2009 Free Fantasy Football NFL Headlines & Draft Information

Hasselback not expected back in Week 4

From Twitter:

http://twitter.com/dannyoneil/status/4502070291

Hasselback is likely out another week with a broken rib. The Seahawks play the Colts who are banged up on defense which could allow some hard up owners to pick-up Seneca Wallace. Both Freeney and Sanders will be out so while Wallace is an average QB at best some potential exists for fantasy production.

Barber likely to play in Week 4

From ESPN's Michael Smith:

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/HeadLines.aspx?sport=NFL&hl=153256

Marion Barber appears that he will be able to start Week 4. Barber should go thru some practices this week and was close to playing last week but the Cowboys used extra caution last week. Felix Jones is out for a few weeks so Barber will see the majority of touches while Tashard Choice gives him an occasional break. Barber should be a good start against a Denver defense that has not played a quality offense yet his season with the exception of the Bengals who were just getting a chemistry going in Week 1

Kevin Smih to be game-time decision

From Chicago Tribune:

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/huddleup/2009/09/bears-defense-might-want-to-face-banged-up-kevin-smith-rather-than-healthy-maurice-morris.html

Kevin Smith is likely to be a game-time decision against the Bears. He has a banged up shoulder and knee. I would guess that he will not be able to play and Maurice Morris will get the start. The rookie Aaron Brown would also see some carries. Tune into the Sunday Morning show with Jeff Mans & I to get the word on Smith and other actives/inactives.

Ward's status unknown for Week 4

From the pewterreport:

http://www.pewterreport.com/articles/view/6011

Derrick Ward was held out of practice with a knee injury. Tampa Bay are not really sharing much information but Ward had a terrible week last week with only 2 yards on 5 carries. Cadillac Williams would see all the work if Ward is unable to play. With Josh Johnson starting, the Bucs will likely see 8 man fronts to begin with so neither of them would be a good play.

Tomlinson back to full practices

From profootballtalk.com:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/09/30/week-four-2009-wednesday-injury-report/

Tomlinson has returned to full practice. This is a good sign for Tomlinson owner's. It appears likely that he should play this week. Darren Sproles will return to the return specialist and 3rd down back roles. The Charger have lost 2 starting interior lineman so things could be difficult when he returns.

Gore OUT for Week 4

From 49ers Twitter:

http://twitter.com/SF_49ers/status/4504093055

Frank Gore has been ruled out for the 49ers. He is likely to miss several weeks with a high ankle sprain. Glen Coffee will take over and get a full workload while he is out. The 49ers have shown the desire to the run the ball no matter how little room there is. Coffee would be a great start in the coming weeks against some bad defenses.

Portis listed as questionable but expects to play

From Washington Post:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/weblogs/redskins/2009/sep/25/portis-questionable-zorn-says-hell-play/

Clinton Portis did not practice but expects to play on Sunday. Portis has been splitting some carries with Betts and is not exactly liked by Coach Zorn. As much as I would like to say bench him, the match-up is just too attractive if he is active. Betts however would be a great play if Portis is inactive.

Bowe questionable with hamstring injury

From KCChiefs.com:

http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2009/09/25/chiefs_insider_blog_culture_shift/

Dwayne Bowe is questionable with a hamstring he tweaked in workouts on Thursday. He seemed to have made it through most of Friday's practice but it is worth monitoring. He remains a must start if active. Another player in KC to get an eye on is Bobby Wade. He is familiar with the system even though he just signed last week. He had 6 catches in his first game with the team.

Tomlinson OUT for Week 3

From NFL.com:

http://twitter.com/RavensInsider/status/4377051294

Tomlinson has been ruled out for Week 3. Sproles will once again start with Michael Bennett picking up some carries as well. The Chargers will need to limit some of the hits that Sproles takes if they want to keep him healthy. If the game is close or the Chargers have the lead, you can expect Bennett to see more carries. Based on the match-up this week, this will likely happen.

Jamal Lewis doubftul for Week 3

From Twitter:

http://twitter.com/RavensInsider/status/4377051294

Jamal Lewis is listed as doubtful due to his hamstring injury from Week 2. Jerome Harrison and James Davis will likely split carries. Last week could very well be the last week Lewis starts with the Browns. If either Davis or Harrison can show anything they will likely to take over for Lewis. Davis is the one with the more potential as Harrison is more of a 3rd down back.

