Injury review: Tomlinson misses practices
Think about it. The first and second picks from many fantasy leagues are going to be game-time decisions. I would love to see the click-per-hour numbers for the San Diego Tribune and the Minneapolis Star-Tribune during the past 72 hours. The football season helps the click-throughs as a whole (high school, college and pro coverage), but fans and fantasy owners across the globe are circling back to the hometown sources for the latest data. I'm no different. Add another click.
Anyway, I begin the weekly injury round-up with these two huge stories. I'll be circling back to update the injury list throughout the weekend as kickoffs loom. Please check back for the latest news and the fantasy fallout.
The San Diego Tribune reports LaDainian Tomlinson missed his second straight day of practice because of the injured toe that limited his availability and effectiveness against the Broncos in Week 2. He reportedly didn't want to see another doctor earlier this week and will test his foot out in Friday's workout.
Impact: This smacks of a game-time decision, and that's horrible news for L.T. owners who were scooped on the Darren Sproles handcuff. Since it's a Monday night game, you have no choice but to sit L.T. down unless some drastic change occurs between now and Sunday morning. "The waiting is the hardest part," per Tom Petty, and L.T. owners just don't have that luxury in Week 3. Start Sproles with confidence, as he's amassing 10-12 touches even if L.T. is on the field.
The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports Adrian Peterson missed all of Thursday's practice session because of a sore hamstring, but was available for the start of Friday's workout.
Impact: Chester Taylor owners, be at the ready as game-time approaches. I suspect Peterson does everything possible to get onto the field and help the team avoid a 0-3 start. However, the Vikings won't want to jeopardize their long-term prospects by rushing him back into the lineup. Either way, I'm fearful of a short outing. I would be shocked to see Peterson handle such a heavy workload this weekend (he had 29 carries last week against Indianapolis). Taylor owners should slide him into their RB2 and Flex slots, as I'm anticipating frequent sightings this weekend.
FOX Pick'ems
 |
Sign up today!
- Pick the winners of 27 bowl games
- It's free, customizable and easy to play
- Compete in private or public groups
 |
Make your picks today!
- Pick the winners of each week's games
- It's free, customizable and easy to play
- Compete in private or public groups
The Indianapolis Star says the Colts may return two important pieces of the offensive puzzle for Week 3 against division rival Jacksonville. Jeff Saturday's been sidelined by a knee injury since training camp, while Dallas Clark missed the Week 2 comeback against the Vikings. Both are expected to be available to Peyton Manning this weekend.
Impact: I'm still moderately concerned about the Indianapolis running game, as Joseph Addai isn't hitting the hole with the same burst we saw in 2007. With that said, the return of the anchor of this line is a huge win for the Colts, and couldn't come at a better time. The line came together nicely to open up the passing game for Manning in the fourth quarter against the Vikings. I suspect Manning and the passing game (including Clark) click early against the banged-up Jacksonville defensive line.
The Tennessean reports that Justin Gage missed three practices this week with a groin injury. He reportedly did some running during the late-week sessions. Impact: Gage will be a game-time decision against the Texans. He was a great sleeper play provided that he saw the field, so keep an eye on the Halpin and Rotter blogs for the latest updates. Gage is still worthy of a WR3 slot if given the green light.
The Browns are now in a 0-2 hole, and the offense has now been beset by injuries to an important trio. Jamal Lewis reportedly has issues with his hamstring (the injury from the summer) and his ankle, while Braylon Edwards and Eric Steinbach both are listed as having shoulder injuries.
Impact: I wasn't optimistic about an offensive explosion by the Browns against a rested and resilient Baltimore defense, but now I'm stepping off altogether. Lewis was ineffective against the Steelers, and Edwards has already dropped five balls. Donte' Stallworth still isn't available to Derek Anderson, leaving Kellen Winslow as the last man standing. Lewis will be available for this game, per Marvin Lewis's comments after Friday's workouts, but it's difficult to get too excited about Lewis after he averaged 78.5 rushing yards in two games against his former team last year. Steinbach didn't catch the plane to Baltimore. On the defensive side of things, lineman Robaire Smith is on the shelf this week as well. It's starting to look like Seattle Midwest! I'm sitting all of the Browns down this weekend.
