Fantasy Football: Midweek Updates

With the middle of the week upon us, it's time for all owners to start evaluating their roster for this week and looking for any potential issues that may be on the horizon. This week, not only do we have injuries to deal with, but some other trends that have been highlighted, where owners should look to make a big splash. Let's get to it. 

Issue One - Tony Romo's Injury

It came out today that Romo isn't going to make the start this week and that he may be out next week as well. That leaves Brad Johnson as the quarterback in Dallas. No, that sound you hear is not T.O. jumping for joy. 

Johnson's strength is certainly not in his ability to throw the ball down the field. We saw that in the fact that both Owens and Williams were almost non-factors in the loss to St. Louis last week.

Marion Barber was the weapon of choice, and fantasy owners should expect much of the same. Downgrade both of Dallas' top-two receivers this week and next if Romo is out of the lineup. Upgrade Witten and Barber (already obvious must-starts). 

Replacements? Jeff Garcia should be in for a solid game against a weakened Dallas secondary this week. Chad Pennington has been able to rack up fantasy points in Miami during recent weeks, and they get to play at home.

Marc Bulger gets to go against a Patriots secondary that just lost leader Rodney Harrison, and the Rams' quarterback has performed better in recent weeks. In a stretch, J.T. O'Sullivan gets what can only be described as a bad Seattle team. 

Issue Two - Kellen Winslow Suspended One Game

This one is slightly easier to solve. The fact is, Winslow was already in a stagnant Browns offense that did nothing to continue the momentum they garnered in their win against the Giants. They looked completely awful against Washington last week. There was nothing here to suggest Winslow would play well against Jacksonville. 

There are a few options this week that should make his suspension easier on owners. Marcedes Lewis will face the Browns, and he has scored in consecutive games. The Browns' pass defense has been solid down field, but Chris Cooley was able to grab 50 yards against them last week. Lewis should be in for much the same type of game but is more likely to score. 

The other tight end you need to look at is Zach Miller in Oakland. Miller has been the most consistent piece to the Raiders' passing game. Teams have proven that it is much easier to throw against the Ravens than it is to run on them, so Russell should be looking Miller's way regularly in this one. 

Final option would be to look the way of Bo Scaife. Even with Alge Crumpler in the lineup for Tennessee, Collins has found himself more comfortable with Scaife. Even against an Indy defense in the top-five against the pass, Scaife wouldn't be a bad option. 

Issue Three - Larry Johnson Out?

This one presents another problem for owners. Similar to the Reggie Bush injury, owners are going to first look to Johnson's backups, Kolby Smith and Jamaal Charles. This is the best move. We like Charles better than Smith, but Smith was able to put up much better averages than Charles this past week.

This week, the best recommendation is to avoid any Kansas City running back. The Jets are a top-five team against the run. Kansas City hasn't played well against any solid defense and is going to be in the same boat this week with the Jets. Stay far away from this one if you can. 

For this week, look for depth on your own roster to help solve this one-week issue. Otherwise, continue to look at Deuce McAllister or Pierre Thomas if they are available in your league. Ben-Jarvus Green-Ellis could be the primary option for the Patriots this week, especially if Morris can't go for them. He'd be a sneaky play.

Following this week, especially against opponents in Kansas City's division, you should be able to use either Smith or Charles as a flex option or RB3 in almost all formats. 

Issue Four - Bye-Week Conundrums

I just like using the word "conundrums." It sounds cool. 

The Bears, Vikings, Broncos, and Packers will all enjoy a week off. At a minimum, that means replacements for 12 viable fantasy players. In most leagues, depth should help you out here, but there are other names on waivers that could provide a boost to teams looking to get the quick score and capitalize on some favorable matchups. 

Replacements for receivers could take strange forms this week. Josh Morgan has caught eight balls for over 150 yards and a touchdown in the last few weeks for San Francisco. The 49ers will get a favorable secondary matchup when they play host to Seattle. Isaac Bruce is another option that should be looked at in this one. 

We talked about using Marc Bulger against New England, so it should follow that we like No. 2 receiver Donnie Avery as well. Avery has nine catches in the last two weeks and is even more valuable in PPR formats than in yardage and touchdown-only leagues. Avery has been touted by ESPN's Matthew Berry, and we're jumping on this bandwagon as well.

Sticking with the theme of quarterbacks we like, Antonio Bryant should catch a few of Jeff Garcia's passes as well. 

Others? Check out Greg Camarillo, Hank Baskett (if Reggie Brown remains sidelined), and Steve Smith (the one in New York). 

On the running-back side, our sleeper is Leon Washington. If your league counts return yards, Washington becomes more attractive. The Chiefs give up crazy amounts of running yards. Thomas Jones is in for a good day, but Washington will make a fine play as well because Jones will be tired after grabbing 150 yards.

Don't sleep on Kevin Smith in Detroit this week, either. The rookie has scored in two of his last three games. Maurice Morris and Julius Jones are splitting carries and can each be an RB3 or flex play. 

We recommended a few other players for a missing L.J., they would apply here as well. 

Issue Five - Stats that Don't Lie

My Bleacher Report colleague Jamal Collier brought up some great stats about playing the AFC West. Check them out here. 

Buddy Smith advises to pick on the Seattle Seahawks; his numbers don't lie. This article, and many of his others, are must reads for fantasy addicts. 

Check out your rosters. If you have running backs playing against the AFC West, these are must starts. If you need a reach, look for the 49ers. Teams that go up against other weak secondaries this week include: St. Louis, Washington, New Orleans, Buffalo, Cleveland, and Baltimore. 

Teams facing worse-than-average front sevens that should be in for good running days include: the Jets, Washington, New England, Tennessee, Seattle, Houston, and Jacksonville. 

Issue Six - Other Final Notes

--Warrick Dunn's status for this week is uncertain due to a back injury. Keep an eye on this one, but look elsewhere if you have the options.

--Anquan Boldin practiced on Wednesday and had the wires removed from his jaw. He'll be back on solid foods in no time. If he plays this week, you should start him.

--Kevin Curtis and DeSean Jackson are listed as the prospective starters for the Eagles at WR this week. Bad news for Reggie Brown and his owners.

--Steven Jackson did not practice today, but is expected to start against the Patriots in Week Eight.

--No sign of Sammy Morris at practice today for the Patriots, but LaMont Jordan was around and present for the early portion of the day.

That's all we got for now. Back tomorrow to start the previews.