News and Notes 9-14-11


Quarterbacks:

*-Cincinnati's Andy Dalton was unable to practice today because of his wrist injury. Reports are he is having problems gripping the football, and may not be able to go week 2. While nothing is official yet, I anticipate that Bruce Gradkowski will get the start for the Bengals.

*-Better news on Sam Bradford of St. Louis. He was able to practice and appears on track to start Monday night. However, I would recommend strongly considering other options for your starting fantasy lineups as I want to see Bradford have no issue throwing the football with that finger injury he has on his throwing hand.

 *-Mark Sanchez of the Jets had a concussion test done as a precaution after he got battered in the week 1 matchup against Dallas, but results came back negative and he is expected to be fine for week 2.


Running Backs

*-Arian Foster practiced today and barring any setbacks between now and Sunday it now appears he should be okay to start. I am always cautious when it comes to RB's and hamstring injuries though and want to see him have no problems practicing the rest of the week before deciding he should be in starting lineups this week. Those with Ben Tate should have another option ready to go in case Foster is able to start. Derrick Ward did not practice and it seems his ankle injury may be worse than is being let on. Ben Tate is the definite fantasy player to have behind Foster.

*-Denver's Knowshon Moreno is considered day to day with a hamstring injury. It's only been 2 days since the Monday night game so it isn't a surprise that he didn't practice. If he doesn't practice by Friday, that will be a clear indication you should keep him on your bench.

*-Miami's Daniel Thomas practiced today and barring any setbacks in his injured hamstring he may be able to get some playing time this week. Just don't expect much right away from him, and be sure to keep him on your bench until he shows us something better than what he did in preseason.

*-Oakland's Darren McFadden has a minor shoulder injury and was limited in practice today but he's expected to be just fine to start this week against Buffalo.


Wide Receivers

*-Hakeem Nicks of the Giants vows to play Monday night against the Rams despite a bruised and hyper-extended knee injury. Reports are that as long as the swelling on the knee comes down, he should be able to play thru it. But I would be very cautious with him as this is not a good injury for a WR. If he has any setbacks in practices, Domenik Hixon would start in his place opposite Mario Manningham. The Giants also signed free agent WR Brandon Stokley today. It's believed they are losing confidence in Victor Cruz's ability to be their slot WR.

*-Detroit's Calvin Johnson was held out of practice today because of an ankle injury, but it's considered minor and he is fully expected to be fine for week 2.

*-Seattle's Sidney Rice practiced today and barring any setbacks between now and the weekend should be okay to play week 2. But considering the awful Seattle QB situation and a road matchup against what should be an angry Pittsburgh Steelers team, I wouldn't have him in my starting lineups.

*-New Orleans says it may have Marques Colston back sooner than expected. The original prognosis was for about an 8 week absence, but they say he may come back by week 6. Also with the Saints, Lance Moore was limited in practice today as he struggles to recover from a groin injury. I'd be surprised if he played this week.

*-Chicago's Roy Williams didn't practice and his status for week 2 is uncertain because of his groin injury. Even if he manages to play, I'd expect him to be severely limited and not very effective.

*-The Rams Danny Amendola is trying to prove his toughness by lobbying the training staff to let him play Monday night against the Giants. Amendola has a dislocated elbow and I think saner heads will prevail. I still anticipate him missing the next few weeks, but we'll have to wait and see if he can come back sooner than that.

*-Denver hasn't the results of an MRI done on Brandon Lloyd's injured groin. Lloyd didn't practice today and his status for week 2 is uncertain.

*Dallas's Dez Bryant did not practice because of a minor quad injury. I'll be worried if he doesn't practice at all tomorrow, but for now, I think he'll be fine.

*-Baltimore's Lee Evans aggravated his preseason ankle injury in week 1 and was unable to practice today. Even if he plays week 2, be sure to keep him on your bench.

*-Kansas City rookie Jonathan Baldwin missed practice today and is unlikely to play week 2. He's barely worth a roster spot in non-dynasty leagues.

*-Oakland's Jacoby Ford is nursing a sore hamstring and he didn't practice today. His week 2 status is unknown and is probably best left on fantasy benches until he is totally healed up. Also with Oakland, Louis Murphy is still hobbled by a groin injury and is likely to miss this week's game.


Tight Ends

*-Jacksonville's Marcedes Lewis didn't practice today and is not expected to practice tomorrow either because of his calf injury. Even if he plays, you should keep him on your fantasy bench.

*-Oakland's Kevin Boss was limited in practice today, but at least he practiced for the first time in weeks. Boss has been dealing with a knee sprain since preseason and while he may be able to return as soon as this week, I would be loathe to trust him until he makes thru a game.