There are plenty of players hurting this preseason. We are going to overreact in some cases and underreact in others. So just keep that in mind and proceed with caution.
Johnny Knox: He has officially been demoted to the #4 receiver on the depth chart. Ok, Knox caused a lot of interceptions last season that got blamed on Cutler and that’s unacceptable, but 4th behind Devin Hester? I thought the Hester project had been scrapped? Well, I hope this lights a fire under Knox’s arse and he moves back up into the starting ranks because he has the ability.
Marques Colston: He hasn’t practiced for 5 days and has now been shut down for irritation and swelling in his surgically not so repaired knee. Just another reason to be worried about Colston this season and move Lance Moore up your lists.
Steve Smith (PHI): Yeah, he’s an Eagle now. This would be bigger news if he wasn’t still injured. He could be back by mid-October, but if that’s the time table for his return I sure wouldn’t count on him until 2-4 weeks after that. I’m not going to worry about him for fantasy until I know he is practicing fully again.
Jeremy Maclin: There was some speculation that the mysterious absence of Jeremy Maclin had something to do with picking up Steve Smith. That was denied by Eagles’ sources, and really, if Maclin is hurt or has scarlet fever or something, wouldn’t they want someone who could play in week 1 instead of week 8? I’m not downgrading Maclin just yet.
Chris Cooley: Coach Shanahan is concerned about Cooley’s knee and Fred Davis is getting the 1st team reps. I’m not hitting any panic buttons yet, but since I am cowering in the corner afraid of Rex Grossman and John Beck, I’m staying away from any Washington receiver anyway.
Tony Romo: All of the reports coming out of camp are glowing in regard to Romo. He’s my #1 QB target in drafts this season so that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.
Dane Sanzenbacher: An undrafted rookie slot receiver sounds just like someone Mad Martz would want to give 80 catches and 1,000 yards to. He’s currently battling Earl Bennett for the slot position. Think Mike Furrey.
Ed Dickson: Dickson was the front runner to replace Todd Heap in Baltimore, but has a hamstring injury right now and Dennis Pitta is getting all the reps. This is notable because both have decent upside as pass catching TEs and since the Ravens lost Derrick Mason and didn’t get a veteran in free agency to replace him there is only Anquan Boldin, two rookie receivers and the two second year TEs vying for targets.
Stevan Ridley: The Patriots backfield is a cluster eff of fantasy proportions, but right now Ridley probably has the most value as far as where you can get him in drafts or even the waiver wire later on. Shane Vereen was getting most of the hype between the two rookies, but hasn’t been able to practice much due to injuries. Ridley is looking sleepery.
Ricky Williams: After letting Willis McGahee go the Ravens went and got veteran Williams. I didn’t expect Ray Rice to be their only running back so this wasn’t surprising and Rice has always been in the mix in the red zone and around the goal line, so I don’t see this hurting him much. I’m still high on Rice.
Jamaal Charles: He is listed as the second string running back behind Thomas Jones on the depth chart. Todd Haley is a funny, funny man, for me to punch in the face multiple times. Hard. Don’t worry about this, but really?
Julius Thomas: The Broncos really don’t have a starting tight end so the position is up for grabs and Thomas is grabbing it like a steel trap. All of the camp reports say he’s a cross between Gates and that alien on Super 8.
Montario Hardesty: He has yet to practice and seems to still be recovering from his ACL injury. That’s not good news for him, but really good news for Peyton Hillis. Hardesty is undraftable right now and Hillis moves up the board.
Mikel Leshoure: It’s been a while since I’ve done a news post, so if you haven’t been paying attention, Leshoure just washed ashore, they were unable to revive him. Maybe next season. Upgrade my man Jahvid Best.
