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
Larry Fitzgerald- Fitty missed his Wednesday practice and was not a full participant on Thursday due to a thumb injury. Remember though, this is Larry Fitzgerald, so even if he only had one hand he would be a must-start.
The Baltimore Ravens
Willis McGahee - Willis McGahee is part of the fantasy circus this week after Ray Rice filled in with a humongous game last week. Now Baltimore's offensive coordinator, Cam Cameron, looks to be leaning toward Rice regardless, but nothing is set as of this point. Given McGahee's lingering injury, I would sit this week out and see what happens unless some very concrete news surfaces about McGahee's availability and the safety of his starting job.
Ray Rice - As if the backfield situation in Baltimore was not confusing enough already, Ray Rice has been limited in practice this week with a chest injury. Still, he looks ready to go and should be a pretty strong start this week.
The Carolina Panthers
Jonathan Stewart - Stewart seems to have pretty serious pain in his heel and has been wearing the boot. At this point, he is considered day-to-day, but this seems worse than just day-to-day. He explained that he feels intense pain every time he puts pressure on the foot, so I'd go elsewhere this week. Plus, even if he is healthy, he'll be sharing carries with DeAngelo Williams.
The Chicago Bears
Kyle Orton - Kyle Orton missed practice this week and will not play. Hang onto him though, because he should be back in a week or two.
Brandon Lloyd - Brandon Lloyd is back at practice and looks to be finally nearing 100%. Keep a close eye on Lloyd, because given the duration of his injury, he could be a great waiver pickup very soon. The real question now is if Grossman and Lloyd have the chemistry that sparked earlier in the season with between he and Orton.
The Dallas Cowboys
Tony Romo - Tony Romo returned to practice this week. The Cowboys have a bye week, so it's not a bad time to think about trading for Romo or even TO.
The Denver Broncos
Ryan Torain - Serves you all right for violating the cardinal rule of fantasy football; beware of the Broncos' backfield. Somehow it always comes back to bite you. Torain left Thursday night's game with an injury after a meteoric start to the game and is now headed to the IR. Tough break for Torain and his owners.
The Houston Texans
Matt Schaub - Schaub looks to be sidelined for up to a month with Sage Rosenfels filling in for the meantime. Schaub suffered ligament damage in the knee, so it's probably not worth holding onto him considering he'll be coming back just in time for the fantasy playoffs and his starting job might be in question by then. Let's face it, we are not talking about Tom Brady here.
The Kansas City Chiefs
Larry Johnson - LJ will miss the week 10 game for certain with a suspension, but Herm Edwards announced that he will be back in the lineup for week 11. I don't see the rationale in picking him up at this point as he will probably get suspended again when his trial comes around just in time for the fantasy playoffs. Four shady domestic violence incidents in five years is enough to keep someone off your roster in my book.
The New England Patriots
Sammy Morris - The situation looks the same in New England. Sammy Morris will likely miss another week as the knee has still not recovered. Lamont Jordan is also looking unavailable, so the carries will likely be split between BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Kevin Faulk.
The New Orleans Saints
Reggie Bush - Reggie Bush will most likely not be available this week and is targeting a week 11 return. He has not been ruled out for week 10 just yet, but it's not looking at all likely.
The New York Jets
Laveranues Coles - Coles seems to remain on the injury report every week but he plays every week. He should be fine.
Jerricho Cotchery - Cotchery has practiced light this week with the shoulder injury, but this is nothing new. He should be fine for St. Louis.
The Oakland Raiders
Darren McFadden - McFadden just cannot seem to beat this toe injury. At this point, his worth is becoming entirely questionable. It's hard to rationalize starting him in any games down the stretch as the toe injury clearly is not improving according to plan.
The Philadelphia Eagles
Brian Westbrook - Westbrook underwent a light load in practice this week, but that's par for the course for Westbrook. He is an obvious start.
The Pittsburgh Steelers
Willie Parker - Willie Parker missed practice on Thursday and is expected to also miss the week 10 game against Indianapolis. After finally returning for week nine, Parker apparently re-injured himself at some point in the third quarter.
Ben Roethlisberger - Roethlisberger sat out of Thursday practice, but aims to give it a go on Friday. Considering his poor performance last week, the ligament damage in his pinkie, and a partially separated shoulder, start him at your own risk the rest of the season. There are probably better waiver wire options available as opposed to starting Ben at this point.
The Seattle Seahawks
Matt Hasselbeck - Hasselbeck looks to miss another week due to his inured back. He hoped to return to practice today, but regardless, do not start him until we know for certain when he will return. Keep him on the roster to see how things develop, but I don't like him much as a starter even when he does.
The St. Louis Rams
Stephen Jackson - After missing Wednesday and Thursday practice, Coach Haslett has given little indication that Jackson will play this weekend. Unless Jackson goes full speed today - which is entirely doubtful - expect Haslett to opt for Kenneth Darby or Samkon Gado this wee.
