QB Gus Frerotte, Minnesota Vikings
In Week 14 of the 2008 fantasy football season, Gus Frerotte is going up against the Detroit Lions. That alone is enough to make him a sleeper. However, Frerotte is actually playing better than most realize. Last week he had two touchdowns and in the last six weeks, he has a total of ten touchdowns. Start him in Week 14 with confidence.

RB Pierre Thomas, New Orleans Saints
With Deuce McAllister suspended and Reggie Bush still slowed by injury, Pierre Thomas is a very important member of the Saints backfield right now. He’s the goal line back and should see around 15 touches in Week 14. If you need to pick up an emergency starter at running back, check to see if Thomas is available in your fantasy league.

WR Mark Bradley, Kansas City Chiefs
If Mark Bradley plays this week, consider him a definite sleeper for Week 14. Although he’s banged up and might miss the game against the Denver Broncos, he’ll be a weapon if he actually plays. The Chiefs have been able to move the ball and the Broncos have not been able to stop the ball. That’d be a good combination for Bradley.

TE Todd Heap, Baltimore Ravens
Todd Heap had a horribly slow start to the 2008 fantasy football season but as of late he’s really started to pick it up. He has three touchdowns in his four games and while the Washington Redskins are a tough matchup, the Ravens will likely have to throw the ball more and that is good news for Heap.

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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Jason Witten - End of the fourth round.
Kellen Winslow - Middle of the fifth round.
Antonio Gates - End of the fifth round.
Tony Gonzalez - Middle of the sixth round.
Dallas Clark - End of the sixth round.
Chris Cooley - Beginning of the seventh round.
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Antonio Gates - Coming off of an injury, Antonio Gates might need until midseason to be 100%.

Todd Heap - Speaking of injuries, Todd Heap is the walking injury bug. Simply can’t trust him.

Tony Scheffler - Very good talent but Tony Scheffler is still a work in progress as an NFL player.

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Tight end used to be a depleted position in fantasy football. Each year, there seemed to be only a couple quality tight ends. However, this year is different. There are about 15 legitimate tight end prospects, who could all conceivably have big seasons in 2008.

Here is our ranking of the top ten tight ends:

1. Antonio Gates - Gates remains the best tight end in the game.
2. Jason Witten - Great offense and huge potential in 2008.
3. Kellen Winslow - Amazing potential despite character concerns.
4. Tony Gonzalez - Old pro still bringing the stats.
5. Dallas Clark - If healthy, Clark should have a big year.
6. Chris Cooley - Very good talent who should be featured in 2008.
7. Benjamin Watson - Is ready for the elusive breakout season.
8. Todd Heap - If Heap plays 16 games, he’ll be a stud.
9. Vernon Davis - Few players have Davis’ potential.
10. Jeremy Shockey - He is still injured but he should bounce back.

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

Here are NFL players who were injured in 2007 who could potentially return in grand fashion for the 2008 fantasy football season.

QB Jake Delhomme, Carolina Panthers
After playing great to begin the season, Delhomme got hurt in the season’s third game against the Atlanta Falcons. Delhomme’s elbow injury eventually required surgery and he was out for the rest of the year. Although the sample size was small, his production in 2007 was great. He had eight touchdowns, one interception and a quarterback rating of more than 110. Delhomme should get a chance to start again in 2008 and could put up big stats.

RB Ronnie Brown, Miami Dolphins
When Ronnie Brown went out with a knee injury, he was one of the best running backs in all of fantasy football. As long as the Dolphins don’t draft Darren McFadden, there’s a good chance Brown will be the man to carry the ball in 2008. In 2007, he played in seven games and had seven touchdowns and yards per carry average over five.

WR Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis Colts
The always dependable Marvin Harrison wasn’t dependable in 2007. In fact, his knee injury sidelined him from Week 8 all the way until the playoffs. Although Harrison is getting up there in age, he should bounce back with a solid 2008 fantasy football season if he can get healthy. With the chips on the line, Peyton Manning likely trusts Harrison more than any receiver on his squad.

TE Todd Heap, Baltimore Ravens
Todd Heap was a huge disappointment in fantasy football last season. He had only one touchdown and less than 250 yards. The biggest culprit was injury. He battled a lingering hamstring issue that forced him to miss the last six games of the season. There’s no way that he does any worse in 2008.

QB Jeff Garcia, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Garcia is questionable heading into Week 13 against the New Orleans Saints. If he plays, he’s actually a good start against the Saints’ porous defense. In addition, Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard become startable. If Garcia doesn’t play, that means either Bruce Gradkowski or Luke McCown gets the nod. If either of those quarterbacks get on the field, it’s probably best to bench everyone on offense for the Bucs.

RB Travis Henry, Denver Broncos - The Broncos are playing the Oakland Raiders this week. If you haven’t been paying attention, the Raiders are an atrocious defensive squad against the run. Whoever starts for the Broncos is a good start. Right now it looks like it could be Henry but if he misses the game due to injury, Selvin Young is next in line.

WR Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals - Fitzgerald is questionable for Week 13 with a groin injury. If he isn’t able to suit up versus the Cleveland Browns, all of a sudden Bryant Johnson becomes a good start in his place. Anquan Boldin would also be upgraded against the weak Browns defense. Obviously, Kurt Warner’s value will be higher if Fitzgerald plays, but either way he’s a good start.

TE Todd Heap, Baltimore Ravens - Heap has been plagued for most of the year with a hamstring injury. He’s questionable this week against the New England Patriots on Monday night, so he’s a highly risky play. Even if he were probable, it’d be best to stay away. Heap shouldn’t be started in fantasy football again until he proves he’s capable of playing an entire game.