Week 8: Friday Injury Update

Here are some injury status updates for you as you set your rosters for Week 8:

QB Tony Romo (DAL): Romo (finger) is out this week. Advice: QB Brad Johnson will start again for Romo, but is not worth a spot on your roster. Although I do not expect him to repeat his abysmal performance from last week, it is clear that the Cowboys are not in a good place right now as a team.

QB Matt Hasselbeck (SEA): Hasselbeck (knee) will miss his third straight game. Advice: QB Seneca Wallace will get his second straight start, but he is not worth a spot on your roster.

QB Carson Palmer (CIN): Palmer (elbow) is out this week. Advice: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick will start in place of Palmer, and actually could be worth a start if you are having bye week or injury issues. The Texans do not have a great defense, and Fitzpatrick is throwing to WR Chad Johnson/Ochocinco and WR TJ Houshmandzadeh.

RB Steven Jackson (STL): Jackson (thigh) has been limited in practice this week and will likely be a game-time decision. Advice: I am sure many Jackson owners got excited after last week’s blow up performance, but you may end up without him this week. I think he will play, but if you have other reasonable options, you should probably look elsewhere.

RB Joseph Addai (IND): Addai (hamstring) is out this week. Advice: RB Dominic Rhodes will start in his place, but is not worth a start on your team, because he is up against a very tough Titans run defense.

RB Willis McGahee (BAL): McGahee (knee) was limited in practice this week, but is expected to play this weekend. Advice: McGahee had one of his best games of the year last week against a tough Miami run defense, so look for him to do well this weekend.

RB LaDainian Tomlinson (SD): Tomlinson (toe) is still battling with his turf toe injury, but should play. Advice: I cannot advise benching Tomlinson, but as with most previous weeks, you cannot expect too much from him.

RB Felix Jones (DAL): Jones (hamstring) is out this week, and may miss the next three weeks. Advice: Look for RB Marion Barber to continue to get the bulk of the carries while Jones is out.

RB Brian Westbrook (PHI): Westbrook (ribs, knee) claims he is ready to play, but his status for this week remains unclear. Advice: I think Westrbook will be back in the lineup this weekend, but he may not be 100% and may share time with RB Correll Buckhalter, to lessen the chances that he will reaggravate his injuries. If you have other (attractive) options, you might want to bench him this week, because even if he does play he will likely not receive a full load.

RB Sammy Morris (NE):Morris (knee) is expected to miss 2-3 weeks. Advice: If you need RB help, go pick up rookie RB Benjarvus Green-Ellis, who will likely start if Morris and RB LaMont Jordan are, in fact, out (you can never really trust the Patriots injury report). But also look for RB Kevin Faulk to get some touches (mostly in the passing game, though).

RB LaMont Jordan (NE): Jordan (calf) missed practice this week and is unlikely to play. Advice: See Morris, Sammy.

RB Willie Parker (PIT): Parker (knee) missed practice this week and is likely out this weekend. Advice: Once again, RB Mewelde Moore will take his place in the lineup. However, the Giants have a good defensive line, so do not expect Moore to put up numbers like he did last week. Only use him if you do not have any better options.

RB Larry Johnson (KC): Johnson is not injured, but will not play this week. Advice: RB Kolby Smith and RB Jamaal Charles will fill in for Johnson. Smith got more carries last week, but Charles was just as effective. However, neither are a very good option.

WR Plaxico Burress (NYG): Burress (neck) is back at practice, but his status for this week remains unclear. Advice: Burress has a history of playing through injuries, so I expect him to be in the lineup this weekend. However, neck injuries can be tricky, so check his status on Sunday afternoon before the game.

WR Chris Chambers (SD): Chambers (ankle) was back at practice this week, but was still somewhat limited. Advice: Chambers will likely be a game-time decision, and will not be 100% even if he does play. WR Malcom Floyd, who has 2 TD catches in his two starts in place of Chambers, will likely see some action either way, and makes a good start if Chambers is out.

WR Justin Gage (TEN): Gage (knee) was limited in practice this week but hopes to be ready for MNF. Advice: Since the Titans play on MNF, Gage will have an extra day to get ready. However, since the game is on Monday, you will be in a tough spot if you rely on him and he ends up not playing. Either way, I would not start Gage, since the Titans will likely rely heavily on the run, and he will not be 100% even if he does play.

WR Reggie Brown (PHI): Brown (groin) was limited in practice this week, but should be able to play this week. Advice: I would only start Brown if you really need him. WR Kevin Curtis (see below) will be back in the starting lineup this week, which means Brown will likely be used sparingly if his groin acts up.

