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Fantasy Updates
  Steelers expect Roethlisberger back
Ben Roethlisberger, QB PIT
News: Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has worked out without problems since missing Sunday night's game in Baltimore with a concussion. He is expected to resume practicing Wednesday and is expected to play Sunday against Oakland barring any further complications. Roethlisberger's post-practice headaches last week were brought on by physical activity and a team doctor recommended he not play at Baltimore. The quarterback sustained his fourth concussion since 2006 and his second in less than a year during an overtime loss in Kansas City in Week 11. "All indications are he'll be a full participant tomorrow (Wednesday) in practice and ultimately play in the game on Sunday," head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday.
Analysis: If you own Roethlisberger, you can pencil him in to start in Week 13 vs. the Raiders but be sure to have a good backup quarterback just in case something changes in the coming days. The Raiders' secondary has been solid for much of the season but got exposed by the Cowboys last week and should be easy for Roethlisberger to throw against given his bevy of quality targets. Consider Roethlisberger a No. 1 Fantasy QB for Week 13.
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T.O. happier with Fitzpatrick
Terrell Owens, WR BUF
News: It wouldn't be like Terrell Owens for him not to talk about his quarterbacks. The Bills receiver, fresh off of two straight games with a long touchdown and 293 receiving yards (44 percent of his overall receiving yards on the season) praised QB Ryan Fitzpatrick while taking subtle jabs at the Bills' former starter, Trent Edwards. "If you think about the opportunities we've had during the course of the season, I've been open and I've been overthrown and I've been underthrown," Owens said, alluding to Edwards' well-documented struggles. "Now with (Ryan Fitzpatrick) back there, there are opportunities and I feel like I'm a part of the offense. Whereas, I know earlier, those feelings and those opportunities, I didn't feel that they were there."
Analysis: It's nice to know that Owens is comfortable with Fitzpatrick under center. Owens will take to the field early in Week 13 to match up with cornerback Darrelle Revis and the Jets on Thursday in Toronto. In an earlier meeting this season with Revis, Owens had three catches for 13 yards along with a 9-yard rush, and that was an overtime game that saw him catch passes from both Edwards and Fitzpatrick. With Revis blanketing Owens, do not expect a third-straight week of awesome stats from the outspoken receiver. Consider him no better than a No. 3 Fantasy wideout.
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Falcons replace Elam with Bryant
Jason Elam, K ATL
News: The Atlanta Falcons have released kicker Jason Elam and signed veteran Matt Bryant to replace him. Elam, a 17-year veteran and one of the league's most accurate kickers, missed only two kicks last season, his first with the Falcons. But he struggled this year, making only 8 of 15 field goal attempts from at least 30 yards. Bryant was cut from the Bucs this preseason after a hamstring injury didn't heal in time for him to make the final roster.
Analysis: Bryant made 32 of 38 field goals last year with Tampa Bay and has a fairly strong leg. He once hit a 62-yard field goal to win a game for the Buccaneers and has played in the face of personal turmoil, kicking just days after tragically losing his infant son. He's a good option to get off waivers this week if you're hurting at kicker. As for Elam, consider him off limits until he winds up on a team.
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Ochocinco ready to contribute
Chad Ochocinco, WR CIN
News: Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco was thrilled to win last week by running the football against the Browns, but he has a request for the coaching staff when they draw up their plans for Week 13 vs. the Lions: Throw the ball. Ochocinco has watched the Cincinnati run game do more than its fair share of the work for two straight weeks. "I'm not going to let them treat us like that for three straight games," Johnson said of the passing attack, according to the official team Web site. "We won the game. We had a wonderful day on the ground. Bernard Scott and Larry Johnson played extremely well. I asked for us to run the ball. This basically solidifies us being able to run the ball right now. It helps us once we do get to the playoffs. Now next week things are going to have to change. The roles need to be reversed. I'm speaking on behalf of myself and the receiving corps. We would like to throw the ball 50 times. I just want to relay that message."
Analysis: This could happen -- the Lions are actually halfway decent against the run but are ranked dead last against the pass. The Bengals might opt to air it out a little bit and put points on the board that way. That would also help keep Cedric Benson from running it 20-plus times in his first game back from a hip injury. Bank on Ochocinco putting up a good effort against a beleaguered Lions defense. Consider him a low-end No. 1/top-end No. 2 Fantasy WR for Week 13.
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 Scott played with turf toe
Bernard Scott, RB CIN
News: According to the official team Web site, Bengals rookie RB finished the team's Week 12 game vs. Cleveland with turf toe. That was part of the reason why he had only five second-half carries to Larry Johnson's 16. He was on crutches and in a walking boot Monday according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Analysis: Scott's injury might force Larry Johnson into the backup role behind Cedric Benson in Week 13 against the Lions. In that situation, L.J. might see as many as 10 carries with a chance to post some nominal totals if he lands some more garbage time. We'll tabs on Scott's situation and deliver the latest when we get it, but ultimately neither Scott nor Johnson is worth using in Fantasy play since Benson is expected to start against the Lions.
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TE Celek signs extension
Brent Celek, TE PHI
News: Tight end Brent Celek has signed a six-year contract extension with the Eagles. The deal was announced Tuesday and runs through the 2016 season. Celek has emerged as one of the top players at his position in his first full season as a starter. He's tied for seventh in receptions (54), fifth in yards (601), and tied for fourth in touchdowns (5) among all tight ends; he leads the Eagles in catches and TDs. Celek is also dealing with a thumb injury that the team hasn't had much comment on since Week 12, which is when he got hurt.
