News: Eagles head coach Andy Reid lowered the boom on what Fantasy owners can expect in the way of production from Brian Westbrook over the next two weeks: Nothing. Already ruled out for Week 11 at Chicago, Reid said Friday that Westbrook will miss Week 12 and be a candidate to miss Week 13 as well. Rookie RB LeSean McCoy will start in his place. "We're backing off this week just letting him rest," Reid said of Westbrook. "This is on the doctor's orders there: back off, let him rest, that's the plan the doctor had for him. Next week he can start going to meetings and some things. We'll see how he feels as he goes. ... I think the doctors want to see how he does after two weeks. What kind of symptoms he has and then they'll just go back through and evaluate him after that, two to three weeks. We'll just see how he feels after that."
Analysis: Fantasy owners should continue to keep Westbrook benched for the foreseeable future. McCoy continues to be a priceless insurance policy for the veteran rusher, who really isn't a lock to even play again this season.
News:Kyle Orton missed a third consecutive practice Friday because of a sprained left ankle and has only an outside chance of playing Sunday when the Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers meet with first place in the AFC West on the line. Broncos backup Chris Simms again took first-team practice repetitions, as he has all week in the absence of Orton, who was injured during last week's 27-17 loss at Washington. This would be Simms' first start since 2006. Listed as questionable, Orton will be put through a workout before Sunday's game and how he performs will determine whether he plays, coach Josh McDaniels said Friday. "If Kyle is completely able to do what we're going to ask him to do in the game plan, and can do it at a level that allows us to be successful, then we could give him an opportunity to play," McDaniels said. "If he's not capable of playing at that level, or doing some of the things that we need him to be able to do, then you go with the guy who practiced."
Analysis: Our hunch is that the Broncos will keep the Chargers in the dark about who their starting quarterback will be and ultimately send Simms out to play on Sunday. Simms is good enough to run the Broncos' passing offense but doesn't have a strong arm. His play will bring down the stats of Brandon Marshall & Co., but not to the point where the Chargers can sell out to stop the run. Orton, meanwhile, was rushed back from an ankle injury last season and his numbers were terrible by comparison. Don't count on starting either Broncos quarterback in Week 11 so long as you can help it.
News: Saints running back Reggie Bush has been held out of practice for the third straight day, and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Tampa Bay. Bush came out of the St. Louis game with swelling and soreness in his left knee, which was surgically repaired twice in a three-month span a year ago. Saints coach Sean Payton says Bush's knee is bruised and swollen. He says that happens with a knee that has had surgery. Payton added that Bush knows the offense well enough that he could step in without the practice reps. But at the same time, he doesn't want to risk a setback with his star running back.
Analysis: We wouldn't be surprised to see Bush sit out Week 11 in hopes of getting healthy for the playoff run the Saints are expecting after their 9-0 start. Have a backup plan in place just in case Bush doesn't play on Sunday. We'll be first to know whether or not he'll be active this Sunday on Fantasy Football Today, 11 a.m. ET here on CBSSports.com.
News: The Bengals listed RB Cedric Benson as doubtful for Week 11 at Oakland after the star running back missed a week of practice. Benson said he's a game-time decision, but all signs point to him missing the game. Rookie Bernard Scott, third-down back Brian Leonard and newly signed veteran rusher Larry Johnson are all expected to share the workload in place of Benson, though Johnson told reporters Friday that he anticipates playing but "wouldn't expect to get a heavy load." Head coach Marvin Lewis didn't say much on the matter but did indicate that Scott would also return kicks, which is atypical of a running back who takes on a lot of carries. Lewis also said that he's been impressed with how quickly Johnson has adjusted with his new team. "He's done really well. I think he's been able to make the adjustments very quickly and I've been pleased," Lewis said. "The main thing is he can't be able to handicap the play caller."
Analysis: Have a backup plan in place if you own Benson since it's unlikely that he'll take on the Raiders on Sunday. One reason why Johnson might see a decent amount of touches: he's rushed for 938 yards and 11 touchdowns in 10 games in his career against Oakland. We like Johnson as a No. 3/flex running back so long as Benson is out, and Scott registers a smidge higher since he knows the offense a little better and will see his fair share of work. But with them battling for touches and Leonard picking up third downs, we might not see any of them reach 10 touches in the game. Thus, keep expectations in check with all three -- assuming Benson is in street clothes. We'll have the official word on Benson Sunday afternoon around 2:30 p.m. ET here on CBSSports.com.
News:Kyle Orton missed a third consecutive practice Friday because of a sprained left ankle and has only an outside chance of playing Sunday when the Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers meet with first place in the AFC West on the line. Broncos backup Chris Simms again took first-team practice repetitions, as he has all week in the absence of Orton, and appears to be in line to start for the Broncos in Week 11. That's not good news for Marshall as Simms doesn't have a strong arm to hit Marshall deep downfield like Orton did last week. Not only might that impact Marshall's stats, but his history against the Chargers is also bleak -- he has only one touchdown and one 100-yard game in his last five against San Diego and that includes a 49-yard game in Week 6 against the Bolts.
Analysis: Downgrade your expectations for Marshall in Week 11 since he's facing an opponent that's challenged him and he'll be without his starting quarterback. If you can, bench Marshall or expect him to play like a No. 3 WR or flex option.
News:Josh Wilson is unlikely to play Sunday at Minnesota because of a concussion, leaving the Seahawks without a starting cornerback against Brett Favre and the Vikings. Seattle coach Jim Mora said after Wilson missed his third consecutive practice Friday that there is only a slight chance he will play. Last weekend he banged his head into the leg of Arizona Cardinals running back Beanie Wells and then the turf. Wilson returned to finish the game before being diagnosed with the concussion. Marcus Trufant, the other starting cornerback, says he was also "dinged" last weekend. He also returned to finish the game, then was diagnosed with a concussion. Trufant has practiced the last two days and Seattle expects him to start Sunday.
