Thursday Updates

One more day until the weekend, and only 2 more days to get your lineups set folks.

STL - QB Sam Bradford held out of practice
Source: KFFL.com
St. Louis Rams QB Sam Bradford (ankle) was kept out of practice Wednesday, Oct. 19. Head coach Steve Spagnuolo is dealing with a high ankle sprain. QB A.J. Feeley got first-team reps in his absence.

Bradford owners shouldn't get too spooked by Feeley taking all of the first-team reps. Most reports say the Rams expect him to start, and he should get a boost from the addition of Brandon Lloyd.

PHI - RB Ronnie Brown back with team
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
The trade between the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles has been voided, as RB Jerome Harrison had some health issues. RB Ronnie Brown is back with the Eagles, and Harrison is back on the Lions roster.

Brown's fantasy value resurgence was short-lived. Keiland Williams becomes rosterable again in deep leagues, and Maurice Morris's temporary value could have staying power now.

DAL - DeMarco Murray to be primary back
Source: SportingNews.com - Clarence Hill
Dallas Cowboys RB DeMarco Murray will likely be the primary back in Week 7 against the St. Louis Rams with RB Felix Jones (ankle) out two to four weeks with a sprained ankle. The team feels Murray has made ample progress in the last few weeks and is up to the task.

The matchup vs. the Rams is heavily tilted towards the Cowboys, so Murray should be a good bet to find the end zone this week, making him a decent RB2 play.



HOU - WR Andre Johnson likely out
Source: The Associated Press
Houston Texans WR Andre Johnson (hamstring) is likely to miss his third straight game in Week 7.

Johnson is no sure thing to return in week 8 either, and we're starting to suspect that this could take the entire six weeks his doctor told him to get Johnson back on the field. If you can deal him for another WR1 this week, do it.

MIA - Daniel Thomas limited
Source: KFFL.com
Miami Dolphins RB Daniel Thomas (hamstring) was limited in practice Wednesday, Oct. 19.

Thomas seemed to make it through the tilt with the Jets just fine on his twice-injured hamstring, so unless he is downgraded during the week, we'll assume that he's playing vs. Denver this weekend and worthy of a RB2 play.

MIA - WR Brandon Marshall misses practice
Source: KFFL.com
Miami Dolphins WR Brandon Marshall (quadriceps) did not practice Wednesday, Oct. 19.

This is a new injury, although we haven't heard anything to make us think Marshall's in danger of not suiting up vs. the Broncos.

TB - RB LeGarrette Blount misses practice
Source: SportingNews.com - Roy Cummings
Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB LeGarrette Blount (knee) missed practice Wednesday, Oct. 19, and it looks like he will miss his second straight game in Week 7. He is walking with a tight wrap around his sprained left knee.

Looks like more from Earnest Graham this week as the Bucs face off at home against the Bears. Even if he's shut down as a runner Graham can be used effectively as a receiver out of the backfield.

DET - RB Jahvid Best not practicing
Source: The Detroit News - Tim Twentyman
Detroit Lions RB Jahvid Best (concussion) is not participating in practice Wednesday, Oct. 19.

Best has a history of concussions, so expect the Lions to be very cautious with him moving forward. We'll see Maurice Morris and Keiland Williams if Best can't go.

NE - RB Kevin Faulk returns to practice
Source: The Providence Journal - Brian MacPherson
New England Patriots RB Kevin Faulk (knee) returned to practice Tuesday, Oct. 18. Faulk spent the first six weeks of the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list. However, Faulk is not getting too excited about his chances of playing. 'It’s practice,' Faulk said. 'It’s not a game. It’s not like we can try to win a championship today. It’s just trying to go out there and get better, one day.'

Faulk's return to the lineup will cut into the touches for all the RBs, but mostly he will impact the playing time of Danny Woodhead.

STL - QB Sam Bradford expected to start
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Updating previous reports, St. Louis Rams QB Sam Bradford (ankle) is expected to start this week, despite a high ankle sprain.

