Fantasy Football Monday Recap - Preseason Week 2

Aside from Monday night’s game between Tennessee and Arizona, the second week of the NFL preseason is all done, and it’s time to take another look at those who were good, those who were bad, and those who have been struck by the injury bug.

THE HOT LIST

• Chicago running back Matt Forte is trying to rebound after a disappointing season, and scampered 89 yards for a touchdown Saturday night against Oakland. Forte might not be the force he was in 2008, but he could provide some bang for the buck in fantasy leagues this year.
• Pittsburgh WR Mike Wallace has the potential to be a fantasy force in his second season, and that was evident against the Giants when he hauled in a 68-yard touchdown pass.
• To steal a line from Dan Rather, Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers is hotter than the devil’s anvil. He had his second huge week in a row, throwing for 116 yards and two touchdowns Saturday night in Seattle.
• While the Seahawks had issues stopping Rodgers, they did get a boost from the return of running back Leon Washington, who scored a touchdown. Washington could be a big part of the Seattle backfield and is worth a flyer on draft day.
• Fred Taylor and Sammy Morris are two of the oldest running backs in the NFL, but they didn’t act their age Thursday night in Atlanta when the Patriots beat the Falcons. Taylor had a 28-yard touchdown run, while Morris rushed for 52 yards on just six carries and scored a touchdown of his own.
• Speaking of the Patriots, Wes Welker looked good when he was out there. I guess it shouldn’t come as any surprise that a player who always overachieves came back sooner than expected from an injury that would have haunted many.
• Buffalo RB C.J. Spiller visits the hot list again, as the rookie was impressive against the Colts, scoring on a 31-yard run.
• The connection between Carson Palmer and Terrell Owens continues to grow, as Owens hauled in three passes for 67 yards on Friday night when the Bengals beat the Eagles.
• If you are the type of owner who likes to draft players few have heard of and hope they turn into a steal, then Tampa Bay running back Kareem Huggins might have a place on your roster. Cadillac Williams and Derrick Ward are far from sure things, and Huggins has looked good two weeks in a row. This week Huggins rushed for 44 yards on eight carries, and in week one he rushed for 55 yards on eight carries.
• Detroit rookie RB Jahvid Best averaged 6.1 yards per carry Saturday when the Lions downed the Broncos. Kevin Smith returned to action for Detroit, but Best will be the man in Detroit and could reward fantasy owners who draft him quite nicely.
• New York Giants WR Victor Cruz had six catches for 145 yards and three touchdowns Monday night against the Jets, a team the Giants share a stadium with.

THE NOT LIST

• The Philadelphia Eagles could have an explosive offense in 2010, but only if they can solve their problems in the red zone. They have struggled in both of their preseason games in that area of the field.
• While the red zone issues are a concern, the Philadelphia player who struggled the most this week was embattled quarterback Michael Vick, who completed just one out of five passes and threw two interceptions.
• Why did the Washington Redskins sign RB Larry Johnson? LJ rushed for four yards on eight carries against Baltimore. The Ravens have a good defense, but that’s beyond pitiful.
• Mark Sanchez didn’t play the part of franchise quarterback very well Saturday in Charlotte when the Jets won a field goal battle over the Panthers, completing five out of ten passes for 12 lousy yards.
• Of course, the Carolina quarterbacks didn’t fare much better, as Matt Moore and Jimmy Clausen looked erratic. The Panthers have yet to score a touchdown in the preseason, although in fairness to Carolina they are playing without Jonathan Stewart and Steve Smith.
• Houston running back Steve Slaton was returning kickoffs against the Saints, a strong sign that Slaton won’t be usurping Arian Foster for Houston’s starting job anytime soon.
• Singer Eddie Rabbitt loved a rainy night, but St. Louis quarterback Sam Bradford sure didn’t. Rain fell throughout Saturday’s battle between the Rams and Browns in Cleveland, and Bradford struggled for the second week in a row, completing just six out of 14 passes for 24 yards.
• The Rams did have reason to smile as RB Steven Jackson looked good in brief action, but then came the goof troop that backs him up and the Rams were again reminded of how badly they need Jackson to stay healthy. Keith Toston, Kenneth Darby, and Chris Ogbonnaya had 25 carries collectively, and totaled a measly 45 yards.
• It’s not like anyone would have been throwing a party had they drafted Buffalo tight end Shawn Nelson, but what little push Nelson had is gone now that he’s been suspended four games for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.

