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PLAYER UPDATES Provided By SportsBuff.com

Player: Randy Moss WR, Minnesota Vikings 11/02/10, Time: 4:44 pm News: NFL Network's Jason La Canfora reports he "hears" the Seahawks will not put in a waiver claim on Moss. Analysis: Moss' attitude may just be too much for Seattle's brass to consider taking the financial risk on him. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Troy Smith QB, San Francisco 49ers 11/02/10, Time: 4:34 pm News: Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area reports 49ers' head coach Mike Singletary confirmed he's planning to start Smith at QB in Week 10 against the Rams. Analysis: Smith played solidly in London on Sunday against Denver, and has earned another start since the 49ers won the game. He is not a great fantasy option on his own right now. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Zach Miller TE, Oakland Raiders 11/02/10, Time: 3:55 pm News: Vittorio Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that Raiders coach Tom Cable expects TE Zach Miller (foot) to play in week 9. Analysis: Miller was seen on crutches after catching just one pass on Sunday. Although he probably will play, he will most likely not be at full strength. If possible, fantasy owners may be better served looking for other options. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Malcom Floyd WR, San Diego Chargers 11/02/10, Time: 3:51 pm News: According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Chargers WR Malcolm Floyd isn't expected to play in week 9 against Houston. Analysis: Coach Norv Turner said "I?m not encouraged. Malcom might have a chance, but I?m not (optimistic)." He may return in week 11 after the team's bye, but the hamstring issue also might keep him sidelined. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Kellen Winslow TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 11/02/10, Time: 3:45 pm News: Winslow (knee) had just one catch for five yards against Arizona last Sunday. Analysis: Winslow was targeted just twice as QB Josh Freeman spread the ball around effectively. But he had 18 receptions over the previous three games, so he remains roster-worthy in most fantasy leagues despite not scoring yet this season. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Shawne Merriman LB, San Diego Chargers 11/02/10, Time: 3:44 pm News: According to Fox Sports' Jay Glazer, Chargers LB Shawne Merriman will take a physical with the team on Tuesday and is expected to be released upon passing it. Analysis: Merriman has been on the IR with a "minor injury designation" since the middle of October. The Dolphins are one team who have expressed interested in the maligned star. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Todd Collins QB, Chicago Bears 11/02/10, Time: 3:42 pm News: Jeff Dickerson of ESPN Chicago.com reports, via Twitter, that Collins has re-gained the Bears' No. 2 quarterback job according to the team's game release for Week 9 against the Bills. Analysis: Collins proved he can't cut it when he started against Carolina earlier in the season, so he would not be a good fantasy option if something happened to Jay Cutler long-term. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Nnamdi Asomugha DB, Oakland Raiders 11/02/10, Time: 3:41 pm News: Coach Tom Cable hopes CB Nnamdi Asomugha will be able to play in week 9, the Oakland Tribune reports. Analysis: Profootballtalk.com has reported that Asomugha suffered a high ankle sprain with a typical recovery time of 4-6 weeks. It's highly unlikely he'll actually play this weekend, especially with the Raiders' bye in week 10. Stay tuned for details. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Ryan Torain RB, Washington Redskins 11/02/10, Time: 3:38 pm News: Redskins.com reports though there is no tear in Torain's hamstring, head coach Mike Shanahan is unsure of his availability for Week 10. Analysis: With Torain's status coming out of the Redskins' bye looking uncertain, his fantasy owners may want to consider adding Keiland Williams if they have the roster space. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Antonio Gates TE, San Diego Chargers 11/02/10, Time: 3:37 pm News: The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that Chargers coach Norv Turner hopes TE Antonio Gates can play in week 9. Analysis: Gates will also be able to take advantage of the team's bye in week 10, so he'll get a nice stretch of days off. We wouldn't read too much into Turner's comments, as he's said virtually the same thing the last couple of weeks. Gates should be ready to go for week 9. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Clinton Portis RB, Washington Redskins 11/02/10, Time: 3:35 pm News: Updating a previous item, Rich Campbelll of the Fredricksburg Freelance Star reports Portis (groin) took a couple plays during Tuesday's practice. Analysis: Portis is expected to be back at full-speed practice next Monday after Washington's Week 9 bye, but he may need a couple weeks to be ready for game action. