Jason Snelling – 61 yards and a TD, not that bad as a stand in. I’ve been looking for something promising on Turner’s injury since it happened and I cannot find anything. The Falcons have been very quiet about the extent of the injury and it is looking more and more like Turner will miss significant time. Justin Forsett was going to be my number one pick of the week as I think he keeps the job that he just won through the remainder of the season. However with how severe Turner’s injury is looking to be, I am making Snelling my number 1 pickup of the week!

Justin Forsett – This is a guy that has been a decently productive back when given the chance this season. He was effective enough for the Seahawks  that they felt comfortable dropping Edgerrin James mid way through the season. Forsett has averaged 6.15 yards per carry when given the chance to run prior to this week. On the 17 carries this week he averages slightly over 7 yards, showing his ability to be productive over the course of a game. He will be interesting to watch over the next few weeks as defenses are going to study him much more on film. His first challenge as a fill-in will be vs. a very stout Vikings run defense making him an unlikely start this week except in a deeper league or an injury related emergency…

Donnie Avery – Avery may be on a bad team; however he is the one bright spot apart from Jackson. Avery is a deep treat that has shown his ability to get open in the red zone. He is the receiver that has developed the most chemistry with Bulger. On 4 receptions this Sunday he got 67 yards and 2 TD’s. He may not be a weekly starter because the Rams are that bad, but in 3 WR leagues and leagues with 12 and 14 teams he is an easy WR3 or flex play, with the potential to score on any play. Also in Avery’s favor is the fact that the Rams find themselves behind in the ball game early and often leaving them little options except to go to the air.

Jamaal Charles – Wow, the Chiefs finally scored a rushing touchdown! The last team in the league to score on the ground was the chiefs who’s rookie RB had a breakout game in week 10 amassing 103 yards rushing including his 44 yard score. He has earned a role in the offense, and he’ll get it.

Bernard Scott – Benson Owners nervous about whether he will play? Pick up Scott as a solid back-up to Benson so that should he miss any time you will be all set.  However Adam Shefter is reporting that Benson will be ready to go vs Oakland in week 11 so you should likely be OK.  Larry Johnson is reported to be signing with the Bengals this week… hold off here and keep an eye open!

Deeper League Pickups

And lastly Leonard Weaver is a solid flex option now with Westbrook down for the count with another concussion, but still probably in deep 12 and 14 team leagues.

Dump List! (as this is my first one, so some may not be new to the list!)

Alex Smith – He may be a better QB than the guy he replaced but he is far from a serious fantasy option.  I would drop unless your in a 14 team league or a team that plays 2 QB’s or has an offensive player flex.  I’d rather have Josh Freeman honestly.

T.O., Eli Manning, Matt Ryan, Willis McGahee, LenDale White, Tashard Choice, Felix Jones, Willie Parker, Eddie Royal, Josh Morgan, Todd Heap

edit (6:54 PM) This is a little preemptive but I’m putting Westbrook on my dump list as well, reports are all concerned with his long term health.  Westbrook is most likely done for the season if not for his career.

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Poor Julius Jones… He left Sundays game with a chest injury and did not return, it was unclear the extent of this injury until recently.  Adam Shefter reports on twitter that Jones has internal bleeding in his lungs, and he was kept at an Arizona hospital while his team traveled back to Seattle after a tough loss on the road versus the division leader and playoff bound Cardinals.  Jones had a fairly decent start to the season but his fantasy production had taken a steep drop after week three.  While Jones had a good game (16 points in ESPN standard scoring) last week it was most likely due in large part to the favorable match-up.  On a positive note for the Seahawks Jone’s replacement Justin Forsett had a very promising game with 17 carries and 123 yards (that’s a 7.2 per carry average!).  He appears to have an elusiveness and quickness that has faded from the older Julius Jones and he will give the Seahawks a much more balanced attack.

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I am hearing good things coming from Cinci after a great win in week 10 to sweep the series against the Steelers and make themselves very formidable down the stretch!  RB Cedric Benson and the Bengals are saying that his injury is not severe and that he will be good to go for next week.  Still going to be watching this one!

This report is from chris mortensen on twitter

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I just heard from Adam Shefter on twitter that Brian Westbrook of the Eagles has yet another concussion.  Dumpsville… population Westbrook? Stay tuned to my blog and twitter account this week to hear my take!

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The first wave of games today included three injuries to top-10 running backs!  As a Cedric Benson owner I am a little concerned that he could miss a little time, however hip injuries are difficult to diagnose (and I am certainly no medical expert!) so we will have to watch his progress closely throughout the week to see his status for next week in what would be an excellent match-up against the Raiders.

Michael Turner left in the first half of a disappointing loss for the Falcons after exciting fantasy owners for 111 yards in the half!  The official injury is a high ankle sprain, but as he wasn’t immediately ruled out for returning to the game I think Turner owners wont see him miss next weeks game as the Falcons try to prove that they are in fact a true playoff contender.

Ronnie Brown left during a nail biter against a bad Buccaneer team this Sunday.  He suffered an ankle injury as he fumbled the final carry of the third quarter, however Ricky Williams filled in admirably and set up the game winning field goal as time expired with his 27 yard carry.

Owners of these backs will need to be closely watching their progress throughout the week and on game day next week.

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