The Dallas Morning News reports Jason Witten played the second half of Monday's game with a separated shoulder. He certainly didn't look like an injured player as he split the seam and torched the Philadelphia secondary.
Impact: Witten was back at practice on Thursday and isn't expected to be limited for Sunday's showdown with Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. It could become another shootout, so expect another big effort.
 |
| Devin Hester's injured ribs have him doubtful for this week's game against the Buccaneers. (Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images) |
The Chicago Tribune reports Devin Hester is "doubtful" for Sunday's home game against the Buccaneers with his undisclosed rib injury. There remains some cloudiness in the report as to whether he's torn cartilage or merely bruised ribs.
Impact: Hester's played a minimal role in the passing game and has been rendered ineffective by opposing special teams units through two weeks. Nathan Vasher will stand in for him in the return game, and his presence may actually help turn the field position game in Chicago's favor at home. The Bears were a strong start against the Tampa Bay defense regardless of Hester's status.
The Philadelphia Inquirer says receiver Reggie Brown was available for Thursday's workout and that he showed no ill effects of his hamstring injury.
Impact: I'm still sitting him down for another week until he's ready to assume a full-time role and we see how Brown is utilized by Donovan McNabb, who's clearly established a fabulous rapport with DeSean Jackson. The rookie will remain a top option.
Also in Philadelphia, guard Shawn Andrews continues to experience back spasms and is listed as "doubtful" for Sunday's huge game against the Steelers. Impact: The Eagles will turn to Max Jean-Giles, a third-year player with one career start against Dick LeBeau's aggressive defense. Pundits have spent the week debating the Steelers' ability to protect Ben Roethlisberger. What about the Eagles protecting McNabb? We saw the line falter late in Monday's game (two late sacks of McNabb) and Pittsburgh's defense is relentless.
The Jacksonville Times reports that Jerry Porter is likely to miss another game with a lingering hamstring injury. "He's not quite ready" were the words of Jack Del Rio. Impact: The Jaguars are still banged up on both the offensive and defensive lines, and both Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew have been slowed a bit in practice. I still anticipate that the running game will get on track to some degree, and that will allow David Garrard to continue his early-season connection with Matt Jones.
Darren McFadden's been slowed by turf toe this week, but he returned to practice on Thursday, per The Oakland Tribune . The paper also reports the groin injury sustained by Justin Fargas at the beginning of the Week 2 win over Kansas City could sideline the veteran tailback for several weeks.
Impact: The running game's clearly the lone form of offense in Oakland right now. As such, McFadden's return to the practice field allows Lane Kiffin and Raiders fans to breathe a collective sigh of relief. He'll shoulder the majority of the load against a stout Buffalo defense, although Michael Bush is mighty intriguing as a Flex sleeper. I don't expect the Oakland running game to run wild as it did last week against the Chiefs, but the carries should pile up. And, given the stinger sustained by McFadden in the opener, Bush is the likely goal-line hero.
Fantasy owners are curious to watch the running back slot in New England with Matt Cassel under center. Per The Boston Globe , Laurence Maroney returned to work after missing time with a shoulder injury, while early-week sleeper selection LaMont Jordan remains sidelined by a foot injury.
Impact: Frankly, I'd be surprised to see either of them in the mix for Sunday against the Dolphins. Look for Cassel to turn to Sammy Morris and Kevin Faulk with great regularity for this home tilt. Jordan intrigues me long-term, but it doesn't appear his breakthrough performance occurs this week.
The St. Petersburg Times reports Joey Galloway's sprained foot is likely to keep him out of Sunday's game against the Bears in Chicago.
Impact: The report came from the mouth of Michael Clayton, who told reporters Galloway would be sidelined, a measure that irked Jon Gruden. Clayton hasn't been much of a factor for years, so being in Gruden's doghouse won't impact his status. Galloway's absence would obviously impact Brian Griese's value against his former team. I'm somewhat intrigued by Antonio Bryant, who will see a larger role in Galloway's absence. However, you have to be reaching to get anyone but Earnest Graham into your lineup this weekend.
Lock it down to FOXSports.com for all of the latest player and team news as the countdown to kickoff approaches. John Halpin and Roger Rotter will dispense lineup advice in their blogs, and you can find me on the airwaves of FOX Sports Radio from 7am-9am PT (10am ET-12pm ET).
advertisement
