QB Jay Cutler, Denver Broncos
On the first play of their game two weeks ago, Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler injured his thumb. Although it originally looked serious, he seems to be 100% for Week 9 after the team’s bye week.

QB Carson Palmer and Matt Hasselbeck, Cincinnati Bengals and Seattle Seahawks
Both of these quarterbacks will be out at least another week.

RB Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams
Just like last week, Steven Jackson is day to day. Last weekend, he didn’t play for the Rams. In Week 9, fantasy football owners should also be ready to set their lineups without him.

RB Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes, Indianapolis Colts
In recent weeks Dominic Rhodes has been carrying the load as Joseph Addai battled a hamstring injury. In Week 9, the roles look like they are going to switch with Addai starting and Rhodes injured.

RB Willie Parker, Pittsburgh Steelers
Willie Parker will try to play in Week 9 but that isn’t a sure thing at this point. Even if he can play, it would be best to keep him out of your fantasy football lineup until he is healthy and getting touches.

RB Larry Johnson and Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs
Larry Johnson is still battling his legal and personal problems and won’t play in Week 9. Jamaal Charles has an ankle injury that will keep him out. That means Kolby Smith will start.

TE Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys
Jason Witten suffered a broken rib in last week’s game. While he was optimistic early on about being able to play, that is looking like a long shot.

QB Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals
After sitting out last week, Carson Palmer is listed as questionable for Week 5. However, the good news for fantasy football owners is that Palmer is expected to play in Week 5 despite his elbow injury.

QB Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Rodgers is listed officially as questionable and is being called a game-time decision. That said, it’s looking more and more likely that he’ll play.

RB Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles
Westbrook was unable to play last week due to an ankle injury. This week he has practiced and very well could play.

RB Willis McGahee, Baltimore Ravens
McGahee is questionable and will be a gametime decision. Look elsewhere for a safe start.

WR Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals
Boldin is out for Week 5 after undergoing face surgery.

WR Brandon Lloyd, Chicago Bears
Due to a hip injury, Brandon Lloyd will be out in Week 5.

WR David Patten, New Orleans Saints
Patten has been ruled out for Week 5.

WR Deion Branch and Bobby Engram, Seattle Seahawks
Although neither wide receiver has played this season, both are expected to play in Week 5.

WR Justin Gage, Tennessee Titans
Gage is listed as doubtful and is expected to miss Week 5 of the fantasy football season.

WR Plaxico Burress, New York Giants
Burress will not play in Week 5 due to suspension.

TE LJ Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
Although listed as questionable, the latest indications are that Smith should be able to play.

QB Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals
Palmer got banged up last week but he’s going to play in Week 3.

RB LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers
Although he’s struggling with a toe injury, Tomlinson is expected to play on Monday night.

RB Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers
His hamstring has slowed him down to start the season but Grant should play this week.

RB Laurence Maroney, New England Patriots
Maroney has a shoulder injury and he’s only 50/50 to play.

RB Ahman Green, Houston Texans
Listed as doubtful, don’t expect Green to play for the Texans.

WR Devin Hester, Chicago Bears
Hester has a rib injury that has him questionable to play this week.

WR Justin Gage, Tennessee Titans
Gage has an injury but he’ll likely fight through it to play.

WR Donte Stallworth, Cleveland Browns
Don’t expect Stallworth to make his season debut in Week 3.

WR Joey Galloway, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Galloway is listed as doubtful and most believe that he’ll sit out.

WR Sidney Rice, Minnesota Vikings
After injuring his knee in Week 2, expect him to miss at least one week.

TE Dallas Clark, Indianapolis Colts
After missing Week 2 due to injury, expect Clark to play this week.

TE Ben Utecht, Cincinnati Bengals
Utecht missed almost all of Week 2 with injury and likely will miss this week as well.

Will LaDainian Tomlinson be back to his old self in Week 3?

Photo: Newscom

QB Brodie Croyle, Kansas City Chiefs
After attempting only four passes, Brodie Croyle suffered what the team is calling head trauma and was unable to return to the game. Third string quarterback Tyler Thigpen was given the reins.

RB Justin Fargas, Oakland Raiders
While running a route, Justin Fargas fell to the field with what appeared to be a groin injury. Fargas was unable to return to the game and appeared to be in serious pain.

RB Laurence Maroney, New England Patriots
Early in the game, Laurence Maroney left the field with a shoulder injury. The good news for the Patriots is Maroney was able to return late in the fourth quarter.

WR Logan Payne and Seneca Wallace, Seattle Seahawks
The amazing run of bad luck for the Seahawks continues with two more injuries in the wide receiver corps. With Deion Branch, Bobby Engram, Nate Burleson and Ben Obomanu already injured, Seattle receivers Logan Payne and Seneca Wallace both got injured on Sunday.

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QUARTERBACKS
Vince Young, Tennessee Titans
Kerry Collins will start in place of Vince Young, who is expected to miss up to a month with a knee injury.

RUNNING BACK
LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers
Although he’s being listed as questionable, many expect LaDainian Tomlinson to play in Week 2. He has a toe injury but should be able to tough it out.

Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers
Ryan Grant has been listed as questionable for most of the week. He was able to practice on Friday so expect him to play.

Marion Barber III, Dallas Cowboys
After injuring his ribs in Week 1, many fantasy owners worried about Barber’s future. Thankfully it appears he’ll play in Week 2.

WIDE RECEIVERS
Donte Stallworth, Cleveland Browns
In Week 1, Donte Stallworth was a late scratch. This week he’s listed as doubtful and isn’t expected to play.

