Fantasy Football Player News

Washington Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell is in the middle of a very productive night in his team's preseason game with the New England Patriots. The much-maligned QB is 11-for-19 with 190 yards and a rushing touchdown in the first half.

Fantasy Impact: True, it's only preseason, but if anyone needed a great start this weekend, it was Campbell. After completing only 4 of 13 passes in losses to Pittsburgh and Baltimore, there was some unrest coming from the District. This won't quiet everyone, but it should buy him time in the weeks to come.

Tennessee Titans WR Nate Washington could miss "several weeks" of the team's regular season with a hamstring strain, according the Nashville Tennessean.

Fantasy Impact: Washington is now someone to officially be concerned about. Rookie Kenny Britt will likely start in Week 1, while fantasy owners should wait to take Washington until later in the draft. He's still worth stashing.

In his first start this preseason, Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Cadillac Williams rushed eight times for 54 yards against the Dolphins Thursday night.

Fantasy Impact: Caddy looked better here than in last year's abbreviated return. Overall, this has to be seen as a positive performance for a player with a lengthy injury history. However, remember the Bucs seem happy with a three-man backfield rotation. Don't expect too much from any one piece of that backfield.

Denver Broncos rookie RB Knowshon Moreno isn't expected to be "full speed" by Week 1 after struggling with an MCL sprain in camp, according a report in the Denver Post.

Fantasy Impact: Previous reports on Moreno's injury had this as a one-to-two week mild sprain, so he's definitely behind schedule if this report is correct. The UG product suffered the injury nearly two weeks ago, and he's yet to resume practicing. Peyton Hillis and Correll Buckhalter are expected to handle the running chores for now.

Miami Dolphins rookie WR Brian Hartline started again Thursday night and led the Dolphins with three catches for 79 yards against the Bucs.

Fantasy Impact: The Dolphins appear to be serious about starting Hartline, and he performed well enough to stay in the lineup. Definitely someone to keep an eye on as the season kicks off.

Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz declared the competition for his team's starting quarterback position is still open, despite Daunte Culpepper getting the start in their preseason game against the Colts.

Fantasy Impact: Pretty low most likely. Whoever starts in the Detroit, it is sure to be a long season.

The New Orleans Times-Picayune is reporting Saints' RB Pierre Thomas may miss the rest of the preseason with a lingering knee injury. Thomas suffered a sprained MCL in his right knee against Houston. Thomas has been ruled out of Saturday's preseason game against Oakland.

Fantasy Impact: We mentioned a few days ago that the emergence of Mike Bell might cut into Thomas' workload this season. Add that to this development, and you have the makings of a potential RB-by-committee situation in New Orleans. Thomas should still be seen as a value pick in the forth or fifth rounds of most drafts, but the drafting Bell as a handcuff is close to becoming a requirement at this point.

Buffalo Bills WR Terrell Owens practiced Wednesday, but will not play in the next preseason game. He's been out since jamming his foot in the Hall of Fame game on Aug. 9.

Fantasy Impact: Owens is obviously getting better, despite being ruled out of this weekend's preseason game at Pittsburgh. You would be hard-pressed to find anyone who thinks he will not be ready for the Bills' opener Sept. 14 at New England.

The Denver Broncos suspended Brandon Marshall Friday after the star receiver for "conduct determental to the team," according to the Denver Post. The punishment comes after Marshall's display of unprofessionalism during practice Wednesday. According to Post reporter Mike Klis, he was lackadaisical during individual running drills, didn't run routes or catch passes during another position drill and punted a ball downfield after receivers were told to hand them to the ball boys.

Fantasy Impact: This is obviously huge news from a fantasy perspective. His relationship with the Broncos seems to be at a point that a trade is the only hope for those who drafted the talented player in their respective leagues. Marshall caught 206 passes the previous two seasons for the Broncos.

Philadelphia Eagles QB Michael Vick debuted for his new team Thursday night going 4-for-4 for 19 yards and rushed once for one yard. He also lined up at WR for a play in the Eagles' opening possession.

