Training Camp Recap - Preseason Week 1

With the first weekend of preseason play almost completed, the NFL is loaded with news. We’re going to recap some big events that have transpired since Cincinnati and Dallas squared off in the Hall of Fame game. There are plenty of players who are hot, and a fair share that are not. And injuries are happening with more frequency.

It’s time to break it all down:

THE HOT LIST

Despite the fact C.J. Spiller was drafted ahead of Ryan Mathews and Jahvid Best, Spiller hasn’t generated as much fantasy buzz. But with Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch out for awhile with injuries, fantasy owners need to better acquaint themselves with Spiller.

Texans RB Arian Foster made this list last week, and he’s here again. Ben Tate appears to be done for the season and Steve Slaton had a costly fumble in Houston’s game against Arizona, so all signs point towards Foster being Houston’s featured back.

Kansas City RB Jamaal Charles didn’t play much in the team’s opener against Atlanta, but averaged 9.3 yards a carry. And we are really supposed to believe that this talented player is going to be in an even time share with aging veteran Thomas Jones?

Speaking of Atlanta, Falcons RB Michael Turner looked like his old self, burning the Chiefs for 7.3 yards a carry.

In his first action as an NFL player, rookie San Diego RB Ryan Mathews rushed for 50 yards on nine carries. It was a nice debut for a player who should make some fantasy noise in his first season.

With Glen Coffee’s retirement, rookie RB Anthony Dixon moves up the depth chart to be Frank Gore’s primary backup in San Francisco. Dixon did very well in San Francisco’s first exhibition game against Indianapolis, rushing for a touchdown and racking up a decent amount of yardage.

If WR Wes Welker isn’t at full strength, at least New England can turn to Julian Edelman. Edelman had six catches for 90 yards in New England’s victory over New Orleans.

With Vincent Jackson in holdout mode, WR Legedu Naanee cemented his status as a potential key target for Philip Rivers, catching a 28-yard touchdown pass.

Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers was in mid-season form, completing 12 of 13 passes for 159 yards and a touchdown strike to Greg Jennings.

A young quarterback to watch is Tampa Bay’s Josh Freeman. Freeman completed all four of his pass attempts Saturday night in Miami, including a 30-yard connection with rookie WR Mike Williams, who continues to look good, and a 13-yard touchdown pass to WR Sammie Stroughter. The Buccaneers have a lot of young talent that can grow up together.

It probably doesn’t matter as the Steelers seem committed to Byron Leftwich while Ben Roethlisberger is out, but Dennis Dixon looked sharp.

While everyone continues to wait and wonder about Brett Favre, fellow Vikings QB Sage Rosenfels had his best game in quite some time. Rosenfels, once a decent backup with the Texans, threw for 310 yards and three touchdowns on Saturday when the Vikings routed the Rams.

Jacksonville QB Luke McCown may eventually force a quarterback controversy on the First Coast. McCown threw for 244 yards and three touchdowns Friday night in Philadelphia, and it’s well known the Jaguars are lukewarm on David Garrard.

Arizona rookie linebacker Daryl Washington had a performance that would make IDP owners happy. Washington had 13 tackles, nine of the solo variety, a fumble recovery, and also broke up a pass. Washington isn’t a starter for the Cardinals, but if he becomes one, he could be an interesting player.

THE NOT LIST

If Trent Edwards had been leading Buffalo’s quarterback battle, he did little to help his cause Friday night when the Bills were routed by the Redskins. Edwards completed six of 12 passes and threw a bad ball that was intercepted by DeAngelo Hall.

There are doubts about San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith, and his poor performance in limited play against the Colts did little to inspire confidence. Smith completed just three out of nine passes.

Cleveland’s “quarterback of the future” Colt McCoy threw two interceptions against the Packers while veterans Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace looked good.

Indianapolis quarterback Curtis Painter threw three interceptions against San Francisco. The difference between Painter and Peyton Manning is the difference between being at ground level in a three-story building and being at the top of the Empire State Building.

Chicago’s running back duo of Chester Taylor and Matt Forte averaged less than two yards a carry against the Chargers.

Miami WR Brandon Marshall didn’t have the best the best debut with his new team, dropping both passes that were aimed in his direction.

INJURIES

Skill Positions

Arizona RB Beanie Wells (ribs) – returned to practice.

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

Arizona WR Larry Fitzgerald (knee sprain) – should be ready for opening day.

Atlanta RB Jerious Norwood (hip) – didn’t play in Atlanta’s preseason opener, expected to return before the conclusion of exhibition play.

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

Buffalo RB Fred Jackson (hand) – out 4-6 weeks.

Buffalo RB Marshawn Lynch (ankle) – out 3-4 weeks.

Buffalo WR James Hardy (undisclosed injury) – reportedly out for at least a week.

Buffalo WR Marcus Easley (knee) – possible candidate for injured reserve.

Carolina RB Jonathan Stewart (heel) – returned to practice Saturday on a limited basis, and is expected to be ready for week one of the regular season.

Carolina RB Mike Goodson (ankle) – should be healthy by the end of preseason.

Carolina WR Steve Smith (arm) – removed from PUP list, will be ready for week one.

Chicago QB Caleb Hanie (shoulder) – injured during Chicago’s game against San Diego.

Chicago RB Harvey Unga (hamstring) – placed on injured reserve.

