News and Notes 9-20-12


Quarterbacks

*-John Skelton was able to practice in limited fashion today for the Cardinals. But he remains doubtful to play and Kevin Kolb is still fully expected to start this week against the Eagles, even if Skelton manages to avoid being inactive.


Running Backs

*-Steven Jackson missed practice again today because of his groin injury. While not believed to be serious, it's troubling he has been unable to practice. He's almost assured of being listed as Questionable on the official injury report that comes out Friday night and considered a game time decision. I hope those of you with Jackson either have another quality option you can start in his place, or have listened to me the last 2 days when I said to acquire Daryl Richardson as insurance.

*-Matt Forte was unable to practice again today. He is not expected to play week 3, and possibly not weeks 4 or 5 either. Michael Bush is fully expected to be the Bears featured RB this week against the Rams.

*-Ryan Mathews has been able to practice in full and appears on track to start this week for the Chargers. Just to be sure though you'll want to be looking for my Saturday team by team news and notes I post in my blog on Saturday afternoon. But for now, he looks like he'll be a full go this weekend as the Chargers featured RB.

*-Marshawn Lynch was limited in practice today but it's believed to be just rest by the team and not anything to be concerned with.

*-Latest word on Jamaal Charles is that he suffered a knee bruise week 2 and not any aggravation associated with his recovery from the 2011 torn ACL. Even though Charles has been able to practice in full so far this week, his knee will be a concern and make him a risky play even when he has a sweet matchup like he has this week against the Saints. High risk/high reward play this week for those who are willing to gamble on him.

*-Jonathan Dwyer returned to a full practice today after sitting out yesterday with his minor toe injury. This was the same routine he had last week and he should be fine this week to consider as a RB2/3 or flex option.  

*-Ryan Williams was limited in practice today because of a minor knee injury. Williams is fully expected to be fine to play this week against the Eagles but after 2 poor games he is behind Beanie Wells in the Cardinals RB rotation and not a recommended fantasy option.

*-After early week optimism that Rashad Jennings may be able to be active this week for Jacksonville, he was unable to practice today. Jennings probably will try to target a week 4 return from his knee injury, but he's nothing more than the handcuff for Maurice Jones-Drew. 

*-James Starks was able to practice in limited fashion today, but he's probably another week or two away from seeing any game action. Even then, unless Cedric Benson struggles, Starks isn't likely to hold any fantasy value.


Wide Receivers

*-As expected, Calvin Johnson returned to a full practice today after sitting out yesterday with a supposed ankle issue. This is the exact same thing that happened all of 2011; Johnson was rested in Wednesday practices, only to return on Thursday's. He's fine and in no danger of not being the usual Megatron week 3.

*-Also as expected, Mike Wallace returned to practice today after sitting out yesterday. Officially, the Steelers are listing him with a groin injury, but he's fully expected to be fine and start without issue week 3. Teammate Emmanuel Sanders also returned to practice today after sitting out yesterday as well with a minor knee issue.

*-Julio Jones and Roddy White were limited in practice again today. Both are fine and just being rested in practices. Officially Jones was limited because of a thigh injury and White because of a knee issue. No need to worry about them though. Start them if you have them with confidence.

*-Greg Jennings is sounding iffy for Monday night's game against Seattle. Jennings was held out of practice today and he's sounding like he'll be listed as Questionable for Monday night because of the groin injury that prevented him from playing week 2. Do yourself a huge favor and just plan on keeping Jennings on your bench this week. No need to risk taking the zero in the boxscore on a Monday night inactive.  

*-Staying with the Packers, Randall Cobb was officially limited in practice today because of a minor hamstring strain. He's expected to be okay for Monday night, but just like with Jennings, there's no reason to risk the zero in the boxscore because you decided to roll the dice on a guy with any type of injury on the Monday night game.

*-Pierre Garcon was limited in practice again today with his foot injury. It's sounding like Garcon will again be Questionable for week 3 and considered a game time decision. Leonard Hankerson and Aldrick Robinson would split up the WR duties again this week if Garcon were to miss the game.

*-Brandon Lloyd was limited in practice for a second straight day today with what is being called a thigh injury. Currently, it's expected that Lloyd will be fine for week 3, but again, be sure to look at the Saturday team by team news and notes I post in my blog Saturday afternoons for the latest on Lloyd.

*-Jeremy Maclin was able to practice in limited fashion today, but he's still considered very questionable for week 3 because of his hip injury. Even if he is able to play, I would expect him to be limited. He wasn't able to finish week 2 after aggravating the injury and that could be the case again if he pushes himself too hard too quickly.

*-Marques Colston was limited some in practice again today because of a foot injury. It's not believed to be anything serious, but two consecutive limited practices raises an eyebrow. For now, I fully expect him to be fine to consider as a starting fantasy WR this week.

*-Austin Collie was able to practice in full again today. It's the first time in a while Collie has put together back to back practices and it's looking like he may be able to play this week. But all this really does is take some of the potential shine off Donnie Avery. Avery had looked good the first 2 games in place of Collie, but if Collie does play, it's hard to trust Avery to get the targets he's been receiving in Collie's absence. I'd be ready to keep both Collie and Avery on the bench this week.


Tight Ends

*-Antonio Gates practiced again today. No word whether he was a full participant or not, but this is a good sign he was able to practice on consecutive days. While this is a positive step in his being active week 3, I'm still concerned after being burned last week by reports all the way up until game time that he was expected to play only to be a game time scratch. I have a backup plan for Gates this week ready to go and you should too.

*-Heath Miller missed practice again today for the second consecutive day because of his ribs injury. Miller's a tough guy and probably will play this week despite likely being listed as Questionable when the injury report comes out. But I wouldn't recommend starting him and think it best to play it safe and keep him on the bench. There's too many other quality TE options to be chancing a guy with Miller's limited upside.

*-Dustin Keller was able to practice in limited fashion today. However he's still likely to be listed as Questionable for this week because of his lingering hamstring injury and I would recommend keeping him benched this week.