Duece McAllister, the longtime running back for the New Orleans Saints, was released in a move that was mostly motivated by money. The Saints will gain more financial flexibility now that McAllister is off of their budget.

After a very good 2006 fantasy campaign, Duece McAllister has been largely a disappointment in the last two seasons. Multiple knee injuries have slowed him down and his power isn’t what it used to be.

The biggest fantasy football impact will be felt by Pierre Thomas. Thomas, who really came on at the end of the 2008 fantasy football season, now should have a clear path to resume his exact role in 2009.

Reggie Bush probably also gains a few more touches with the departure of McAllister. That said, Bush’s role has pretty much stabilized in the last few seasons.

There’s a chance that McAllister could return to the Saints at a lower salary, but chances of that happening appear to be remote at the moment.

QB Tyler Thigpen, Kansas City Chiefs
Although Tyler Thigpen has far and away exceeded expectations since being handed the full-time keys to the quarterback position in Kansas City, don’t fall too head over heels for his matchup this week against the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders aren’t much of a team but their pass defense is surprisingly good.

RB Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints
Reggie Bush keeps saying he’s coming back any second now. Even if he’s active in Week 13, it’d be best to avoid playing him right away. The Saints have a lot of options at the running back position and Bush is coming off of a somewhat severe injury. Stay away until he proves he’s back and is getting plenty of touches.

WR Chad Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals
Chad Johnson or Chad Ocho Cinco or whatever he’s calling himself these days isn’t a good start in Week 13. He’s a big name but don’t let that fool you. He’s coming off of a suspension and he may not have as many passes thrown his way as usual. There’s even talk about limiting the amount of time he’s on the field. Look elsewhere in Week 13.

TE Zach Miller, Oakland Raiders
On paper, his matchup this weekend against the Kansas City Chiefs looks like a good one. But Zach Miller is battling an injury and the Raiders will run, run and run some more against the Chiefs. Miller may get lucky and break a long one but if he doesn’t, he’s in for a very quiet day in Week 13 of the fantasy football season.

QB Brady Quinn, Cleavland Browns
Although Brady Quinn has a broken finger, he’s going to play in Week 12.

RB Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles
Westbrook hasn’t been able to play and is a game-time decision.

RB Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins
Once again this week, Portis will be a game-time decision due to a knee injury.

RB Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints
Bush is listed as questionable and was able to practice on Saturday, but many expect the Saints to hold him out another week.

RB Jerious Norwood, Atlanta Falcons
Norwood is questionable. Look elsewhere for a starter.

QB Plaxico Burress, New York Giants
Burress is listed as questionable but is looking more likely than not to play.

WR Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons
Although listed as questionable, White practiced on Friday and very well could play.

WR Derrick Mason, Baltimore Ravens
Mason is listed as questionable but should play.

TE Kellen Winslow, Cleveland Browns
Winslow is listed as questionable. He’ll be a game-time decision.

K Jason Elam, Atlanta Falcons
Elam is listed as questionable and shouldn’t be trusted in Week 12.

QB Marc Bulger, St. Louis Rams
The Rams are alive! Two straight wins and St. Louis looks like a real team. That is great news for Marc Bulger, who now has two legit targets in Torry Holt and rookie Donnie Avery. Bulger still has time to raise his level of play to become a decent fantasy football option.

RB Pierre Thomas, New Orleans Saints
With the news that Reggie Bush will miss at least a couple of weeks, Pierre Thomas now moves into a role where he’ll share carries with Deuce McAllister. While he may not get more than 10 to 12 carries per week, he’ll be a touchdown threat every week.

WR Malcom Floyd, San Diego Chargers
Chris Chambers is down injured and Malcom Floyd is doing a good Chambers impersonation. He’s using his long length to his advantage and is a great target in the end zone. As long as Chambers is out and Philip Rivers remains on fire, Floyd is a good start.

TE Visanthe Shiancoe, Minnesota Vikings
Since Gus Frerotte has taken over as quarterback of the Vikings, Vishanthe Shiancoe has emerged as a very good fantasy football tight end option. If he’s still available on your league’s waiver wire and you need a tight end, be sure to pick him up.

We’ve already taken a look at a first round fantasy mock draft of a 2008 fantasy football draft. Here is a look at a mock draft of a second round:

1. Terrell Owens, Dallas Cowboys
2. Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts
3. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
4. Willis McGahee, Baltimore Ravens
5. Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers
6. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars
Read more

Jason Campbell, Washington Redskins
Campbell got hurt in the Thursday night game against the Chicago Bears. Preliminary reports indicate that Campbell will be out a while, perhaps the rest of the regular season. In his place, the Redskins will start Todd Collins at quarterback. That’s bad news for Campbell owners because he had started to produce as of late. Collins isn’t startable due to the poor receivers on Washington.

Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints
Reports out of New Orleans indicate that Bush has a partially torn tendon in his knee and is almost certainly out this weekend. There are also reports indicating that Bush may be forced to miss the rest of the season. This is obviously devastating news for Bush owners and the Saints. To replace him the Saints will probably call on Aaron Stecker and Pierre Thomas to carry the load.

Jesse Chatman, Miami Dolphins
It’s sounding less and less likely that Chatman will play this week for the Dolphins. If he doesn’t, it appears as if Samkon Gado will get the start for Miami. Against the Buffalo Bills, either player would be a decent start. Keep an eye on the injury reports to see which of the two will start.

Marshawn Lynch, Buffalo Bills
Lynch has been practicing lately and appears likely to play. However, the Bills could still opt to hold him out one more week. Since Lynch is a rookie and the Bills face an uphill climb to make the playoffs, it makes the most sense to be cautious with him. If he doesn’t play, his backup Fred Jackson is a nice start against the Dolphins.

Get more NFL News and Analysis from …

• James Edwards at Squib Kick
• David Kindervater at Every Morning Quarter Back

Several key players went down with injuries in Sunday’s NFL action. Though the status of many of these injuries isn’t known as of yet. Be sure to keep an eye out for reports on the following players and be prepared to grab their backups off the waiver wire.

QB Matt Schaub, Houston Texans - Schaub left the game after taking a hard hit. Schaub, who has been hit hard a lot recently, entered the game at less than 100%. His latest injury is unknown but there is talk of a concussion.

QB Trent Edwards, Buffalo Bills - Edwards, a rookie quarterback out of Stanford, suffered a sprained wrist in Week 8. JP Losman came in and responded with a long pass to Lee Evans. It’s unknown how long Edwards is to be sidelined.

QB Kelly Holcomb, Minnesota Vikings - Holcomb was in the game replacing the injured Tavaris Jackson. He suffered a neck injury that could sideline him for a while. Expect Brooks Bollinger to get the start next week for the Vikings.

QB Vinny Testaverde, Carolina Panthers - Testaverde left the game against the Colts with what is being reported as an Achilles injury. Since Testaverde has so much mileage on him, it’s going to be tough for him to recover from any type of injury. David Carr should become the starter now for the Panthers.

RB Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers - Gore aggravated his ankle injury in the game against the Saints. His status for Week 9 is unknown at this time. If he’s unable to go, look at Michael Robinson and Maurice Hicks as players who would replace him.

RB Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams - Jackson was back in the Rams lineup after missing time with a groin injury. After scoring an early touchdown, Jackson injured his back and missed the rest of the game. His status heading into Week 9 is unknown.

RB Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints - Bush left late in the game with what is believed to be a minor rib injury. However, be sure to keep an eye on him because rib injuries are tough to deal with if you are an NFL running back.