Morning Football Update: Big decision on Big Ben
It's hard to see many fantasy owners being upset about last night's Jaguars-Falcons game. Maurice Jones-Drew ran well, and most of the key Falcons looked strong. Unless you started Tony Gonzalez or benched Julio Jones, your playoff week should be going well so far. And if you benched Michael Turner, well ... why would you do that?
Here's your weekly reminder about where you can find fantasy advice as kickoff approaches:
- 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 ET. I'll be back in the noon slot this week.
On to the news:
- Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger hasn't practiced this week due to his sprained left ankle, and it sounds like his status is tracking toward a gametime decision. Folks, forget about the legend of Roethlisberger playing with 11 broken ribs, or his limbs chopped off like the Black Knight from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. He has a Monday game, and if we're not sure about his status by early Sunday afternoon, you'll have to bench him. Risking a goose egg isn't worth it. I'd still start Steelers WRs Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown, but knock 'em down a bit in the rankings.
- Vikings RB Adrian Peterson appears to be on track to return after missing three games with a sprained ankle, and he says he wants to play to help his fantasy owners. God bless Purple Jesus! If Peterson practices today without any setbacks, you should pencil him into your lineup.
- It sounds like the Eagles will have both QB Michael Vick (ribs) and WR Jeremy Maclin (hamstring) on the field against the Jets. I don't care if Vick had a bad game in Week 14 and has been limited in practice. He's still a QB1, and I'd start him in most cases if I owned him. However, I don't own Vick in any leagues, because I was pretty sure he was going to get hurt at some point. Why did you pick him in the first round, anyway?
- Though the headline in this story doesn't match its content, you should expect to be without Texans WR Andre Johnson again this week. Remember that TE Owen Daniels caught seven passes for 100 yards from rookie QB T.J. Yates last week. Someone has to be Yates' primary receiver, right?
- Remember that we have a Saturday night kickoff: Cowboys at Bucs. Set your lineups accordingly.
- With James Starks (ankle) and Brandon Saine (concussion) still not practicing, Ryan Grant looks to be the leading man again in the Packers' backfield. Grant put up some good numbers last week, and even though he carried only 10 times, you should still find a way to get him in the lineup.
- Lions RB Kevin Smith (ankle) was back at practice on Thursday, but his status for Sunday is still TBD. The Lions' late game makes a Smith decision more complicated, but if he's active, feel free to start him. They probably won't activate Smith if they don't think he can make it through the whole game.
- Dolphins QB Matt Moore (concussion) was back at practice Thursday and should play Sunday. Since he's playing against the Bills, he's not a terrible option.
- QB Kevin Kolb (concussion) is questionable for the Cardinals, so John Skelton might get another start. You'll want to avoid either guy against the Browns' second-ranked pass defense. I'd still start Larry Fitzgerald, though.
- Browns QB Colt McCoy still hasn't practiced as a result of the concussion he wasn't examined for last Thursday, so Seneca Wallace is expected to start. I really hope my market gets the Wallace-Skelton matchup over Brady-Tebow late Sunday afternoon.
- The Titans seem to think that QB Matt Hasselbeck (calf) will be able to start against the Colts on Sunday, and even though that's not a certainty, you might want to temper your expectations for Jake Locker's rushing yards. I've heard from a few people who seem to be drooling about the possibility of starting Locker.
- Looking to pick up a defense? The Bengals might get to face Kellen Clemens instead of Sam Bradford (ankle) on Sunday.
- 49ers RB Frank Gore went through a full practice on Thursday, just a few days after his head coach said he's been limited due to some injuries. Gore is still a solid fantasy start, so don't shy away from him unless your other options are terrific.
- Raiders WR Denarius Moore is on track to return this week after missing three games with a foot injury. If you're looking for a high-upside free agent, Moore is owned in just 33.3 percent of FOXSports.com leagues.
- It sounds like Saints RB Mark Ingram (turf toe) will miss another game on Sunday. Chris Ivory's fantasy value lives on.
- I hate reading the Patriots' injury report. They just throw half the team on there to confuse us.
- Kyle Orton is tentatively scheduled to start at quarterback for the Chiefs. Woo!
- Here's an update on the respective statuses of Bears QB Jay Cutler and RB Matt Forte. Lovie Smith said this week that Forte has a chance to play against the Seahawks, but consider that a longshot.
See you back here Tuesday morning. Good luck this weekend!
