Over the past few weeks, Chris Cooley has been a hot play at TE.

Snap

Houston QB Matt Schaub left last week’s game in the first quarter with a dislocated shoulder. Rosenfels relieved him and led the Texans to victory over Oakland. Schaub is very likely out for Sunday’s game against the Buccaneers and quite possibly for the remainder of the season.

Who is playing quarterback for the Rams? Marc Bulger still has not been cleared to play following his concussion in week 12.  Gus Frerotte started last Sunday but sustained a shoulder injury from a hard hit from the Falcons’ Jamaal Anderson.  The injury is bad enough to force him to miss the Cincinnati game.  That makes rookie Brock Berlin the starter.  Berlin has never attempted a pass in the NFL. Not good news for Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce owners.

Brett Favre’s NFL-record of 249 straight starts is in jeopardy. The Packers'  QB left the Dallas game in the first quarter with injuries to his right elbow and left shoulder.  The Packers pretty much have the second seed sewn up in the NFC, so it’s possible that Favre may start and then leave early to keep the streak going.  Aaron Rodgers was very good in relief of Favre against the Cowboys.  He is a worthwhile handcuff for Favre owners.

The Denver running back situation looks a little clearer this week. Travis Henry won his appeal and will not be suspended for failing a drug test.  So Henry owners can breathe a sigh of relief as they head into their fantasy playoff weeks. Henry is also one of the healthier Bronco running backs and should get the majority of the carries.  Selvin Young (arm) and Andre Hall (high ankle sprain) are both injured and are backups to Henry.

The Giants' 2007 running back carousel continues to turn.  First Brandon Jacobs, then Derrick Ward, then Reuben Droughns, then Jacobs, then Droughns, then Jacobs, then Ward and now it’s anybody’s guess.  Ward was fantastic against the Bears last week, but he fractured a fibula late in the game.  The Giants placed him on Injured Reserve today.  New York is hoping to have Jacobs back against the Eagles after missing two games with a hamstring injury.   Droughns is healthy and is the only Giants runner certain to get some playing time on Sunday.

Steve McNair's disappointing season is officially over.  The Ravens put the veteran quarterback on IR and he underwent shoulder surgery yesterday. Even though it’s his non-throwing shoulder, the 34-year old McNair has virtually no value in keeper leagues.   Kyle Boller is the Balitmore quarterback for the remainder of the season.  Boller was excellent in the near-upset of New England on Monday night.

Expect the Lions to place WR Roy Williams on IR.  Williams sprained his posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against Minnesota on Sunday. Williams still is a viable keeper in dynasty leagues.

Their win over the Jaguars puts the Colts in a strong position to win the AFC South and the second seed in the playoffs.  That means they can think about saving the slow-healing Marvin Harrison for the post-season.  Anthony Gonzalez will start at wide receiver opposite Reggie Wayne against the  Ravens.

No improvement in Larry Johnson’s foot injury. The Chiefs running back will likely miss his fifth straight game.  Don’t hold your breath waiting for him to return. You should cut him in non-keeper leagues.

Eagles QB Donovan McNabb should be well enough to return from ankle and thumb injuries. A.J. Feeley came back to earth last week against Seattle, so Coach Andy Reid will be glad to have McNabb back against the Giants.  Take note,  McNabb owners — the last time the Eagles played the Giants, McNabb was sacked a dozen times.

Arizona’s two play-making wide receivers could be sidelined this Sunday.  Anquan Boldin dislocated a toe last Sunday and is unlikely to suit up in this week’s pivotal NFC West showdown with Seattle. Larry Fitzgerald was already hurt, having missed last week’s game with a groin injury.

Crackle

The good news is that the left elbow injury of Arizona QB Kurt Warner is much improved.  The bad news is that he will have no one to throw to with Boldin and Fitzgerald hurt.

The Patriots have not had a 100-yard rusher since Sammy Morris in week 5. Laurence Maroney has been a huge disappointment with only 511 rushing yards and two scores.  What’s worse is that lately Kevin Faulk is getting about one-third of the carries for New England.  Maroney is on a downward trend heading into a match-up with a top defense, in Pittsburgh’s.

The Texans will start Rosenfels at quarterback and Ron Dayne again at RB when they host Tampa Bay on Sunday.  Mazel tov to you, Mr. Rosenfels, because you will need it.  The Buccaneers have won four straight and have given up an average of only 13 points in those victories. Avoid starting all Texans not named Andre Johnson.

Pop

The Jets have won two of three.  They’re hot!  They should score on a bad Browns defense with or without Jerricho Cotchery (finger).  WR Laveranues Coles and RB Thomas Jones are strong plays and even QB Kellen Clemens is worth a look against the league’s worst defense.

Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson recovered quickly from a knee injury and had a big day last week against the Lions.  RB Chester Taylor was also productive, splitting the carries with Peterson. Expect the Vikings to take it easy on Peterson which means Taylor should get 12-15 carries against the 49ers poor run defense.

Bills RB Fred Jackson was a pleasant surprise last week subbing for Marshawn Lynch.  He has earned more playing time, even if Lynch is active.  Both have a great match-up against the Dolphins defense. 

Four more young running backs with easy match-ups this Sunday  are:

• Green Bay’s Ryan Grant versus the Raiders
• Kansas City’s Kolby Smith versus the Broncos
• Tampa Bay’s Earnest Graham versus the Texans
• Miami’s Jesse Chatman versus the Bills.

Who is the hottest tight end in football? Over the last three weeks it’s Washington’s Chris Cooley.  He is again a strong play, this week against Chicago in the Thursday night game.

49ers TE Vernon Davis has been extremely inconsistent from one week to the next. Even so, Davis has a very favorable  match-up on Sunday against a bad Vikings pass defense.

Need a team defense in a non-IDP league? Cincinnati is the play against the quarterback-challenged Rams.