Fantasy Football Morning Update: Bolts' Mathews getting close
Do you think the Packers were happy to beat Jay Cutler and the Bears last night after Cutler recently wished the Pack "good luck" in trying to stop his new receivers? Check out these two postgame quotes from Packers' DBs, as reported by the Chicago Tribune:
Charles Woodson: "It's the same old Jay ... We don't need luck, Jay will throw us the ball ... proof is in the pudding."
Tramon Williams: "It was funny to me ... He was talking like a kid with new toys, a couple new receivers. At the end of the day, you have to be able to get the ball to those guys, and he didn't.''
Fortunately, Cutler's offensive linemen will back him up today. Oops, wait - he spent some of the game screaming at them. Never mind.
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If you need additional help getting ready for Sunday's games after reading today's blog entry, here's what we've got for you before kickoff:
- Send your questions to me via Facebook or Twitter. You can also tweet lineup questions to my colleagues Joel Beall, Ryan Fowler and Mike Harmon.
- Listen to hosts Harmon, Peter Burns and Nate Lundy on the FOX Fantasy Freaks on FOX Sports Radio Sunday from 9 a.m. until noon ET. You can tweet questions to those guys as well.
- Join a pregame chat with Beall and me on Sunday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
- Review my Week 2 rankings, along with all the great information at our fantasy football news page.
On to the rest of the news:
- Chargers RB Ryan Mathews (clavicle) was back at practice as a limited participant on Thursday. San Diego Union Tribune beat writer Kevin Acee tweeted that it "appears Mathews will play" on Sunday, and while Mathews says he's ready to go, head coach Norv Turner was non-committal after Thursday's practice. We should know more later today, and while things look good for Mathews' fantasy owners, the late Sunday start may make it tough to wait for a gametime decision. Stay tuned.
- In other Chargers' news, TE Antonio Gates hasn't practiced this week due to rib soreness related to an injury suffered Monday night, but he's expected to play.
- Bears RB Matt Forte left last night's game with an ankle injury, and his status for Week 3 is TBD. (UPDATE, 10:23 a.m. ET: Reports indicate a high ankle sprain for Forte. That could sideline him for a month.)
- Eagles WRs Jeremy Maclin (hip pointer) and DeSean Jackson (hamstring) both missed practice on Thursday. It sounds like Maclin is the one we need to worry about on Sunday.
- Jets CB Darrelle Revis (concussion) has not yet been cleared to play this week. Owners of Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown should remember that it's not polite to be happy about news like this in public.
- On the other side of the ball, the Steelers may be without both LB James Harrison (knee) and S Troy Polamalu (calf), though Harrison said on Thursday that he'll play. Also, RB Rashard Mendenhall (knee) isn't expected to be ready, so the Jonathan Dwyer/Isaac Redman timeshare gets another chance. Dwyer appears to be the better runner, but Redman should still get his share of carries.
- Based on the lineup questions I've seen this week, many of you need to stop panicking over Chris Johnson and Wes Welker. While there's no guarantee that either player will have the year you expected, it's likely that both will, and one bad game is no reason to bench someone or trade him for 50 cents on the dollar. Be patient, OK?
- Looking to play the DST matchup game? Your prime targets this week are the Bengals (vs. Brandon Weeden and the Browns), the Patriots (vs. Kevin Kolb and the Cardinals) and the Raiders (at Ryan Tannehill and the Dolphins). I've been picking up the Bengals everywhere I can.
- The Titans expect WR Kenny Britt to play 15-25 snaps in his first game back from a suspension and offseason knee surgery. I know Britt's fantasy owners are anxious to get him back in the lineup, but waiting another week is the smart play.
- In other Titans' news, it sounds like QB Jake Locker is on track to play after injuring his shoulder in Week 1.
- According to Giants' head coach Tom Coughlin, rookie RB David Wilson is "a little bit out of the doghouse" after fumbling early in the season opener. They don't want Ahmad Bradshaw to carry the ball every time, right?
- Redskins WR Pierre Garcon (foot) was "very limited" in Thursday's practice, and his status for Sunday seems iffy.
- Seahawks WR Sidney Rice hasn't practiced yet this week due to a sore knee. Having Rice play in two consecutive games isn't too much to ask, right?
- 49ers RB Brandon Jacobs (knee) will probably be out again this week.
- Raiders WR Denarius Moore (hamstring) is expected to return this week, but offensive coordinator Greg Knapp said, "We don't want to play him the full game."
- With RB Rashad Jennings (knee) unlikely to play in Week 2, it's MJD time in Jacksonville. So much for easing him back in.
- Saints WR Devery Henderson (concussion) hasn't practiced this week, and his status for Sunday is TBD.
- Speaking of concussions, Colts WR Austin Collie is expected to play this week. PPR owners can consider starting him.
- Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart (ankle) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, and is expected to play Sunday. Stewart shares carries with DeAngelo Williams, has Mike Tolbert around to catch passes and possibly run in short-yardage situations, and often cedes goal-line carries to Cam Newton. Otherwise, he's a fine fantasy play.
- Reminder: Browns CB Joe Haden is serving a four-game suspension. That's good news for A.J. Green owners.
Good luck in Week 2!

