I won’t belabor the thoughts proffered by LaMarr Woodley of the Steelers. I’ll just ask two simple questions. Would you rather see Mark Sanchez or Ben Roethlisberger under center in your team’s playoff game? Would you want to take the chance that Troy Polamalu returns to the field to bolster the defense in tandem with that offensive production?
I love the gamesmanship. I love the countless storylines.
For those still playing out their leagues in Week 17, there are a few notable injuries to consider in addition to the “Operation Shutdown” going on across the league. There’s your final Derek Bell reference of 2009.
Let’s get back to the trainer’s room.
The Buffalo News reports that Ryan Fitzpatrick was back at practice on Wednesday and appeared to be moving well on his injured ankle. The news is encouraging, and it’s possible that Fitzpatrick is activated for Week 17 against Indianapolis. Still, I wouldn’t be surprised to watch Brian Brohm lead the offense on Sunday, as the Bills need to continue the evaluation process for 2010. Yes, it’ll come against the Colts’ backups, but on-field auditions have to count for something.
The Carolina Observer reports that DeAngelo Williams was held out of practice on Wednesday because of lingering pain in his ankle. As of this writing, it appears that Williams will be sitting out the finale, leaving Jonathan Stewart to finish off a strong sophomore campaign as the lead back against New Orleans. Roll him up for another big effort this week against a New Orleans team with nothing to play (in the small picture, of course).
Michael Turner did not practice on Wednesday, per The Atlanta-Journal Constitution , because of the ankle injury that has derailed an otherwise solid season. Turner is not expected to play this weekend against the Buccaneers, although he hasn’t been ruled out just yet. Jason Snelling would continue his role as the lead back should Turner be sidelined again.
Matt Ryan has been limited by turf toe for weeks and will not be a participant in practices this week (limited, at best). Ryan will, however, trot onto the field for Sunday’s finale, barring a setback, as the Falcons try to post a second straight winning season. Chris Redman would return under center if Ryan can’t go, but I fully expect to see the sophomore quarterback gut it out and work additional magic with Roddy White.
White might be working downfield in the finale without tight end Tony Gonzalez, who strained his right calf in Week 16. Gonzalez will be held out of practices this week and represents a true “game-time decision.”
Brandon Jacobs will reportedly undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee next week, per The New York Daily News . Jacobs ranks among the bigger fantasy disappointments of 2009. He came into the season with great expectations as the lead and goal-line back in the Giants’ two-back system. Instead, Jacobs danced at the line a little more than we’re accustomed to, and he was thwarted in short-yardage situations frequently before ceding those carries to Ahmad Bradshaw. His rushing average dipped by 1.3 yards per touch and his touchdown total fell from 15 to five. Bradshaw will be the lead back in the finale against the Williams wall.
Carolina wide receiver Steve Smith broke his left forearm after catching a 29-yard touchdown pass in the Panthers’ blowout win over the Giants in Week 16. He was placed on injured reserve after undergoing successful surgery to repair his broken forearm. Muhsin Muhammad, who scored his first touchdown of the season, assumes the top spot in the passing game because of Smith’s absence. I’ll be curious to see which of the secondary receivers steps up alongside Muhammad this week (is it tight end Jeff King?).
The Times-Picayune reports that Saints running back Pierre Thomas missed Wednesday’s practice as a result of bruised ribs sustained in the Week 16 loss to Tampa Bay. With home field advantage already secured, I expect to see the triad of Lynell Hamilton, Mike Bell and Reggie Bush split the workload against Carolina in the finale. I understand that New Orleans wants to stop the mini-losing streak, but they’re not going to risk their top back.
Charles Tillman of the Bears sustained broken ribs after a violent collision with teammate Craig Steltz in Monday’s upset win over Minnesota. He was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, per The Chicago Sun-Times . Owners of Calvin Johnson can feel more confident about sliding him into the lineup for the finale with Chicago’s best cornerback on the shelf.
St. Louis running back Steven Jackson missed Week 16 because of a sore lower back, a problem that has persisted during the second half of the season. Jackson plans to return to the field for Sunday’s finale against the 49ers, per The St. Louis Post-Dispatch , although his status needs to be watched. I would certainly like to take a moment to congratulate Jackson on his Pro Bowl selection given the trying circumstances in St. Louis this season.
If you have any last-minute injury questions or need help with a sit-start question, you have plenty of options on Sunday morning and throughout the weekend. Nate Lundy, Peter Burns and I are answering your calls, texts and Tweets during the “FOX Fantasy Football” show on FOX Sports Radio (XM 142 and FOXSportsradio.com) between 10am-12pm ET/7-9am PT on Sunday. Hit the Twitter-verse at Twitter.com/fantasyfreaks or Twitter.com/swollendome.
You can also log in and chat with Roger Rotter on Sunday morning. He’ll be breaking down all of the games and updating those pesky injury reports with his sit-start thoughts from 11am-1pm ET/8-10am PT on FOXSports.com.