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: JaMarcus Russell QB, Free Agent 11/02/10, Time: 1:46 pm News: NFL.com reports the Redskins will work out Russell on Tuesday. Analysis: Russell was just cleared of codeine possession charges, so he may now get some interest from NFL teams. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Donovan McNabb QB, Washington Redskins 11/02/10, Time: 12:37 pm News: The Washington Post reports Redskins' head coach Mike Shanahan is not happy with McNabb's practice habits. Analysis: This may lend some creed to McNabb's supposed lack of "cardiovascular endurance" which led to his benching on Sunday against Detroit. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Clinton Portis RB, Washington Redskins 11/02/10, Time: 12:34 pm News: The Washington Post reports it is doubtful Portis (groin) will be available in Week 10 after the Redskins' bye. Analysis: It is unknown when Portis will even return to practice at this point. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Lance Briggs LB, Chicago Bears 11/02/10, Time: 11:50 am News: The Chicago Sun Times reports Briggs (ankle) returned to practice on Monday. Analysis: Briggs has been dealing with an ankle issue since the preseason, and aggravated the injury in in Week 7 prior to the Bears' Week 8 bye. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Sidney Rice WR, Minnesota Vikings 11/02/10, Time: 10:47 am News: ESPN's Adam Schefter reports, via Twitter, that the Vikings plan to activate Rice (hip) by the November 9 deadline. Analysis: Fantasy owners should continue to hang onto Rice right now, with the hopes he will be usable in a couple weeks. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Al Harris CB, Green Bay Packers 11/02/10, Time: 10:43 am News: Steve Wyche of NFL.com reports Harris (left knee) is slated to come off the PUP list this week. Analysis: Harris will be eased into action, most likely as the Packers' nickel back. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Donovan McNabb QB, Washington Redskins 11/01/10, Time: 9:29 pm News: ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports Redskins' head coach Mike Shanahan thought about benching McNabb after the team's Week 4 win. Analysis: McNabb was of course benched in favor of Rex Grossman late in Week 8 against Detroit, but it's hard to envision that becoming a permanent situation. The Redskins have a bye in Week 9. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Chris Wells RB, Arizona Cardinals 11/01/10, Time: 8:33 pm News: The Arizona Republic reports Wells (back) said he's "fine" despite missing the last series of Sunday's game with a back injury. Analysis: Wells has move into the Cardinals' feature back role, and has scored in two straight games. But he has averaged just 3.4 yards per carry in that span. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Thaddeus Gibson LB, San Francisco 49ers 11/01/10, Time: 8:29 pm News: NFL Network's Jason La Canfora reports the 49ers have claimed Gibson off waivers from the Steelers. Analysis: Gibson was a fourth-round pick by the Steelers in April, and will mainly play on special teams. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: DeSean Jackson WR, Philadelphia Eagles 11/01/10, Time: 8:27 pm News: Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports Jackson (concussion) has yet to be cleared by an independent neurologist. Analysis: Jackson will need to get said clearance before he can play, but he is widely expected to play in Week 9 against Indianapolis at this point. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Golden Tate WR, Seattle Seahawks 11/01/10, Time: 8:25 pm News: The Seattle Times reports Tate (ankle) was in a protective boot at Seahawks' headquarters on Monday after spraining his ankle in Week 8. Analysis: Tate's status for Week 9 against the Giants is unclear at this point. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Randy Moss WR, Minnesota Vikings 11/01/10, Time: 8:22 pm News: ESPN's Adam Schefter reports, via Twitter, that Moss is "open" to staying with the Vikings should they decide against waiving him. Analysis: The decision to waive Moss is not yet official, but is expected to be made so on Tuesday. It would be a big surprise if the team had a change of heart. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Randy Moss WR, Free Agent 11/01/10, Time: 5:39 pm News: Judd Zulgad of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports the Seahawks have shown preliminary interest in Moss, who was waved by the Vikings on Monday. Analysis: There should be plenty of teams interested in Moss as the waiver process goes on. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Matt Hasselbeck QB, Seattle Seahawks 11/01/10, Time: 5:35 pm News: Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times suggests Hasselbeck (concussion) is not a lock to play in Week 9 against the Giants. Analysis: The Raiders sacked Hasselbeck eight times on Sunday, so the team may hold him out as a precaution this week. If he can't go, Charlie Whitehurst would get the start. