Redskins' FS Sean Taylor: 1983-2007.

Snap

Several teams have been hit by multiple concurrent injuries in to their running backs.  This makes things difficult when your starter and his handcuff both are hurt.  Take Buffalo, for example.  Rookie sensation Marshawn Lynch will probably miss another game with a lingering ankle injury.  Backup RB Anthony Thomas got the start last week, but he hurt his calf and he may not be able to go on Sunday versus the Redskins.   That would leave Fred Jackson and rookie Dwayne Wright to share the rushing load against Washington.

The Denver running back situation is as muddled as Buffalo’s.  Travis Henry could finally be suspended this week by the league for violating the substance abuse policy.  The Broncos have stopped relying on Henry, who has been out since week 10 with a knee injury.   Denver’s running-back friendly system produced a productive backup in Selvin Young, who did well until he suffered a knee injury two weeks ago.  With Young and Henry inactive last week, Andre Hall got the call and was electrifying against the Bears with 167 total yards.  Hall suffered an ankle sprain during the game, and may not be ready for Sunday.  It should be an interesting week of practice in Denver. Thank goodness we have Six Days to Sunday to sort it out for us.

The running back situation in Miami is also a shambles.  The Dolphins lost two running backs in the mud of Pittsburgh on Monday night. Starter Jesse Chatman left the game with a neck injury in the third quarter and did not return.   What about Ricky Williams? Gone like a puff of smoke.   Williams has a season-ending chest injury.  Williams finished with six rushes for 15 yards and a fumble.  In most fantasy scoring systems he finishes the season with between one and negative-one point. Ricky, we hardly knew you.

The Giants had to get by without their top two running backs last week. Reuben Droughns was unproductive in the blow-out loss to Minnesota.  Starter Brandon Jacobs is still nursing the injured hamstring but Derrick Ward may be able to go against the Bears at Soldier Field.

The disappointing season of Chicago RB Cedric Benson is over.  Benson rushed for only 674 yards and a 3.4 average before an ankle injury landed him on IR.  He will need surgery.  Benson has had three major injuries in his three NFL seasons – something to consider if you have him in a keeper league.  The starting job goes to Adrian Peterson, the Chicago edition.

The Minnesota version of Adrian Peterson may be ready to come back this Sunday.  The Vikings didn’t miss him that much, winning both games that Peterson was sidelined with a knee injury. Veteran Chester Taylor filled in very capably. They could split carries this week against the Lions.  

The Colts last played on Thanksgiving, so they will get ten days between games.  They can use the rest to heal their wounds for a pivotal game against the Jaguars. Jacksonville is only game behind the Colts in the AFC South.  Foremost among the injured Colts is WR Marvin Harrison.  Harrison has played in only five games this season but might be ready to come back Sunday.  Rookie Anthony Gonzalez, who has had his own injuries, started for Harrison on Thanksgiving.   Whichever one starts is a good play against Jacksonville.  Peyton Manning threw a lot to his tight ends, Dallas Clark and Ben Utecht, while Harrison was out.  A healthier receiving corps will help Manning stretch the field against Jacksonville, and will take some of the heat off of Reggie Wayne and Joseph Addai.

The rocky season of Marc Bulger took another nasty turn last week.  The Rams quarterback suffered bruised ribs and a concussion.  Bulger had missed two games last month with knee and thumb injuries.  Gus Frerotte was horrid subbing for Bulger.  Last week he fumbled a game away that the Rams could have won.  The NFL is being very conservative with concussions, so don’t be surprised if Frerotte faces the Falcons on Sunday.  Downgrade Torry Holt without Bulger.  The other receivers, Isaac Bruce (hand) and Drew Bennett (hamstring) are slowed by injuries. 

Another quarterback in the news is Tampa Bay’s Jeff Garcia, who is questionable this Sunday against the Saints. Garcia was knocked out of last week’s game with a back injury, though he returned in the fourth quarter.  Bruce Gradkowski would start if Garcia can’t go.

Some receiver injuries to note: Jets WR Laveranues Coles, Seattle WR D.J. Hackett and Ravens TE Todd Heap are all expected to sit on  Sunday. 

Crackle

The Patriots march towards immortality got slightly out of step last Sunday.  They survived a scare against the Eagles.  Ravens QB Kyle Boller will try to replicate A.J. Feeley’s success, but it will be a tough task.  Coach Bill Belichick will make some adjustments and won’t be caught by surprise again. At least that’s what the odds makers think since they’ve made New England a 20-point favorite Monday night.  If facing the Patriots weren’t tough enough, Boller will have to do without his most dependable receiver, Heap.   RB Willis McGahee has had three 100-yard rushing games this season, but two of the three were against Cleveland. He just doesn’t do well against better defenses, although he does have six touchdowns in his last six games.  Basically, nobody on the Ravens is a strong play this week against the No. 3 defense in the NFL.

The Lions Kevin Jones broke out of a two-game funk with a good effort (120 total yards) against the Packers last week.   Forget about running against the  Vikings’ stingy run defense this week,  however.

Houston RB Ron Dayne has been a nice pickup in fantasy play with Ahman Green out.  Over the last three games he has averaged 96 yards rushing.  That trend is likely to halt this Sunday against the good Titans defense.

In Buffalo, J.P. Losman is out and Trent Edwards is in at quarterback versus the Redskins.  Washington will miss Taylor and they will skip some practice time during the week, but expect a ton of emotion on Sunday.  The defense will clamp down on Edwards, slumping WR Lee Evans and whoever is at running back for Buffalo.

Pop

Washington RB Clinton Portis and TE Chris Cooley top fantasy options at their respective positions versus the Bills 31st ranked defense.  WR Santana Moss and QB Jason Campbell are worthy of some fantasy playing time against Buffalo.

In the big Thursday match up, I like Brett Favre better than Tony Romo in terms of fantasy points.  You can throw on Dallas, and the Packers have four pretty good receivers in WRs Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, James Jones and TE Donald Lee.

Do I like Arizona QB Kurt Warner against the Browns?  Yes, I do!  This will be the week that both WR Anquan Boldin returns to his old self as does RB Edgerrin James.

Check the Broncos RB situation up until Sunday’s game against the Raiders.  Oakland has the league’s worst run defense and whoever starts for Denver is an attractive fantasy option.  Depending on who heals or who is not suspended, it could be any one of the following: Young, Hall, Henry, Cecil Sapp or Mike Bell.

Quick hits:  Jets RB Thomas Jones versus the Dolphins, the Giants’ Ward versus the Bears, Raiders RB Justin Fargas versus the Broncos.