  Burress could return this year
Plaxico Burress, WR NYG
News: Plaxico Burress has appeared in court on weapons possession charges stemming from an accidental shooting at a Manhattan nightclub. A Manhattan Criminal Court Judge set bail at $100,000 and ordered Burress to return March 31. Prosecutors also released a criminal complaint that provides a witness account from the club where the Giants wide receiver shot himself. A witness heard a popping sound before Burress' legs began to shake. It says the person saw a bloody pistol fall out of his pant leg and land on the floor. If convicted, Burress could face 3 1/2 to 15 years in jail. Mayor Michael Bloomberg called for a full prosecution of state law that requires mandatory prison for carrying a loaded handgun. "I don't think anybody should be exempt from that, and I think it would be an outrage if we didn't prosecute to the fullest extent of the law, particularly people who live in the public domain, make their living because of their visibility - they're the role models for our kids," Bloomberg said. The NFL is monitoring the case.
Analysis: Because Burress won't be back in court until March, he's got a chance to return this season and play for the Giants -- if they want him. The club might opt to put him on the non-football injury list and keep him off their active roster for the rest of the season. Additionally, according to The NFL Today's Charley Casserly, Burress is expected to not even try running for a couple of weeks. That's going to mean he won't even be near a football field for a couple of weeks. With the Giants playing well without Burress of late, he could turn into a non-factor for Fantasy owners this season. If you're going to keep him on your roster, do so with the expectation that he won't be a functional part of your team until very late into the regular season (if at all). If you have the chance to replace Burress on your roster with a player with upside on the waiver wire, we recommend doing so. His long-term NFL future is also murky since he could serve time in prison for breaking the state's law. We'll continue to bring you news on Burress' situation throughout the season and into the offseason if it goes that long.
Profile
Anderson officially out for season
Derek Anderson, QB CLE
News: QB Derek Anderson's season is officially over, yet another slap for the down-on-their-luck Browns. Anderson, who lost his starting job to Brady Quinn several weeks ago, will miss the final four games after tearing a ligament in his left knee Week 13 against Indianapolis. An MRI taken Monday revealed Anderson tore the medial collateral ligament when he was sacked in the final minutes of Cleveland's 10-6 loss to the Colts. Anderson, making his first start since Nov. 2 after being benched for Quinn, will not need surgery. He will be placed in a brace and will need four to six weeks to recover.
Analysis: Anderson had a miserable 2008 season after making the Pro Bowl last season. Feel free to release him, and don't expect his replacement, Ken Dorsey, to make much of a Fantasy impact either. The Browns likely will place Anderson on injured reserve in the coming days.
Profile
 Schaub is Texans' second-string QB
Matt Schaub, QB HOU
News: The Texans listed QB Matt Schaub as active for Week 13 against the Jaguars, though Sage Rosenfels will still get the start. Schaub, who missed three games with an injured medial collateral ligament, will serve as the team's second-string quarterback. He took limited reps in practice this week.
Analysis: The Texans initially expected Schaub to miss a week or two more, so they obviously want to ease him back into the lineup with his recovery going faster than expected. By making him the backup quarterback, they acknowledge he's healthy enough to play. Even if he doesn't take the field Monday night, he has a good chance of returning to the starting lineup Week 14 at Green Bay. Time to claim him off the waiver wire because he looked like a No. 1 Fantasy QB before the injury.
Profile
Winslow has high-ankle sprain
Kellen Winslow, TE CLE
News: The Browns announced Monday that the results of an MRI on TE Kellen Winslow revealed a high-ankle sprain, likely to keep him out for a couple of games. He will be in a walking boot and has already been ruled out for Week 14 at Tennessee. Winslow hurt his ankle while blocking on a running play against the Colts in Week 13. Steve Heiden will likely take Winslow's place in the starting lineup.
Analysis: Winslow has had injury problems throughout his five-year career. He broke his leg in his second game as a rookie and then missed the entire 2005 season after sustaining a serious knee injury in a motorcycle accident. He has undergone at least four operations on his knee, which developed a staph infection while he was recovering. Keep him benched since he might play again this season, but obviously don't plan on using him in Week 14 against the Titans.