WR Kevin Curtis (PHI): Curtis (sports hernia) was not on the injury report. Advice: Expect Curtis to be in the starting lineup for the Eagles this week, but do not expect too much from him, as he has been out since before the start of the season. He is definitely a sleeper, though.

WR Anquan Boldin (ARI): Boldin (head) is back to practice, but it is not certain that he will play this week. Advice: Unless you are desperate, I would leave Boldin on the bench. He does not have a good matchup, even if he does play.

WR Joey Galloway (TB): Galloway (foot) wants to play this weekend, but it is still not clear whether he is ready. Advice: Again, unless you are desperate, I would stay away. Galloway has a pretty good matchup against a weak Cowboys secondary, but he has been out for awhile.

WR Santonio Holmes (PIT): Holmes is not injured, but he has been suspended for one game by the Steelers a the result of an arrest related to marijuana possession on Thursday. Advice: It is not clear yet whetehr the NFL will get involved and suspend Holmes for any additional games, but he is out at least 1 game. And while he is out, WR Nate Washington will take his place in the starting lineup. Washington has 2 long TD catches in the last two games, and is a sneaky good play against a NYG’s defense that has been struggling against the pass recently (see the Browns game from two weeks ago).

TE Jeremy Shockey (NO): Shockey (sports hernia) was limited in practice this week but is expected to play. Advice: Shockey has a very good matchup against the Chargers, so he makes a good play, assuming he does not have any setbacks.

TE Kellen Winslow (CLE): Winslow is not injured, but he has been suspended for one game. Advice: Bench him and look for help elsewhere. If you are absolutely desperate, his backup (TE Steve Heiden) is a sleeper, although he has missed some practice time this week himself. Rooke TE Martin Rucker, who is ready to play after missing the early part of the season with a knee injury, is a super-sleeper.

Week 7: Friday Injury Update

Here are some key players who are injured heading into week 7:

QB Tony Romo (DAL): Romo (finger) might play this weekend, but the Cowboys will not say whether he will for sure. Advice: Unfortunately, we may not know until right before the game if Romo will play. Whether it is Romo or QB Brad Johnson, he is worth a start. But check back for updates on Romo.

QB Matt Hasselbeck (SEA): Hasselbeck (knee) is out this week. Advice: After missing last week, backup QB Seneca Wallace will start this week against the Bucs. However, I would not advice starting Wallace unless you are absolutely desperate.

QB Eli Manning (NYG): Manning (chest) was injured against the Browns last week. Advice: Manning is expected to play this weekend and is a safe start.

RB Clinton Portis (WAS): Portis (hip flexor) missed practice this week but is expected to play. Advice: Portis has been an absolut beast this year and has a great matchup against a Browns defense that gave up over 180 rushing yards last week against the Giants. Start him with confidence.

RB Joseph Addai (IND): Addai (hamstring) is out 2-4 weeks with a hamstring injury. Advice: Mike Hart (knee) is also out, so RB Dominic Rhodes will get the start. He makes a good play against a weak Packers run defense.

RB Reggie Bush (NO): Bush (knee) missed practice this week, but is expected to play this weekend. Advice: I think Bush will be fine (and so do his coaches), so you can put him in the lineup.

RB Willie Parker (PIT): Parker (knee) was expected to return this week, but re-aggravated his knee injury in practice. Advice: It sounds like RB Mewelde Moore might get the start this weekend, as the Steelers rest Parker for one more week. Who ever starts makes a good play against the Bengals.

WR Marques Colston (NO): Colston (thumb) is expected to be back this week after being out since week 1. Advice: If you are this at WR, considering starting Colston. But I would not expect much in his first action in over a month.

WR Joey Galloway (TB): Galloway (foot) has practiced and could return this week. Advice: I would stay away from him until you know he is ready to go for sure. But if you need him, check back before the games on Sunday to see if he is active.

WR Chris Chambers (SD): Chambers (ankle) missed practice on Thursday due to an ankle injury, and is unlikely to play this week. Advice: I expect WR Malcom Floyd, who had 3 catches for 75 yards and a TD last week, to step into the lineup for Chambers again this week.

WR Calvin Johnson (DET): Johnson (concussion) has been practicing and is expected to play this weekend. Advice: Even with Orlovsky at QB, Johnson is a guy you gotta keep in your lineup, especially against the Texans, who can struggle against the pass.

WR Brandon Lloyd (CHI): Lloyd (knee) is likely out this week. Advice: I expect WR Devin Hester to continue to get more looks while Lloyd is on the sideline. Lloyd is at least one more week away.