Chicago WR Earl Bennett (hamstring) – didn’t play in Chicago’s first exhibition game, should return soon.

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) – doesn’t appear to be a serious injury.

Cleveland RB Montario Hardesty (knee) – expected to return within the next couple of weeks.

Cleveland WR Mohamed Massaquoi (hamstring) – status to be determined, injury is not believed to be serious.

Dallas TE John Phillips (torn ACL) – out for the season.

Dallas TE Martellus Bennett (ankle) – expected to return before the preseason is over.

Dallas WR Dez Bryant (ankle) – shed walking boot, return date still to be determined

Denver RB Correll Buckhalter (back) – expected to return in time for Denver’s second preseason game.

Denver RB Knowshon Moreno (hamstring) – could return before the preseason is over.

Denver WR Eric Decker (foot) – out indefinitely.

Denver WR Demaryius Thomas (foot) – status to be determined.

Denver TE Marquez Branson (ankle) – returned to practice.

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

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

Houston RB Ben Tate (ankle) – expected to be placed on injured reserve.

Indianapolis TE Dallas Clark (leg) – missed preseason game against San Francisco but expected to return soon.

Jacksonville WR Jarrett Dillard (foot) – returned to practice.

Jacksonville WR Mike Sims-Walker (shoulder) – not expected to be out for a long period of time.

Miami WR Greg Camarillo (groin) – has returned to practice.

Minnesota TE Visanthe Shiancoe (shoulder) – didn’t play in first preseason game, but injury is not believed to be serious.

Minnesota WR Percy Harvin (head) – expected to return to practice soon.

Minnesota WR Sidney Rice (hip) – expected to be ready by the start of the regular season.

New England QB Tom Brady (finger) – injury appears to be minor.

New England WR Torry Holt (undisclosed injury) – placed on injured reserve.

New Orleans RB Lynell Hamilton (knee) – placed on injured reserve.

New Orleans TE Jimmy Graham (ankle) – probably will return within a couple of weeks.

New Orleans WR Robert Meachem (toe) – removed from PUP list and has returned to practice.

New York Giants TE Kevin Boss (hamstring) – could return to practice this week.

New York Giants WR Steve Smith (groin) – should return to practice this week.

Oakland RB Darren McFadden (hamstring) – didn’t play in Oakland’s first preseason game, injury is not supposed to be serious.

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 (hamstring, calf) – not at full strength, but not believed to be seriously injured.

San Francisco WR Michael Crabtree (neck strain) – didn’t play in San Francisco’s preseason opener but is expected to return soon.

Tennessee RB Stafon Johnson (ankle) – could be out 8-12 weeks, possibly out for the season.

Washington WR Malcolm Kelly (hamstring) – didn’t play in Washington’s preseason opener, return date uncertain.

Other Positions

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

Atlanta S William Moore (groin) – likely to return soon.

Baltimore T Jared Gaither (back) – expected to be out at least 2-3 weeks.

Carolina DE Tyler Brayton (ankle) – status uncertain, but injury is not serious.

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

Cincinnati DE Robert Geathers (foot) – could be out for a couple of weeks.

Cincinnati T Andre Smith (foot) – return date unknown.

Cleveland LB D’Qwell Jackson (strained pectoral muscle) – will miss 3-8 weeks.

Dallas T Marc Columbo (knee) – out at least 2-4 weeks.

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

Dallas S Michael Hamlin (concussion) – status to be determined.

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) – expected to play in the preseason.

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

Detroit LB DeAndre Levy (back) - return date uncertain, appears to be on track to be ready for the start of the regular season.

Detroit LB Jordon Dizon (knee) – out for the season.

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 LB Clay Matthews (hamstring) – potentially out a couple of weeks, odds of playing on opening day still seem to be good.

Green Bay S Atari Bigby (ankle) – expected to miss an additional four weeks.

Houston LB Xavier Adibi – (groin) – expected to return by opening day.

Indianapolis C Jeff Saturday (knee) – could be out for as long as six weeks.

Indianapolis DT John Gill (personal) – was placed on the reserve/non-football illness PUP list and could miss the entire season.

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

Jacksonville DE Aaron Kampman (knee) – limited reps in camp.

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

New England DE Ty Warren (hip) – out for the season.

New England LB Derrick Burgess – practiced for the first time Sunday after being reinstated from reserve/did not report list.

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

New Orleans LB Clint Ingram (knee) – expected to return before the preseason is over.

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

Oakland LB Sam Williams (concussion) – return date unknown.

Philadelphia C Jamaal Jackson (knee) – activated from PUP list.

Philadelphia G Todd Herremans (foot) – activated from PUP list.

Philadelphia S Antoine Harris (foot) – placed on injured reserve.

Philadelphia S Quentin Demps – (knee sprain) – could return before the week is over.

Pittsburgh LB Andre Frazier (knee) – placed on injured reserve.

St. Louis CB Ron Bartell (ankle) – returned to practice.

St. Louis DT Chris Hovan (back) – placed on injured reserve.

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

St. Louis S Jerome Murphy (ankle sprain) – expected to miss a week.

San Francisco C Eric Heitmann (fractured fibula) – out 6-8 weeks.

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

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

Tennessee DE William Hayes (knee sprain) – out 2-6 weeks.