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Ryan Torain RB, Washington Redskins 11/01/10, Time: 5:33 pm News: Rich Campbell of the Fredricksburg Freelance Star reports Redskins' head coach Mike Shanahan said an MRI on Torain's hamstring revealed no tear. Analysis: Torain's status going forward is unknown, but at least he has the Redskins' Week 9 bye to try and get healthy. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Chris Ivory RB, New Orleans Saints 11/01/10, Time: 4:51 pm News: Updating a previous item, the New Orleans Times Picayune reports Saints' head coach Sean Payton said Ivory (concussion) suffered a "mild" concussion on Sunday night against Pittsburgh. Analysis: Payton reportedly expects Ivory to be fine for Week 9 against Carolina, but he has averaged just 2.5 yards per carry over the last two games. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: DeAngelo Williams RB, Carolina Panthers 11/01/10, Time: 4:25 pm News: Darin Gantt of the Rock Hill Herald reports Willims (right foot) refused to estimate a timetable for his return on Monday when discussing his injury. Analysis: Williams does not appear close to 100 percent, so Jonathan Stewart looks likely to start again in Week 9 against the Saints. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: John Carlson TE, Seattle Seahawks 11/01/10, Time: 4:21 pm News: Carlson had three receptions for 47 yards to lead the Seahawks in both categories in Sunday's loss to Oakland. Analysis: Carlson remains ownable as a TE2, but his fantasy upside is limited. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Anthony Armstrong WR, Washington Redskins 11/01/10, Time: 4:18 pm News: Armstrong had three receptions for 92 yards against the Lions on Sunday. Analysis: Armstrong has emerged as something of a deep threat for Washington, and he could be worth a look in very deep leagues. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Vernon Davis TE, San Francisco 49ers 11/01/10, Time: 4:16 pm News: Davis (ankle) had just one catch for 12 yards on Sunday against Denver before aggravating his ankle injury and leaving the game early. Analysis: Hopefully the 49ers' Week 9 bye will allow Davis sufficient time to heal. Stay tuned. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Randy Moss WR, Minnesota Vikings 11/01/10, Time: 4:01 pm News: Michael Lombardi of NFL Network reports the Vikings have waived Moss. Analysis: Moss had an unproductive four game run back with the Vikings, so maybe this is not a huge surprise. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Chris Cooley TE, Washington Redskins 11/01/10, Time: 3:57 pm News: The Washington Post reports Cooley was dealing with a sore ankle in addition to back spasms during Sunday's gamea against the Lions. Analysis: The Redskins' Week 9 bye looks to be coming at a good time for Cooley, so he should be ok for Week 10 against Philadelphia. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: DeSean Jackson WR, Philadelphia Eagles 11/01/10, Time: 3:50 pm News: Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports Jackson (concussion) returned to practice on Monday and said he'd be a game-time decision for Sunday against Indianapolis. Analysis: More should be known about Jackson's status as the week goes on. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Michael Vick QB, Philadelphia Eagles 11/01/10, Time: 3:47 pm News: Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports Vick (rib cartilage) says he is back to 100 percent. Analysis: Vick is slated to start against the Colts in Week 9, and is a very good fantasy option if you hung onto him while he was injured. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Antonio Gates TE, San Diego Chargers 11/01/10, Time: 3:46 pm News: Antonio Gates was late to the field in the second half because he was getting his foot re-taped. Analysis: Gates' toe injury is improving, so it's really nothing to worry about. The league-leading TE now has 40 receptions for 663 yards and 9 touchdowns and we don't see anything that will disrupt his torrid pace. The week 10 bye will certainly help, but Gates' injury shouldn't be a concern for fantasy owners. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Brett Favre QB, Minnesota Vikings 11/01/10, Time: 3:43 pm News: Judd Zulgad of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports Favre (jaw) will undergo a precautionary concussion test on Monday. Analysis: Favre suffered a laceration on his chin during Sunday's game against New England, but is expected to be fine for Sunday against the Cardinals. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Mike Tolbert RB, San Diego Chargers 11/01/10, Time: 3:41 pm News: According to the Associated Press, Mike Tolbert played through a mild ankle sprain in the week 8 win against Tennessee. Analysis: It doesn't appear to be too serious, but he'll probably miss some practice time this week. He saw 15 touches on Sunday - the most since week four. Expect Tolbert to play an role in San Diego's RB committee. