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Fantasy Update: Preseason Week Three happenings — 2 of 2

Here we go with the second half of all the important fantasy happenings of the past week.

  • The Colts activated QB Peyton Manning (knee) from the PUP list Tuesday. Manning might be limited to individual drills this week, but, barring a setback, he appears on track to play in Week One.
  • Jaguars WR Jerry Porter, coming off hamstring surgery, has not participated in any preseason activities and now looks likely to miss Week One. Coach Jack Del Rio said Porter will need to practice for two weeks before he can play, and it's unclear when the wideout will return to practice. A committee of receivers is expected to replace him.
  • Jaguars WR Reggie Williams, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in early August, played in his first preseason game Saturday. He likely will be in the starting lineup in Week One.
  • And the hits keep on coming for the Jaguars. RB Maurice Jones-Drew suffered a sprained ankle in Saturday's contest, but it's believed to be mild. He doesn't appear in any danger of missing the opener.
  • Texans WR Andre Johnson (groin) made his preseason debut Friday. He was held without a catch, but the fact that he's back on the field should calm any fears you had about drafting him.
  • The Houston backfield continues to be in shambles. Ahman Green (groin) hasn't participated in any contact drills since hurting himself in the first exhibition game, and Chris Brown (back, knee) isn't practicing either. One of the two is likely to get cut, leaving the remaining back to share carries with Steve Slaton and Chris Taylor.
  • Titans WR Roydell Williams (ankle) played in his first preseason game Friday. Although he's coming off a productive 2007, Williams has fallen far enough down in the receiver rotation that he's not worth drafting in most leagues.
  • Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart answered any questions about his toe injury by rushing 10 times for 100 yards and a TD in Saturday's contest. He looks to be fully back and safe to invest a pick in.
  • Things aren't quite as positive in Carolina's receiving corps. Although Steve Smith (concussion) played Saturday and looked good, he'll miss the first two regular-season games with a suspension. D.J. Hackett (toe) has missed most of August, and his return date is uncertain. Muhsin Muhammad suffered bruised ribs a couple weeks back but should be in the Week One starting lineup. Who'll start opposite him remains to be seen.
  • Saints WR Marques Colston left Saturday's game with bruised ribs but said Monday that he is fine. Expect him to be fully ready for the opener.
  • Saints TE Jeremy Shockey (leg) is yet to play in an exhibition contest. He warmed up before Saturday's game but was held out for precautionary reasons. He'll likely be on the field for the preseason finale.
  • Bucs QB Jeff Garcia (calf) started Saturday's game, his first of the preseason, but looked a bit rusty. He should be fine once he gets some additional practice under his belt.
  • Bucs WR Joey Galloway (groin) has not played a down in the preseason. If he doesn't play in the team's preseason finale this week, there likely will be some concern about the 36-year-old's Week One status.
  • The Falcons officially named rookie QB Matt Ryan their Week One starter this weekend. Since Ryan could have a rough go of it this season, you should only target him in very deep leagues and keeper formats.
  • Believe it or not, there was a Javon Walker sighting this weekend. The Raiders wideout had four catches for 60 yards in Saturday's game, marking his first productive outing of the preseason. With the season-ending knee injury to WR Drew Carter, Oakland is left with no receiver depth and now really needs the enigmatic Walker to step up and play well. He remains a fantasy gamble.
  • Broncos WR Darrell Jackson (ankle) missed Friday's contest, but if he returns to health before the regular season, he is still expected to start while Brandon Marshall serves his suspension. Jackson almost surely will be headed to the bench once Marshall comes back in probably Week Three.
  • Chargers TE Antonio Gates (toe) practiced for the first time all season late last week. He is targeting a Week One return, which is looking much more likely than it did not long ago.
  • Chargers WR Vincent Jackson (hamstring) made his preseason debut Monday night and had three catches for 84 yards. He's all set for the opener.
  • After news leaked Sunday that the Cardinals were going to name QB Kurt Warner their Week One starter, the team refuted that report Monday and said that Matt Leinart is still in the running for the job. Leinart looked to be ahead in the competition before his awful performance Saturday, and now the job appears to be Warner's to lose, despite what the Cards want us to believe.
  • After missing all of training camp in a contract holdout, Rams RB Steven Jackson finally was given a new deal last week and reported to the team. Jackson could be rusty to begin the season, but you should feel confident taking him in fantasy leagues now.
  • The 49ers tabbed QB J.T. O'Sullivan as their opening week starter after his solid outing Thursday night. It's tough to think too highly of the journeyman O'Sullivan, but the fact that he'll be running a Mike Martz-led offense makes him an intriguing late-round sleeper pick.
  • 49ers WR Bryant Johnson (hamstring) has missed the entire preseason and is sliding down the team's receiver depth chart, making his fantasy value minimal. Meanwhile, rookie WR Josh Morgan has had a terrific August and looks to have locked up a starting role. He's a deep sleeper.
  • Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck has missed the last two exhibition games with a sore back. The injury is not expected to carry over into the regular season, but you never know when his back tightness could flare up.
  • The Seahawks still haven't said who'll replace the injured Bobby Engram in the starting lineup, but it looks like it'll be WR Courtney Taylor. The coaches have been impressed with Taylor this preseason and think he can be an impact player if given the opportunity. He's a guy to target late in your draft.

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This page contains a single entry from the blog posted on August 26, 2008 1:09 PM.

The previous post in this blog was Fantasy Update: Preseason Week Three happenings — 1 of 2.

The next post in this blog is Injury to Colts' Saturday worth keeping an eye on.

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