Fantasy Fix

Falcons down to Snelling

The Atlanta Falcons will be down to their third-string running back today as Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood are both inactive due to injuries. Make a quick check to see if Jason Snelling is available in your league, he's a decent option at a flex position.

A slew of other running backs are also out this week, including: Clinton Portis (concussion), Brian Westbrook (concussion), Reggie Bush (knee) and Julius Jones (chest).

At quarterback, Denver's Kyle Orton will NOT start against San Diego. Orton has been a surprisingly good fantasy option this season. Chris Simms starts in his place, but has minimal fantasy value.

Good luck in Week 11.

---Jay Skurski

Brown out, Williams in tonight

It's Thursday night, which means it's time for some football. Unless, like myself, you have Time Warner and thus don't have NFL Network.

If you have a spot to watch tonight's game, you'll see Carolina running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart on the field. You won't see Miami running back Ronnie Brown, who was placed on injured reserve yesterday.

That means Ricky Williams will see his carries go up, and is a good play tonight. Carolina ranks 25th in the league against the rush.

The Dolphins bring the seventh-ranked rush defense into tonight's game, allowing an average of 97.6 yards per game. One more important note: The Panthers will be without All-Pro left Jordan Gross tonight after he broke his ankle against Atlanta.

Don't forget to set your lineups.

---Jay Skurski

White and Williams in for Week 10

Considering the roll DeAngelo Williams is on lately, fantasy owners had to have their fingers crossed that his sore knee would not keep him out of the lineup today against the Atlanta Falcons.

Fear not, Williams owners, he's in the lineup, as is his counterpart, Jonathan Stewart. On the other side, Falcons wide receiver Roddy White will also play.

With Clinton Portis out of the lineup, Redskins running back Ladell Betts sees his value increase. Despite being questionable with foot and ankle injuries, Betts will play. He's facing a tough Denver run defense, however, so don't expect a lot.

For the Vikings, wide receiver Bernard Berrian is active. He's a good option as a No. 3 receiver today against the Lions. 

T.O. will play for the Bills, as well.

Good luck in Week 10!

---Jay Skurski

Reminder: Set your lineup for 49ers-Bears tonight

Just a heads up for NFL fantasy football players: the Thursday night NFL games have arrived.

San Francisco and Chicago kick off in a little less than two hours so make sure all the noteworthy fantasy players from both teams are accounted for.

Here's a preview of tonight's game and a quick injury update on the 49ers' Issac Bruce. After the way the Arizona Cardinals carved up the Chicago secondary, San Fran rookie receiver Michael Crabtree might be a good play. Alex Smith is no Kurt Warner, but Crabtree should get some looks tonight.

---Jay Skurski

Moats runs into starting lineup

All it took was one game against the Buffalo Bills for Houston Texans running back Ryan Moats to crack the starting lineup. Moats will start today against the Indianapolis Colts in place of Steve Slaton. That's the biggest fantasy news heading into Week Nine of the NFL season.

Here's a quick trip around the league as you set your lineups for the 1 p.m. kickoffs.

Bears No. 1 receiver Devin Hester will play despite a nagging ankle injury. On the inactives list in the same game is a surprise in Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin. His nagging ankle injury will keep him out of the lineup, which makes Steve Breaston a better play.

Despite dealing with injuries in both feet, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will play against winless Tampa Bay, as will wide receiver Donald Driver, who missed practice time this week with a neck injury. In the same game, Tampa wide receiver Antonio Bryant will not play. Bryant, who has been a bust this season, is blaming the nine-hour flight home from London for the swelling in his knee.

In the late game tonight, Eagles running back Brian Westbrook is not expected to play, so set your early lineup accordingly.

Good luck in Week Nine!

---Jay Skurski

Cotchery's return highlights Week Eight updates

Jerricho Cotchery gets a chance to resume his once-promising fantasy season today, as it's expected the Jets wideout will return from a hamstring injury. Cotchery, the team's leading receiver, has missed the past two games.

