Friday updates and injury news

Here are a few snippets from my column in today's Sporting News Fantasy Source:

You can never count out Ben Roethlisberger (ankle) until the last second, but his Monday night start won’t give you the luxury of waiting that long. Don’t risk a goose egg, especially since all the current indicators are pointing south for Big Ben.

Kyle Orton (finger) will likely be back under center when the Chiefs play the Packers. While he could post some nice trash-time stats, the real beneficiary is Dwayne Bowe. He should have a big game against Green Bay’s porous secondary.

I’m curious how Adrian Peterson (ankle) calculates that he is “85 percent” healthy; but all I need to know is that he’s playing on Sunday. As of this writing, it appears that he is. Follow me on Twitter (@ladd_biro) to make sure there are no last-minute surprises.

Remember way back when when Darren McFadden (foot) was a fantasy stud? Yeah, I’m having trouble remembering that, too. Keep Michael Bush in your lineup against the Lions.

Speaking of which, Kevin Smith (ankle) has resumed practicing and will likely be suiting up on Sunday. No guarantees, of course; but in any event, Smith will be sharing carries with Maurice Morris and touchdown-vulture Keiland Williams. You should have better options.

With James Starks (ankle) expected to miss another game, Ryan Grant has an opportunity to prosper against the sub-par Chiefs run defense. I still think last week’s two-touchdown outburst was an aberration in Green Bay’s pass-centric offense; but Grant is worth a flex play given the favorable matchup.

Andre Johnson (hamstring) will likely be a game-time decision. You have to start him if he plays – T.J. Yates has proven he can get him the ball – but at this point, you need to make contingency plans.

Despite lingering shoulder and hamstring injuries, Jeremy Maclin is expected to start against the Jets. But as with last week, he may not make it the entire game. Not to mention, the Jets’ vaunted secondary has finally started playing up to their pedigree. Maclin is a very risky start, particularly with Michael Vick (ribs) also struggling.

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?

Friday updates

Here are a few snippets from my column for today's Sporting News Fantasy Source.

Looks like one more week of rest for Ahmad Bradshaw, who is still not practicing on his injured foot. Brandon Jacobs will continue to carry the load against the Saints on Monday night.

Shonn Green (rib) is expected to suit up against the Bills on Sunday. But so is Joe McKnight, who fared well as a runner and receiver after being pressed into duty against the Broncos last week. With LaDainian Tomlinson (knee) also on the mend, this backfield is probably one worth avoiding in Week 12.

Ryan Mathews’ fortunes have dipped along with his team’s performance. He hasn’t scored since Week 3, he fumbled twice in the Week 11 loss and he can’t seem to shake the injury bug. A persistently sore knee has him iffy for Sunday’s matchup against an improving Denver defense that has allowed the third-fewest rushing scores in the NFL. Leave him on your bench this week, even if he suits up.

Stevie Johnson is playing with a bum shoulder, which has contributed to a two-game slump in which he’s managed only four catches for 24 total yards. Think twice before starting him on Revis Island.

A.J. Green is expected to return from his knee injury, but he’ll be shadowed by Joe Haden. That said, Haden doesn’t yet have a clever nickname, so Green is worth a gamble in your starting lineup if he’s active. Be sure you’re following my tweets (@ladd_biro) for all the pre-game inactive reports and other late-breaking news.

Fellow rookie Julio Jones (hamstring) is also expected back for the tasty matchup with the Vikings.

Jeremy Maclin will likely miss another game with his hamstring and shoulder injuries. Look for another start from Riley Cooper, who is a reasonable flex candidate due to his strong rapport with Young and the favorable matchup with the Patriots.

Tyler Palko is set to start in Week 12, but it’s probably more of a favor to Kyle Orton that the team is throwing Palko to the wolves (a.k.a., Steelers) instead of their new acquisition. Expect Orton to get the starting nod in Week 13 against his old friends in Chicago.