI.com’s Peter King expects both LaDainian Tomlinson (ankle) and Shawne Merriman (groin) to play against the Steelers in Week 4. = The red zone problems continue for the Chargers and LT is the answer. Tomlinson’s new role might be becoming a Lendale White type back who comes in around the 20’s, as Sproles seems like he can handle everything else.
• Brandon Marshall – WR, Denver Broncos
  Coming off his best performance of the season, Brandon Marshall appears to have had an attitude change in Denver. = Someone finally got through to this kid and it’s about time. Marshall is a fantasy jackpot if you grabbed him late.

Fantasy Football: