News and Notes 9-26-12


Quarterbacks

*-Matt Stafford's leg injury is now being called a hip injury. It was speculated to be a hamstring injury earlier in the week, but turns out that's not the case. While Stafford is tentatively expected to be able to start week 4, he was held out of practice today and likely will miss tomorrow's practice as well. If he doesn't practice on Friday, I'd be concerned about him playing this week. Again, if you have Stafford, and you have the ability to grab his backup, Shaun Hill as insurance, I strongly encourage it.

*-Tom Brady was limited in practice today with a minor shoulder injury. It's not believed to be anything near serious enough to prevent him from starting week 4 though.


Running Backs

*-The Arizona Cardinals placed Beanie Wells on the "Designated for Return" Injured Reserve. That's the new IR listing that allows a team to bring back one player from IR later in the season. Wells' turf toe injury was going to cost him several weeks, so this move makes sense for the team. Wells is eligible to return in week 12. For your fantasy rosters though, unless you can keep him stashed for now, you may need to drop him and acquire someone who has more immediate value. Ryan Williams takes over as the Cardinals primary RB going forward and if available on your free agent wire, is a smart acquisition. La'Rod Stephens-Howling and William Powell move up the packing order, and the Cardinals re-signed Alfonso Smith for depth.

*-Fred Jackson practiced today in limited fashion but experienced soreness in his injured knee. Jackson is trying to push himself back for week 4 since Buffalo is likely going to be without C.J. Spiller the next week or two. But he's sounding questionable for week 4 and if he can't go, Tashard Choice would start in his place.

*-Matt Forte was able to do a little bit in practice today, but it's still considered a long shot that he'll be able to play Monday night against Dallas. We'll see how practices go tomorrow and Friday. Michael Bush looks to be likely to start again for Chicago. Bush has a shoulder injury but was able to practice today and it's believed he'll be okay for Monday night. However, we could see a good bit of Kahlil Bell if Bush's injury is more serious than we're currently being let on.

*-Washington placed Roy Helu on Injured Reserve today because of his turf toe injury. It wasn't reported as being a serious case, but apparently it was enough so for the Redskins to shut him down for the season. Ryan Grant moves up to #3 on the depth chart behind Alfred Morris and Evan Royster. Royster was limited in practice today because of a patellar strain in his knee and is considered questionable for week 4.  

*-Steven Jackson didn't practice today but it's believed he was just getting a day off to rest his still not fully healed groin injury. As long as Jackson practices by Friday, I expect him to be fine for this week.

*-Mikel LeShoure was limited in practice today because of a minor groin issue. However it's believed that like with Jackson, the Lions are just being careful with him as week 3 was his first real NFL game action since suffering the Achilles tendon injury that stopped his rookie season before it ever got started.

*-Willis McGahee was able to practice in limited fashion today despite a ribs injury. Barring any setbacks this week he should be fine for week 4.

*-Reggie Bush didn't practice because of what is being called a knee bruise. Until he can practice, I'd be very cautious trusting him in a starting fantasy lineup this week. If he can't go, Daniel Thomas and Lamar Miller would split up the duties for Miami this week.

*-Peyton Hillis didn't practice today. He has an ankle injury and his status for week 4 is very questionable. Even if he can play, I'd be surprised if he did much. I expect Shaun Draughn to be the top backup this week to Jamaal Charles.

*-Darren McFadden was limited in practice with a minor shoulder injury but he's fully expected to be fine to start week 4 without issue.


Wide Receivers

*-Jeremy Maclin practiced today and has declared that he'll be ready to go week 4. Barring any setbacks in practice on his hip injury, you should be able to consider Maclin for your starting lineups this weekend.

*-Pierre Garcon put in a limited practice today but his status for week 4 is still considered very questionable because of the foot injury that has prevented him from playing since week 1. Be sure to check out my Saturday Team by Team News and Notes I post in my blog for an update on Garcon, and all other players who have injury concerns.

*-Hakeem Nicks didn't practice today but is expected to tomorrow. Barring something unforeseen, Nicks should be able to start Sunday night.

*-Kenny Britt missed practice today with an ankle injury. Britt makes it interesting every season with a myriad of injuries that plague him week to week. First it was his surgically repaired knees, but now it's an ankle. It's not currently thought to be serious enough to jeopardize his ability to play week 4 though.

*-Cleveland has ruled Mohamed Massaquoi OUT for Thursday night's game. This shouldn't impact any of your likely starting fantasy lineups.

*-Laurent Robinson passed his concussion test but has not yet been cleared for contact practices. He remains questionable for week 4.

*-Julian Edelman was unable to practice because of his hand injury. His status for week 4 is very questionable and likely allows Wes Welker to get back into the starting lineup for the Patriots; which is where Welker belongs and Edelman doesn't.

*-Titus Young missed practice today because of a knee issue. It's not believed to be serious though and he should be okay for week 4.

*-Julio Jones was limited in practice today but his hand injury is very minor and he'll be just fine for week 4.

*-Last time I'm going to mention Calvin Johnson on a Wednesday as being held out or limited because of a phantom ankle or foot injury. If Megatron is ever really in jeopardy of having a real injury that actually threatens his status for a game, I'll let you know.


Tight Ends

*-Kyle Rudolph was held out of practice today because of a thigh injury. Likely he just has a minor quad strain after contorting his body to make a couple of circus style catches in week 3. Rudolph is fully expected to be fine to start for Minnesota week 4.

*-Jared Cook sat out practice today because of his shoulder injury. While the Titans say they are hopeful he can play week 4, if he doesn't practice by Friday I think unlikely he suits up. Craig Stevens would draw the start if Cook can't go.

*-As expected, Jacob Tamme was able to practice today and should be okay to play for Denver week 4 despite a minor groin injury. However, he may be limited some and makes a dicey fantasy play.

*-Brandon Myers apparently has passed his concussion test but still hasn't been cleared for contact practices yet. Consider him questionable for Oakland week 4.

*-Todd Heap missed practice today and his status for week 4 is questionable because of the minor knee sprain that caused him to miss week 3.

*-Your weekly Dustin Keller update says he was able to practice in limited fashion today. Keller has been unable to get over a hamstring injury since preseason and this is just another example of a player or team not doing the smart thing in resting a guy for 3-4 weeks to get over his injury. Instead he keeps trying to practice, and keeps aggravating it. Until Keller can either make it thru a complete week of practices, or get thru a game without a setback, keep him firmly planted on fantasy benches.