Fantasy Impact: In his first action since the dog fighting charges we all know about, Vick kept things easy, rolling out and throwing short routes for his completions. He showed quality arm strength on a downfield completion to Hank Baskett. He still isn't fantasy worthy, despite what some would have you believe. He just won't see enough time throughout the year to have a deep fantasy impact.

Dallas Cowboys WR Roy Williams collided with cornerback Orlando Scandrick in practice Thursday night, injuring his left shoulder in the process.

Fantasy Impact: X-rays were negative on Williams' collarbone, but the man Dallas is counting on to replace the departed Terrell Owens is likely done for the preseason. We'll go ahead and assume he'll be back in the saddle for the team's Spet. 13 opener at Tampa Bay. Still keep an eye on the injury reports as we approach the big day.

Following up on yesterday's batch of updates, RB Edgerrin James officially signed a one-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks late Tuesday night.

Fantasy Impact: As mentioned yesterday, expect James to steal a few carries from starter Julius Jones.

New York Jets coach Rex Ryan named Mark Sanchez his starting quarterback Wednesday morning, ending a competition with veteran Kellen Clemens.

Fantasy Impact: The fifth pick in this year's draft, Sanchez takes the reigns of an offense that figures to be run heavy (at least early on). He has experienced the highs and lows typical of a rookie - especially in Monday's night matchup with the Baltimore Ravens - so keep your expectations in check.

St. Louis Rams WR Donnie Avery returned to practice Tuesday in 11-on-11 drills, after missing 18 days with a left foot stress fracture.

Fantasy Impact: During the practice, Avery caught two scoring passes and told reporters he expects to play in the season opener. The only point of concern - a quick return from injury. Avery was initially thought to be out up to four weeks with the injury.

The Akron Beacon Journal is reporting Cleveland Browns RB Jamal Lewis has company in the team's starting backfield in the form of rookie James Davis.

Fantasy Impact: In fantasy circles, Lewis, an aging veteran, has been talked about as losing a step or two in recent years. And with Davis showing the quickness that Lewis lacks (and may never have had in the first place), it may be time to take age into consideration here. Lewis is the starter in Cleveland, but Davis should be considered a definite handcuff option right now if the report is true.

The Akron Beacon Journal is reporting Cleveland Browns RB Jamal Lewis has company in the team's starting backfield in the form of rookie James Davis.

Fantasy Impact: In fantasy circles, Lewis, an aging veteran, has been talked about as losing a step or two in recent years. And with Davis showing the quickness that Lewis lacks (and may never have had in the first place), it may be time to take age into consideration here. Lewis is the starter in Cleveland, but Davis should be considered a definite handcuff option right now if the report is true.

Buffalo Bills RB Fred Jackson aggravated a left thumb injury in practice Tuesday and immediately left the field for the Bills' training facility.

Fantasy Impact: Jackson is currently seen as a sleeper pick in many drafts, as he is set to start in the Bills backfield while Marshawn Lynch serves a three-game suspension to begin the regular season. No reports are calling the injury serious as of yet, but it looks like he may miss a few days of camp.

Free agent RB Edgerrin James appears close to signing a one-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks, according to multiple reports. If the deal is completed, the 31-year-old former Colt and Cardinal would join a Seahawks backfield that includes starter Julius Jones. RB T.J. Duckett was waived Tuesday afternoon to clear roster space.

Fantasy Impact: James is definitely on the downside of hs illustrious career, but in a backfield with Jones, he can certainly merit some carries. Keep tabs on him throughout the remainder of the preseason before deciding whether he is worth a pick up.

In probably the NFL's least exciting training camp battle, 49ers coach Mike Singletary named Shaun Hill his starting quarterback Tuesday. This comes after a lengthy competition with former No. 1 pick Alex Smith. Singletary cited Hill's

Fantasy Impact: Hill should enter the season as late-round pick in most leagues, but keep an eye on the former Maryland Terapin. In nine games under center last season, he threw for a respectful 2,046 yards and 13 touchdowns (87.5 QB rating). The Mike Martz-led passing offense is gone, but San Francisco's two-headed rushing attack (RB Frank Gore and Glen Coffee) garnering opposing defense's respect, Hill may find open passing lanes throughout the year. Consider him a second quarterback with a high upside.

