NFL Player News

Tuesday, August 17

• 08/17/10 - 8:19AM ETLeSean McCoy : Back at Practice

  McCoy (quad) was back at practice Tuesday, Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

  McCoy's top backups are Mike Bell, Eldra Buckley and Martell Mallett, neither of whom seem like a major threat to his status as the Eagles' top back. The only caveat here is that it's possible that Bell, who is dinged up right now, could carve out a short-yardage role this season, which could cost McCoy some TD shots in close.

• 08/17/10 - 3:38AM ETBen Roethlisberger : Will See Action on Saturday

  Roethlisberger (suspension) will play in Saturday's preseason tilt against the Giants, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

  Roethlisberger did not take to the field in the team's first preseason contest against Detroit. It is not known how much he will play, but he is expected to start. Expect more information as the end of the week draws closer.

• 08/17/10 - 12:02AM ETEli Manning : Feeling Fine After Blow to Head

  Manning says he suffered no major ill effects after having a three-inch gash opened on his forehead in Monday night's preseason game, the Newark Star-Ledger reports. "I feel fine," Manning said. "I feel normal."

  The Giants confirmed Manning's self-diagnosis by saying he showed no signs of a concussion and that X-rays were negative. Twelve stitches were needed to close the gash, and Manning was sent home by the medical staff. This shouldn't affect his status for the regular season at all.

Monday, August 16

• 08/16/10 - 6:47PM ETEli Manning : Leaves with Head Laceration

  Manning suffered a three-inch head laceration in Monday's preseason game against the Jets that will require stitches, the New York Daily News' Ralph Vacchiano reports.

  A miscommunication in the Giants' backfield resulted in Manning bumping into Brandon Jacobs, which loosened his helmet. Linebacker Bart Scott then drilled Manning's blind side, knocking the quarterback's helmet completely off before a hit from Jim Leonard that caused the gash. The result was a forehead full of blood that will obviously keep Manning out for the rest of Monday's game.

• 08/16/10 - 4:06PM ETLadell Betts : Signs With Saints

  The Saints have signed Betts (knee), ESPN.com reports.

  Betts will give the Saints some proven depth behind Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush, in the wake of Lynell Hamilton's season-ending injury. He's coming off a major knee injury that ended his 2009 season, so before we start imagining Betts stealing carries/goal-line touches from the the team's top duo, he'll have to reestablish that he's healthy.

• 08/16/10 - 3:28PM ETBrian Westbrook : Signs With 49ers

  Westbrook has signed a one-year deal with the 49ers, ESPN reports.

  He could have joined the crowded Redskins' backfield or backed up Steven Jackson in St. Louis, but once Glen Coffee retired, a situation to Westbrook's liking opened up in the Bay Area. He'll work in a complementary role with starter Frank Gore and is but an injury away from having a chance to re-emerge as a fantasy factor, provided he can stay healthy, not a given lately for Westbrook.

• 08/16/10 - 2:47PM ETRyan Grant : Concussion Confirmed

  Coach Mike McCarthy acknowledged Monday that Grant suffered a concussion Saturday, but hopes the running back will be able to practice Tuesday, Greg Bedard of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports.

  We'll have to see if Grant is out there Tuesday, but the fact that's even mentioned as a possibility suggests his concussion was a minor one that won't keep him out too long.

• 08/16/10 - 12:24PM ETMohamed Massaquoi : Strained Hamstring

  Massaquoi will miss practice Monday with a strained hamstring, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

  The good news is Massaquoi might return to the field later in the week, so it looks like his injury is not a serious concern at this point.

• 08/16/10 - 12:22PM ETMontario Hardesty : (Knee) Could Return Next Week

  Hardesty (knee) will not practice this week, but coach Eric Mangini hopes the rookie running back will return to the field next week, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

  The plan is for Hardesty to increase his individual training this week, with an eye toward a return to practice next week, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. Hardesty will need all the practice/preseason reps he can get in order to give Jerome Harrison a run for his money for the team's starting running back job. Our view remains that when the two are both healthy, the likely outcome will be some form of time-share.

• 08/16/10 - 12:21PM ETSidney Rice : (Hip) Able to Do Some Cutting

  Rice (hip) did some cutting for the first time in practice Monday, but there's no timetable for his return from the PUP list, ESPN 1500 Twin Cities reports. "A couple of setbacks but overall it's getting better. I think it's a lot better since the beginning of camp," he told the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

  It sounds like Rice is making progress, but there's been little information on his exact injury or timetable. He feels he'll be ready for Week 1 and there's still plenty of time for him to be ready for the regular season, but he continues to carry risk for fantasy purposes.

