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You're getting a double-shot of injury help this week, as we'll cover some of the early buzz items here, then come back after the full sessions are complete and do the normal A-to-Z sweep. The afternoon theme is broken receivers; please have your warranty information and proof of purchase handy and we'll meet you in customer service.
Week 11 isn't going to be kind to the passing game, apparently. We've explored the quarterback carnage all week (video here, pickup ideas here and here, ranks here and here), and today it's time to examine the washouts at wide receiver.
The bye weeks are part of the problem here, of course. The Steelers, Saints and Texans all have talented receivers sitting on the couch this weekend, and even the Indianapolis pass-catchers have been useful now and again (depending on how modest your expectations are).
And then there are the big-name wideouts who are hurt this week, an ongoing headache to be sure. Let's discuss a couple of them and try to find some Week 11 alternatives.
A.J. Green (knee) was held out of practice for the third straight day Friday, making it just about certain that he won't play against Baltimore. Green's absence takes a major chunk out of Andy Dalton's value, obviously. Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell should see a bump in targets, not that either one is exciting in a standard league.
And we can't escape the flat tire in Philadelphia, where the two best parts of the passing game (Michael Vick, Jeremy Maclin) are unlikely to play at New York on Sunday night. Neither guy practiced all week; Vick is dealing with a rib injury, while Maclin has several physical problems at the moment, including a separated shoulder. Look for Vince Young to get the QB start, while Riley Cooper and Steve Smith take some of the leftover snaps (I'm not picking up either of those guys), along with known commodities DeSean Jackson, Jason Avant and Brent Celek.
What's a fantasy owner to do if he or she is stuck with Maclin or Green? We've got you covered. Here's a ready-to-serve list of widely-available receivers who might be good in a pinch, listed in my Week 11 preference order:
Michael Crabtree (48 percent owned in Yahoo! leagues)
Earl Bennett (43 percent)
Harry Douglas (12 percent; Julio Jones didn't practice all week)
Damian Williams (27 percent)
Vincent Brown (14 percent)
Dexter McCluster (36 percent)
Jason Avant (12 percent)
Jabar Gaffney (39 percent)
Donald Jones (2 percent)
Nate Burleson (32 percent)
Joshua Cribbs (24 percent)
Greg Little (15 percent)
Steve Breaston (42 percent)
Legedu Naanee (1 percent)
Austin Pettis (1 percent)
In other Friday afternoon injury and status news:
• Stevie Johnson (shoulder) had limited sessions Thursday and Friday and is considered questionable for Sunday's game at Miami. Chan Gailey feels Johnson has "a decent chance" to play. It's an early start, so you have time to adjust Sunday if needed.
• Montario Hardesty (calf) did some individual work at Friday's practice, perhaps setting him up as a stash-and-hope player for the final quarter of the season. He's not expected to play Week 11 against the Jaguars, so the Chris Ogbonnaya and Da Silent G Show will continue. Peyton Hillis (hamstring) remains out indefinitely.
• Darren McFadden (foot) hadn't worked this week, which means Michael Bush is the man at Minnesota. Darren McFadden, injury-prone headache … what were the odds?
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• Shonn Greene suffered a rib injury Thursday at Denver, but it might not keep him out long. X-rays taken Friday revealed a bruise, as opposed to a break. Greene thinks he can go next week against Buffalo, and while a player's stance seldom means much — they always say positive things, so it seems — I'm inclined to think he'll be on the field next week. In the meantime, Joe McKnight has to be considered as a possible New York handcuff; he looked snappy in Thursday's loss (16-59 rushing, 6-62 receiving, though he also lost a fumble).
• Ahmad Bradshaw (foot) hasn't returned to practice yet, so go ahead and dial up Brandon Jacobs against Philadelphia's vulnerable rushing defense.
• Kevin Smith has been working in front of Keiland Williams at Lions practice. I like Smith as a deep-league Hail Mary. Jahvid Best (post concussion) remains out indefinitely; he's already been ruled out for this week.
• Miles Austin (hamstring) still isn't ready yet. Keep rolling with Laurent Robinson wherever you can. Given that Dallas has a short turnaround before the Thanksgiving Day game against Miami, I'm guessing Robinson will start for at least two more weeks.
• Jeremy Shockey (ribs) isn't expected to go at Detroit, which might mean a little more work for Greg Olsen.
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