If you're reading this from a Sandy-stricken location, my thoughts and prayers are with you, and I hope things get better very soon. My parents live in Staten Island, N.Y., and though they're OK, I was following the news for much of the night. Some of the images from New York City are unbelievable.

On to the football news:

• It's possible that Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman will be healthy enough to play this week for the Steelers. However, one team beat writer saysthat the only running back controversy will be "if Mike Tomlin starts someone other than Jonathan Dwyer" against the Giants. We'll need to hear more from Tomlin later this week, but I wouldn't rush to start Mendenhall if he's active in Week 9. Dwyer has been terrific, and is likely to keep getting a big workload.
• So far, the Eagles have not announced a decision to install Nick Foles as their starting quarterback in place of the turnover-plagued Michael Vick. If it happens, as has been rumored, Foles would practice with the first team on Wednesday, so we'll know something soon either way. If you own Vick, hold him for now, since he projects to be a solid start against the Saints this week. Until we hear something to the contrary, look for Vick to get at least one more chance.
• Despite gaining just 154 yards on 64 carries in three starts, RB Alex Green appears to still be the man for the Packers. It's hard for fantasy owners to argue against a guy who carries 20 times per game, even if he struggles.
• In other Packers' news, head coach Mike McCarthy said Monday that WR Jordy Nelson (hamstring) was close to playing against the Jaguars. I'd guess that Nelson's owners will have him back for Week 9.
• This week's bye teams are the Pats, Jets, 49ers and Rams, with the Thursday night game being Chiefs-Chargers. Plan your lineups accordingly.
• Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew (foot) has been ruled out for Week 9. Rashad Jennings will again be a solid play.
• Suggestion: Try to ignore the NFL trade deadline rumors this week. Just because you hope that Steven Jackson or DeAngelo Williams will be dealt to teams that use them more doesn't mean it will happen.
• Attention, Jamaal Charles owners: DO NOT PANIC. Chiefs head coach Romeo Crennel suggested Monday that Charles got only five carries on Sunday because the Raiders were "loaded up against the run." That's probably not an acceptable excuse for you, but you'd have to be really stupid to keep the ball away from your best playmaker for a sustained period of time. Start Charles this week if you have him.
• In other Chiefs' news, Crennel isn't yet sure if Brady Quinn (concussion) or Matt Cassel will start at quarterback.
• The status of Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill (knee, quad) for this week is TBD. He's got a nice matchup against the Colts, too.
• Cowboys RB DeMarco Murray (foot) hopes to return Sunday night at Atlanta, but we should know more about his status in a couple of days. Teammate Dez Bryant, who injured a hip on his almost-TD near the end of Sunday's loss to the Giants, seems to be doing OK.
• Titans QB Matt Hasselbeck will make another start in place of Jake Locker (shoulder) against the Bears on Sunday.
• The Jets will reportedly spend the bye week devising ways to get Tim Tebow more involved in their offense, but not (yet) as the starting quarterback. I still think stashing Tebow for late-season purposes isn't a bad idea if you have the roster space.
• My colleague Joel Beall will be in the FOXSports.com fantasy chat room today at 3 p.m. ET. Make sure to send your questions!

See you back here Friday morning.