• 08/16/10 - 12:14PM ETMichael Jenkins : (Shoulder) 3-5 Week Timetable

  Jenkins (shoulder) will be out three-to-five weeks, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

  He won't miss any regular season games if he's able to return in three weeks but if the injury keeps him out closer to five, he could miss the first two games of the season.

• 08/16/10 - 11:51AM ETMike Bell : Dealing With Calf Injury

  The Eagle's have not provided a status update on the calf injury suffered Sunday by Bell, the Philadelphia Daily News reports.

  Bell insists his calf strain will be fine, but the Eagles have to be getting concerned that LeSean McCoy's top backup has been battling so many injuries during camp. There's no timetable for his return yet, but it seems like a day-to-day type of injury.

• 08/16/10 - 11:14AM ETPercy Harvin : Slated to Practice Monday

  Harvin (migraines) was on the field and slated to take part in Monday's practice, according to Judd Zulgad of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

  Harvin hadn't practiced with the Vikings since July 31, following the passing of his grandmother and subsequent migraine problems, but for now, he looks good to go. Harvin remains an explosive player, with plenty of upside, but the migraines, as well as the team's unsettled situation at quarterback are issues to be aware of when swinging for the fences with him on draft/auction day.

• 08/16/10 - 9:20AM ETRobert Meachem : (Toe) Comes Off PUP List

  Meachem (toe) has been activated from the Saints' PUP list and was on the practice field (in pads) Monday, Jeff Duncan of the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

  The Saints wasted no time getting Meachem back in the mix, as Drew Brees threw to him three times in succession on goal line drills. Meachem is playing with a steel shank in his shoe and heavy tape to protect the injured toe, which he says still throbs. His status remains practice-to-practice, however, barring a setback, Meachem, who finished strong in 2009, should be good to go for Week 1.

• 08/16/10 - 9:17AM ETDarren McFadden : Hamstring Improving

  Head coach Tom Cable said Sunday that McFadden (hamstring) is improving, the Oakland Tribune reports.

  Cable did not offer many other details. McFadden's status for the Raiders' preseason game against the Bears on Saturday has yet to be determined but he will continue losing ground to Michael Bush in the competition for the starting running back position as long as he is unable to participate in practice or games.

• 08/16/10 - 9:15AM ETPercy Harvin : Back With Vikings

  Harvin (migraines) reported to the Vikings on Monday, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

  It's not clear if he'll practice, but it looks like we'll get some sort of update on his status shortly.

• 08/16/10 - 8:15AM ETSteve Smith : (Arm) Removed From PUP List

  Smith (arm) has been removed from the PUP list, the Gaston Gazette reports.

  Chances are, he'll be worked back into the mix slowly, but all signs point to Smith being good to go for Week 1.

• 08/16/10 - 7:54AM ETSteve Smith : (Arm) Making Progress

  Smith (arm) was running routes and catching balls during warmup drills at Monday's morning practice, the Gaston Gazette reports.

  Smith was in shorts and wasn't wearing a helmet, but it's certainly progress and it looks like his broken arm is almost healed. He remains on track to be ready to go for the Panthers' season opener.

• 08/16/10 - 5:29AM ETMike Sims-Walker : Shoulder Issue

  Sims-Walker (shoulder) missed practice Sunday and noted while the injury isn't serious, there is no timetable for his return, according to the Florida Times-Union.

  Sims-Walker has battled injuries through his time in both college and the pros, so this is probably just a case of the team being extra careful. He should be fine for the start of the season.

Sunday, August 15

• 08/15/10 - 3:19PM ETBen Tate : (Ankle) Headed for IR

  Tate, who is slated to undergo ankle surgery Tuesday, will be placed on injured reserve by the Texans, the Houston Chronicle reports.

  Tate's unfortunate (and reportedly severe) ankle injury opens the door for Chris Henry and Jeremiah Johnson to compete for the team's No. 3 running back job behind Arian Foster and Steve Slaton. Don't be surprised if the Teaxans add some free agent depth at the position in the coming days, however.

• 08/15/10 - 2:20PM ETLarry Fitzgerald : (Knee) MRI Reveals Sprain

  Fitzgerald (knee) had an MRI on Sunday that revealed only a mild sprain, Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic reports.

  Any sprain is a ligament tear, and it will almost certainly lead the Cards to shut him down for the rest of the preseason, but it doesn't appear all that severe, and Fitzgerald should be healthy and ready to go when the Cards open up the regular season in Week 1 against St. Louis.

