December 20th, 2008 10:47am PST
WEEKLY ROUND-UP...
***Pope could start this Sunday...
.....the Broncos running back ran well last week in the teams loss to the Panthers. Pope saw action with the first team in practice this week and it looks like he has a chance to start. If Pope does start he will likely split carries with running back Tatum Bell, but could see most of the carries inside the 5.
***Boldin could miss action this week...
.....the Cards have the division locked and with Boldin missing practice all week, he is more than likely going to sit this one out. The team will need him healthy for the playoffs in tow weeks.
***Forte completes practice on Friday.......the Bears running back returned to practice on Friday. Although he was limited, there's little chance he'll miss the Monday matchup with the Packers. Forte totaled 104-yards in the teams first meeting. Owners should have him in the lineup.
***Barber misses third straight practice.......the Cowboys running back is banged up missing practice all week. If he plays tonight, he'll be less than 100% and very limited. Rookie Tashard Choice has been a standout fill-in and will likely see the Lions share tonight.
***Gore does not practice Friday........the Niners running back did not practice all week and his chances of playing look very slim. DeShaun Foster was an admirable fill-in last week and likely will do the same this week against the Rams.
***Garcia expected to start Sunday for Bucs.......the Bucs quarterback was limited in practice all week, but with so much at stake this week for the team, expect Garcia to play. His mobility could be somewhat limited, so expect to see the Bucs try to run, down-grading Garcia's value as a low QB2 starter.
***Portis misses practice Friday...
....the Redskins running back was held out of Friday's practice due to back spasms. His status for Sunday appears unclear and with some leagues in their championship week Portis could be a huge risk to play against the Eagles.
***Reggie Brown expected to see action Sunday.......the Eagles have a couple of wounded wings this week with Baskett OUT and Curtis doubtful. Receiver Reggie Brown will likely see his first action in several weeks. Even with the prospect of a big role in the pass game, with McNabb spreading the ball as he does, Brown would be a risky play against the Redskins this week.
***Smith limited this week, but will play Sunday.......the Lions rookie running back should be available Sunday, although he was limited all week. Kevin Smith has been dinged up a bit this season and is nursing an ankle injury, but last week he had 26 touches, so owners can expect the usual load.
Looking for an edge?
Don't forget to check out the Friday practice report. You already know your player is hurt, but how will he perform or will he play? Check the Friday practice report for all of the latest and telling information you need to make those last minute line-up decisions!
FRIDAY'S PRACTICE NOTES
Notable players listed
Arizona CardinalsWide receiver Anquan Boldin (shoulder) did not practice Friday. He is listed as questionable, but may not play Sunday.
Baltimore Ravens
Wide receiver Derrick Mason (shoulder) was limited in practice Friday. He is listed as probable on the teams injury report and will start tonight.
Rookie running back Ray Rice (calf) was limited during practice Friday. He is questionable and will likely be a game-time decision.
Buffalo Bills
Quarterback Trent Edwards (groin) was limited during practice Friday. He's listed as questionable, but expected to make his first start since being injured in Week 13.
Running back Marshawn Lynch (shoulder) was limited during practice Friday. He is listed as questionable for Sunday, but expected to start against the Broncos.
Chicago BearsRookie running back Matt Forte (toe) was limited Friday during practice, but is expected to play and start Monday night against the Packers.
Cincinnati BengalsWide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh (hand) was a full participant in practice Friday. He is listed as probable for Sunday and expected to start.
Dallas CowboysQuarterback Tony Romo (back) participated in practice Friday. He is listed as probable and expected to start tonight against the Ravens.
The Cowboys running back Marion Barber (toe) did not participate in practice Friday. He is listed as questionable, but will be a game-time decision tonight.
Detroit LionsRookie running back Kevin Smith (ankle) was limited during practice. He is listed as questionable for Sunday, but expected to play.
Minnesota VikingsThe Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (ankle) was a full participant in practice Friday. He is listed as probable for Sunday and expected to start.
