Week 10 was an exciting week of football, featuring Steve McNair’s dramatics in his return to Tennessee, the Bengals and the Chargers combining for 90 points and the Jets handing the Patriots their second straight loss. Clinton Portis, Larry Fitzgerald and Tony Gonzalez all suffered serious injuries and are expected to miss some time. In this edition of Chutes ‘n’ Ladders, we will examine those injuries and showcase a few of the most popular free agent options.

Free Agent Possibilities
Quarterbacks
Steve McNair, BAL 29-for-47, 373 yards, three TD, two INT
Seneca Wallace, SEA 15-for-23, 161 yards, two TD, 30 yards rushing
Vince Young, TEN 13-for-25, 211 yards, INT, 39 yards rushing
Jake Plummer, DEN 20-for-31, 210 yards, two TD, three INT
Brad Johnson, MIN 18-for-30, 257 yards, TD, INT, FL
Charlie Frye, CLE 16-for-22, 165 yards, TD, 28 yards rushing, FL
David Carr, HOU 16-for-32, 167 yards, 48 yards rushing
Chad Pennington, NYJ 22-for-33, 168 yards, TD, INT
Joey Harrington, MIA 19-for-35, 201 yards
Andrew Walter, OAK 18-for-33, 214 yards, two FL
David Garrard, JAC 15-for-34, 214 yards, four INT, 44 yards rushing
J.P. Losman, BUF 8-for-12, 83 yards

McNair blew up for 373 yards against his old team Sunday night, rallying from a 19-point deficit. It was the biggest comeback in Ravens franchise history. He’s got some decent matchups with the Falcons, Steelers and Bengals in the next few weeks and is worth at least a backup job on your squad. … Garrard has locked up the starting job with the Jaguars despite throwing four interceptions in a loss to the Texans. Byron Leftwich is considering surgery on his nagging ankle injury and would likely be done for the year if he does. With the Jags ball control, conservative offense, Garrard isn’t going to throw for a ton of yards – he’s a QB2 at best. He’ll take on the Giants and Bills the next couple games. Matt Hasselbeck could return in the next week or two for Seattle, pushing Wallace back to the bench. He’s been decent in his fill-in role though. Whoever starts the next couple games is a good option, as the Seahawks take on San Francisco and Green Bay, two of the worst pass defenses.

Running Backs
Ladell Betts, WAS 20 rushes, 83 yards
Kevan Barlow, NYJ 17 rushes, 75 yards, TD, rec, seven yards
Marion Barber, DAL 14 rushes, 65 yards, TD, rec, eight yards
Ovie Mughelli, BAL three rec, 44 yards, TD
Aaron Stecker, NO three rec, 78 yards
Mewelde Moore, MIN five rec, 57 yards
Noah Herron, GB two rec, 11 yards, TD
Chris Perry, CIN four rushes, 31 yards, rec, four yards
Samkon Gado, HOU 17 rushes, 67 yards, rec, six yards
Zach Crockett, OAK seven rushes, 40 yards, rec, four yards

Barlow got the brunt of the carries in the Jets backfield this week against the Patriots. He’s now got six touchdowns in nine games after rushing for a season-high 75 yards and a TD. Leon Washington had been the featured back the past few weeks, but was held to just nine rushes for 35 yards. Both backs are not great options against the suffocating Bears defense. … With Gado’s game-high 67 yards, the Texans have had four different players lead them in rushing in game. Wali Lundy has emerged as the man there though. He’s a nice flex option every week now.

Wide Receivers
Mark Clayton, BAL seven rec, 125 yards, TD
Reche Caldwell, NE nine rec, 90 yards, TD
Patrick Crayton, DAL five rec, 104 yards, TD
Malcom Floyd, SD five rec, 109 yards, TD
Bethel Johnson, NO two rec, 75 yards
Drew Bennett, TEN six rec, 115 yards
Terrance Cooper, NO six rec, 92 yards, TD, FL
Mark Bradley, CHI four rec, 79 yards, TD
Billy McMullen, MIN three rec, 64 yards, TD, fum rec for TD
Roddy White, ATL five rec, 99 yards
Arnaz Battle, SF six rec, 55 yards
Randal Williams, OAK five rec, 61 yards

Crayton, Clayton, Caldwell and Cooper. A lot of lower-end receivers posted monster games this week. McNair is developing some nice chemistry with Clayton in Baltimore. The second-year receiver has two 100-yard games in the past four contests and with 502 yards he has an outside chance at getting 1,000 on the season. … With Terry Glenn sidelined, Patrick Crayton came through with his best performance of the season. He’s posted nine catches for 188 yards and a touchdown in the past two weeks. If Glenn has to miss another game, Crayton would be a decent option against the Colts. … Lost in the epic numbers from the Cincinnati – San Diego shootout was the emergence of Chargers receiver Malcom Floyd. He compiled his first 100-yard performance and outplayed fellow receivers Keenan McCardell and Eric Parker.

