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By late afternoon last Sunday, the backfield bloodbath had claimed at least five new victims. Here's a brief look at the tailback trauma as we head into Week 11:
Brian Westbrook suffered another concussion against the Chargers, leading coach Andy Reid to warn that "football is secondary in this situation." NFL Network's Steve Wyche reports speculation that Westbrook's career could be in jeopardy, and Scout.com's Adam Caplan says he wouldn't expect to see Westbrook "for several weeks, if at all" this season. His backup, LeSean McCoy, is owned in 93 percent of CBSSports.com leagues, so it's not an attractive waiver situation.
Ronnie Brown left the stadium on crutches Sunday night, and the Dolphins are reportedly "worried" about the foot injury sustained against the Bucs. Brown almost certainly will miss Thursday's game against the Panthers, and there's a possibility that he'll be sent to a specialist for further examination. This has the look of a multi-week injury, in which case Ricky Williams will have borderline RB1 value. Already owned in 99 percent of CBSSports.com leagues, Williams is not a waiver option this week.
Michael Turner has been diagnosed with a high ankle sprain after an awkward tackle against the Panthers on Sunday. While the Falcons are optimistic that the injury isn't as serious as most high ankle sprains, Turner figures to miss at least one game and likely a second. Change-of-pace back Jerious Norwood (hip) is expected back this week after missing five games, but Jason Snelling is the best fantasy bet in Atlanta. Owned in just 5 percent of all leagues, he tops our waiver list this week.
Julius Jones experienced bleeding in his lung after being hospitalized Sunday. Coach Jim Mora insists that Jones does not have a broken rib, though there is speculation that it's at least cracked. Mora admitted that Jones is unlikely to play in Week 11, and it's possible that he'll miss Week 12 as well. Donovan McNabb and Matt Hasselbeck each missed two games with a rib injury, and running back is a more physical position. Justin Forsett and Louis Rankin will handle backfield duties while Jones is out, though Forsett figures to see the bulk of the work. He's owned in just 21 percent of CBSSports.com leagues and runs a close second to Snelling on our list.
Cedric Benson suffered an "abductor strain" in Week 9 that limited him heading into the Steelers game. Benson tried to play through the injury in Pittsburgh, but he was clearly hobbled and had to be replaced by Bernard Scott and Brian Leonard. Both Benson and the Bengals insists that he has a chance to play this week, though coach Marvin Lewis is officially labeling him a "game-time decision" against the Raiders. Meanwhile, the Bengals signed Larry Johnson to act as fourth-string injury insurance. If Benson does miss this week's game, Scott figures to be the main fantasy beneficiary and should be picked up ahead of Johnson and Leonard. Scott is owned in just 5 percent of fantasy leagues.
Like Westbrook, there's concern that Clinton Portis' season could be in jeopardy due to the aftereffects of a concussion. While the Redskins are exercising extreme caution, coach Jim Zorn isn't willing to put more than a "week to week" timetable on Portis' status. Ladell Betts is coming off back-to-back strong performances and figures to remain the lead back for at least another game or two. If Betts was not owned in the majority (68 percent) of fantasy leagues, he would merit consideration as the top waiver add this week. The upcoming matchup against the Cowboys, however, makes him a weak RB2 for Week 11.
On to the lists. Here is how I rank the top players available at each position as we head into Week 11. Full writeups of each player are below.
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Running Backs
1. Jason Snelling
2. Justin Forsett
3. Bernard Scott
4. Sammy Morris
5. Michael Bush
6. Larry Johnson
Wide Receivers
1. Donnie Avery
2. Brandon Gibson
3. Chris Chambers
4. Laveranues Coles
5. Davone Bess
6. Robert Meachem
7. Kenny Britt
8. Lance Long
Quarterbacks
1. Alex Smith
2. Vince Young
3. Josh Freeman
4. Marc Bulger
5. Matthew Stafford
Tight Ends
1. Tony Scheffler
2. Jermichael Finley
3. Fred Davis
Defenses
1. Bengals
2. Cardinals
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RUNNING BACKS
Jason Snelling, Falcons – Coach Mike Smith said Monday that the Falcons are "very confident" Michael Turner will play again in 2009. That's not exactly an optimistic statement on his chances of playing in the next couple of weeks. Injury guru Evan Silva believes Turner will miss two games and then be considered day to day from that point. While Jerious Norwood (hip) is expected to return this week, the versatile big-back Snelling will see the bulk of the work out of the backfield. Snelling can play all three downs and will see goal-line work while Norwood is likely to be used as a change-of-pace back. It's safe to expect at least flex value out of Snelling this week against the Giants, and he should be a solid RB2 versus the Bucs in Week 12.
Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues
Justin Forsett, Seahawks – The Seattle offensive line is finally getting healthy, and they opened some huge holes against the Cardinals last week. Credit also goes to Forsett who showed an elusiveness previously missing in the Seahawks backfield this season. Indicating that he was "impressed" by Forsett's 123-yard effort, coach Jim Mora promised that the 5'8 former Cal star would be "carrying the ball a lot this week." Forsett can't expect a repeat against the Vikings' No. 6 run defense, so keep expectations low for Week 11. If Julius Jones' bruised lung keeps him out for more than one week, however, Forsett would have RB2 value against the Rams in Week 12.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues
Bernard Scott - Following an impressive Week 10 effort, coach Marvin Lewis indicated that he wants Scott's role to continue to increase. Cedric Benson is expected to be a game-time decision for the Raiders this week, making Scott a mandatory add for all Benson owners. While Scott would likely split touches with Brian Leonard in a spot-start, his big-play ability makes him the superior fantasy option. The former Abilene Christian star would enjoy favorable matchups against the Browns and Lions in Weeks 12 and 13 if Benson aggravates his strained hip flexor.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues
Sammy Morris, Patriots – Morris returned from his knee injury to practice last Friday, and he's expected to see game action this week against the Jets. Laurence Maroney's late-game fumble at the goal-line led directly to the Colts' shocking comeback, and it's possible that he'll land in the doghouse once again. While Morris will likely be eased back into action, it shouldn't take more than a week or two for Bill Belichick to lean on old reliable No. 34 in the backfield. Morris doesn't have a ton of fantasy upside, but he could have flex value down the stretch.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues
Michael Bush, Raiders – One of the few bright spots against the Chiefs, Bush led the Raiders with 119 yards on 14 carries. Running behind Robert Gallery, Bush ran downhill, got behind his pads, and trucked through the Kansas City defenders. His fantasy value is limited by the uncertainty in the Oakland backfield and upcoming matchups against the stout run defenses of the Bengals, Cowboys, and Steelers.
Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues
Larry Johnson, Bengals – I didn't expect Johnson to find a home in free agency the rest of the way, but I forgot that the Bengals don't weigh character into personnel decisions. LJ has reportedly signed his contract with the Bengals, but coach Marvin Lewis indicated that he's nothing more than a fourth-stringer who will be a game-day inactive unless a serious injury strikes Cedric Benson or Bernard Scott. He remains a long shot for fantasy value. Pick up Scott instead.
Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues
Long-Term Fliers
Jerious Norwood - Norwood is expected to return from a hip injury this week. While he'll likely be eased into a change-of-pace back role, he could see more of a timeshare in Weeks 12 and 13 if Michael Turner misses multiple games.
Arian Foster - The undrafted rookie was considered an early-round draft prospect before an injury-plagued senior season at Tennessee. The Texans activated him from the practice squad Tuesday, and coach Gary Kubiak indicated that he wants to see Arian receive more reps in practice. With the backfield turmoil in Houston, Dynasty leaguers should should take a flier on him this week.
Louis Rankin - Rankin flashed some nifty moves on the ground and in the passing game last week. He'll work as the change of pace back with Justin Forsett until Julius Jones comes back.
Chris Jennings - The undrafted Arizona product is getting a long look from the coaching staff, but he's not likely to have fantasy value in Cleveland.
Cut Bait
LenDale White - No longer the goal-line back, White can't expect more than a handful of touches on a weekly basis.
Tashard Choice - Just four touches in each of the past two weeks.
Kolby Smith - Falling behind Jamaal Charles, as expected.
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