New York GiantsThe Giants running back Brandon Jacobs (knee) was limited during practice Friday. He is questionable for Week 16, but expected to play.
Philadelphia EaglesRunning back Brian Westbrook (knee, ankle) did not participate in practice Friday, but he is expected to play Sunday against the Redskins.
San Diego Chargers
Wide receiver Vincent Jackson (concussion) participated in practice Friday. He is listed as probable for Sunday and expected to play.
San Francisco 49ers
The Niners running back Frank Gore (ankle) did not participate in practice Friday. He is expected to be a game-time decision.
Seattle SeahawksThe Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (back) did not practice Friday. He is listed as questionable for Sunday, but not expected to play against the Jets.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs quarterback Jeff Garcia (calf) was limited during practice Friday. He is listed as questionable for Sunday against the Chargers.
NFL OFFICIAL INJURY REPORT
WEEK 16
NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
Arizona Cardinals
QUESTIONABLE RB J.J. Arrington (knee), WR Anquan Boldin (shoulder), WR Early Doucet (hamstring), WR Sean Morey (shoulder), LB Pago Togafau (knee), SS Adrian Wilson (toe)OUT DL Travis LaBoy (ankle), LB Clark Haggans (foot)INJURED RESERVE C Al Johnson (knee)
Atlanta Falcons
QUESTIONABLE FB Ovie Mughelli (hamstring), WR Brian Finneran (calf), OT Todd Weiner (knee), OL Sam Baker (back/hip), DL John Abraham (thigh/shoulder), DL Grady Jackson (knee)INJURED RESERVE RB Thomas Brown (undisclosed)
Carolina Panthers
PROBABLE LB Jon Beason (illness)QUESTIONABLE DL Gary Gibson (hand), DL Ma'ake Kemoeatu (ankle)DOUBTFUL LB Hilee Taylor (calf)OUT WR Kenneth Moore (hamstring), OG Keydrick Vincent (groin)INJURED RESERVE WR Josh Davis (undisclosed)
Chicago Bears
PROBABLE DL Tommie Harris (knee)QUESTIONABLE RB Matt Forte (toe), WR Marty Booker (ribs)OUT FB Jason McKie (quadriceps)INJURED RESERVE OT Fred Miller (shoulder), CB Nathan Vasher (hand)
Dallas Cowboys
PROBABLE QB Tony Romo (back), WR Miles Austin (knee), WR Isaiah Stanback (shoulder), WR Roy Williams (foot), TE Jason Witten (ankle), CB Tra Battle (hamstring), CB Adam Jones (neck), SS Keith Davis (knee), FS Ken Hamlin (foot)QUESTIONABLE RB Marion Barber III (toe)DOUBTFUL CB Alan Ball (ankle)OUT OG Montrae Holland (ankle), LB Bobby Carpenter (knee/calf)INJURED RESERVE RB Felix Jones (hamstring), WR Sam Hurd (ankle), P Mat McBriar (foot)
Detroit Lions
PROBABLE TE Casey FitzSimmons (illness), DL Chuck Darby (calf)QUESTIONABLE RB Kevin Smith (ankle), OG Edwin Mulitalo (ankle), DL Dewayne White (calf), CB Leigh Bodden (groin)DOUBTFUL QB Daunte Culpepper (shoulder)INJURED RESERVE QB Jon Kitna (back), RB Brian Calhoun (thigh), RB Aveion Cason (ankle), WR Reggie Ball (knee), WR Shaun McDonald (ankle), TE Dan Campbell (elbow), DL Cory Redding (knee), FS Gerald Alexander (neck)
Green Bay Packers
PROBABLE TE Tory Humphrey (concussion), OT Chad Clifton (knee/finger), CB Al Harris (shoulder), CB Charles Woodson (toe)QUESTIONABLE RB Brandon Jackson (wrist), FB Korey Hall (knee)OUT DL Justin Harrell (back/hip)INJURED RESERVE RB Kregg Lumpkin (hamstring), WR Shaun Bodiford (back), OG Junius Coston (knee), OL J.J. Jansen (knee), DL Rodney Allen (undisclosed), DL Cullen Jenkins (chest)