INJURY UPDATE

Skill Positions

Arizona TE Ben Patrick (knee) – expected to be available in week one.

Arizona WR Early Doucet (abdomen) – should be fine for the start of the regular season.

Arizona WR Larry Fitzgerald (knee sprain) – probably out for the rest of the preseason, but should be ready for opening day.

Atlanta RB Jerious Norwood (hip) – returned to practice.

Atlanta WR Kerry Jenkins – placed on injured reserve.

Atlanta WR Michael Jenkins (shoulder) – might not be available at the start of the regular season.

Buffalo RB Fred Jackson (hand) – might not be available at the start of the regular season.

Buffalo RB Marshawn Lynch (ankle) – did running drills on Saturday, appears to be on track to play opening day.

Buffalo TE Derek Schouman (knee) – out 3-6 weeks.

Buffalo WR David Nelson (leg) – could return for team’s third preseason game.

Buffalo WR James Hardy (undisclosed injury) – return date unknown.

Buffalo WR Marcus Easley (knee) –placed on injured reserve.

Carolina RB Jonathan Stewart (heel) – participated in a team drill last week, and is expected to be ready for week one of the regular season.

Carolina WR Steve Smith (arm) – should be ready for the start of the regular season.

Chicago QB Caleb Hanie (shoulder) – should be ready for the start of the regular season.

Cincinnati RB Brian Leonard (foot sprain) – return date unknown, might not be available on opening day.

Cincinnati WR Antonio Bryant (knee) – return date unknown

Cleveland QB Colt McCoy (sprained right thumb) – returned to practice, played in team’s second preseason game.

Cleveland RB Montario Hardesty (knee) – could return to practice this week.

Cleveland WR Mohamed Massaquoi (hamstring) – returned to practice, but sat out team’s second exhibition game as a precaution.

Dallas TE Martellus Bennett (ankle) – played in team’s second preseason game.

Dallas WR Dez Bryant (ankle) – won’t play in the preseason, appears to be on track to play opening day but nothing is set in stone at this point.

Denver QB Tim Tebow (rib) – held out of team’s second exhibition game as a precaution, should be fully healthy by the start of the regular season.

Denver RB Correll Buckhalter (back) – did not play in Denver’s second preseason game, his exact return date is unknown but it appears likely he’ll be okay for opening day.

Denver RB Knowshon Moreno (hamstring) – could return to practice this week.

Denver RB LenDale White (leg) – return date unknown.

Denver WR Eric Decker (foot) – returned to practice and played well in Denver’s exhibition game against Detroit.

Denver WR Demaryius Thomas (foot) – has returned to practice on a limited basis.

Detroit K Jason Hanson (knee) – should be ready for the regular season.

Green Bay RB James Starks (hamstring) – return date unknown

Green Bay RB Ryan Grant (head) – returned to practice and played Saturday night against Seattle.

Houston TE Owen Daniels (knee) – will undergo an MRI on Tuesday and is slated to meet with Dr. James Andrews on Wednesday.

Indianapolis TE Dallas Clark (leg) – expected to return soon.

Indianapolis WR Pierre Garcon (undisclosed injury) – missed team’s second preseason game, but isn’t expected to be out for a long length of time.

Jacksonville TE Zachary Miller (foot) – continues to miss practice time and an exact return date is unknown.

Jacksonville WR Jarrett Dillard (foot) – returned to practice and played in team’s second preseason game.

Jacksonville WR Mike Sims-Walker (shoulder) – returned to practice and played in Jacksonville’s second preseason game.

Minnesota WR Percy Harvin (migraines) – returned to practice last Monday, but had a scary incident later in the week and was taken to the hospital. However, it is believed a migraine may not be the cause of Harvin’s trip to the hospital and the team’s trainer said he could have played Sunday night in San Francisco. Right now, Harvin appears to be on track to play opening night in New Orleans, but he’s a player fantasy owners should be very cautious about.