WR Eddie Royal (DEN): Royal (ankle) was a somewhat surprising scratch last week but is expected to play this week. Advice: I thought he would go last week and he ended up sitting out. But I think he is a much safer play this week.

WR Brandon Stokley (DEN): Stokley (concussion) has not practiced and is likely out this week. Advice: Although Stokley played well while Royal was sidelined, he would be back to 3rd on the depth chart this week even if he could play, so I would stay away regardless.

TE Tony Scheffler (DEN): Scheffler (groin) has been limited in practice this week and is unlikely to play. Advice: The Broncos will likely rest Scheffler, since next week is their bye. So look for him to return in week 9. TE Nate Jackson will get the start in place of Scheffler.

TE Jeremy Shockey (NO): Like Colston, Shockey (sports hernia) is expected to return this week. Advice: Again, as with Colston, I would only start Shockey if you are desperate. It is hard to say what his role will be this weekend, if he plays at all.

TE Kellen Winslow (CLE): Winslow (unknown illness) was hospitalized last weekend and missed the MNF game against the Giants. Advice: Winslow returned to practice this week, but it is unclear whether he is ready to play this weekend. Check for updtes before the games on Sunday, but I would not rely on him this week.

Week 6: Friday Injury Update

Here are some injury updates for key players as you adjust your rosters for week 6 action:

QB Aaron Rodgers (GB): Rodgers (shoulder) has been limited in practice but will play. Advice: Start him. Rodgers played very well last week and should put up good numbers against the Seahawks.

QB Jon Kitna (DET): Kitna (back) is likely a game-time decision.  Advice: If Kitna cannot go, Orlovsky will get the start. But neither is worth starting on your team.

QB Carson Palmer (CIN): Palmer (elbow) is out this week. Advice: Fitzpatrick will get the start. Even though the Jets do not have a great pass defense, I would shy away from Fitzpatrick.

QB Brian Griese (TB): Griese (elbow) is likely out this week. Advice: If Griese does not play, Garcia will play instead. But neither one excites me too much against the Panthers.

QB Matt Hasselbeck (SEA): Hasselbeck (knee) may be out this week. Advice: Bench him. Green Bay’s defense is not great, but it will likely contain an injured Hasselbeck who has no WRs to throw to. Also, backup Seneca Wallace missed some practice this week, so Charlie Frye could get the start.

RB Brian Westbrook (PHI): Westbrook (ribs, ankle) is out this week. Advice: Bench Westbrook and start Buckhalter.

RB Justin Fargas (OAK): Fargas is ready to go. Advice: Fargas is the starter in Oakland and is worth a start if you are thin at RB. But its not clear how he will be used with Bush and McFadden in the mix.

RB Selvin Young (DEN): Young (groin) is out this week. Advice: Pittman will get the start in Denver, I believe, and he is worth a start if you are thin at RB.

WR Roddy White (ATL): White (possible concussion) could miss the game this weekend. Advice: Check the reports early Sunday to see if he is active. Either way, White has a bad matchup.

WR Eddie Royal (DEN): Royal (ankle) is expected to play. Advice: Play Royal if you need him, but he will likely be somewhat limited.

WR Reggie Brown (PHI): Brown is out this week. Advice: Bad news if you have Brown, but good news if you have DeSean Jackson (who has not done nearly as well when Brown is in the lineup).

WR Joey Galloway (TB): Galloway thought he might be close, but will likely miss yet another game. Advice: Antonio Bryant replaces him and is a decent start.

WR Marques Colston (NO): Colston (thumb) will be active this week. Advice: Bench him unless you are desperate. He will only play in 3 and 4 WR sets.

WR Chris Chambers (SD): Chambers (leg) is out this week. Advice: Bench him. Look for Craig Davis to get some extra looks.

WR Mike Walker (JAX): Walker (knee) is out this week. Advice: Bench him. Walker was a popular waiver wire addition this week, but it looks like you will have to wait for him to produce for you.

WR Anquan Boldin (ARI): Boldin (head) is out this week. Advice: Steve Breaston makes a good start.

TE Jeremy Shockey (NO): Shockey (sports hernia) hoped to make his return this week, but missed practice again Thursday and is unlikely to play. Advice: Avoid Shockey unless you are desperate.

TE Tony Sheffler (DEN): Sheffler (groin) is out this week. Advice: TE Nate Jackson will get some extra looks and is worth a start if you have no other options.

TE Kellen Winslow (CLE): Winslow missed practice this week due to a mysterious “illness” and might miss the game this weekend. Advice: Bench him. Winslow has struggled this year and he has a very poor matchup.