Minnesota Vikings
PROBABLE RB Adrian Peterson (ankle), DL Brian Robison (knee)QUESTIONABLE QB Gus Frerotte (back), DL Jared Allen (knee)DOUBTFUL WR Darius Reynaud (foot), OG Artis Hicks (elbow)OUT DL Pat Williams (shoulder)INJURED RESERVE LB E.J. Henderson (foot), SS Michael Boulware (undisclosed)
New Orleans Saints
PROBABLE RB Deuce McAllister (knee), OT Jammal Brown (ankle)OUT DL Kendrick Clancy (hamstring)INJURED RESERVE RB Reggie Bush (knee), RB Aaron Stecker (hamstring), WR Adrian Arrington (toe), TE Mark Campbell (knee), DL Charles Grant (triceps), DL Hollis Thomas (triceps), DL Brian Young (knee), LB Mark Simoneau (back), CB Greg Fassitt (knee), CB Tracy Porter (wrist)
New York Giants
PROBABLE RB Ahmad Bradshaw (neck), RB Derrick Ward (ankle), OG Rich Seubert (illness), OT Kareem McKenzie (back), DL Justin Tuck (lower leg), FS Kenny Phillips (concussion)QUESTIONABLE RB Brandon Jacobs (knee), WR Domenik Hixon (ankle/foot), WR Sinorice Moss (calf), DL Fred Robbins (shoulder)OUT LB Gerris Wilkinson (knee)INJURED RESERVE QB Anthony Wright (neck), RB Reuben Droughns (neck), OL Glenn Bujnoch (knee), OL Guy Whimper (foot), SS Sammy Knight (hip)PUP WR David Tyree (knee)NFI WR Plaxico Burress (hamstring)
Philadelphia Eagles
PROBABLE RB Correll Buckhalter (knee), RB Brian Westbrook (knee), OT Jon Runyan (knee), LB Stewart Bradley (groin/back), SS Quintin Demps (groin), FS Brian Dawkins (back)QUESTIONABLE OG Todd Herremans (shoulder/ankle)DOUBTFUL WR Kevin Curtis (calf)OUT WR Hank Baskett (knee), OG Shawn Andrews (back)INJURED RESERVE OT King Dunlap (ankle), OT Michael Gibson (shoulder)
San Francisco 49ers
PROBABLE WR Josh Morgan (head), OT Joe Staley (ankle), DL Ronald Fields (foot), CB Allen Rossum (ankle), SS Michael Lewis (abdomen), FS Mark Roman (head)QUESTIONABLE RB Frank Gore (ankle), OG Adam Snyder (ankle), LB Ahmad Brooks (back)INJURED RESERVE QB Alex D. Smith (shoulder), WR Arnaz Battle (foot), OT Jonas Jennings (shoulder), CB Shawntae Spencer (knee)
Seattle Seahawks
QUESTIONABLE QB Matt Hasselbeck (back), WR Koren Robinson (knee), LB D.D. Lewis (shin), FS Jordan Babineaux (concussion)DOUBTFUL OT Sean Locklear (toe), LB LeRoy Hill (neck)INJURED RESERVE WR Nate Burleson (ACL), WR Ben Obomanu (shoulder), OG Rob Sims (pectoral), OT Walter Jones (knee), OT William Robinson (undisclosed), C Chris Spencer (back), OL Tyler Schmitt (undisclosed), DL Chris Cooper (undisclosed), DL Patrick Kerney (shoulder)PUP LB Will Herring (undisclosed)
St. Louis Rams
PROBABLE PK Josh Brown (groin), OG Jacob Bell (hamstring), DL La'Roi Glover (knee), CB Ron Bartell (back), CB Jason Craft (back)INJURED RESERVE RB Brian Leonard (shoulder), WR Drew Bennett (foot), WR Dante' Hall (ankle), WR Derek Stanley (knee), TE Randy McMichael (leg), LB Gary Stills (knee)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