• 08/15/10 - 2:00PM ETBen Tate : Ankle Injury

  Tate's ankle injury is "very significant," according to coach Gary Kubiak, NFL.com's Jason LaCanfora reports.

  The news on Tate's ankle, which will require surgery, keeps getting worse. At this point, it looks like he is headed for IR.

• 08/15/10 - 1:50PM ETVernon Davis : Strained Knee

  Davis is dealing with a knee strain, Matt Maiocco of csnbayarea.com reports.

  We'll have to see how serious this "strain" is, but Davis says his knee should be fine. For now, we'll consider him day-to-day until we hear otherwise.

• 08/15/10 - 1:45PM ETBen Tate : Ankle Surgery on Tap

  Tate will need ankle surgery that Texans coach Gary Kubiak says could occur Tuesday, Jason La Canfora of NFL.com reports.

  A tough break for those who have already drafted or bid on Tate. With this news and Steve Slaton (as of Saturday) having trouble holding on to the ball again, suddenly Arian Foster's stock is on the rise.

• 08/15/10 - 12:17PM ETTorry Holt : Knee Surgery On Tap

  Holt, who was placed on IR by the Patriots on Sunday, is scheduled to undergo knee surgery this coming week, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

  Whether it's a scope or something more serious, it has now been clarified Holt's season with the Patriots was cut short due to a legitimate injury, rather than him being squeezed out by the team's younger wideouts.

• 08/15/10 - 12:03PM ETVernon Davis : Lower Leg Issue

  After Davis hobbled off the field during Sunday's preseason opener, trainers were looking at his lower right leg, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

  Phil Barber of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat later tweeted "no word on Vernon Davis' knee yet," which is hardly concrete news, but it at least suggests which part of Davis' lower leg represents the concern.

• 08/15/10 - 11:48AM ETTorry Holt : Placed on IR by Pats

  Holt (undisclosed injury) has been placed on injured reserve by the Patriots, ESPN's Mike Reiss reports.

  Holt had been rumored to be on the team's roster bubble, so Reiss points out that this could be an "injury settlement type of situation" for the veteran wideout. In any case, his departure from the Patriots' wideout mix should pave the way for the team's younger receivers like Julian Edelman, Brandon Tate and Taylor Price to carve out expanded roles with the team in 2010.

• 08/15/10 - 10:29AM ETLarry Fitzgerald : (Knee) Sent for MRI

  Fitzgerald (knee) was sent for an MRI on Sunday, Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic reports.

  According to Somers, the team is hoping his injury is only a slight sprain. We should know more about his condition later Sunday or early Monday next time head coach Ken Whisenhunt addresses the media.

• 08/15/10 - 10:06AM ETMarshawn Lynch (Ankle) : Out 3-4 Weeks

  Lynch is expected to be out three to four weeks with the sprained ankle he suffered against Washington in Friday's preseason opener, sources have told The Buffalo News.

  A very mild injury might have actually helped Lynch, as Fred Jackson's injury is more serious. Instead, Lynch could miss the entire preseason while possibly being slightly hobbled when the regular season rolls around. Meanwhile, C.J. Spiller is going to get tons of action and time to impress a new coaching staff. Lynch may not even be worth drafting in most formats unless Jackson were going to miss considerable regular season time, which is not the case yet.

• 08/15/10 - 10:02AM ETFred Jackson (Hand) : Out 4-6 Weeks

  Jackson will be out four to six weeks with a broken bone in his left hand, sources have told The Buffalo News.

  That puts Jackson's status for Week 1 in jeopardy, while it's also worth noting this team has a new coaching staff (perhaps not completely loyal to Jackson yet) with plenty of running backs in the mix. Meaning we'd still consider Jackson the No. 1 back on the depth chart, but it's going to be very easy for the team to take it easy on him until he's fully healthy. He's a hard worker with a great attitude, so an early return wouldn't surprise us either. It's also to his left hand and not the more important right one. But knock him down on your cheatsheets a few slots.

• 08/15/10 - 9:19AM ETMichael Crabtree : (Neck) Not in Uniform Sunday

  Crabtree (neck strain) is not in uniform for Sunday's preseason opener against the Colts, Matt Maiocco of csnbayarea.com reports.

  Crabtree did make the trip to Indianapolis, so this looks like a precautionary move more than anything else.

• 08/15/10 - 8:59AM ETMike Bell : Calf Strain

  Bell, who had returned to practice from a hamstring issue, suffered a slight calf strain Sunday, Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

  That's a more positive sounding report than what was out there initially, but it looks like Bell is back to the day-to-day category again.