FSH: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST (Fantasy News)

October 8th, 2008 10:30pm PST




FSH: David's Daily Digest
Fantasy News

NOISE-SHAKERS! PLAY-MAKERS! GAME-BREAKERS!


Hasselbeck set to play...
...the good news for Seahawks fans is that Hasselbeck's knee injury is being called a "bone bruise" and Seattle's quarterback assured he would start in Week 6. Hass' outlook for Sunday, he still figures to be ready to play against Green Bay. While his season has been filled with a few bumps and bruises, no high and many lows, I see Hasselbeck now as one of those dark horse down the stretch with great upside. He's got his number one receiver (Engram) back who will start this Sunday and Branch will be back out there again soon. Hass still plays in the NFC West and could have some big games down the road (during fantasy playoffs); Week 15 against the Rams (ranked 28th vs Pass) and Week 16 vs Jets (ranked 30th vs Pass)!

Rams resign WR Eddie Kennison...
...no sooner than the team had released Kennison, they turned right around and resign the veteran receiver. This came immediately following when the team lost another one of it's wide outs to injury. Dane Looker, one of the team's receiver and special teams player, was not cleared to play after suffering a concussion in Week 4 creating the need. With rookie receiver now elevated to the starting lineup, Kennsion rejoins the Rams receiving corp, but hardly offers any value for fantasy owners. His time could be limited with WR Drew Bennett expected to make his return in Week 7.

Jackson to start in Denver?...
...with injury reports now floating all about regarding the Bronco's rookie receiver Eddie Royal, the current word coming out of Denver, Head Coach Mike Shanahan expects the kid to play in Week 6. Earlier reports had indicated that Royal would miss this Sunday's clash with the Jaguars, elevating WR Darrell Jackson into the starting lineup, but that seems very unlikely now. If Royal is good to go, Jackson will likely see a lot of time on the sideline and remain irrelevant to the fantasy world.

Croyle to start in Week 6...
...the change at quarterback comes as no surprise in Kansas City. QB Damon Huard has been ineffective and the offense inept. With Huard, Thigpen, and Croyle the Chiefs really don't have many options at the QB spot. Even with Croyle back at the helm, the Chiefs offense will struggle downgrading the team's passing game fantasy value, as well as the running game. Fantasy owners can expect to see a drop in production from RB Larry Johnson and could see WR Dwayne Bowe struggle from time to time against stiffer defenses (Chiefs play Titans in Week 7), unless Croyle returns and plays extremely well (oh really?).

Chambers likely to sit in Week 6...
...with Chambers suffering an ankle injury that will likely sideline him for Week 6, WR Craig "Buster" Davis is expected to start in his place. Even though the Chargers QB Phillip Rivers has many other targets to seek out on Sunday, this is something we have not been seeing with regularity this season. The team's star tight end has been relatively quiet and the other starting wideout has not made much more noise. I would expect Davis to be a good one-week fill-in of flex option with Chambers out. He's likely to get some of Chambers looks in the red-zone and with Rivers playing as well as he is, Davis' has got a good shot to score on Sunday!

No Hackett this Sunday....
...the word out of Carolina is Hackett suffered a sprained MCL and will not play Sunday against the Buccaneers. WR Dwayne Jarrett will step in as the team's number 3 receiver. DJ has been relatively quiet this season, and has hardly made any sound since the return of Steve Smith. With the team's dynamic 1-2 punch at the receiver spot with Smith and Muhammad, there is little chance anything will change even with Jarrett on the field. Jarrett may have an opportunity here to get some playing time, but that's about all he's going to get fantasy owners is playing time.

Torain getting set to return...
...according to Broncos Head Coach Mike Shanahan, running back Selvin Young has been ruled out for week 6. With the injury not considered serious, Young could return to action in week 7, but it's stating to look like the window of opportunity for Young to overtake the starting job has closed. Word is the Broncos rookie running back Ryan Torain is getting set to return to the practice next week, and he's expected to make his debut Nov 2nd. Prior to his elbow injury, the word out of Denver was the team was high on this Torain, in particular Shanahan. No other back (Young, Hall, Pittman) has separated himself from the pack and the window of opportunity for Torain to step in, is wide open. Now could be the time for fantasy owners to make a move!

Colston could return soon...
...the Saints explosive wide out had his cast removed and only wore a small piece of padding on his surgically repaired thumb in his return to limited work in practice Wednesday. While Colston initially was not expected to be ready this soon, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune if he feels comfortable catching, he'll "definitely" play. Colston will likely be a game-time decision. Colston is a big target at 6'4" and Brees' big go-to-receiver, if he can play, he's a must start for fantasy owners unless you have comparable option.


Check back soon for more fantasy news...

By David G. Ortega