PROBABLE P Josh Bidwell (illness)QUESTIONABLE QB Jeff Garcia (calf), OT Jeremy Zuttah (ankle), DL Gaines Adams (ankle), DL Jovan Haye (knee), DL Chris Hovan (knee), DL Greg White (shoulder), LB Derrick Brooks (ribs)INJURED RESERVE RB Earnest Graham (ankle), WR Cortez Hankton (undisclosed), CB Torrie Cox (knee), SS Jermaine Phillips (forearm)
Washington Redskins
PROBABLE WR Santana Moss (concussion), OG Pete Kendall (knee), LB London Fletcher (foot), SS Chris Horton (shoulder)QUESTIONABLE RB Clinton Portis (back), DL Kedric Golston (ankle), DL Cornelius Griffin (shoulder), LB Marcus Washington (ankle)DOUBTFUL OT Jon Jansen (knee)INJURED RESERVE OG Kerry Brown (shoulder)
AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
Baltimore Ravens
PROBABLE WR Derrick Mason (shoulder), PK Matt Stover (ankle), P Sam Koch (back), OT Willie Anderson (ankle), OT Jared Gaither (illness), OT Adam Terry (knee), DL Terrell Suggs (thigh)QUESTIONABLE RB Ray Rice (calf), CB Samari Rolle (ankle), CB Fabian Washington (thigh), FS Ed Reed (thigh)OUT WR Marcus Maxwell (hip)INJURED RESERVE QB Kyle Boller (shoulder), RB Cory Ross (undisclosed), WR Demetrius Williams (ankle), TE Quinn Sypniewski (knee), OL Marshal Yanda (knee), LB Tavares Gooden (hip), CB Derrick Martin (shoulder), CB David Pittman (undisclosed)
Buffalo Bills
QUESTIONABLE QB Trent Edwards (groin), RB Marshawn Lynch (shoulder), WR Roscoe Parrish (knee), OT Jason Peters (knee), CB Dustin Fox (groin)DOUBTFUL CB Jabari Greer (knee)OUT WR James Hardy (knee), LB Teddy Lehman (groin)INJURED RESERVE DL Chris Ellis (ankle), LB Angelo Crowell (knee), LB John DiGiorgio (knee), CB Ashton Youboty (foot)SUSPENDED DL Anthony Hargrove
Cincinnati Bengals
PROBABLE RB Chris Perry (groin), WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (hand), WR Chad Johnson (hamstring), TE Ben Utecht (foot), OG Bobbie Williams (toe), OT Stacy Andrews (illness), C Eric Ghiaciuc (illness), OL Anthony Collins (knee), LB Rashad Jeanty (shin), CB David Jones (knee), FS Mike Doss (undisclosed), FS Chinedum Ndukwe (foot)QUESTIONABLE RB Kenny Watson (hamstring)OUT QB Carson Palmer (elbow), OT Levi Jones (hamstring)INJURED RESERVE RB DeDe Dorsey (hamstring), RB Kenny Irons (knee), FB Jeremi Johnson (knee), WR Antonio Chatman (neck), TE Matt Sherry (shoulder), OG Kyle Cook (toe), C Dan Santucci (ankle), DL Robert Geathers (knee), DL Frostee Rucker (hamstring), LB Abdul Hodge (elbow), LB Keith Rivers (jaw), CB Johnathan Joseph (foot), SS Dexter Jackson (hamstring), SS Herana-Daze Jones (hamstring), SS Corey Lynch (knee)
Cleveland Browns
QUESTIONABLE RB Jerome Harrison (ribs), FB Lawrence Vickers (ankle), WR Josh Cribbs (back), P Dave Zastudil (knee), OG Eric Steinbach (back), DL Shaun Rogers (neck), DL Corey Williams (shoulder)DOUBTFUL DL Shaun Smith (calf), LB Leon Williams (knee)OUT TE Kellen Winslow (ankle)INJURED RESERVE QB Brady Quinn (finger), C Lennie Friedman (undisclosed), LB Antwan Peek (knee)PUP WR Joe Jurevicius (knee)
Denver Broncos