Despite his alleged accuracy and poise in practice, a particularly poor outing (5-13, 34 yard, 1 INT) with the Lions' first unit seems to make QB Matthew Stafford the underdog in his training camp battle with Daunte Culpepper.

Fantasy Impact: Well, Stafford looked like a rookie versus Cleveland, and it doesn't help that Culpepper has looked like an NFL quarterback again in camp thus far. The smart money is on the former Vikings and Dolphins' QB taking the first snap of the Lions' season in New Orleans Sept. 13. Don't cry for Stafford though... he is undoubtedly the team's QB of the future. And with the way the Lions have played in recent years, one can definitely see the future coming sooner rather than later. But you may want to reconsider taking the Georgia alum as a late sleeper in this year's fantasy drafts.

A routine Twitter post might give Pierre Thomas owners reason to pause... Just after the Saints 38-14 preseason victory over the Houston Texans, New Orleans Times-Picayune beat writer Jeff Duncan tweeted:

"Listening to Brees talk tonight, it sounds like M.Bell is going to be part of regular backfield rotation. He's going to get carries weekly."

The Saints offense showcased RB Mike Bell Saturday, and he basically claimed a roster spot after rushing for 100 yards on 10 carries (with a 46-yard TD run) against the Texans starting defense.

Fantasy Impact: Judging from Bell's performance in training camp and his pedigree as a former NFL starter (Denver Broncos), he is looking more and more like the power back the Saints have sought for several years now. There's no way Thomas (everyone's favorite sleeper) will be forced out of a job, but look for Bell to vulture some touchdowns and take anywhere from 5-10 carries a week from St. Pierre as Coach Sean Payton looks to keep his top running back healthy and fresh. Fantasy owners might want to consider tempering their expectations on Thomas and possibly even drafting Bell as a late-round handcuff.

News: The Kansas City Chiefs acquired Michael Bennett from the New Orleans Saints Tuesday night for an undisclosed draft pick.

Views: The fact that Bennett was traded isn't the news, as it has been expected for sometime, especially with the Saints' signing of Reggie Bush. And there is no fantasy value here. What is news is:

1) That Bennett didn't go to St. Louis as was highly suspected with the injury to Marshall Faulk. This should show that Tony Fisher is solidified in the back-up role to Steven Jackson; and

2) That this shows what the Chiefs think of the condition of Priest Holmes.

News: McNair has been dealt from the Tennessee Titans to the Baltimore Ravens for a conditional fourth round draft pick in 2007.

Views: This should only provide minor ripples in any draft strategies, McNair figures to start for the Ravens who did, at least, manage to get Kyle Boller off the field with this move (one would assume).

Ironically, the real loser in this situation might be Vince Young, who could only have benefitted from any time spent around McNair in Tennessee, even if by osmosis.

News: Jimmy Smith, formally of Jacksonville, informed the Jaguars yesterday, and announced in a press conference today, that he will abruptly retire from the NFL after 12 seasons.

View: This is a shocking announcement to the Jaquars as well to all of Fantasy Football. He had contemplated retiring after the 2005 season, but Jack Del Rio asked him to take some time to make sure if that is what he wants to do.

The annoucement leaves a hole in many fantasy keeper leagues. It also knocks Byron Leftwich down a few spots and it bumps up Ernest Wilford, Matt Jones and Reggie Williams some. It also adds some luster to the Jaguars' first-round pick, TE Marcedes Lewis (my second round pick of the FIC Keeper Salary League rookie draft, thank you).

Jimmy Smith was one of my favorite players and I will definitely will miss his gutsy play over the middle and stellar grabs in the end zone. Best Wishes, Jimmy.

News: The Cleveland Browns traded Trent Dilfer to San Francisco for Ken Dorsey and an undisclosed draft pick of the Niners Friday.

View: Dilfer, publically, will arrive as the backup to Alex Smith in SF. But this trade tells us two things:

1) Charlie Frye is the undisputed starter this season in Cleveland; and

2) The Niners are even more suspect about Smith and his ability to start in the NFL. Dilfer can do the job (for the Niners, at least) with very little effort, despite his public acceptance of the mentor role in SF.