Analysis: The Vikings should have a field day throwing on the Seahawks DST. Keep them benched or off rosters in all leagues since they're unlikely to do well against Favre & Co.
News: The Chicago Bears placed backup running back Garrett Wolfe on injured reserve Friday, ending his season. The team listed a kidney injury for Wolfe, who told the Chicago Tribune in a text message that he suffered a lacerated kidney on the opening kickoff of a game against Arizona on Nov. 8. The Bears elevated running back Kahlil Bell from the practice squad to replace Wolfe.
Analysis: Wolfe carried the ball 22 times this season for 120 yards and one touchdown. He added nine special teams tackles and two receptions for 12 yards. Neither RB should be considered a helpful Fantasy option.
News: Eagles coach Andy Reid said wide receiver Kevin Curtis (knee) is out for Sunday's game. Curtis will miss his eighth straight game, and Reid says he is still weeks away. Injured reserve might be a consideration for the team.
Analysis: Go ahead and cut Curtis in all leagues as he's not expected to make a sizable impact again this season while his knee hampers him.
News: Bills linebacker Keith Ellison's season is over after he was placed on injured reserve with a quadriceps injury. The move was announced Friday as the Bills prepare to play Jacksonville on Sunday. Ellison has been out since being hurt in a 31-10 loss to Houston on Nov. 1. He becomes the 12th Bills player - and second starting linebacker - to be placed on IR this season.
Analysis: Ellison should be dropped in all IDP leagues. There should be some decent linebackers available to replace him on waivers.
News:Josh Cribbs' neck is still a little sore, but he said Friday he expects to play in the Cleveland Browns' game at Detroit on Sunday, which will be six days after he was strapped to a backboard and wheeled into an ambulance following a loss to the Ravens on Monday night. Browns coach Eric Mangini said he also expects Cribbs to play. He's listed as questionable.
Analysis: Cribbs won't produce enough stats on a regular basis to warrant Fantasy use. Keep him off rosters for now.
News: For the second consecutive week, the Eagles will go with a different look at linebacker because of a knee injury to weakside starter Akeem Jordan. Coach Andy Reid ruled out Jordan for Sunday night's game at Chicago. Will Witherspoon will again start at weakside LB, and second-year man Joe Mays will start in the middle. Chris Gocong, who started in the middle in last week's loss to San Diego, will move back to his customary spot on the strong side. Rookie Moise Fokou, who started the past two games on the strong side, appears to be the odd man out. Additionally, CB Sheldon Brown is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury he suffered in San Diego. The veteran did limited work Thursday and Friday in practice. Reid said it will be a game-time decision as his secondary already deals with depth issues.
Analysis: The Eagles DST should pick up a couple of interceptions off Jay Cutler on Sunday and sack him a few times. They'll give up their fair share of yards, too, but they're good enough to consider a low-end No. 1 Fantasy option in spite of their injuries at linebacker and cornerback.
News: Buccaneers RB Cadillac Williams is probable for Week 11 vs. the Saints after another full practice on Friday. He's expected to play, and he should play fairly well. Williams has faced the Saints at home twice over the last two years and has totaled three rushing touchdowns in those contests. Throw in the Saints' run defense struggling over the last couple of weeks (DT Sedrick Ellis is questionable) and you have the makings of a surprising Fantasy option.
Analysis: Williams is a fairly safe No. 3 Fantasy RB for Week 11 use. He's also good as a flex choice and isn't horrible as a No. 2 option if you're desperate for help. Consider him as such for this upcoming game.
News: We know you're starting WR Reggie Wayne in Fantasy play in Week 11 anyway, and you should as he takes on the Ravens. Wayne's done well against them, totaling 10 catches for 160 yards and two TDs in last two against Baltimore.
Analysis: With the Ravens' secondary a mess and their pass rush not at full strength, the Colts should throw plenty against them. Start Wayne as a No. 1 Fantasy option.
News: TE Tony Scheffler will take on the Chargers in Week 11 at home. The last time he played them he did really well -- in fact, the last three times he played them he did really well. Scheffler has four TDs in last three vs. Chargers with 101 yards and a score against them in Week 6 this season.
Analysis: The Chargers remain iffy against tight ends, and with the Broncos likely rolling out Chris Simms as their starting QB, expect Scheffler to see a lot of short-area passes come his way. We like Scheffler as a low-end No. 1 Fantasy TE and as a sneaky flex option as well.
News:Greg Olsen has been a regular target of QB Jay Cutler's of late, and that should continue in Week 11 vs. Philadelphia. Olsen met the Eagles last season and had 35 yards and a TD against them. With Cutler eying Olsen in the end zone more often than not these days, don't be surprised to see him score again on Sunday.
Analysis: Consider Olsen a top No. 1 TE option for Week 11. If you own him, you should probably be starting him.
News: Is Santana Moss worth a start in Week 11 at Dallas? On the surface it doesn't look good for him as the Cowboys secondary has rebounded vs. the pass and Moss had his worst week since Week 1 last time out. But history suggests that Moss steps it up for the Cowboys -- he has three games with at least 110 yards passing in last four against him with at least five receptions in all four of those games.
Analysis: Moss has one 100-yard game this season and just three games with at least five catches, so there's reason to believe his history against the Cowboys might fade a little bit. He's worth starting as a low-end No. 3 WR or flex option for Week 11, but that's about it.
