The Roundup: Headline News for Week 9

Just when I thought my brother’s team had finally gotten over all the bye week and injury problems, we got the news on Friday morning that his No. 2 running back had re-injured his hamstring during practice for the second straight week and would likely miss yet another game.  What a disaster Peyton Hillis has been so far for his fantasy owners! I think we’d better get to this week’s news before I start losing my mind and cursing him out…
 
Wide Receivers:
 
Hakeem Nicks is listed as questionable for this Sunday’s game against the Patriots:  His hamstring injury has held him out of practice all this week, and according to FF Today, Mario Manningham and Victor Cruz get an automatic boost in their projections if Nicks can’t play.
 
Andre Johnson will miss his fifth straight game this Sunday against the Browns with a hamstring injury:  Jacoby Jones, Kevin Walter and the Tight Ends have been trying to fill Andre’s big shoes while he’s been out.
 
Hines Ward is listed as questionable but expected to be active this Sunday against the Ravens:  After missing last Sunday’s game with an ankle injury, he returned to a limited practice on Wednesday.
 
Oakland announces the signing of T. J. Houshmandzadeh:  The Raiders will presumably use him as a slot receiver, with either Jacoby Ford, Darrius Heyward-Bey or Denarious Moore coming off the field.  Houshmandzadeh will also likely play this Sunday – at least on third downs in the slot – against the Broncos.
 
Running Backs:
 
Darren McFadden has been ruled out for this Sunday’s game against the Broncos with a sprained foot:  Michael Bush is expected to start this week in McFadden’s place with Taiwan Jones as the backup running back for the Raiders.
 
Ahmad Bradshaw is listed as doubtful for this Sunday’s game against the Patriots:  His foot injury has held him out of practice all this week. According to Rotoworld, Brandon Jacobs would be a top-20 fantasy back if Bradshaw sits out.
 
Chris Johnson remains Titans’ starter at running back:  Despite being called “the biggest bust” as well as “the toxic fantasy asset” of this season by many, Johnson will remain Tennessee’s starting running back, according to Coach Munchak.  However, given the fact that he was outperformed by his backup, Javon Ringer, in last week’s game against the Colts, fantasy gurus like Andy Behrens from Yahoo!Sports believe Ringer has earned a greater role in the Titans’ ground game going forward.
 
LeGarrette Blount will likely return to the starting lineup this Sunday against the Saints after missing two games with a left knee sprain:  He is also expected to be the Bucs’ primary third-down back going forward with Earnest Graham lost for the season with a torn right Achilles.
 
Ryan Mathews is listed as questionable for this Sunday’s game against the Packers with a groin injury he suffered in Week 8:  With Mathews’ availability for this week in question, Mike Tolbert is expected to get most of the touches at running back this Sunday.
 
Montario Hardesty will be sidelined at least two weeks with a torn calf muscle he suffered during last Sunday’s game:  With Hardesty injured, the Browns were hoping Peyton Hillis would return to action this week after missing the last two games.  However, Hillis re-injured his hamstring during Friday’s practice and is expected to be sidelined for at least two weeks.  As a result, Chris Ogbonnaya is likely to start for the Browns this Sunday against the Texans.
 
Felix Jones will miss his third straight game this Sunday with a high ankle sprain: DeMarco Murray is expected to start in Jones’ place once again this week against the Seahawks.
 
Daniel Thomas is likely to be a game-time decision for this Sunday’s game against the Chiefs:  According to Rotoworld, if Thomas ends up sitting out his second straight game this week, Reggie Bush should easily lead the Dolphins in touches this Sunday, though Steve Slaton and Lex Hilliard may be mixed in as well.
 
Mark Ingram will mis his second straight game this Sunday against the Bucs with a heel injury:  With Ingram sidelined, Pierre Thomas and Christopher Ivory should again split early-down and short yardage work with Darren Sproles assuming his typical passing-down role.
 
Tashard Choice has been ruled out for this Sunday’s game against the 49ers with a hamstring injury after being claimed off waivers by the Redskins earlier this week.
 
Quarterbacks:
 
Sam Bradford will be a game-time decision for this Sunday’s game against the Cardinals.  A.J. Feeley will start if Bradford can’t play.
 
Kevin Kolb is listed as doubtful for this Sunday’s game against the Rams with multiple injuries:  John Skelton is expected to start at quarterback if Kolb can’t play.
 
Tight Ends:
 
Fred Davis is listed as questionable but expected to play this Sunday against the 49ers:  He returned to practice on Thursday from an ankle sprain and will likely be active.
 
Jermaine Gresham is likely to be inactive this Sunday against the Titans:  His hamstring injury has held him out of practice all this week, and he is expected to sit out this week’s game.  Donald Lee will fill in.
 
That about wraps it up for us this week.  Enjoy the games and good luck everyone!