Beanie Wells and Five Huge Fantasy Question Marks for Week 8

Fantasy football owners have been making a mad dash over the past 48 hours to update themselves on which players still have a huge question mark hanging over their heads, and today, I would like to quickly run through some of those players for you all.

Remember a few things about how to negotiate injury news in fantasy football before continuing:

1. Wednesday’s practice is usually not as vigorous as Thursday’s practice. This is especially important, because a team could hold a player out Wednesday for precautionary reasons, only to give him a full workout the next day. The norm is, if a player does BOTH days, his chances of starting are pretty high.
2. While injury reports are updated daily, the official injury report doesn’t have to be filed until after 5PM on Friday—per NFL rules—and Saturday for games being played on Monday night.
3. Despite an official report, each team still reserves the right to reverse said injury status, and they have up until one hour before game time to do so. In other words, if Percy Harvin (ribs) is listed as questionable at 10am Sunday, the Vikings have up until 12pm to change that status.

OK, now that we have some additional understanding, let’s take a look at what’s going on.

Tashard Choice: Cowboys

There have been a few questions regarding just how much Dallas could use DeMarco Murray because of the presence of Tashard Choice.

Well Reuben Frank on Twitter, reported that Choice is still “iffy” to start as per coach Jason Garrett.

The fact is Choice has offered nothing to the Cowboys, and even if he is a go, I can’t see them using him as anything outside of a change of pace back.

The Eagles are ranked 23rd against the run, but they are technically tied fifth in 20-plus yard gains allowed (6 total), second in 40-plus yard gains allowed (3 total), and fourth in rushing TDs allowed (6 total).

Start Murray with confidence.

Andre Johnson: Texans

There is still a lingering worry that Andre Johnson (hammy) may not be a go against the Jaguars this week, which means owners should be ready to replace him if he is in fact grounded.

Chris Mortensen on Twitter reports that the Texans could know later today what the deal is, but it is looking like 50-50 at best right now.

It’s always tough to leave Johnson out of your lineup, but there are plenty of waiver wire options out there for you if you need one.

Matthew Stafford: Lions

Stafford was listed as limited in Wednesday's practice, according to MLive.com, but other reports from Detroit's beat writers suggest that Stafford is in fact moving around just fine in practice.

Like this one!

I think that the news all week regarding Stafford has been more precautionary than anything else since he is the starting QB for Detroit, but little that I have read has convinced me that he will NOT start this week.

Stafford should be OK.

Beanie Wells : Cardinals

Kent Somers on Twitter reported that Wells did not practice again, and the sentiment is that the Cardinals will not chance that knee injury this week against Baltimore.

The Cardinals have three other backs they will use in rookie Alfonso Smith, Chester Taylor and La’Rod Stephens-Howling.

I have to imagine that Howling and Alfonso Smith will split time, with Taylor entering as either the third-down back, goaline back or both.

Aside from possibly putting Smith on your watch list, there’s little upside here from anyone one these players unless you’re in a pinch.

Sam Bradford: Rams

The St. Louis Rams will be without lead quarterback Sam Bradford (high ankle sprain) for this week's contest against Baltimore reports stltoday.com.

Bradford was still seen in a walking boot, and the benching will pave the way for journeyman quarterback A.J. Feeley.

For those of you in very deep-format leagues in need of a quarterback can consider grabbing him for the week fill-in job, but be aware that there is a high-risk tag associated with him.

Feeley has been collecting dust for a few years now which was shown in last week's performance (20-33 for 196 yards and INT), and while we can't judge him on one game alone, one has to remember that Feeley will come with a fair price.

The problem, however, is the fact that deeper league usually have little to no options on their waiver wire, so again, grab him only if you absolutely need him, and stay tuned for more Bradford news.

I hope this helps, and for an expanded version of this piece please click here, and if you are interested, come check out my WR Rankings - QB Rankings - TE Rankings for Week 8.

Good luck this week, everyone!