News and Notes 10-04-12


Quarterbacks

*-Tom Brady was limited in practice again today because of a sore shoulder. But it's really nothing to be concerned with. I fully expect Brady to practice in full tomorrow and think the Patriots are just resting him. After all, how many practice reps does Tom Brady really need?

*-Minnesota's Christian Ponder was limited in practice again today, too. Ponder has a minor hip injury but is in no danger of missing this week's game against Tennessee.


Running Backs

*-Reggie Bush was put in a full practice today despite his hip/knee issue. He is fully expected to be fine to start week 5 for the Dolphins.

*-Matt Forte practiced today and despite some lingering soreness in his ankle, he is fully expected to be okay to start this week for Chicago against Jacksonville.

*-Arian Foster showed up on the injury report with a hamstring issue, but it has to be minor as he was a full participant in practice today.

*-Speaking of the Texans, Ben Tate was held out of practice again today. Tate didn't practice yesterday and is dealing with a toe injury. It's not known if it's serious enough to threaten his status for Monday night or not. Unless Tate practices Friday or Saturday, he will be a high risk play as a fantasy flex option. If he doesn't play, Justin Forsett would be the backup to Arian Foster in a sweet matchup against the Jets dead last ranked fantasy run defense.

*-Week 4 fantasy darling Brandon Bolden of the Patriots was limited in practice for a second straight day today. Bolden has a minor knee issue. With the way the Patriots rotate their RB's based on injury status, this could be a sign that Bolden may not play nearly as much week 5 as he did in week 4. A very high risk fantasy play this week as a desperation flex option.

*-Peyton Hillis continues to miss practice because of his ankle injury. I think it's a fair bet Hillis won't be playing week 5 for the Chiefs and expect Shaun Draughn to be the backup to Jamaal Charles this week.


Wide Receivers

*-Hakeem Nicks has been ruled OUT for week 5 because of his knee and foot injuries. With Ramses Barden still unable to practice because of a concussion, Domenik Hixon will start in place of Nicks and Reuben Randle should end up being the Giants #3 WR this week against Cleveland.

*-Greg Jennings has also been ruled OUT for week 5. Jennings and the Packers are making good on their word about letting Jennings groin injury heal up completely so it isn't an issue all season long. James Jones will start in his place and probably will week 6 as well as I expect it will take more than just one week for the injury to heal up.

*-Andre Johnson was listed as limited in practice today with a minor groin issue. It's not serious though and Johnson will be fine for Monday night.

*-Pierre Garcon practiced in full again today. Garcon isn't fully recovered from his week 1 foot injury, but he should be good to go this week and after he played thru it without any setbacks in week 4, a bigger offensive role this week can be expected. Backup WR Aldrick Robinson is expected to play despite having suffered a minor concussion, but with a healthy Garcon, Robinson is off the fantasy radar.

*-Lance Moore missed practice again today because of a hamstring injury. If Moore doesn't practice again tomorrow, I'd be very concerned about starting him this week in fantasy lineups. The Saints did re-sign Greg Camarillo earlier in the week so they may be expecting Moore to miss this week. Be sure to check out my team by team news and notes I post every Saturday in my blog for the latest on Moore and other players who may be questionable.

*-Torrey Smith practiced in full again today for the Ravens and he appears to be a full go for week 5 despite having suffered a minor ankle injury last Thursday night against Cleveland.

*-Philadelphia's Jeremy Maclin isn't on the practice report injury listings and it appears he has finally put his early season hip injury behind him. Maclin can be considered as you normally would.

*-Kenny Britt continues to look unlikely to play week 5 for the Titans. Britt hasn't been able to shake off his recent ankle injury and was unable to practice again today. While he hasn't been ruled out for week 5 yet, I expect Britt isn't going to play, or be severely limited if does. Kendall Wright will start again in his place if he can't go.

*-Jacksonville's Laurent Robinson still hasn't been cleared to practice at all after sustaining a concussion last week. He is not expected to play this week. Undrafted rookie Kevin Elliot likely will start in his place, but he isn't a fantasy consideration and it's more likely Cecil Shorts would be the prime beneficiary of potential increased targets.

*-Stephen Hill is still not practicing because of his hamstring injury. He appears to be very questionable to play Monday night for the Jets.

*-Julian Edelman wasn't able to practice again today either. Edelman has a hand injury and although the Patriots won't reveal the specifics about the injury, it's believed to be a bone fracture so he may miss more than just week 5.


Tight Ends

*-Rob Gronkowski returned to practice today after sitting out yesterday to rest a minor hip injury. Gronkowski will be fine for week 5.

*-On another Patriots note, Aaron Hernandez was able to practice in limited fashion today. It's the first time he's been able to practice since injuring his ankle back in week 2. While Hernandez is considered very unlikely to play week 5, there's a chance he could be back in week 6.

*-Jared Cook is still being limited in practices because of the shoulder injury he suffered week 3. He played thru it week 4 though and should be fine for the Titans this week when they face Minnesota.

*-Owen Daniels was listed as limited in practice today because of a minor thigh injury. He probably has a quad bruise, but will be okay for Monday night.

*-Dustin Keller is still unable to practice because of his lingering hamstring injury. His status for Monday night has to be considered Questionable at best. I keep saying it night after night, week after week: keep Keller on the bench until he can either make it thru a full week of practices, or he gets thru a game without aggravating the injury.

*-Coby Fleener practiced in full today after being limited yesterday with an undisclosed head injury. Full participation is a good sign that it's not a concussion we weren't told about and Fleener should be okay to play for the Colts this week.