Morning Football Update: Texans' Johnson still iffy
I don't know if you watched last night's incredible, epic Game 6 of the World Series, in which the St. Louis Cardinals twice staved off elimination after being down to their final strike and forced Game 7 with an 11th-inning home run by hometown hero David Freese, but I really liked Joe Buck's call of Freese's homer. Buck simply said, "Holy $#@!" Or maybe that's what I said. Screamed, actually. Holy $#@! Wow, I'm still stunned. Anyway, here's a link to Buck's call. Enjoy Game 7.
Here's the regular Friday rundown on where you can find fantasy football assistance over the weekend:
- Tweet the FOXSports.com fantasy team. I'm at @jhalpin37, and you can also contact Ryan Fowler (@FOXSportsFowler), Joel Beall (@FOXSportsBeall) and Mike Harmon (@SwollenDome).
- Post a message on the Facebook pages for Harmon, Fowler and me.
- Listen to FOX Fantasy Freaks Harmon, Peter Burns and Nate Lundy, on FOX Sports Radio Sunday from 9 a.m. until noon ET. You can also tweet those guys (@FantasyFreaks).
- Chat with Fowler, Beall and me on FOXSports.com Sunday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. I'll be in my regular noon slot this week.
On to the news:
- Texans WR Andre Johnson "doesn't seem too optimistic" about his chances to return from a hamstring injury this Sunday, according to the Houston Chronicle, and is tracking toward a gametime decision. Have your backup ready if you own Johnson.
- Lions QB Matthew Stafford (ankle) appears likely to play on Sunday despite being limited in practice again on Thursday. Stafford is almost certain to be without RB Jahvid Best (concussion), who still isn't practicing.
- Remember your byes: The Falcons, Bears, Packers, Jets, Raiders and Buccaneers are off this week.
- With Cedric Benson serving his one-game suspension this week, are you ready to start Bernard Scott? I'm not, since he's playing against the Seahawks, who are allowing a league-low 3.1 yards per carry. Scott isn't a terrible play, but this isn't a good matchup for him.
- Peyton Hillis' hamstring kept him out of Thursday's practice. With the Browns playing a late game, make sure Hillis is active before you start him.
- The Cardinals aren't expected to make a decision on RB Beanie Wells (knee) until Sunday morning. A running back with a bad knee against the Ravens ... yikes. Alfonso Smith would get most of the torture, er, work if Wells can't play.
- Rams QB Sam Bradford (ankle) still isn't practicing, and doesn't look like a good bet to start Sunday against the Saints. Too bad, since the Saints are just OK against the pass. A.J. Feeley is Bradford's backup.
- Don't look for Saints RB Mark Ingram (heel) to play against the Rams, who are the not-so-proud owners of the league's worst run defense. Even though the Saints might activate Chris Ivory to muck up, um, shore up their backfield rotation in Ingram's absence, Darren Sproles and Pierre Thomas will be solid plays with Ingram out of the picture.
- Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch went through a full practice on Thursday, and looks like he's ready to go after missing Week 7 due to back spasms. Teammate Tarvaris Jackson (strained pectoral) was limited, which should make Charlie Whitehurst's owners happy. Yes, I started Whitehurst in a two-QB league last week. Don't judge me!
- Vikings TE Visanthe Shiancoe (foot) hasn't practiced this week, but will give it a try today. Sigmund Bloom of Football Guys suggested on Twitter yesterday that rookie Kyle Rudolph could be in line for some looks if Shiancoe can't go, and that would make Rudolph an interesting flier in deep leagues. Every rookie QB needs a security blanket, right?
- We all agree that Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan can never be trusted with our fantasy fortunes, but I'm still starting Ryan Torain this week.
- Yes, you should start Titans RB Chris Johnson again. If he can't produce against the Colts, we'll figure out how to reassess his situation next week.
- Signs points to Bucs RB LeGarrette Blount returning to action in Week 9, so factor that into your pickups if it matters.
- 49ers WR Braylon Edwards is reportedly on track to return after missing four games due to a knee injury. I wonder how much Edwards will cut into Michael Crabtree's work, as Crabtree had 15 targets and nine receptions for 77 yards in Week 6. Crabtree is an underrated fantasy wideout, but let's see how he does on Sunday. I'd still start him as a WR3 or flex option.
- Steelers WR Hines Ward might not play Sunday due to a sprained ankle. Bump up Antonio Brown's stock just a bit.
- Chargers WR Malcom Floyd hasn't practiced this week due to a hip injury. Anyone want to take a flier on Patrick Crayton? Your league would have to be pretty deep for that one. RB Mike Tolbert (hamstring, hand) missed Thursday's practice as well, and his status for Monday is up in the air.
- Underrated Jaguars WR Jason Hill was limited in Thursday's practice due to a wrist injury, but I haven't seen any indication that he'll be out this week. Hill has been targeted 28 times over his last four games, catching 13 passes for 243 yards and two scores.
- Can someone tell me what's wrong with Reggie Bush saying "this team stinks" about the 0-6 Dolphins? Who doesn't agree with that? Of course they stink.
- The status of Colts RB Joseph Addai (hamstring) for Sunday is TBD. Remember that rookie Delone Carter had 10 carries for 89 yards and a touchdown last week.
- Remember to submit your video question for Sunday morning's chat. You'll be the coolest kid on your block if we pick you.
See you back here Tuesday morning. Good luck this weekend, and remember to be careful if you're Tebowing.