Analysis: Celek's contract is nice but his thumb injury is of more concern to Fantasy owners. We'll know more about his status during the week, but considering his nice matchup against the Falcons, he should be considered a No. 1 Fantasy tight end, especially if DeSean Jackson is out.
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June signs deal with Bears
Cato June, LB HOU
News: The Bears have signed LB Cato June to a one-year contract. The deal was announced Tuesday. Terms were not disclosed. June spent part of the 2009 preseason with the Houston Texans before being placed on the reserve/injured list on August 28. The Bears also terminated the practice squad contract of defensive end Joe Clermond Tuesday.
Analysis: June, a sixth-round draft pick by Indianapolis in 2003, has 490 tackles and 12 interceptions in 88 career games, including 73 starts in six seasons with the Colts and Tampa Bay. The 2005 Pro Bowl selection has appeared in eight playoff games with seven starts, including all four at weakside linebacker during the Colts' run to the Super Bowl title after the 2006 season. June should not be owned in any IDP format at this point.
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Thomas and Madison waived by Colts
Josh Thomas, DE IND
News: The Colts have waived defensive end Josh Thomas and defensive back Anthony Madison. Both were waived Tuesday after signing with the Colts to add depth to a defense hit by several injuries.
Analysis: Neither of these players should be owned in any IDP format.
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Taylor done for the season
Curtis Taylor, FS SF
News: Rookie safety Curtis Taylor's season is over for the 49ers. The team placed Taylor on injured reserve Tuesday with a strained hip, which he injured after being hit on punt coverage late in the first quarter of Sunday's 20-3 win over Jacksonville. San Francisco promoted fullback Brit Miller from the practice squad to fill the roster spot. The 49ers also signed receiver Rodney Wright to the practice squad.
Analysis: Taylor, a seventh-round draft pick out of Louisiana State, had one tackle in seven games and made eight stops on special teams. He is not a relevant Fantasy option and should remain on waivers in all IDP formats. Miller and Wright are also not worth owning.
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Robinson off the practice squad
James Robinson, WR MIA
News: Browns WR James Robinson was released from the team's practice squad.
Analysis: Robinson has not Fantasy value and can be ignored in all formats.
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Sanchez practices in full
Mark Sanchez, QB NYJ
News: A day after being limited in practice with a gimpy leg, Jets QB Mark Sanchez practiced in full Tuesday and seems ready to go for Week 13 action vs. the Bills in Toronto on Thursday. He actually worked on his sliding in practice Tuesday with Yankees manager Joe Girardi.
Analysis: Sanchez should be fine for the matchup at Buffalo, but this doesn't mean he should be starting in Fantasy play. Consider him nothing more than a low-end No. 2 option for the matchup against what has become a good defensive secondary.
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Eagles add JorNor, cut RamRob
Ramzee Robinson, CB PHI
News: The Philadelphia Eagles have signed wide receiver Jordan Norwood off their practice squad and released cornerback Ramzee Robinson. Norwood joined the team's practice squad Sept. 23. He originally signed as a rookie free agent with Cleveland after four seasons at Penn State. Norwood gives the Eagles depth if wideout DeSean Jackson can't play against Atlanta on Sunday because of a concussion.
Analysis: Norwood had 158 receptions for 2,015 yards and 13 touchdowns at Penn State but likely will be inactive in Week 13. Neither guy should be owned in Fantasy play.
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Bills add DT Duncan
Rashaad Duncan, DT TB
News: Rookie defensive tackle Rashaad Duncan has been signed to the Buffalo Bills practice squad. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 315 pounds, Duncan spent a portion of this season time on practice squads with Tampa Bay and Carolina. He was initially signed by the Buccaneers in May as an undrafted free agent out of Pittsburgh.
Analysis: He isn't expected to produce enough stats on a regular basis to be useful in Fantasy. Keep him off rosters.
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Dixon heading back to the bench
Dennis Dixon, QB PIT
News: Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has worked out without problems since missing Sunday night's game in Baltimore with a concussion. He is expected to resume practicing Wednesday and is expected to play Sunday against Oakland barring any further complications. That means Dennis Dixon, who started at the Ravens, will return to the bench as Roethlisberger's backup in Week 13.
Analysis: Dixon might have been a quick-fix replacement for your Fantasy squad but unless you are without a decent Fantasy replacement for Roethlisberger, you should cut him in all but the deepest of dynasty/keeper leagues.
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Jackson's back achy after loss
Steven Jackson, RB STL
News: Rams RB Steven Jackson lugged through a 23-carry, 89-yard effort with a touchdown and five receptions for 27 yards in Week 12 vs. the Seahawks with a sore back. Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said Monday that Jackson's back is still sore and that the team would be cautious with him again this week leading up to their Week 13 game at Chicago.
Analysis: There's no reason to believe that Jackson will miss the game unless he suffers a considerable setback. Expect him to be ready to roll against a beatable Bears run defense. Continue to view Jackson as a No. 1 Fantasy RB, though it wouldn't be awful if you did establish a backup plan just in case he can't go.
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Falcons mum on RB Turner
Michael Turner, RB ATL
News: Falcons head coach Mike Smith had no comment on the injury suffered by RB Michael Turner in the team's Week 12 win over the Buccaneers. Turner was coming back after missing one game with a high-ankle sprain only to aggravate the injury. He was held to just 33 yards on 12 carries. "He has not been ruled out of the ball game," Smith said at his press conference Monday.
Analysis: The Falcons caused rampant speculation leading up to their Week 12 game about who their running backs would be and how they would use them, only resulting in Turner and backup Jason Snelling flopping while Jerious Norwood scored on an inside pass. We'll continue to monitor the situation in Atlanta and let you know the latest when we get it. For now, figure all three Falcons running backs no better than low-end No. 2 options for Week 13.
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