This week’s bye team: Denver.AFC East
Buffalo — RB Antowain Smith continues to be bothered by a turf-toe injury
and is questionable for Sunday. RB Jonathan Linton (knee) isn’t 100 percent
either but is a much better fantasy choice than Smith at this point. … TE Jay Riemersma’s
groin injury has flared up again, putting his status for Sunday into question.
Indianapolis — WR E.G. Green (knee) has returned to practice, but
don’t expect him to return to the role he assumed earlier in the season. Terrence
Wilkins has established himself as the starter. … TE Ken Dilger should
return from a concussion this week.
Miami — QB Dan Marino (neck) is expected to return to the lineup Thursday,
though it won’t become official until game time. If you have to get your lineup in
Wednesday night and don’t want to risk it, you might want to go in another direction.
… One of Marino’s favorite targets, WR O.J. McDuffie, has a toe injury.
He should play but won’t be 100 percent.
New England — QB Drew Bledsoe has really struggled the last two games, but
it’s too soon to think about pulling him from your lineup. Same goes for WR Terry
Glenn, who will come around if Bledsoe comes around.
N.Y. Jets — TE Eric Green is expected to return to the lineup from a knee
injury, but he may not start. Green was not a factor in the offense at all before he got
hurt, catching only four passes for 12 yards and one touchdown. … The Jets’ run
defense took a hit when NT Jason Ferguson was suspended for violating the
league’s steroid policy. That’s good news for fantasy-leaguers who own Colts RB Edgerrin
James.
AFC Central
Cincinnati — Rookie QB Akili Smith’s toe injury could keep him out the
rest of the season, meaning Jeff Blake most likely will be the Bengals’
starter from here on out. He has been a decent fantasy performer.
Jacksonville — Head coach Tom Coughlin apparently doesn’t believe in
holding out players if there is any chance they can play. At least that’s the case
with RB Fred Taylor, who has been dealing with a lingering hamstring injury for
most of the season. Word is that Taylor has been practicing this week in anticipation of
playing in Week 12 vs. the Ravens. That’s right, Fred Taylor will see the field this
week, barring any late-week setbacks. Even though he’s not 100 percent, Coughlin
wants his best back available. That flies in the face with what many people around
Jacksonville want to see happen, which is to rest Taylor until he’s totally healthy,
thus keeping him available down the stretch and during a playoff run.
Pittsburgh — Despite his team’s recent offensive struggles, Steelers head
coach Bill Cowher is not planning on making any big changes this week. However, if
the slump continues, he could tinker with his lineup, starting with the WR spot currently
occupied by Courtney Hawkins. It’s only a matter of time before Troy
Edwards becomes a starter.
AFC West
Kansas City — Head coach Gunther Cunningham said earlier this week that he
has no plans to release Bam Morris, and that the running back may be active for
Sunday’s game vs. the Raiders. Said Cunningham: "Bam needs to continue to
impress me with his weight. He said he was at 255 pounds. I said, ‘Bam, if you
continue to be at 255, you’ll get the opportunity to play.’ "
San Diego — Backup QB Erik Kramer (neck) has been placed on injured
reserve, so it’s Jim Harbaugh’s show, unless (and this is a long shot) Ryan
Leaf works his way back into the Chargers’ good graces and onto the football
field. … RB Natrone Means (knee) is not expected to return this week.
Seattle — Be careful with WR Joey Galloway. After catching four passes for
88 yards in his return to action in Week 10, Galloway caught one pass for 18 yards last
week, and head coach Mike Holmgren noted how sore and fatigued Galloway was.
Apparently, Galloway is going through now what players usually go through immediately
after training camp — they hit a wall. The only difference here is that Galloway hit
it in Week 11 because of his contract holdout.
NFC East
Arizona — The Cardinals will again be without RB Michael Pittman, who
missed last week with a toe injury. Meanwhile, QB Jake Plummer has been cleared to
play. He has missed four games with a broken finger. However, don’t start him this
week, as head coach Vince Tobin said that because Dave Brown has won his
last two starts, there is no need to rush Plummer back.
Dallas— QB Troy Aikman returns to the lineup this week, after missing the
past two weeks with a concussion. While his presence would lead you to believe the
Cowboys’ offense would be getting a jump-start in the Thanksgiving Day game, that may
be a bit presumptuous. The Cowboys are facing the Dolphins, who feature one of the best
defenses in the NFL. Aikman has never been a fantasy football superstar anyway, so it
might be best to go with another starting quarterback if you have the luxury.
N.Y. Giants — If you’ve got Kent Graham on your roster, it might be
time to ditch him. Graham has been relegated to the bench for the remainder of the year,
barring injury to new starter Kerry Collins. Meanwhile, if you have been playing WR
Joe Jurevicius in hopes of the second-year pro having a breakthrough game, quit it.
Head coach Jim Fassel is fed up with Jurevicius’ dropped passes and will give
more playing time to David Patten.
Philadelphia — WR Charles Johnson is expected to be out a minimum of three
weeks after tearing the medial collateral ligament in his left knee in Week 11. That means
an increased role for Torrance Small and possibly rookie Na Brown.
NFC Central
Green Bay — The Packers are uncertain about the status of WR Antonio Freeman,
who left last Sunday’s game vs. the Lions with a slight concussion. GM Ron Wolf
said that Freeman was still dazed Monday and had been vomiting as a result. But Wolf
believed there was a good chance that Freeman would play Monday night vs. the 49ers.
Minnesota — Despite being arrested on chargers of disorderly conduct and substance
possession last weekend, RB Leroy Hoard will play vs. the Chargers on Sunday.
… The Vikings will pay close attention to WR Jake Reed’s progress this
week in practice. Reed was benched in Minnesota’s Week 10 win over Chicago after
dropping another key pass. If Reed can string together some strong performances in
practice, he should regain his No. 3 spot on the WR depth chart. If not, Matthew
Hatchette, who took over for Reed vs. the Bears, would continue to play.
Tampa Bay — After missing a special-teams meeting last Saturday, WR Reidel
Anthony was declared inactive for the Buccaneers’ Week 11 game vs. Atlanta. While
head coach Tony Dungy has tried to downplay the situation, he hasn’t said that
Anthony will regain his starting job for this week’s game at Seattle. Either Anthony
or Bert Emanuel will start opposite Jacquez Green, depending on their
performances in practice. The Bucs’ coaching staff was keeping a close eye on Anthony
even before he missed the meeting. Anthony’s poor play would be just as much a factor
as any if he loses his starting spot.
NFC West
Carolina — RB Tshimanga Biakabutuka experienced slight soreness in his
ankle after returning to the lineup last week, but it is not expected to keep him out of
action this week. As for the notion that George Seifert will rotate his halfbacks,
take a look at the carry distribution last week and judge for yourself: Biakabutuka, 17
attempts; Fred Lane, three attempts.
New Orleans — QB Billy Joe Hobert will get the start this week with Billy
Joe Tolliver sidelined because of a knee injury. … RB Ricky Williams has
turf toe and will be a game-time decision. Every time this season that Williams has been a
game-time decision, he has played. However, he could have a tough go of it vs. a Rams
defense that is very good vs. the run. |