Also expected to play is Colts receiver Reggie Wayne, who injured his groin in a win over St. Louis last week.

Arizona's Anquan Boldin has made progress in his ankle injury and should be closer to 100 percent when the Cardinals play Carolina.

Here in Buffalo, Texans wideout Andre Johnson will playdespite suffering a painful-sounding bruised lung last week. He's a no-brainer to be in the starting lineup.

One player who won't be starting today, however, is Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson, so make sure he's sitting. Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford will return, but his fantasy impact is minimal.

At running back, don't expect Philadelphia's Brian Westbrook to play with his concussion.

Good luck in Week Eight!

---Jay Skurski

Week Seven walkthrough

Wide receiver concerns later today are the big issue right now.

In Dallas, Roy Williams is listed as probable, but coach Wade Phillips said Friday he could be a game-time decision because he was still having pain in his ribs. With six teams on the bye this week, Williams owners need him to play and produce, since there are not a lot of capable replacements out there. The Cowboys play the Falcons at 4:05 p.m.

Arizona's Anquan Boldin is dealing with a high ankle sprain, an injury that usually keeps players out weeks. Boldin was limited in practice on Friday and it's been reported he's going to try and play, but he's a risky option. Since the Cardinals play Sunday night, it might be better to sit Boldin for a healthy replacement.

In New Orleans, tight end Jeremy Shockey has been limited in practice this week with a shoulder injury. Shockey is expected to play, however, and remains a solid start in a Saints offense averaging nearly 40 points a game.

Some quick reminders on the Jets-Raiders game: Jets WR Jerricho Cotchery is out, as is Oakland running back Darren McFadden.

Here's a link to the Week Seven key players on the injury list, while you can also click here for the early inactives. Of special interest is 49ers running back Frank Gore, who will return from an injured ankle.

Good luck in Week Seven.

---Jay Skurski

Last-minute Week Six updates

Redskins running back Clinton Portis is active and ready to start against the Chiefs. Get him in the lineup.

Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith will start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Smith had a pair of 100-yard receiving games against Tampa last season and should be in your lineup. In that same game, Bucs receiver Antonio Bryant will also play. Bryant continues to improve from the knee injury that has hampered his season and should be viewed as a No. 3 receiver.

On the inactive side, Detroit will be without quarterback Matthew Stafford and wideout Calvin Johnson. Stafford wasn't starting anyway, but make sure Johnson is out of your lineup.

Good luck in Week SIx.

---Jay Skurski

Week Three injury updates

Time to get your lineups set in stone for Week Three. Here's who's in and out:

As expected, Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb will miss a second straight start with a broken rib. More of a surprise, however, is that running back Brian Westbrook will miss today's game with Kansas City. Westbrook has an ankle injury.

Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno suffered a groin injury in practice Thursday and sounds like he'll miss today's game with Oakland. Even if he does play, it would be best to keep Moreno on the bench.

Browns running back Jamal Lewis will miss today's game against the Ravens, not that he'd be a good start anyway.

Redskins running back Clinton Portis will play against the Lions, despite not practicing all week with bone spurs in his ankle. Portis is a good start considering his opponent.

For the New England Patriots, Wes Welker is OUT and Randy Moss is IN.

Good luck in Week Three.

---Jay Skurski

McNabb highlights Week Two sits

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb's cracked rib isn't healed enough for him to play in Week Two against New Orleans, highlighting this week's injury updates.

Pierre Thomas will be a game-time decision for New Orleans, which makes Mike Bell a consideration for Week Two. Play Bell for another week to see if he can duplicate his performance of Week One. When Drew Brees is your quarterback, good things can happen.

Antonio Bryant will NOT play against the Bills, so he's an easy sit. In fact, he didn't even come to Buffalo.

LaDainian Tomlinson also won't suit up for San Diego, although he would have had a tough matchup with Baltimore, anyway.

Good luck in Week Two.

---Jay Skurski