PROBABLE RB Selvin Young (groin), WR Brandon Marshall (hip), DL Dewayne Robertson (knee), LB Mario Haggan (knee), LB D.J. Williams (knee/shoulder), CB Josh Bell (thigh), CB Karl Paymah (groin), SS Marquand Manuel (hamstring), FS Marlon McCree (ankle)QUESTIONABLE FB Spencer Larsen (groin), WR Brandon Stokley (foot), OL Ryan Clady (ankle), OL Chris Kuper (hand), CB Champ Bailey (groin), SS Vernon Fox (concussion)INJURED RESERVE QB Patrick Ramsey (elbow), RB Anthony Aldridge (foot), RB Andre Hall (hand), RB Michael Pittman (neck), RB Ryan Torain (ACL), FB Peyton Hillis (hamstring), FB Cecil Sapp (quadriceps), WR Cliff Russell (neck), WR Edell Shepherd (knee), TE Nate Jackson (hamstring), LB Boss Bailey (knee)NFI OG Erik Pears (appendix)
Houston Texans
PROBABLE TE Clark Harris (illness), OG Chester Pitts (ankle), DL Jesse Nading (knee)QUESTIONABLE LB Xavier Adibi (groin)INJURED RESERVE RB Chris Brown (back), RB Ahman Green (knee), FB Chris Taylor (quadriceps), WR Harry Williams (neck), DL Earl Cochran (toe), DL Stanley McClover (knee), FS C.C. Brown (forearm)
Kansas City Chiefs
PROBABLE C Rudy Niswanger (knee)QUESTIONABLE DL Alfonso Boone (thigh), CB Maurice Leggett (shoulder)OUT LB Donnie Edwards (knee)INJURED RESERVE RB Kolby Smith (knee), DL Brian Johnston (calf), DL Turk McBride (forearm)
Miami Dolphins
PROBABLE CB Jason Allen (hand)QUESTIONABLE LB Channing Crowder (knee)INJURED RESERVE WR Greg Camarillo (ACL), OG Donald Thomas (foot), OL Matt McChesney (knee)
New England Patriots
PROBABLE WR Kelley Washington (thigh), DL Ty Warren (groin), DL Vince Wilfork (shoulder), CB Lewis Sanders (shoulder)QUESTIONABLE OT Matt Light (shoulder), OL Mark LeVoir (ankle), LB Gary Guyton (ankle), LB Vince Redd (ankle), CB Ellis Hobbs (shoulder), SS James Sanders (abdomen), SS Ray Ventrone (ankle)OUT LB Tedy Bruschi (knee)INJURED RESERVE QB Tom Brady (knee), RB Laurence Maroney (shoulder), DL Kenny Smith (arm), LB Eric Alexander (hamstring), LB Bo Ruud (ankle), LB Pierre Woods (jaw), CB Terrence Wheatley (wrist), SS Rodney Harrison (quadriceps)NFI OT Oliver Ross (shoulder)
New York Jets
PROBABLE WR Jerricho Cotchery (shoulder), OG Brandon Moore (ankle), DL Jason Trusnik (knee)QUESTIONABLE WR Laveranues Coles (thigh), WR Brad Smith (head), OT Wayne Hunter (shoulder), DL Kris Jenkins (hip), LB Eric Barton (knee), LB David Harris (groin), LB Bryan Thomas (shoulder)INJURED RESERVE RB Jesse Chatman (knee), RB Danny Woodhead (knee), SS Cameron Worrell (undisclosed)
Oakland Raiders
PROBABLE TE Zach Miller (shoulder), DL Tommy Kelly (knee)QUESTIONABLE FB Luke Lawton (concussion)DOUBTFUL WR Ronald Curry (toe), WR Ashley Lelie (calf)OUT LB Ricky Brown (groin)INJURED RESERVE FB Justin Griffith (ACL), WR Arman Shields (knee), WR Javon Walker (ankle), TE Ben Troupe (foot), OL Paul McQuistan (knee), LB Robert Thomas (hamstring), SS Tyvon Branch (shoulder)
Pittsburgh Steelers
PROBABLE LB James Harrison (foot), LB LaMarr Woodley (knee), SS Troy Polamalu (foot), FS Ryan Clark (foot)QUESTIONABLE DL Brett Keisel (knee)OUT OT Marvel Smith (back)INJURED RESERVE QB Charlie Batch (collarbone), RB Rashard Mendenhall (shoulder), OG Kendall Simmons (Achilles')
San Diego Chargers
PROBABLE FB Mike Tolbert (shoulder), WR Vincent Jackson (concussion), C Nick Hardwick (concussion), LB Stephen Cooper (knee), CB Quentin Jammer (illness), SS Clinton Hart (shoulder)DOUBTFUL LB Anthony Waters (hamstring)OUT WR Malcom Floyd (lungs)INJURED RESERVE WR Craig Davis (groin), TE Scott Chandler (toe), DL Keith Grennan (fibula), LB Shawne Merriman (knee)
