2009-10-29 11:53:17
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
RealTime Fantasy Sports
I'm going to give one last plug for our new live chat before we get to the latest injury news. If you haven't heard, I will be hosting a live chat Thursday at 1 PM central time (a link to enter the chat will be on your league home page). We'll do this every week for the rest of the season (barring technical issues). Please feel free to stop by and ask some questions about fantasy football or whatever else might be on your mind. I get a ton of questions each week and unfortunately, I don't always get to all of them so we think this is a way for our users to get more of their questions answered. This doesn't mean you have to stop sending me questions, but you probably have a better chance to get them answered if you show up to the chat - at least I think so. I look forward to hearing from you all Thursday. Hopefully, this new feature is a useful addition for our users. Matthew Stafford, QB, Lions. Stafford is practicing on his knee injury and apparently is looking pretty good. He isn't being held back as of yet. The Lions are going to be cautious with their rookie quarterback, but it seems he has a pretty good chance at playing this week. We expect Stafford to be in the starting lineup unless he has some sort of setback late in the week.
Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions. Johnson still isn't practicing on his knee injury, but is doing some work on the side. If he practices some late in the week, consider Johnson a decent shot to play. But if he doesn't practice at all during the week, we can't see the Lions playing him. Consider Johnson very questionable - for now. Brian Westbrook, RB, Eagles. The Eagles aren't ruling Westbrook out, but it sure seems like Westbrook should miss the Week 8 game. He was apparently knocked unconscious during last week's game, suffering a concussion. This normally would keep a player out at least a game or two. The Eagles are fairly optimistic Westbrook can play, but we wouldn't count on it. We should know more late in the week. Rookie LeSean McCoy gets the start at running back if Westbrook can't play. Andre Johnson, WR, Texans. Johnson suffered a scary injury last Sunday. He had to go to the hospital with a chest injury, which turned out to be a bruised lung. He isn't practicing yet this week, but is telling everyone he plans to play this weekend. Johnson claims he'll be fine. The Texans are being a little more cautious, but holding out hope Johnson will be able to play Week 8. We expect him to play, but keep an eye on the notes for the latest to be safe. Johnson isn't a sure thing. Jerricho Cotchery, WR, Jets. Cotchery is already back practicing this week and has looked good in doing so. Cotchery was close to playing last week, but was held out last week to get closer to full strength. It seems Cotchery is about 100 percent now. Unless he has a setback, expect Cotchery to start and get plenty of work during Week 8. Reggie Wayne, WR, Colts. Wayne injured his groin during the Week 7 game, but was able to return from the injury during the game. Wayne isn't practicing just yet, but the Colts are optimistic Wayne will be just fine for the Week 8 game. We can't see him missing since he played through the injury last week and played just fine. DeSean Jackson, WR, Eagles. Jackson hurt his foot and had it x-rayed during the Week 7 game, but the x-ray was fine and Jackson even returned to the game. He is being held out of practice so far this week, but seems likely to play after playing through the injury last week. We would feel pretty good about having Jackson active after watching him score two long touchdowns last week, including one on his injured foot. Leon Washington, RB, Jets. Washington broke his leg and was placed on Injured Reserve this week. His season is over. Washington's injury isn't going to be something that will impact him long term, though, so Washington should be just fine for the start of next season. Rookie Shonn Greene takes over the No. 2 running back duties for the Jets. Chris Cooley, TE, Redskins. There are all sorts of reports on Cooley's ankle injury. He was initially thought to be done for the season but recent reports said the injury wasn't quite as serious and he could be back in four weeks. Either way, we wouldn't expect Cooley to make much more of an impact the rest of this season. Fred Davis takes over the starting tight end duties for the Redskins while Cooley is out. Donald Brown, RB, Colts. Brown hurt his shoulder during the Week 7 game and is likely out at least a game. Joseph Addai should pickup much of the work Brown was getting at running back. Chad Simpson becomes the top backup to Addai, but we can't see him playing the same role as Brown. Addai will benefit most from this injury. Bernard Berrian, WR, Vikings. Berrian was forced from last week's game because of a hamstring strain. He still hasn't practiced yet this week and seems questionable to play. At this point, we wouldn't count on Berrian going. He was slowed by a similar injury early in the year, which is a concern going forward. If you have any questions or comments, please email Jeff Paur at jeff@rtsports.com | 