Jerry Porter, Jacksonville Jaguars
Although he’s been able to practice at various points this week, don’t expect Jerry Porter to play in Week 2. He’ll play soon, though.

Laveranues Coles, New York Jets
Throughout the week, Laveranues Coles hasn’t been able to complete a full practice. He’s questionable to play in Week 2.

Javon Walker, Oakland Raiders
He didn’t play in Week 1 but expect Javon Walker to put on his Raiders jersey and play in Week 2.

Reggie Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
Like Walker, Reggie Brown didn’t play in Week 1. He’s being listed as questionable for Week 2 and should be a game time decision.

TIGHT ENDS
Dallas Clark, Indianapolis Colts
Early in the Week 1 game, Dallas Clark went down with an injury. He’s being listed as questionable and it’s probably 50/50 that he plays in Week 2.

KICKERS
Jason Elam, Atlanta Falcons
Heading into Week 2, Jason Elam is listed as questionable. Look elsewhere for a kicker for this week.

Fantasy Quarterbacks

Tom Brady, New England Patriots
Word out of New England is that Tom Brady has suffered a torn ACL and is out for the season. If true, this is obviously devastating news to both the Patriots and fantasy owners.

Vince Young, Tennessee Titans
A few reports are saying that Vince Young has torn his MCL in his knee. If true, the knee injury will sideline Young for around a month.

Brodie Croyle, Kansas City Chiefs
After suffering a shoulder injury, Brodie Croyle left the game for the Chiefs. Early indications point to him missing at least a few weeks.

Fantasy Running Backs

Joseph Addai, Indianapolis Colts
Joseph Addai missed fourth quarter action after suffering a head injury. Early reports indicate it might be a concussion.

Marion Barber III, Dallas Cowboys
In the fourth quarter, Marion Barber didn’t play much due to bruised ribs. Head coach Wade Phillips indicated that the injury may be a concern heading into Week 2.

Maurice Morris, Seattle Seahawks
Maurice Morris left the Seahawks game in the third quarter due to an unspecified knee injury. Check back later in the week for more details.

LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers
After the game, LaDainian Tomlinson said that he hurt a toe on the final drive of the game. Initial reports indicate that the injury is minor.

Fantasy Wide Receivers

Drew Bennett, St. Louis Rams
After making a diving catch in the first quarter, Drew Bennett was forced to leave the game with a knee injury. He was eventually carted to the locker room.

Nate Burleson, Seattle Seahawks
Nate Burleson left the Seahawks game in the third quarter after injuring his knee. While the injury looked serious, Burleson said he’ll play next week.

Donte Stallworth, Cleveland Browns
During warmups, Donte Stallworth hurt his groin. The injury forced Stallworth to miss the entire game against the Cowboys.

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Are you ready for Week 1 of the NFL season and fantasy football? If you need any last minute fantasy football advice, be sure to check out these 2008 fantasy football resources:

• Week 1 Injury Report
• Week 1 Players to Avoid
• Week 1 Top Players
• Week 1 Waiver Wire
• Week 1 Predictions

Photo: Newscom

Fantasy football is a very fun game but it could take a years to master all the aspects. If you are new to fantasy football, you can lessen your learning curve by following a few pieces of fantasy football advice. Here is some free fantasy football advice that every fantasy football owner can put to use:

• Keep an eye on the latest injuries. During preseason action, you should look to see players who got injured during preseason.
• Fantasy football rankings are very important. Before your 2008 fantasy football draft, rank players by position and rank the players overall.
• Study fantasy football average draft positions. Not only overall but position by position.
• Keep an eye out for fantasy football sleepers. A late round sleeper can mean the difference between victory and defeat.
• Know which overrated fantasy football players to avoid. If you have too many draft pick busts, your season likely will be over before it even begins.
• Look at fantasy football mock drafts. These will help you to know what to do on draft day.
• Bookmark TheFantasyKickoff or subscribe to The Fantasy Kickoff feed. All fantasy football season long, we will keep you updated with fantasy football rankings, fantasy football advice, fantasy football tips, fantasy football injuries and much more. And we will do it all for free!

Photo: Newscom

Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers
While the major news regarding Steve Smith is his two-game suspension for punching a teammate, Smith now has some injury woes to deal with. Smith suffered a concussion in a preseason game that could sideline him for a bit. The good news is that he should be ready for when his suspension is lifted by the Panthers.

Braylon Edwards, Cleveland Browns
Braylon Edwards was involved in a freak injury during a Browns practice. Running in socks, Edwards was racing against newly acquired wide receiver Donte Stallworth. After the race, Edwards slowed down and Stallworth stepped on the back of his foot with spiked cleats. The accident forced Edwards to the hospital. However, he should be ready to go in plenty of time before the regular season.

Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals
For the last few weeks, Anquan Boldin has struggled with a hamstring injury. The good news is that the Cardinals wide receiver is now ready to return to practice. He is also saying that he will play in Arizona’s next preseason game. That said, keep an eye on Boldin because hamstring injuries can linger for an entire season.

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Willis McGahee of the Baltimore Ravens will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. While he will likely miss the rest of the preseason, the good news is that he should be available in the first week of the regular season.

While arthroscopic surgeries are considered minor these days, McGahee’s injury past should ring a few alarms. He has had a major knee injury in the past, so any knee trouble is a very bad sign for the Ravens running back. If you are thinking about picking him in a fantasy football draft, you should realize that you are taking a gamble on his health.

That said, McGahee’s draft stock is low enough that he is a good value this year. If his surgery causes his draft stock to slip even further, McGahee would be well worth a gamble for 2008 fantasy football.

Here is a Willis McGahee highlight video to remind you what he is capable of when healthy:

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