Bradford's walking around in a boot right now so expect the team to take it easy on the second-year QB in practice.

NFL - WR Terrell Owens ready to contribute
Source: SportingNews.com - Vinnie Iyer
Free-agent WR Terrell Owens's (knee) agent, Drew Rosenhaus, tweeted Wednesday, Oct. 19, that his client is healthy enough to step in and play for a team in Week 7. 'I just watched Terrell go through a full football workout and he looked awesome!' Rosenhaus said. 'He is 100 percent healthy and ready to play right now!' Rosenhaus is reaching out to teams that might be interested in Owens.

Owens will be worth a pickup when an NFL team deems he is worth a pickup.

HOU - QB Matt Schaub will play
Source: The Associated Press
Houston Texans QB Matt Schaub (chest, shoulder) will not be kept out of the team's Week 7 game with a bruised chest.

How Schaub plays is an entirely different question. He has faced three fierce defenses in the last three weeks, and has a fourth this week at Tennessee.

DEN - Tim Tebow won't have new scheme
Source: The Denver Post - Lindsay Jones
Denver Broncos QB Tim Tebow said the team did not change their offensive scheme to fit his skill set during the bye week. 'But no, it's not a different offense or a different scheme. It's the same plays, and maybe the ones I practice a little better out here we'll probably call more,' Tebow said.

Tebow was the #1 fantasy QB last year when he started the final three games of the season. We expect him to be a top 10 fantasy QB each week because of his dual-threat ability.

OAK - QB Carson Palmer should have easier time with offense
Source: NFL Network - Marshall Faulk
Oakland Raiders QB Carson Palmer should have an easier time learning the Raiders offense because it is similar to the one he used as a member of the Cincinnati Bengals because both use numbers instead of names for the plays.

Palmer's getting a crash course in this system, but should be able to catch on quickly. Many expect him to get the starting nod this week against the Chiefs.

TB - TE Kellen Winslow misses practice
Source: KFFL.com
Tampa Bay Buccaneers TE Kellen Winslow (undisclosed) did not practice Wednesday, Oct. 19.

Winslow's knee has been bothering him, so he's probably just getting veteran rest.

CHI - WR Earl Bennett practices
Source: ChicagoBears.com
Chicago Bears WR Earl Bennett (chest) fully participated in practice Wednesday, Oct. 19.

Bennett's absence was lamented by GM Jerry Angelo, so he could be a huge help to Jay Cutler and potential waiver wire pickup coming out of the game vs. the Bucs.

IND - RB Joseph Addai misses practice
Source: KFFL.com
Indianapolis Colts RB Joseph Addai (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday, Oct. 19.

Addai's playing status is uncertain for this week, but there's a good chance we see more from rookie Delone Carter and third-year RB Donald Brown.

JAX - WR Mike Sims-Walker expected to play
Source: SportingNews.com - Gene Frenette
Jacksonville Jaguars WR Mike Sims-Walker is expected to be active for the team's Week 7 game against the Baltimore Ravens Monday, Oct. 24.

Sims-Walker should have no problem getting back up to speed in the Jaguars offense. He was a third-round pick by the team in 2007, and was with the team last year before leaving in free agency to the Rams in July.

WAS - QB Rex Grossman not surprised by benching
Source: The Washington Post - Mark Maske
Washington Redskins QB Rex Grossman said he is frustrated with losing his starting job to QB John Beck but was not surprised by the change.

Grossman shouldn't be surprised after a four interception game last week. Beck will not get his shot to prove himself as the starter. If Beck struggles we could see Grossman reclaim the job sometime later in the year.

WAS - QB John Beck to start in Week 7
Source: ESPN.com
Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan has informed his team that QB John Beck will start in Week 7, according to a team source.

Not a surprise here. Rex Grossman had his chance to succeed and failed to play well. Beck was a Shanahan favorite when he came out of BYU and now gets the chance to prove himself as the team's starter. If your desperate at QB then grab Beck as a QB2 with limited upside. This week against Carolina might be the best matchup for Beck all season.