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Donovan McNabb QB, Washington Redskins 11/01/10, Time: 3:41 pm News: Michael Wilbon of the Washington Post predicts McNabb will not re-sign with the Redskins during the offseason. Analysis: Not exactly a bold prediction after McNabb was pulled in favor of Rex Grossman late in Sunday's game against Detroit. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Kyle Orton QB, Denver Broncos 11/01/10, Time: 3:35 pm News: According to the Denver Post, Broncos QB Kyle Orton was treated for bruised ribs following the loss to the 49ers. Analysis: Orton took a monster hit from Manny Lawson in the fourth quarter but didn't miss a snap. He was reportedly "extremely sore" after the game and didn't talk to reporters. Denver fortunately has a week 9 bye, and it appears as if it couldn't come sooner for Orton. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Louis Murphy WR, Oakland Raiders 11/01/10, Time: 3:31 pm News: Louis Murphy (bruised lung) says he hopes to return in week 9, reports Vittorio Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle. Analysis: Murphy recently admitted that the injury caused him to spit up blood, but hopes to get medical clearance to take the field in week 9. Judging by coach Tom Cable's assessment that Murphy would probably miss a few weeks, it's more likely he'll return in week 11 after Oakland's bye in week 10. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Chris Ivory RB, New Orleans Saints 11/01/10, Time: 1:32 pm News: The New Orleans Times Picayune reports Ivory was unable to finish Sunday night's game against Pittsburgh because he was "nicked up." Analysis: It is unknown what exactly is wrong with Ivory. If he has to miss Week 9 against Carolina, Ladell Betts and Julius Jones could split the workload as the last two left standing in the Saints' backfield. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Matt Moore QB, Carolina Panthers 11/01/10, Time: 1:28 pm News: Carolina Growl.com reports Panthers' head coach John Fox said Moore will remain the team's starting QB despite a rough Week 8. Analysis: Rookie Jimmy Clausen is not ready to be an effective NFL quarterback right now, so Moore should stay in the starting role. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Derek Anderson QB, Arizona Cardinals 11/01/10, Time: 1:26 pm News: The Arizona Republic reports Cardinals' head coach Ken Whisenhunt declined to name a starting quarterback for Week 9 against Minnesota following Sunday's loss to Tampa Bay. Analysis: Both Anderson and rookie Max Hall threw two interceptions in the game, so neither would be a particularly good fantasy option. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Felix Jones RB, Dallas Cowboys 11/01/10, Time: 1:23 pm News: The Dallas Morning News reports Jones (left forearm/ankle) came out of Sunday's game against Jacksonville with a bruised left forearm and a mildly sprained ankle. Analysis: The injuries are not apparently considered serious, but Jones' fantasy owners should keep an eye on this week's practice reports before relying on him in Week 9 against Green Bay. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Calvin Johnson WR, Detroit Lions 11/01/10, Time: 1:19 pm News: The Detroit News reports discomfort in the the AC joint of his right shoulder caused Johnson to leave Sunday's game three times. Analysis: Johnson still had three touchdowns against the Redskins, so he should be fine for Week 9 against the Jets. Don't be surprised to see him miss practice time this week. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Santana Moss WR, Washington Redskins 11/01/10, Time: 1:14 pm News: Moss had six receptions for 56 yards against Detroit on Sunday. Analysis: Moss led the Redskins in catches once again, and he is the most fantasy-worthy wide receiver on the team. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Donovan McNabb QB, Washington Redskins 11/01/10, Time: 1:12 pm News: McNabb went 17-for-30 for 210 yards with a touchdown and an interception along with four carries for 45 yards against the Lions on Sunday. Analysis: McNabb was benched in favor of Rex Grossman late in Sunday's loss, which makes his starting status up in the air. Washington does have a bye in Week 9, which may help squash any potential QB controversy. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Kevin Smith RB, Detroit Lions 11/01/10, Time: 1:09 pm News: Smith had 12 carries for 51 yards and two catches for 16 yards against Washington on Sunday. Analysis: Smith appears to be back in the mix for carries for the Lions, and he could be worth a roster spot in deeper leagues. (RapidDraft.com)
Player: Nate Burleson WR, Detroit Lions 11/01/10, Time: 1:07 pm News: Burleson had seven catches for 47 yards against the Redskins on Sunday. Analysis: Burleson is worth a roster spot in deeper leagues right now, but expect some inconsistency. (RapidDraft.com)