Injuries To Watch: Week 8

Every week when the dinner bell rings on Friday evening, we'll be here to provide you a comprehensive commentary of the key injuries for the NFL weekend to follow. For those injuries that go right down to the wire, drop by our Fantasy Fanhouse expert live chat from 10am to 1pm EST every Sunday and we'll take care of you on those bloody game-time decisions. As always, please feel free to chime in with opinions, updates, and rumors in the comments.

The Arizona Cardinals

Anquan Boldin - After a well-timed bye week affording Boldin an extra week to rest his dome, he is expected to play on Sunday. Boldin allegedly lost about ten pounds though after having his jaw wired shut and slurping his food for two weeks. I'm in this predicament myself and plan to start him, but it's not an easy decision. If you have other quality options, it is probably worth waiting to see what he does this weekend.

The Baltimore Ravens

Derrick Mason - Unfortunately for Mason owners, who saw his value tick up after his six catch, 86 yard, one touchdown game last week, he was unable to practice this week with an undisclosed illness. Mason is not reliable enough to risk starting unless the illness dissipates completely.

The Carolina Panthers

D.J. Hackett - While I doubt too many people are reeling over Hackett's day-to-day status, he looks to be practicing lightly and should be available to play.

The Chicago Bears

Brandon Lloyd - Brandon Lloyd continues to nurse a sprained knee, so hopefully this week's bye should be the final stage in the waiting game. After a hot start to the season, owners are eagerly anticipating his return, but who knows what kind of shape he will be in upon returning.

The Cincinnati Bengals

Carson Palmer - Palmer is listed as out for Sunday's matchup against the Steelers.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh - Housh dressed on Thursday after practicing without pads on Wednesday. He is expected to go on Sunday, but given the injury in conjunction with Palmer's inactive status, he is probably not a great start for a #1 or a #2 wide receiver. Still, he is likely to get his fair share of targets regardless of who throws to him, so it's not regretable to keep him in the lineup.

The Cleveland Browns

Kellen Winslow - Kellen Winslow done went and got himself suspended. While he is attempting to appeal the decision, make other plans until further notice.

The Dallas Cowboys

Tony Romo - After leading everybody to think he was going to play through the pain last week with a broken pinkie, Romo announced he will miss the Cowboys' week 8 game against the Bucs. Worse yet, he now does not expect to return until after the bye week in mid-November.

Felix Jones - Jones is out this week and is expected to miss roughly another month with a partially torn hammy.

The Indianapolis Colts

Joseph Addai - While I think the Colts are playing mind games here, they are claiming that Addai might be available for the week eight game against Tennessee on Monday Night Football. They say it's 50/50, but I would not count on seeing much, if anything, from Addai this week. Stay tuned.

The New England Patriots

Sammy Morris - A lot of fantasy owners were feeling pretty smart after last week's first half dominance, but Morris is very questionable this week. While you never really know with Belichick, Morris has yet to practice this week. I'd recommend holding him out this week unless we hear any positive news. Again, take everything in new England with a grain of salt, but there have been some reports saying he will miss two to three weeks.

The New Orleans Saints

Marques Colston - Rest easy Colston owners, he is no longer on the injury report and should return to form this week. While the Reggie Bush injury hurts the Saints, it's likely an addition-by-subtraction situation for the receivers, so I expect big things from Colston.

Jeremy Shockey - After a disappointing return last week, Shockey is now listed as probable and should be ready for a real return this week.

Reggie Bush - Easily the most devastating injury of the week, Reggie Bush is definitely out this week and is expected to miss two to four weeks after having his knee scoped earlier in the week.

The New York Giants

Plaxico Burress - Plaxico missed two straight practices as his shoulder and neck stiffness continues to cause him problems. At this point, he is questionable, but if anybody will figure out a way to play, it's Plaxico. Check in before game time, but he should be available to go this week for the big game against the Steelers.

The New York Jets

Laveranues Coles - Coles remains on the injury report and the Jets confirmed that Coles suffered a concussion in week seven. Wait on Coles until we hear if the doctors clear him to play, but if they do, he should be good to go.

Jerricho Cotchery - Cotchery has practiced light all week with a shoulder injury and did not perform well last week against the Raiders. While he should be available to play, the Favre to Cotchery connection is not consistent. He'll put up more big games, but figuring out where and when is becoming too detrimental to fantasy owners.

The Philadelphia Eagles

Brian Westbrook - After the bye in week seven, Westbrook is good to go and ready to continue his perpetual fantasy domination.

The Pittsburgh Steelers

Willie Parker - Willie Parker 's knee injury continues to annoy fantasy owners as he was initially expected to return by now, Parker's status is still listed as doubtful, so continue to look elsewhere for one more week.

The San Diego Chargers

Chris Chambers - Chambers is questionable this week with the sprained ankle and does not seem to have made all that much progress. Hold off on him until he gives us reason to do otherwise.

The Seattle Seahawks

Deion Branch - It's just more of the same for Deion Branch. He continues to miss practice and has made no progress to report. Don't waste a roster spot until further notice.

Matt Hasselbeck - Hasselbeck looks to miss another week due to his inured back. Keep him on the roster, but he probably doesn't even constitute a worthy starter when he returns.

The San Francisco 49ers

Josh Morgan - The buzzy waiver wire wide receiver is questionable with a groin injury after missing Wednesday practice and participating in a limited capacity on Thursday. While he should be ready to go, I can't say I'd feel to comfortable starting him this week.

The St. Louis Rams

Steven Jackson - Jackson's status is looking grim this week as he sat out of both Wednesday and Thursday practice. Coach Haslett put his status at 50/50, but given his caliber and the Ram's improved play the last two games, don't get too down on him. He knows the offense, so the rest is not such a bad sign. Wait until game time, but I'd lean toward starting him if any positive news comes prior to gametime.

The Tampa Bay Bucs

Joey Galloway - Galloway continues to practice light after the extended bout with a foot injury. He is not worth starting, but Galloway should return soon for owners hoping he will add some firepower to the corps down the stretch.

Warrick Dunn - Dunn was limited in practice all week with a back injury. Don't expect too much from Dunn, given Earnest Graham's availability.

The Tennessee Titans

Justin Gage - Gage looks ready to return after nursing his knee injury. He practiced three straight days, so if you need him, go ahead and start him. He is not a great start, given the Titans heavy reliance on the run, but you could do worse for your #3 wide receiver.

The Washington Redskins

Clinton Portis - Portis did not practice on Thursday, but Coach Zorn continues to reiterate that he will play this weekend against the Lions. You should start him as always, but did I mention the Redskins were playing the Lions? They might not need too much out of Portis, since there will probably be plenty of garbage time. If there is ever a game for Shaun Alexander to show his stuff, this is likely the one.