News and Notes 9-29-11


Quarterbacks

*-Tony Romo has been limited in practices this week as he deals with his cracked rib injury. He'll start week 4 without issue though.

*-Michael Vick practiced in full today and will start week 4 against San Francisco. He will have to wear a special glove on his right hand though for the game.


Running Backs

*-Ryan Mathews missed practice today because of a foot injury. Mathews was on his way to taking on the primary role over Mike Tolbert but this could open the door for it to become an even split situation, limiting the fantasy upside of Mathews. He is expected to be fine for week 4, but look for a more even split between him and Tolbert.

*-Frank Gore was limited in practice again today and it's likely he'll be listed as Questionable on tomorrow's injury report and considered a game time decision. I'd be looking to sit Gore this week as even if he does play he's likely to be limited and split a lot more time than normal with Kendall Hunter. If Gore doesn't play, Hunter becomes a solid RB3 and/or flex option against an Eagles defense that has been fantasy friendly to opposing RB's.

*-Ryan Grant missed practice today with his kidney bruise and I expect he'll be Questionable on the injury report and considered a game time decision. I'd stay away from Grant entirely this week even if he plays as he'd likely be limited and playing behind James Starks. Starks is a solid RB2 this week with great upside to be even more valuable if Grant doesn't play.

*-Adrian Peterson was limited in practice today again with his calf muscle strain. But he's fully expected to start week 4 without issue. AP is probably the top RB play this week against a really bad Kansas City run defense.

*-Beanie Wells was limited in practice again today with his hamstring injury. Unless he practices in full tomorrow I'd bet he'll be listed as Questionable and considered a game time decision. Wells insists he'll be fine to play this week but we heard the exact same rhetoric last week and then on game day Wells was declared inactive. Until he practices in full, or gets thru a game without aggravating it, I'd be wary of counting on Wells in fantasy starting lineups. If Wells is limited at all in the game this week or is made inactive, at least the Cardinals will have LaRod Stephens-Howling back this week to provide some spark and hope for their running game But I don't think I'd rush out and grab him as he isn't built for a big workload.

*-Steven Jackson practiced again today. Although his participation is listed as limited, he is fully expected to start and carry close to a full normal workload. The worst of his quad injury appears to be behind him.

*-Both Felix Jones and Knowshon Moreno were full participants in practice today and both will play week 4. Jones can be considered as a possible fantasy play this week depending on who else you have on your rosters; Moreno should be firmly planted on the bench between his time share with Willis McGahee and his matchup against a Green Bay run defense giving up an average of 7.5 fantasy points per game on the ground to opponents.


Wide Receivers

*-Hakeem Nicks was held out of practice today because of swelling in the knee he injured back in week 1. If the swelling doesn't go down by Saturday, I'd be worried about his chances of both playing, and being able to produce if he does play this week. Nicks says he'll be fine though and for now I'm taking his word on that.

*-While Roddy White was held out of practice today it's standard procedure for the Falcons to hold out the star WR from practices until Friday whenever he's get a boo-boo. He has a thigh issue but he is fully expected to start this week and you can do so with confidence.

*-Vincent Jackson missed a second day of practice with an abdominal strain. It's not believed to be serious though and he should be able to practice tomorrow and play this week. I expect he'll be fine for the game and that the Chargers are just being extra careful with their playmaking WR with Antonio Gates sounding unlikely to play.

*-Jackson's teammate Malcom Floyd was unable to practice today too because of his groin injury. No telling if he'll play this week or not, and I'd be hesitant to recommend him over other quality options if you have them.

*-Marques Colston was limited in practice again today and while it looks like he'll play this week, I still have my doubts. And even if he does play, I wouldn't be starting him as he very likely would be limited at best. This seems awfully strange to be forcing him back so quickly from a broken collarbone.

*-Dez Bryant didn't practice today as the Cowboys are resting the WR so he can be as healthy as possible for this week. He is expected to start week 4 without issue, but may be limited some as he is pushing thru his quad injury because Miles Austin won't play and the other Cowboys WR's looked sad last week.

*-Jeremy Maclin was able to practice some today, but he still seems like a long shot to play this week with his hamstring injury. Even if he is active, I'd rather find another option as I expect he'd be limited in playing time and in how effective he'd be.

*-Earl Bennett is not expected this week because of his chest injury. Word is he could miss a couple more games. If Dane Sanzenbacher can continue to be at least reliable replacing Bennett as the #3 WR in Chicago, it's likely Bennett will have no fantasy value.

*-Mario Manningham was limited in practice. There's been no official word that he's a full go for this week after missing last week with a concussion but all signs point to him being able to resume his place in the starting lineup.

*-After missing practice again today it's pretty much a sure thing Lee Evans will sit out week 4 and that Torrey Smith will start again in his place.

*-Plaxico Burress missed some practice today with a minor hamstring issue but he's fully expected to be fine to start this week.


Tight Ends

*-Antonio Gates didn't practice today and it's near certain he won't play this week. Look for Randy McMichael to draw the start in his place. McMichael isn't nearly the talent as Gates, nor even nearly as good as he used to be years ago, but he at least is serviceable if you're desperate and the available TE's on your free agent wire lack upside.

*-Jermichael Finley continues to be limited in practices because of his ankle injury. But it's not major and he'll be fine to start this week.