Friday updates and injury news

Here are a few updates from my Sporting News Fantasy Source column today:

Michael Vick will suit up in Miami on Sunday, wearing a vest to protect his ribs. There is obviously some risk of re-injury, and the Dolphins are playing good pass defense lately. But Vick remains a more viable starting option than all but a handful of elite passers. Especially since Jeremy Maclin (shoulder, hamstring) is also expected back on the field.

I hope you aren’t counting on Christian Ponder as your fantasy QB. But those banking on Percy Harvin should know that a hip injury could keep the rookie out of the lineup this weekend. Joe Webb is his backup, and we saw last year how that played out. (Two rushing TDs for Webb; no passing scores.) Harvin owners should root for Ponder’s speedy recovery.

The Rams will likely be piloted by Tom Brandstater on Monday night, while Sam Bradford (ankle) and A.J. Feeley (thumb) are sidelined. Say a prayer for the good people of St. Louis. It’s been a rough sports week for them, and it won’t get any better soon.

Adrian Peterson (ankle) is back at practice, but his playing status will likely go down to the wire on Sunday. Fortunately, Toby Gerhart is providing decent production in his stead, for those who secured his handcuff.

Mark Ingram could sit out this week with a turf toe injury. If he does, Pierre Thomas will vault back up the rankings and Chris Ivory will likely be active (but not startable for fantasy purposes).

Michael Bush was a dud last weekend in Miami, but don’t let that scare you off from starting him against the Packers. Darren McFadden is almost certainly out again, and Bush has proven that he is a very capable fantasy producer. One false start doesn’t change that.

Don’t expect much out of Kevin Smith (ankle) against the Vikings, if he plays. He would probably be used sparingly, with Maurice Morris getting the bulk of the carries.

Cedric Benson is taking it easy on his injured foot this week, but he should play Sunday. He has a rough matchup against the Texans, however. Benson is a low-level RB2 or flex play at best this week.

Andre Johnson (hamstring) is expected to be a game-time call, but it’s probably wisest to make other plans regardless of his status. With T.J. Yates at the helm, the Texans are an even more run-dominant team, and Johnson’s snaps could be limited.

Look for Miles Austin (hamstring) finally back in action on Sunday night. He comes with some risk of limited reps, but the tantalizing matchup with the Giants should outweigh those concerns. Though there will be fewer balls for both Dez Bryant and Laurent Robinson, I wouldn’t sit any Dallas wideout in this matchup.

Friday updates

Here are a few snippets from my 4th & Long column on Sporting News' Fantasy Source:

The Kevin Kolb era is set to resume on Sunday now that the passer has recovered from toe and foot injuries. I’m not optimistic that this go-round will be any better than the last; and you don’t get the impression Kolb’s coaches believe it either.

you’re not counting on Josh Freeman, but he has been missing practice all week with a shoulder injury. Josh Johnson could be under center for the Bucs’ contest with the Panthers. That wouldn’t prompt me to bench Mike Williams, but it would make me feel even better if I owned LeGarrette Blount.

Looks like it will be a game-time decision for Adrian Peterson (ankle) on Sunday. If he’s active, of course you start him. If not, Toby Gerhart has a decent matchup with the Broncos, though they’ve been stingy at the goal line. [Update: AP has subsequently been ruled out.]

We could see Ahmad Bradshaw (foot) back on the field Sunday, but he’ll be a significant fantasy risk in his first action in weeks.

Beanie Wells had a career game last week against a historically putrid Rams run defense, but things get tougher against the Cowboys on Sunday. That said, in spite of continued issues with his knee, you can’t sit him now.

A foot injury that has kept Cedric Benson from practicing is not expected to keep him from facing the Steelers. But it should make your decision to bench him in this bad matchup a little easier.

Surprisingly, Kevin Smith is practicing as if he’s planning to return to the starting lineup on Sunday, after suffering a high ankle sprain on Thanksgiving. What would be more surprising is for us to trust him in our lineups against the Saints.

Another week, another Darren McFadden injury timeout.

Ditto for Miles Austin.

