Willie Parker opens another season as the starting tail...

Sep 07, 2009

Willie Parker opens another season as the starting tailback for the Steelers Thursday night. That makes it five consecutive openers for him there and judging by the way they've ignored him in non-contract talks, likely his last opening-day start for them.

Parker's first NFL start also came on opening day and it also came at home against Tennessee, Sept. 11, 2005, in Heinz Field. He made a grand debut with 161 yards rushing on 22 carries; he also ran 48 yards with a screen pass.

The Steelers won, 34-7, and would go on to win Super Bowl XL that season, in part, because Parker ripped off a record 75-yard touchdown run against Seattle.

Parker turns 29 Nov. 11 and with the injuries that caused him to miss five games last season, there is natural worry about whether his body is showing the effects of the 1,123 runs from scrimmage he made the past four seasons. He played just one game this preseason because of back and hamstring problems and carried just four times.

At 5 feet 10, 209 pounds, he is no Jerome Bettis.

"I'm not worried about that," Parker said, laughing at any speculation that his body is wilting. "I didn't even get hit. I was doing stuff on my day off. I just have to get my body back right."

It is good enough right now that coach Mike Tomlin declared emphatically on Friday that "Willie Parker's our runner."

Fantasy Impact:

yesterday

Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker listed as DNP; RB Zach Carbonnet full

Adam Schefter on X

1 hour ago

Seahawks listed RB Kenneth Walker III as a Did Not Practice today while RB Zach Charbonnet was upgraded to full practice ahead of Thursday night’s game at Chicago.

Fantasy Impact:

Walker is dealing with an ankle injury and as we get closer to Thursday his status really seems to be in doubt. Charbonnet would be the team's lead back and looks to be good to go despite dealing with an elbow injury. He'd once again be a great option if Walker is unable to go.

Charger RBs Gus Edwards, J.K. Dobbins listed as limited

Pro Football Talk

1 hour ago

Gus Edwards is listed as a limited participant due to an ankle injury. Edwards ran 14 times for 68 yards and two touchdowns in last Sunday’s win over the Broncos.

J.K. Dobbins (knee) was also limited in his first appearance on the injury report since being designated for return from injured reserve.

Fantasy Impact:

The story said if Dobbins is going to play against the Patriots, the Chargers will have to activate him by Friday. It could be a tricky situation depending on each back's status. Owners will want to pay close attention to this situation leading up to game time.

Bengals QB Joe Burrow, WR Tee Higgins listed as limited

Pro Football Talk

1 hour ago

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow told reporters on Tuesday that he feels like he’s totally past his right wrist injury, but it still landed him on the team’s injury report.

Burrow was listed as limited due to the wrist and his knee

Wide receiver Tee Higgins (ankle, knee) was listed as limited as well,

Fantasy Impact:

The story said Burrow's injury shouldn’t create much cause for concern about his availability against the Broncos on Saturday since he was listed as limited all of last week before playing without issue in the team’s win over the Browns. Burrow added there are still things he does to help with it but he's pretty much past it. The story added Higgins also played without incident last Sunday after being on the report all week.