Snippets from 4th & Long

Here are a few snippets from yesterday's 4th & Long column on Sporting News.

Michael Vick's concussion symptoms have gotten worse, according to reports. Though you likely haven't been counting on him to return to your starting lineup, his absence means more Nick Foles -- and less Eagles offense. DeSean Jackson is already done for the year, while Jeremy Maclin and Brent Celek are as good as done.

Darren McFadden (ankle) is expected to return this week, but Marcel Reece has earned a continuing role in the rushing attack going forward, thanks to his strong relief performances. With the workload split, and Mike Goodson (ankle) also a possibility to return, no Raiders back is a good bet against a Cleveland run defense that has been playing its best ball of late.

Injuries to both ankles will surely keep Jonathan Stewart out of Sunday's tasty matchup with the Chiefs. So that means DeAngelo Williams is a great start, right? Ha ha! That's a good one! Sorry, I vowed never to trust Williams again, regardless of the matchup and his projected workload. There's a very good reason he's a free agent in nearly a third of all fantasy leagues. I suggest you let him remain so.

DeMarco Murray (foot) is inching closer to his return, but he'd be an awfully risky starter after seven weeks on the pine. Let's hope he gets his feet wet Sunday night so we can trust him more in our postseason lineups.

Cedric Benson is still owned in nearly half of all leagues. You can safely drop him now. He has undergone Lisfranc surgery and no longer has a chance to return this season. James Starks is the back to own in Green Bay, though starting him is only for the most desperate among us.

So much for the Jalen Parmele experiment in Jacksonville. He's been placed on injured reserve with a groin injury, putting the ball back in the hands of Rashad Jennings. We saw how that worked out last time Jennings was the starter. With no sign of Maurice Jones-Drew returning, this is a running game that's best avoided altogether.
 
I'm very pleased Greg Jennings (hernia) is expected back in the lineup this weekend, but I won't be starting him. He'll need some time to get his legs back, and he'll likely be on a snap count. Hopefully Jennings will make it through the Vikings game without any setbacks, and he'll be primed for success in the fantasy postseason.

Danny Amendola (heel) will be a game-time decision against the 49ers. He bagged 11 passes for 102 yards the last time these teams met (in Week 10), but he didn't last long last week when he tried to play with the injury. He's a high-risk, high-return prospect, especially for PPR leaguers.

It's entirely possible that Miles Austin will play against Philly, despite the hip and hamstring injuries he sustained on Thanksgiving. With Dez Bryant clearly stepping up as Tony Romo's go-to wideout, Austin won't be in my starting lineup in Week 13.

Torrey Smith had a seven-yard reception when the Ravens met the Steelers two weeks ago. I'm just sayin' ...