News and Notes 9-28-11


Quarterbacks

*-Michael Vick participated in practice and there is almost no doubt now that he will start week 4 despite his bruised hand.

*-No word out of Indianapolis yet but the signing of Dan Orlovsky yesterday is a good sign that Kerry Collins won't be active week 4. It will be Curtis Painter at the helm for the Colts this week.

*-A couple of QB's who are banged up but fully expected to be fine to start week 4 include Tony Romo and his ribs injury; Phillip Rivers with a chest bruise; Mark Sanchez with his broken nose; and Jason Campbell with a minor foot injury.


Running Backs

*-Arian Foster practiced in full today and while he is expected to start week 4, the Texans may put him on a limited play count. This would make sense as they have a quality option in Ben Tate behind him. While Foster may not get the full workload he usually gets when healthy, he's still the fantasy RB to have in your starting lineups this week barring any late week setbacks.

*-Ryan Grant was unable to practice today because of kidney bruise. His status for week 4 is very uncertain as the reports conflict about whether he'll be okay or not. Either way, I fully expect James Starks to be the primary RB this week for the Packers.

*-Frank Gore was limited in practice today and while this is a good sign for his chances of playing this week it's still early in the week to know.

*-Beanie Wells was limited in practice today with his hamstring injury. His status for week 4 is still uncertain.

*-Cedric Benson is now expected to play week 4. His appeal of a 3 game league imposed suspension isn't expected to be ruled on until next week now.

*-Jason Snelling is expected to miss this week with a concussion. Jacquizz Rodgers will be the top backup to Michael Turner this week.

*-Peyton Hillis returned to a full practice today but the Browns are saying they are going to increase the role of backup Montario Hardesty after he performed well in Hillis' place last week. Hillis is still expected to be the primary RB, but he could be spelled more often than usual by Hardesty going forward.

*-Miami signed Steve Slaton today. He'll have little fantasy value as the #3 or #4 RB behind Daniel Thomas, Reggie Bush, and maybe Lex Hilliard.


Wide Receivers

*-Lee Evans is sounding unlikely to play week 4. He missed last week with his ankle injury and another week off, plus the Ravens bye next week, should allow it to get healed up. Expect Torrey Smith to start this week again, but whether he can have another 100 yards and 3 TD's game against the Jets is a bit unrealistic.

*-New Orleans says it expects to have Marques Colston back this week. Colston is less than a month removed from suffering a broken collarbone and was originally slated to miss 6 weeks. Not sure why they're hurrying him along, but even if they're serious and he does play, I would expect him to be limited some, and possibly not as willing to stretch out for catches as he normally would be. I still firmly believe Robert Meachem is the best WR from the Saints to have, although Colston's return could really hurt the upside of Devery Henderson. Lance Moore is also there and healthy now so it's a bit harder to trust any of the Saints WR's.

*-No practice today for Jeremy Maclin. It seems very unlikely he'll week 4 because of his hamstring injury.

*-Jacoby Ford practiced today and barring any setbacks later in the week is expected to play for Oakland this week. But he may not be 100% so I'd be keeping him benched if you have other quality options.

*-Tennessee officially placed Kenny Britt on injured reserve today and signed Donnie Avery. Avery will be the #5 WR until he gets up to speed on the offense and could be a possible sleeper if he can stay healthy. The Titans also said that Damien Williams and not Lavelle Hawkins will take over as the starter. Williams is now the preferred WR to have of the 2 for the truly desperate.

*-Danny Amendola says he expects to play week 4, but the Rams haven't said anything about it and considering Amendola is only a couple of weeks removed from a dislocated elbow injury I'd be surprised if he were active myself.

*-Roy Williams of Chicago is not on the practice report injury listings. His health is a constant thorn in the side of fantasy owners of Johnny Knox. Speaking of the Bears it's likely that Earl Bennett is going to miss week 4 with his chest bruise injury.

*-Amongst WR's who were either held out of practice today or limited but are fully expected to be fine for week 4 include Andre Johnson, Calvin Johnson, Steve Johnson, Mike Wallace, Roddy White, Dez Bryant, Vincent Jackson, Malcom Floyd, and Mohamed Massaquoi.


Tight Ends

*-The Antonio Gates watch continues. And as expected he didn't practice today and is sounding unlikely to play week 4. Officially, I'll be amazed if they rule him out before Sunday but I doubt he's going to play.

*-David Thomas of the Saints suffered a concussion week 3 and his status for week 4 is very uncertain. Not that he's a fantasy consideration anyway but just noteworthy.

*-Aaron Hernandez says he hopes to play this week. His sprained knee was supposed to sideline him for two games though and it would be a real surprise if he were active for week 4.

*-A few TE's were limited or held out in practice today but are fully expected to be fine for week 4. These include Jermichael Finley, Brandon Pettigrew, and Todd Heap.