In Week 10 of the fantasy football season, we are seeing the NFL’s first Thursday night game. In the contest, the Cleveland Browns host the Denver Broncos. Both teams have a lot of questions that will have to be answered on the field.

For the Browns, their biggest change is at quarterback. Derek Anderson, who was fantastic last season but struggled in the 2008 fantasy football season, has been benched and Brady Quinn has been elevated to starter. Quinn is a second year player out of Notre Dame who had a very successful college career.

Quinn will likely have a learning curve in his transition to the NFL, but he’s going against a very friendly defense. He also has a number of talented players surrounding him in the Browns offense including wide receiver Braylon Edwards. If you need an emergency starter at quarterback, Quinn is a good option to have at least 200 yards and a touchdown in his first NFL start.

For the Broncos, the questions are at running back. With Michael Pittman and Andre Hall both out for the season due to recent injuries and Selvin Young still not 100% healthy, rookie running back Ryan Torain will get the start. Torain is expected to carry the load, with Young filling in for a few carries. However, the Broncos running back situation is almost always difficult to analyze so start Torain only if you must.

Overall, expect a high scoring affair with many fantasy points also being scored for almost everyone involved.

QB Sage Rosenfels, Houston Texans
With Matt Schaub out with a torn knee ligament, Sage Rosenfels will take over the reins for the Houston Texans at quarterback. If he’s on your fantasy football league’s waiver wire, pick him up because he’s definitely a fantasy sleeper from here on out. You can expect him to put up at least 200 yards and a touchdown each week.

RB Ryan Torain, Denver Broncos
Heading into Week 10, Ryan Torain may literally be the Denver Broncos only healthy running back. Michael Pittman and Andre Hall are out for the year and Selvin Young is still banged up. That leaves this rookie to carry the load for the Broncos. Expect him to have a good amount of success.

WR Mark Bradley, Kansas City Chiefs
Tyler Thigpen is quickly becoming a decent quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs. For that reason, his wide receivers are now more valuable. Mark Bradley may be his second receiver but he’s also the safety valve who will get a lot of looks going forward. He even mixed in a passing touchdown this week.

TE Vishante Shiancoe, Minnesota Vikings
Once again, Vishante Shiancoe is on the waiver wire list. He just keeps producing and producing at the tight end position. He remains a sleeper tight end because he’s not respected among most fantasy football owners, for a whatever reasons. But if he keeps producing, you might as well roster him.

Which players are underperforming right now but have a chance to finish the season strong? Here’s our list of sleepers in fantasy football as we head into Week 4 of the 2008 fantasy season.

QB Matt Cassel, New England Patriots
Not too long ago, fantasy football owners were rushing to get their hands on Matt Cassel after Tom Brady went down injured. Now his fantasy stock has plummeted. But give the guy time and remember, he still has Randy Moss on his side.

RB Ryan Torain, Denver Broncos
Currently, the Broncos are using a three-headed monster at running back with Selvin Young, Andre Hall and Michael Pittman. That could all change when Ryan Torain comes back if he’s able to impress the coaches again.

WR Chris Henry, Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals offense looks dead in the water. Chad Ocho Cinco doesn’t play like he’s related to Chad Johnson. That said, once Chris Henry comes back for Cincinnati following his suspension, he could become a very important part of that offense.

TE Dustin Keller, New York Jets
Brett Favre typically loves to pass to his tight ends, especially close to the end zone. While Dustin Keller has started off too amazingly, the rookie tight end for the Jets is starting to show signs of life. Keep an eye on him.

K Matt Prater, Denver Broncos
Jason Elam was the kicker for the Broncos forever. However, Matt Prater has stepped in and already has Broncos fans forgetting all about Elam. Prater has a strong long and should get plenty of opportunities in Denver’s high powered offense.

D New York Jets
The Jets defense hasn’t been too impressive yet this season but with all their free agent signings, this is a team that was bound to get off to a relatively slow start. Once they begin to mesh together, expect the Jets to become much better — especially defensively.

A vital part of fantasy football is knowing who is injured so you can adjust your lineup accordingly. Here is the Week 1 injury report for fantasy football 2008.

Out - These players won’t play in Week 1.
Deion Branch, Seattle Seahawks
Kevin Curtis, Philadelphia Eagles
Bobby Engram, Seattle Seahawks
Jerry Porter, Jacksonville Jaguars
Ryan Torain, Denver Broncos

Doubt - These players likely won’t play in Week 1.
Reggie Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
Benjamin Watson, New England Patriots

Questionable - These players are 50/50 to play in Week 1.
Joey Galloway, Tampa Bay Bucanners
Jamal Lewis, Cleveland Browns
Javon Walker, Oakland Raiders

Probable - These players will likely play in Week 1.
Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers
DJ Hackett - Carolina, Panthers
Willis McGahee, Baltimore Ravens

Travis Henry, the skilled running back who last played for the Denver Broncos, has reportedly failed yet another drug test. Henry was released by the Broncos earlier in the offseason and now it looks like he’s in much bigger trouble.

According to the report, Henry tested positive for marijuana in May. Although he found out, he kept the information from the Broncos. A few weeks later, the Broncos waived him.

If this report is true, Henry’s NFL career is likely over. He all but certainly will get suspended for a year. Even if he is let back into the league, he’ll be on the other side of 30.

Henry, at his best, was a fantasy football power. Now if he’s on your fantasy football dynasty team, it’s safe to release him. He won’t be playing football anytime soon.

The Broncos will likely turn to Michael Pittman, Selvin Young, Mike Bell, Andre Hall or Ryan Torain at running back in 2008. Denver, like always, has plenty of options at that position — any of which could turn into a fantasy football stud.

Is Travis Henry’s career over?

Photo: Newscom

Travis Henry of the Denver Broncos was released on Monday. While the exact reasons weren’t revealed, it’s believed that Henry wasn’t being responsible with his workouts and rehabilitation from a hamstring injury.

This move has major fantasy football impact because Henry was slated to be the team’s starter. As a starter for the Broncos, Henry would have held a lot of value.

Depending on where Henry winds up, he could hold decent value or no value. It’s hard to imagine a scenario in which Henry becomes more valuable since the Broncos were a perfect fit for his running style.

With Henry out of the picture, the Broncos have a lot of running backs to pick from when choosing the 2008 starter. The team recently signed Michael Pittman and he will be given a chance. Andre Hall, Selvin Young, Mike Bell and Ryan Torain are other options for Denver. Whoever wins the starting job will hold a lot of fantasy football value — as is almost always the case for the Broncos’ starting running back.

Photo: Newscom

The Denver Broncos added depth to their running back corps by signing free agent tailback Michael Pittman. Pittman played last season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he had 286 yards on 68 carries.

The main reason the Broncos needed added depth was because projected starter Travis Henry is dealing with hamstring issues. Pittman will join other running backs Selvin Young, Andre Hall and Ryan Torain on Denver’s roster.

In fantasy football, Pittman would need to secure a starting or at least a backup job to be considered a draftable player. If he somehow wins the starting job, he’d suddenly become a player who’d be drafted in the top five rounds just because of the Broncos’ history of having very productive running backs. Even if he wins the backup job, Pittman would hold value since the other running backs on the roster are mostly injury prone.

The Broncos decided to sign Pittman after looking at free agent Shaun Alexander.

Photo: Newscom