Tennessee Titans
PROBABLE DL Jevon Kearse (groin), LB David Thornton (hip), CB Chris Carr (illness)OUT DL Albert Haynesworth (knee), DL Kyle Vanden Bosch (groin), CB Cary Williams (quadriceps)INJURED RESERVE CB Reynaldo Hill (hip), CB Eric King (foot)
***WEEK 16 FANTASY TID-BITS***
WEEK 16 numbers, trends, & stats
The numbers:
- The Colts quarterback Peyton Manning has thrown at least 2 touchdowns in nine games this season.
- The Saints quarterback Drew Brees has passed for over 300-yards eight times this season.
- The Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams has scored a rushing touchdown in seven straight games.
- The Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has thrown 3 or more touchdowns in six games this season.
- The Falcons rookie quarterback Matt Ryan has passed for more than 250-yards five times this season.
- The Falcons running back Michael Turner has had two or more touchdowns in four games this season.
- The Texans rookie running back Steve Slaton has rushed for over 100-yards in three straight games.
- The Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson has a touchdown reception in his last two starts.
- Running backs Brian Westbrook (Eagles), DeAngelo Williams (Panthers), and Michael Turner (Falcons), have each scored 4 rushing touchdowns in a single game once this season.
Trends:
Over the past three weeks, Ravens running back LeRon McClain who will face a stout Cowboys run defense has averaged 23 touches per game and 78-yards rushing, but with only one score. The Rams running back Steven Jackson has not been the fantasy stud this season everyone expected, but in his last three games Jackson is averaging around 26 touches and 101-total yards per game. Rookie running back Steve Slaton has been a pleasant surprise for Texans fans as well as fantasy owners. Over his last four starts, Slaton is averaging more than 26 touches and 132-total yards per game.
Stats:
The Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson leads the NFL with 103 receptions and 1,408-yards receiving. This season Johnson has topped 100-yards receiving and recorded 10 catches or more in six games. He's been targeted 153 times this season, regardless of matchup he is an every week starter.
The Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker ranks second in the NFL with 102 receptions. His 1,071-yards receiving ranks 9th in the league. This season Welker has had fewer than 6 receptions in a game just once. For the season, Welker has been targeted 137 times and he's caught 8 passes or more in a game 5 times. In his last three starts he's averaging 11 targets, making him a solid WR2 week in and week out.
The Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams has been a fantasy monster this season with 1,229-yards rushing and 14 rushing touchdowns. In his past three starts Williams has scored 7 times and rushed for 346-yards averaging 25 fantasy points per game over that span. Even though he'll face a tough Giants defense Sunday night, averaging 20+ touches per game over his last four, Williams will get plenty of work to be productive.