It’s time to give up on Mario Manningham, who is facing the real possibility of season-ending knee surgery soon. With the emergence of Victor Cruz, Manningham is already the odd man out in the Giants’ receiving corps.

Meanwhile, Hakeem Nicks has been resting his sore ribs this week, but he’s not thought to be in jeopardy of missing out on the primo matchup with the Packers. Even better, he has been cleared of any post-concussion symptoms.

Which team will win the Donovan McNabb waiver wire sweepstakes? And would that really qualify as a win?

Sporting News Experts Draft -- This time it's for real

Just completed the draft with my fellow Sporting News experts that we'll play out this season. For the first time ever (in my six-year association with the magazine/web site), I had the first pick in the 12-team league.

Here's what I was able to do...

Round 1: Adrian Peterson, RB -- A no brainer, especially considering the worries associated with CJ2K and Arian Foster.

Round 2: Tom Brady, QB -- Rodgers, Rivers and Vick were gone. No complaints here.

Round 3: Steven Jackson, RB -- As I've written, I think S-Jax is a steal in the mid-2nd round or later. He should be huge this year as the workhorse of the Rams' improved offense. My backfield is now stacked.

Round 4: Santonio Holmes, WR, Jets -- The problem with going RB/QB/RB -- especially in a 12-team draft -- is that you miss out on the top-tier wideouts. Holmes was the best WR left on the board, in my opinion.

Round 5: Austin Collie, WR, Colts -- Boom or bust pick. I predict boom.

Round 6: Lance Moore, WR, Saints -- Could be Drew Brees' top receiver this season, especially if Colston isn't fully healthy.

Round 7: Owen Daniels, TE, Texans -- Dallas Clark almost fell to me. I like Daniels in a bounce-back season.

Round 8: Pierre Thomas, RB, Saints -- As much as I think Mark Ingram will dominate, Pierre is still expected to play an important role in New Orleans' offense.

Round 9: James Starks, RB, Packers -- Ryan Grant's starting job is anything but secure. Starks is the guy threatening his security.

Round 10: Johnny Knox, WR, Bears -- I'm expecting him to win back his starting job early on. Won't need him till Week 9, so there's plenty of time for Roy Williams to wear out his welcome.

Round 11: Eagles DST -- The run on elite units had started, and the Eagles are at the top of my rankings.

Round 12: Mike Williams, WR, Seahawks -- Yeah, I know. I wasn't jumping up and down about this pick either. Trust me...the draft board was awfully bare by this point.

Round 13: Kyle Orton, QB, Broncos -- Love him as a backup. I only need him to hold onto the starting job till Week 7 (Brady's bye).

Round 14: Aaron Hernandez, TE, Patriots -- His teammate Gronkowski almost made it to me. Hernandez is a good consolation prize, especially in a backup TE role.

Round 15: Brandon Gibson, WR, Rams -- I'm actually more excited about Gibson's potential than Williams'; but I figured I could wait until this round to bag him. He should be a starter for Sam Bradford, which makes him a decent WR5 with upside.

Round 16: Stephen Gostkowski, K, Patriots -- One of the very best.

Round 17: Cadillac Williams, RB, Rams -- S-Jax's handcuff.

Roster summary:
QBs - Brady, Orton
RBs - AD, S-Jax, Pierre Thomas, James Starks, Cadillac
WRs - Santonio, Collie, Lance Moore, Knox, Mike Williams (Sea), Gibson
TEs - Owen Daniels, Aaron Hernandez
K - Gostkowski
DST - Eagles

I hate 12-team leagues, because the pickings get so slim by the time you reach the double-digit rounds. But unlike the mock I did with this group a couple weeks ago, I'm pretty pleased with how this draft turned out. Sure, I could use some more WR firepower; but if Collie dominates this year like he did early in 2010 -- and keeps his head clear in the process -- I'll be just fine.

Peterson to labor silently in this fantasy league

Adrian Peterson slid past the first two picks in one of my leagues. He wasn’t even taken in the first round. Or the second. In fact, following our 17-round draft, Peterson remains a free agent. And he’ll stay that way all season.