Minnesota WR Sidney Rice (hip) – it’s unknown if he’ll be ready for the start of the regular season.

New Orleans TE Jimmy Graham (ankle) – expected to return in the near future.

New York Giants QB Eli Manning (facial cut) – sat out New York’s second exhibition game but isn’t seriously injured and should return to practice soon.

New York Giants QB Jim Sorgi (shoulder) – return date unknown, injury may linger into the regular season.

New York Giants RB Brandon Jacobs (neck) – missed team’s second preseason game, injury is not believed to be serious.

New York Giants RB D.J. Ware (concussion) – return date unknown.

New York Giants TE Kevin Boss (hamstring) – returned to practice and played in team’s second preseason game.

New York Giants WR Ramses Barden (back) – return date unknown.

New York Giants WR Steve Smith (groin) – returned to practice and played in team’s second preseason game.

Oakland QB Charlie Frye (wrist) – placed on injured reserve.

Oakland RB Darren McFadden (hamstring) – hasn’t played in either of Oakland’s preseason games, but is expected to return to practice this week.

Oakland WR Chaz Schilens (foot) – didn’t play in Oakland’s preseason opener, has been working out but isn’t at full strength.

Philadelphia RB Mike Bell (calf) – returned to practice on a limited basis, but didn’t play in the team’s second preseason game. He should be ready for opening day.

Phildelphia WR Jeremy Maclin (shoulder) – returned to practice.

St. Louis QB A.J. Feeley (thumb) – not seriously injured, but his status for the team’s third preseason game could be up in the air.

St. Louis WR Mardy Gilyard (wrist) – returned to practice and played in team’s second preseason game.

San Francisco TE Vernon Davis (knee strain) – should return to practice this week.

San Francisco WR Kyle Williams (sprained toe) – out several weeks.

San Francisco WR Michael Crabtree (neck strain) – hasn’t played in the preseason but has been running at full speed during individual work and should be fine for the beginning of the regular season.

Seattle RB Leon Washington (leg) – returned to action Saturday night and played well.

Tampa Bay QB Josh Freeman (thumb) – out for the remainder of preseason, at this point there is no indication he will miss any action in the regular season.

Tampa Bay RB Derrick Ward (head) – return date unknown.

Tampa Bay WR Maurice Stovall (ankle) – did not play in Tampa’s second exhibition game.

Tennessee WR Damian Williams (hamstring) – expected to play in team’s second exhibition game.

Tennessee WR Justin Gage (thumb) – not believed to be seriously injured, but won’t play in team’s second preseason game.

Washington WR Mike Furrey (concussion) – placed on injured reserve.

Other Positions

Arizona LB Gerald Hayes (back) – status is uncertain for week one.

Atlanta CB Dunta Robinson – hoping to return for Atlanta’s third preseason game.

Atlanta DT Corey Peters (knee) – return date unknown.

Atlanta S William Moore (groin) – medically cleared to play.

Baltimore CB Ladarius Webb (knee) – may be available for week one of the regular season.

Baltimore S Ed Reed (hip) – return date uncertain.

Baltimore T Jared Gaither (back) – return date unknown, might not be available at the beginning of the regular season.

Baltimore T Oniel Cousins (concussion) – will be ready for the start of the regular season.

Buffalo LB Reggie Torbor (undisclosed injury) – expected to miss three weeks.

Buffalo S Jairus Byrd (groin) – out indefinitely.

Carolina S Aaron Francisco (hamstring) – return date unknown.

Carolina T Jeff Otah (knee) – might not be back by week one.

Chicago S Craig Steltz (ankle) – return date unknown.

Chicago S Major Wright (finger) - unlikely to be ready for week one of the regular season.

Cincinnati DE Robert Geathers (foot) – exact return date unknown, but is expected to be available in week one.

Cincinnati S Gibril Wilson (knee) – out for the season.

Cincinnati T Andre Smith (foot) – returned to practice and played in team’s third exhibition game.