Moss late addition to injury report

From the Boston Globe:

http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/sports/rap_sheet/index.php/2009/09/25/practice-report-randy-moss-didnt-practice-questionable-with-a-back-issue/

Randy Moss was a late addition to the injury report as he missed practice on Friday. He said to be having back problems. If the Patriots continue to struggle, it will be interesting to see if things like this continue. Moss quit on the Raiders so you never know what might happen. Tune in on Sunday at 11:30c with Jeff & I to get confirmation on whether or not he is active. Wes Welker is also questionable but I expect both will likely be active. Julian Edelman would likely increase his workload once again if either of these guys miss the game

Moreno & Stokley suddenly questionable

From Denver Post:

http://blogs.denverpost.com/broncos/2009/09/25/knowshon-stokley-miss-friday-practice/

Knowshon Moreno and Brandon Stokley were late additions to the injury report. They are both listed as questionable for this weekend's game. It is hard to say whether theses injuries are serious or if this is just another Bellichick type thing by McDaniels. Moreno was starting to get more involved last week so this could really set back his progress. Buckhalter would likely see more touches if Moreno misses time. Stokley's absence could help Brandon Marshall some as he has become just a rotational player at this point. Marshall is by far the most talented player on the team but they are obviously bothered by his terrible attitude.

Urlacher has season-ending surgery

From ESPN.com:

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/news/story?id=4472175

Brian Urlacher suffered a dislocated wrist and had season-endng surgery. This will really hurt the Chicago Defense that was not what it was before already. This will make the Bears a more attractive match-up to go up against as the season goes on.

A.J. Feeley signs with the Panthers

From ESPN.com:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4472738

A.J. Feeley signs with the Panthers over the Eagles. Feeley knows that the he has a better chance to get playing time behind Delhomme. Josh McCown was lost for the season with an ankle and knee injuries so Coach Fox knows that he needs someone to run the offense if Delhomme keeps up his horrible play. Even if Feeley does take over as the starter, there is not much fantasy value here. The Panthers will continue to focus on the running game and if Delhomme is benched it would severly hurt Steve Smith's value. Delhomme has consistently locked in on Smith in the past no matter how many guys have been on him.

Kevin Walter to return in Week 2

From Houstontexans.com:

http://www.houstontexans.com/news/Story.asp?STORY_ID=5568

Kevin Walter is expected back in Week 2. Andre Davis was not effective in Week 1 so maybe he will help an offense that was lost. Walter could provide some help but unless the offensive line plays better it will be hard for the offense to get any better.

Anthony Gonzalez knee injury not season ending

Indianapolis Star:

http://www.indystar.com/article/20090914/SPORTS03/90914060/1100/Gonzalez+s+injury+not+season-ending

Anthony Gonzalez apparently is not out for the year at this point. It does appear to be a significant knee injury which will likely keep him out a while. Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon will likely benefit in his absence but don't be surprised to see them look for a veteran free agent. Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark will see even more balls come their way while Gonzalez is out.

McNabb out for Week 2

McNabb will miss at least 1 game with a cracked rib. It will be up to his pain tolerance in how many games he will end up missing. Kevin Kolb will likely start since Vick is still suspended. The Eagles will likely sign another QB off the street to back-up Kolb. McNabb's injury history is one of the reasons Vick was signed which leads us to believe there is doubt in Kolb ability to lead the Eagles.

Delhomme to remain the starter

Jake Delhomme will remain the starter in Carolina despite his continued horrible play. His potential replacement left Josh McCown left the game with what appears to be serious knee and ankles injuries. With lack of options, the leash will be a little longer than it should be. Teams will continue to stack the line against the run until Delhomme snaps out of it.

WR Hakeem Nicks out at least 2 weeks

From Twitter - The Blue Screen

http://twitter.com/TheBlueScreen/status/3971015074

WR Hakeem Nicks sprained his foot in the game vs. the Redskins. This is pending a MRI which could reveal a more serious injury. He is likely out 2 to 3 weeks. This should allow Ramses Barden to active. Nicks had started to impress the coaches with his play and this will definitely set him back.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009