The Flower Mound Fantasy Football League lost one of its original owners a few months ago. Our buddy Phil, my next-door neighbor, was taken from us far too early, and far too tragically. He left a wife and two young sons behind.

We were determined to honor his memory this year; but a simple dedication didn’t seem sufficient.

Phil was a passionate University of Oklahoma alumnus, and his favorite Sooner of them all was Peterson. Phil refused to call him AP, as most fantasy enthusiasts do, because he knew his true nickname is AD: All Day. When he could, Phil drafted AD. Last year, when his second overall pick wasn’t good enough to bag his prize, he christened his team “Missing AD.”

So, in tribute to our fallen friend, Peterson has been idled for the 2010 campaign – perhaps the only fantasy league on the planet with that distinction. AD’s conspicuous absence will serve as a constant reminder of the real void left by our trash-talking, roster-flipping adversary and comrade.

Rest in peace, Phil. We love you, man.

Last-minute developments of note

As we steam toward Thursday night’s regular-season kickoff, several high-profile players are looking for work or getting familiar with new playbooks. But few of the recent roster moves will cause more than a blip on the fantasy radar, and the biggest domino of them all (Vincent Jackson) has yet to fall. Here are the developments worth tracking.

In a secret basement near Tempe, AZ, work has begun on a plaster image of Matt Leinart in anticipation of his pending enshrinement into the pantheon of all-time NFL busts. Leinart’s unceremonious departure is unlikely to end the Cardinals’ nightmare, especially since he out-played the new starter, Derek Anderson, throughout the preseason. As we’ve warned all offseason, those banking on Larry Fitzgerald are in for a rude awakening.

Sam Bradford was named the Rams' Week 1 starter, in the least surprising announcement of the week. Now all they need is a legitimate receiving threat. (No offense, Laurent Robinson.) I still anticipate Jackson to land here eventually.

Ahmad Bradshaw has been declared the Giants’ starter, which is not sitting well with Brandon Jacobs. Two weeks ago in my “sleepers” column, I told you Bradshaw would out-perform his backfield mate this season, even if he didn’t supplant Jacobs as the starter. That projection looks even better now.

If you were counting on Michael Bush, I’ll start by asking why. Then I’ll tell you to prepare for a possible extended absence, as he could miss three or four weeks due to his broken thumb. Darren McFadden is the only Raider RB worth a spot on your opening day roster.

Deion Branch and Mike Williams are your starting wideouts in Seattle, now that T.J. Houshmandzadeh has been set free. Suddenly, another USC star-turned-bust has fantasy players across the country a-twitter, despite the fact that Williams has just 51 career receptions since he was drafted in 2005 and he hasn’t played in two years. I have no interest in any wideout currently on the rosters in Buffalo, Cleveland, Oakland, St. Louis, Seattle or Tennessee.

Baltimore’s signing of Houshmandzadeh could hurt Derrick Mason’s production, but not enough to interest me in Seattle’s castoff. There’s a reason the Seahawks released him, and it’s not because they’re stacked at his position.

Perhaps the most intriguing move of the last few days was Dallas’ trade of Patrick Crayton to the Chargers. Once he gets acclimated, Crayton could force his way into the starting rotation, most likely hindering the development of Legedu Naanee.

I’ve taken some heat for placing Jermichael Finley atop my tight end rankings. Some critics even warned that Spencer Havner would poach red-zone targets from Finley. Now that Green Bay has waived Havner, will you trust me now?

Those of us counting on the Jets defense were relieved by the end to Darrelle Revis’ contract holdout. Will Anquan Boldin be lost on Revis Island on Monday night? Let’s just say I like Boldin’s chances better this week than once the shut-down corner shakes off the rust.

Three key kicking battles were also settled when the Texans chose Neil Rackers, Baltimore picked Billy Cundiff and Mike Nugent prevailed in Cincinnati. All three will be batting clean-up for solid offenses, making them good last-round values if you’re drafting this week.

Thursday night can’t get here soon enough.