USA TODAY

USA TODAY Fantasy NFL Coverage

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  FANTASY: Studs and Duds: Buccaneers' Josh Freeman will tame Bears

  Tampa Bay quarterback can exploit holes in Chicago's defense; three rookie sleepers have chance to deliver big numbers.

  • MORE: Leaders by position
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  FANTASY JOE: Transcript: Week 7 fantasy chat

  Unsure whom to start? Roger Rotter answers your Week 7 fantasy football lineup questions and much more.

  • MORE: Value Meter: Week 7 fantasy rankings
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  FANTASY: Value Meter: Week 7 fantasy rankings

  Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe meets Oakland's No. 28 pass defense.
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  fantasy: Fantasy sports move into political arena

  Fantasy Sports Trade Association has hired a lobbyist and formed a political action committee in a bid to protect its financial interests.
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  FANTASY JOE: Claim Carson Palmer to upgrade quarterback

  Claim new Oakland Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer to upgrade position and improve fantasy playoff prospects.

Latest Headlines

• Redskins WR Moss out 5-7 weeks after surgery

• Tim Hightower done for season with torn ACL

• Schwartz: Stafford 'no more than day to day'

• Report: Saints consider Ingram 'day to day'

• Brandon Jacobs returns to practice Monday

• Carroll: Good chance Tarvaris returns Week 8

Player Notes

• Packers rookie RB Alex Green's left knee injury is season ending.

  Alex Green - RB - Packers

  The Packers have yet to divulge the nature of the third-round pick's injury, but did reveal he will require surgery "at some point." Considered the Packers' third-down back of the future, Green's playing time was mostly limited to special teams this season. With Ryan Grant set to hit the open market this winter, there's a chance Green and James Starks will enter 2012 as the Packers' top two backs. October 24 - 4:17 p.m. ET

  Source: Tyler Dunne on Twitter

• Packers coach Mike McCarthy confirmed Monday that Greg Jennings only has a bruised right hand, not a fracture.

  Greg Jennings - WR - Packers

  It's "not an issue," said McCarthy. At the very worst, Jennings would be held out of some bye-week practices in order to keep any possible swelling down. Jennings has dominated this season, catching 42 passes for 677 yards and five touchdowns. He's the No. 5 overall fantasy wide receiver through seven games. October 24 - 4:14 p.m. ET

  Source: Ty Dunne on Twitter

• Embattled Vikings WR Bernard Berrian met with coach Leslie Frazier Monday, and a decision on his future with the team is expected by Tuesday.

  Bernard Berrian - WR - Vikings

  Berrian has declined to go into detail about why he was a healthy scratch Sunday, but Frazier claimed Monday the move was not made for disciplinary reasons. With just seven catches for 91 yards in five games, it seems more likely than not the Vikings will decide Berrian isn't worth the headache and grant him his walking papers. October 24 - 4:07 p.m. ET

  Source: Judd Zulgad on Twitter

• The Seattle Times confirms that Leon Washington is the Seahawks' preferred option in one-back sets when Marshawn Lynch (back) is out.

  Leon Washington - RB - Seahawks

  Washington started over Justin Forsett in Week 7, carrying seven times for 39 yards and adding four receptions. Forsett got eight touches. Forsett's per-carry average (2.5) is way down from past seasons, and he's clearly fallen to third on the depth chart. Washington is the preferred handcuff for Lynch. October 24 - 4:03 p.m. ET

  Source: Seattle Times

• Although Matt Ryan "believes he's fine," ProFootballTalk.com reports he'll get a second opinion on his injured ankle this week.

  Matt Ryan - QB - Falcons

  Ryan ended up missing only one play in Sunday's win over the Lions, so the odds are slim tests will turn up any major damage. With the Falcons on bye this week, Ryan is a pretty safe bet to be under center against the Colts in Week 9. October 24 - 3:57 p.m. ET

  Source: ProFootballTalk on NBCSports.com

• Darren McFadden showed up to the Raiders' practice facility on crutches Monday after spraining his right foot in Sunday's loss.

  Darren McFadden - RB - Raiders

  He almost certainly won't get any practice time in during the Week 8 bye. The Raiders have been secretive about injuries under Hue Jackson, so don't expect any concrete timetables. The Oakland Tribune does expect McFadden to play in Week 9, but fantasy owners need to grab Michael Bush as insurance. October 24 - 3:50 p.m. ET

  Source: John Dickinson on Twitter

• Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said Monday that Niles Paul and Anthony Armstrong will "take turns" until Santana Moss returns from his broken hand.

  Niles Paul - WR - Redskins

  Moss is expected to miss 5-7 weeks. Armstrong was the Redskins' starting split end last season and has some vertical tools, having played most of this season as a deep threat/No. 3 receiver. Paul, a rookie out of Nebraska, started Week 7 in a three-wide set and has two catches for 25 yards on the year. October 24 - 3:46 p.m. ET

  Source: Washington Post

• Danario Alexander has undergone an MRI on his ailing hamstring.

  Danario Alexander - WR - Rams

  It likely means he's dealing with more than a simple tweak. Results should be available some time in the next 24 hours. Were Alexander to be unavailable for Week 8, it would likely mean a reprieve for former starter Brandon Gibson, who was a healthy scratch Sunday. One of the league's most fragile players, Alexander will be safely droppable if he's staring at a multi-week absence. October 24 - 3:42 p.m. ET

  Source: Howard Balzer on Twitter

• The Denver Post considers Willis McGahee (hand surgery) out for Week 8 and "not likely" to return in Week 9.

  Willis McGahee - RB - Broncos

  In other words, the paper expects a two-game absence, which is probably a bit more realistic than the initial 1-2 week estimate. The post also confirms that Knowshon Moreno will be the Broncos' starter until McGahee gets back. The team will consider activating Jeremiah Johnson from the practice squad to be No. 3 behind Moreno and short-yardage back Lance Ball. October 24 - 3:41 p.m. ET

  Source: Denver Post

• 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh expects Braylon Edwards (knee surgery) to return to practice Tuesday.

  Braylon Edwards - WR - 49ers

  The Niners have been targeting Week 8 for Edwards' return all along, so he appears to be right on schedule in his recovery from a torn right meniscus. The Niners won't know for sure if Edwards will be available for Sunday's game against the Browns until they see how his knee responds to practicing, but now is the time to take a flier if you're thin at receiver. October 24 - 3:33 p.m. ET

  Source: Matt Barrows on Twitter