RB Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins
Although he’s officially listed as questionable, don’t plan on using Clinton Portis in your Week 11 fantasy football lineup. Even if he is able to play, which appears less and less likely by the hour, he’ll probably split carries with Ladell Bets and Shaun Alexander. For that reason alone, look for another running back to start in your fantasy lineup.

RB Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams
Steven Jackson’s situation is much clearer. Jackson will not being to play in Week 11. His thigh injury isn’t healing and the injury may be more severe than first diagnosed. In his place, the Rams will use Travis Minor and Antonio Pittman at running back. Since they will be splitting carries, neither one of them appears to be a good fantasy football start.

QB Chad Pennington, Miami Dolphins
If you were planning to start Chad Pennington this weekend, you probably got a bit worried when you saw his name show up on the injury report recently. Since he’s listed as probably, expect him to play. But if he doesn’t, Chad Henne will be the quarterback for the Dolphins.

QB Kyle Orton, Chicago Bears
When he first got injured, Kyle Orton was said to be out for at least a month with a high ankle sprain. But a further examination showed that Orton didn’t have a high ankle sprain. After missing one week, Orton appears ready to play this weekend in Week 11. Although you might want to wait a week before starting him to make sure that ankle is alright, he should be decent enough in an emergency role for your fantasy football team.

Photo credit: Newscom

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.

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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Fantasy football fans and Patriots fans across the country collectively gasped as Tom Brady went down with a knee injury early in the first quarter against the Chiefs Sunday.

Brady’s left knee apparently collided with Chiefs safety Bernard Pollard. The knee buckled and Brady went down holding the area just below his kneecap. Walking with the help of trainers, Brady exited the game and was replaced by backup Matt Cassel. At this point, he’s questionable to return.

For those who built their fantasy team around Brady, this obviously isn’t good news. We’ll keep you updated!

Update: Did Brady tear his ACL? Is he out for the season?

That would be devastating to the Pats (and Brady owners). It’s only speculation right now, but Jets players think Brady tore his ACL.

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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The Baltimore Ravens already have their first major injury of the 2008 NFL season. Quinn Sypniewski, a backup tight end, was lost for the season after tearing a knee ligament in minicamp. Sypniewski will need approximately nine months to fully heal.

During the 2007 season, Sypniewski played a larger than expected role due to starter Todd Heap struggling with injuries for most of the season. Sypniewski ended the season with 246 receiving yards and two touchdowns. The 6-foot-6 tight end out of the University of Colorado had his best game in Week 11 when he had six catches for 53 yards.

For the 2008 season, the Ravens will have to hope that Heap can remain healthy. Expect Daniel Wilcox to be the backup at tight end and for Sypniewski to be placed on IR. The Ravens did not draft a tight end in the 2008 NFL Draft.

Quinn Sypniewski, Baltimore Ravens

Photo: Newscom

Tom Brady’s ankle injury shouldn’t hinder him during the NFL offseason, according to a recent report. Brady had his ankle checked on and it appears to be mostly healed.

Brady’s ankle came into the news around the time of the Super Bowl when photographers spotted Brady with a cast on his ankle prior to the big game. Brady dismissed the injury, however there has been some talk that the ankle injury slowed him in the Super Bowl.

Coming off of a record breaking season, Brady’s ankle being healthy is very good news. Although, the biggest news of the offseason for Brady was that the New England Patriots re-signed Randy Moss.

Heading into the 2008 NFL season, Brady has to be considered a first round fantasy football pick. He won’t top his 2007 numbers in all likelihood but he should once again have a dominating season. The Brady to Moss connection should still be strong, with the Brady to Wes Welker connection not being too shabby either.

Tom Brady and his girlfriend Gisele Bundchen in March …

Brandon Marshall, who had a breakout season in 2007 with the Denver Broncos, has reportedly suffered a serious arm laceration. According to a report, Marshall tripped on a fastfood bag while vacationing with his family.

Marshall is said to have suffered injuries to an artery, a vein, a nerve and a tendon. Some reports are saying that after surgery, Marshall is expected to miss about three months. Other reports say that the injury isn’t that serious. Luckily for the Broncos and Marshall, he should be ready to go when training camp opens up.

In 2007, Marshall had a great season. He finished the year with 102 catches, 1,325 yards and seven touchdowns. With Javon Walker now in Oakland with the Raiders, Marshall is unquestionably the lead wide receiver for the Broncos heading into 2008.

If you have Marshall on a dynasty team, this news can’t be good. Marshall has a reputation for not being the greatest character guy off the field and the mystery surrounding this injury is somewhat alarming. You can consider selling Marshall high at this point before the end results of the surgery are known.