Tight Ends
Brandon Manumaleuna, SD two rec, 14 yards, two TD
Bo Scaife, TEN one rush, 13 yards, TD, two rec, 48 yards
Heath Miller, PIT three rec, 30 yards, TD
Ben Utecht, IND seven rec, 66 yards
Dan Campbell, DET two rec, 32 yards, TD
Jerramy Stevens, SEA three rec, 29 yards, TD
Stephen Alexander, DEN six rec, 49 yards
Adam Bergen, ARI five rec, 30 yards

Major Offensive Injuries
Clinton Portis was forced to leave Sunday’s game against Philadelphia after sustaining a neck and a hand injury. He underwent surgery on the hand Monday morning and is expected to be out for a while. Early word out of Washington is that he'll miss three to four weeks. Ladell Betts will get the brunt of the carries in his stead, while T.J. Duckett could get some goal line chances. Betts is an excellent addition in any fantasy league.

The Chiefs lost All-Pro tight end Tony Gonzalez to a sprained left shoulder in their final drive Sunday. His arm was in a sling after the contest, and it sounds like Gonzo could miss a couple weeks of action with the injury. Jason Dunn is expected to be the surrogate starter at the position, but is a risky fantasy option. It’s conceivable that Trent Green (concussion) could replace Damon Huard behind center. Although no official word has been made, Green is very close. Larry Johnson, Eddie Kennison and Samie Parker will be the offense now.

After returning from a hamstring injury that kept him out the past month, Larry Fitzgerald left this week’s game in the fourth quarter to an undisclosed injury. He was active in the passing game before the setback, racking in six catches for 80 yards, but could miss some time with the newest ailment. Although Arizona is expected to announce more specifics on his status early in the week, it doesn’t sound good for the stud wideout. Matt Leinart has looked horrible the past few weeks regardless though – Arizona has looked deflated ever since blowing that lead to the Bears on Monday Night Football.

Frank Gore was having a career-day Sunday against the Lions before going down with a minor concussion. He rambled for 159 yards on the ground, including a 61-yard TD. Through nine games, he’s quietly on pace for 1,477 yards rushing and is averaging a respectable 5.0 yards per clip. His status for week 11 is uncertain at this time, so continue to monitor his health throughout the week. Backups Maurice Hicks and Marcus Robinson would compete for touches in his absence.

David Givens was carted off the field with a knee injury and could miss an extended period of time. He’ll undergo an MRI Monday, but is not worth a roster spot even if he is able to suit up. … Musa Smith also was carted to the locker room after suffering a head injury. Mike Anderson would see a slight increase in value as the sole backup if Smith has to miss any time. … Todd Heap missed some time due to an ankle injury, but was able to return. He finished with four catches and 49 yards – his status is questionable for next weekend. … Reggie Brown also left temporarily due to hamstring cramps. He was able to return later and is expected to start again next week.

Week 11 Schedule
Sunday, Nov. 19
Atlanta at Baltimore 1:00 p.m.
Buffalo at Houston 1:00 p.m.
Chicago at N.Y. Jets 1:00 p.m.
Cincinnati at New Orleans 1:00 p.m.
Minnesota at Miami 1:00 p.m.
New England at Green Bay 1:00 p.m.
Oakland at Kansas City 1:00 p.m.
Pittsburgh at Cleveland 1:00 p.m.
St. Louis at Carolina 1:00 p.m.
Tennessee at Philadelphia 1:00 p.m.
Washington at Tampa Bay 1:00 p.m.
Detroit at Arizona 4:05 p.m.
Seattle at San Francisco 4:05 p.m.
Indianapolis at Dallas 4:15 p.m.
San Diego at Denver 8:15 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 20
N.Y. Giants at Jacksonville 8:30 p.m.

Questions, comments, quandaries? Contact me at tycoon4477@hotmail.com