Profile
Barber misses practice Monday
Marion Barber, RB DAL
News: Dallas RB Marion Barber was not at practice Monday, the first time the Cowboys were back on the field since he was hurt Thanksgiving Day. Coach Wade Phillips said Barber was "day to day" with a dislocated right pinkie toe. MRI tests Friday revealed no significant damage for Barber. Phillips is unsure how much Barber will be able to practice this week. "It depends on what the doctors say," Phillips said. "We want to make sure he can obviously do the things he needs to do. How long that takes and what we have to do as far as practice is concerned, I don't know. Earlier, (doctors) said he would have to stay out during the week, but I don't know if that is the case or not."
Analysis: Even if Barber is not able to go through contact drills, Phillips said the running back would take part in daily walkthroughs as the team prepares for Sunday's game at Pittsburgh. With the Steelers awesome vs. the run (they're top-ranked and have allowed just 11 scores on the ground this season) and Barber at less than 100 percent, an owner could make the case to sit Barber in Week 14 -- but only if they have a suitable replacement. Expect Barber to play like a No. 2 Fantasy RB with obvious upside, and consider other options before finalizing your lineup for his next game.
Profile
Grant's thumb injury minor
Ryan Grant, RB GB
News: The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports Packers RB Ryan Grant said he could have gone back in to Sunday's game against Carolina after hurting his thumb, but he and the coaches decided it would be better if he didn't. Grant said it had something to do with the pain and the swelling. Coach Mike McCarthy said it had to do with the injury and how it relates to ball security. The paper reported that Grant said his sprained thumb was minor and nothing to worry about. He finished with 12 carries for 39 yards.
Analysis: Look for Grant to play in Week 14 against Houston, but this is an injury to keep an eye on throughout the week. When healthy, Grant would be a No. 1 Fantasy option against the Texans. If for some reason Grant can't play, plan on adding backup Brandon Jackson immediately. Jackson is owned in 16 percent of leagues on CBSSports.com.
Profile
McGahee still in plans
Willis McGahee, RB BAL
News: The Baltimore Sun reports Ravens coach John Harbaugh said he will continue to use three running backs for the rest of the season, and he also said the team has plans for Willis McGahee even though McGahee didn't play Sunday against the Bengals. LeRon McClain led the Ravens with 25 carries for 86 yards, and Ray Rice had 11 carries for 41 yards and four catches for 14 yards against the Bengals.
Analysis: Keep an eye on what happens with McGahee going into Week 14 against Washington, but for now don't plan on starting him against the Redskins until we hear otherwise. McClain remains the best Fantasy RB in Baltimore, and Rice is a backup option at best.
Profile
Coughlin 'disappointed' in Bradshaw
Ahmad Bradshaw, RB NYG
News: Giants coach Tom Coughlin was asked Monday about reports running back Ahmad Bradshaw was at the club where WR Plaxico Burress shot himself on Friday. The second-year pro spent almost a month in a Virginia jail in June and July for an old probation violation. "I am disappointed, certainly," Coughlin said.
Analysis: Bradshaw doesn't have much Fantasy appeal, playing behind both Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward, but with an injury, he could easily become a serviceable option again. As of now, he appears in no danger of receiving a suspension, but you'll still want to keep him reserved for Week 14 against the Eagles.
Profile
Garrard ready to play at Houston
David Garrard, QB JAC
News: The Jaguars list QB David Garrard as active for Week 13 at Houston, meaning he'll start even though a back injury limited him in practice this week. He was able to practice in full on Friday, however.
Analysis: Garrard had his first 300-yard game of the season Week 12 against Minnesota but had just one touchdown and two interceptions. He had just three touchdowns and four picks in November and continues to produce average Fantasy numbers overall. Treat him as a No. 2 Fantasy option for this matchup.
Profile
Slaton is active, as anticipated
Steve Slaton, RB HOU
News: Texans RB Steve Slaton is active for Week 13 against the Jaguars after a chest injury limited him in practice this week. Slaton carried the ball 21 times for 73 yards Week 12 against the Browns playing with the injured chest.