Cleveland G Floyd Womack (knee) – out for the remainder of the preseason.

Cleveland LB D’Qwell Jackson (strained pectoral muscle) – unlikely to play on opening day.

Cleveland P Dave Zastudil – placed on injured reserve.

Dallas G Kyle Kosier (MCL) – could be out during the early part of the regular season.

Dallas T Marc Columbo (knee) – estimated to be out 1-3 weeks.

Dallas DE Marcus Spears (MCL) – status for the start of the regular season has yet to be determined.

Dallas S Gerald Sensabaugh (shoulder) – out 3-4 weeks.

Dallas S Pat Watkins (knee) – returned to practice.

Denver LB Elvis Dumervil (torn pectoral muscle) – could return towards the end of the 2010 regular season.

Denver LB Jarvis Moss (broken bone in hand) – returned to practice.

Denver T Ryan Clady (torn patellar tendon) – team is hopeful he’ll be ready for week one.

Detroit LB DeAndre Levy (back) – returned to practice, played Saturday night against Denver.

Detroit S Louis Delmas (groin) – return date uncertain, appears to be on track to be ready for the start of the regular season.

Green Bay CB Al Harris (knee) – appears to be doubtful for week one.

Green Bay LB Clay Matthews (hamstring) – odds of playing on opening day still seem to be good.

Green Bay S Atari Bigby (ankle) – will be out for awhile, possibly up to eight weeks.

Houston DE/DT Tim Bulman (shoulder) – placed on injured reserve.

Houston LB Darnell Bing (neck) – placed on injured reserve.

Houston LB Xavier Adibi (groin) – suffered a setback, availability for opening day is in doubt.

Indianapolis C Jeff Saturday (knee) – out indefinitely.

Indianapolis S Jamie Silva (knee) – out for the season.

Indianapolis T Charlie Johnson (foot) – might not return until after the start of the regular season.

Jacksonville DE Aaron Kampman (knee) – played in Jacksonville’s second preseason game.

Jacksonville DT Tyson Alualu (calf) – returned to practice and played in team’s second exhibition game.

Jacksonville LB Freddie Keiaho (concussion) – placed on injured reserve.

Kansas City CB Maurice Leggett (neck) – carted off the field Saturday night, return date unknown.

Miami CB Will Allen (knee) – return date unknown.

Miami G Nate Garner (foot) – could be out anywhere from 4-8 weeks.

New England LB Jermaine Cunningham (unknown injury) – return date uncertain.

New England T Nick Kaczur (back) – expected to be out awhile, possibly the entire season

New Orleans S Darren Sharper (knee surgery) – return date uncertain.

New York Giants LB Chase Blackburn (knee) – expected to be ready for opening day.

New York Giants S Kenny Phillips (knee) – played Saturday night against the Steelers.

New York Giants S Sha'reff Rashad (concussion) – return date unknown.

New York Jets DE Ropati Pitoitua (Achilles tendon) - out for the season.

Oakland DE Jay Richardson (knee) – out for the preseason.

Pittsburgh CB Keenan Lewis (concussion) – return date unknown.

St. Louis S James Butler (sprained MCL) – opening day status could be in doubt.

San Diego LB Shawne Merriman (Achilles) – missed San Diego’s second exhibition game but is likely to practice again soon.

San Francisco C Eric Heitmann (fractured fibula) – may not be available early in the regular season.

San Francisco CB Will James (high ankle sprain) – out 4-6 weeks.

San Francisco LB Ahmad Brooks (lacerated kidney) – could be sidelined when the regular season starts.

Seattle LB Lofa Tatupu (hamstring) – returned to practice.

Seattle T Ray Willis (knee) – out indefinitely.

Seattle T Russell Okung (ankle) – out 2-4 weeks.

Tennessee CB Cortland Finnegan (groin) – won’t play in team’s second exhibition game, it’s not known when he’ll return to practice, but injury is not believed to be serious.

Tennessee DE Derrick Morgan (calf) – expected to play before the preseason is over.

Tennessee DE William Hayes (knee sprain) – could be ready for opening day.

Washington S Kareem Moore (MCL) – could be out 4-6 weeks.