Analysis: Coach Gary Kubiak has said Slaton will likely get a bigger workload with Ahman Green out for the season, so he has the potential to perform like a No. 1 Fantasy RB over the rest of the season. This matchup against an underachieving Jaguars defense looks nice too, so keep him active in Fantasy.
Profile
Pierce also under an investigation
Antonio Pierce, MLB NYG
News: Authorities said Giants LB Antonio Pierce was being investigated over his role in a weekend weekend incident where teammate Plaxico Burress shot himself in the leg. It's believed Pierce took Burress to a car and then left with him, according to police.
Analysis: Pierce doesn't get enough sacks or interceptions to make up for his relatively low number of tackles. You can use him as a No. 3 Fantasy LB, but keep in mind he might face a suspension of some sort.
Profile
Henson has 'unlimited potential'
Drew Henson, QB DET
News: Coach Rod Marinelli said QB Daunte Culpepper will continue starting Week 14 at home against the Vikings, the team he once starred for. But his first impressions of watching the 28-year-old Drew Henson, who threw two passes late in Week 13, were positive. "He's really a talented guy, and he's with a (quarterbacks) coach that he's familiar with in Scot (Loeffler), and he's put in a great offseason," Marinelli said. "You're still knocking rust off a guy after being out a while, but he has unlimited potential."
Analysis: Henson, who tried his hand at baseball a few years ago and ruined his draft status because of it, won't find regular playing time unless Daunte Culpepper gets hurt. That said, don't expect him to help your Fantasy team. The Lions host the Vikings in Week 14.
Profile
Steelers defense on historic pace
Steelers, DST PIT
News: With a five-sack, five-turnover performance at New England in Week 13, the Steelers DST has yet to allow a 100-yard rusher or a 300-yard game, and they have given up 10 or fewer points in four of their last five games. Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel went into Sunday's 33-10 loss to Pittsburgh off successive 400-yard passing games, yet managed only 169 yards while being intercepted twice. The Patriots were only 1-for-13 on third downs. "The defense, well, they were their usual selves," coach Mike Tomlin said. If only because the superlative has become the commonplace with Pittsburgh's defense. "It was unbelievable," Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said. "You get to the sidelines, put your coat on, your hat on and, all of a sudden, you're ready to go back on the field."
Analysis: Only the Colts have scored more than two touchdowns on a defense that is giving up the fewest yards rushing, passing and overall, and the fewest points in the NFL. No NFL defense has led the league in all three yardage categories since the 1991 Eagles, but that Philadelphia team did not lead in fewest points. "We want to be the No. 1 defense at the end of the year," safety Ryan Clark said. The Steelers DST is obviously a must-start in Fantasy regardless of matchup, so keep it active Week 14 even against the Cowboys.
Profile
Texans name inactives for Week 13
Craig Nall, QB HOU
News: The Texans listed QB Craig Nall, DB Will Demps, LB Kevis Coley, TE Mark Bruener, DL Frank Okam and DB Matterral Richardson among their inactives for Week 13 against the Jaguars.
Analysis: None of these players ever does enough statistically to matter in Fantasy. Leave them all on waivers.
Profile
Jaguars list inactives for Week 13
Troy Williamson, WR JAC
News: The Jaguars listed DB William James, LB Thomas Williams, LB Brian Iwuh, WR Mike Walker, WR Troy Williamson, TE Richard Angulo and DL Jeremy Mincey among their inactives Week 13 at Houston.
Analysis: None of these players ever does enough statistically to have significant Fantasy appeal. Leave them all on waivers.
Profile
Another Bengals DB done for '08
Marvin White, FS CIN
News: Bengals safety Marvin White played most of Cincinnati's latest loss on torn knee ligaments. Tests on White's right knee found that he tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in the first half of a 34-3 loss to Baltimore on Sunday. White didn't realize the severity of the injury and stayed in the game. Coach Marvin Lewis said Monday the test results were surprising, given the way White played. White was at a hospital and will miss the rest of the season, but is expected to be recovered from surgery by next season.
Analysis: White was a low-end option for IDP owners looking to cash in on the Bengals' weakish secondary. Those owners will have to look elsewhere for help now since White's season is over.
Profile
|
|
