The Rams are expecting to get Steven Jackson back in their backfield this week after missing the past month of action because of a groin injury. With their 0-7 record, he will definitely be a welcomed addition. While Jackson returns to action, players like Rudi Johnson, Derrick Ward and Ronnie Brown won’t be as fortunate. They’ll all sit out the contest with injuries so Kenny Watson and Jesse Chatman will be in store for larger workloads.

There are six teams that will be home on Sunday watching the games on their couches and a barrage of injuries around the league, so owners will have to truly manage their rosters this week. There’s a slew of game-time decisions this week – including Marvin Harrison, Vince Young, Chris Brown, Maurice Jones- Drew and Jamal Lewis – so be sure to monitor your players’ health on Sunday morning. The Weekly Forecast will get you caught up to speed with all the injuries around the NFL now.

Quarterbacks
Injury List
David Carr (back) –questionable, Vinny Testaverde expected to start
Jake Delhomme (elbow) – out for the season
David Garrard (ankle) – out, might miss a month, Quinn Gray will replace
Trent Green (concussion) – out for the season, Cleo Lemon will start
Tarvaris Jackson (groin) – questionable, Kelly Holcomb expected to start
Byron Leftwich (ankle) – out 2-4 weeks, Joey Harrington will start
Matt Leinart (neck) – out for the season
J.P. Losman (knee) – Trent Edwards will start
Josh McCown (foot) – probable to be backup, Daunte Culpepper will start
Steve McNair (back) – questionable, Kyle Boller would replace
Matt Schaub (hip) – probable, likely will play
D.J. Shockley (knee surgery) – out for the season
Alex Smith (shoulder) – might return this week
Chris Simms (hip) – out indefinitely
Michael Vick (personal) – out for the season
Vince Young (quadriceps) – questionable, expected to start

Running Backs
Travis Henry is not expected to take on his normal workload Monday Night against Green Bay. He’ll wear a flak jacket to protect his injured ribs, but it hurts when the back breathes. Selvin Young will likely see an increased role as his backup. … Jamal Lewis (foot) will be a game-time decision Sunday against the winless Rams (0-7). He’s been limited at practice the past few weeks because of the injury so it appears Jason Wright could be in store for his second straight start – he’s rushed for 59 yards in his past two contests and could be in store for a big week vs the lowly Rams.

Maurice Jones-Drew (knee) has been unable to put in a full practice all week and remains questionable on the injury report. He’s got a sprained MCL, but has vowed he’ll be in the lineup Sunday against Tampa Bay. It’s a 4:00pm ET start, so make sure you have other options if you are counting on starting him on your fantasy squad.

Injury List
Mike Alstott (neck) – out for the season
Chris Brown (ankle) – questionable, game-time decision
Ronnie Brown (knee surgery) – out for the season, Jesse Chatman will start
Michael Bush (leg) – return date uncertain
Brian Calhoun (knee) – out for the season
DeShaun Foster (toe) – probable, likely will play
Frank Gore (ankle) – probable, expected to start
Ahman Green (knee) – probable, likely will play
Travis Henry (ribs) – questionable, Selvin Young would replace
Noah Herron (knee) – out for the season
Priest Holmes (neck) – return date uncertain
Kenny Irons (knee surgery) – out for season
Steven Jackson (groin) – probable, Brian Leonard will be backup
Rudi Johnson (hamstring) – doubtful, Kenny Watson will likely start
Maurice Jones-Drew (thigh) – probable, game-time call
LaMont Jordan (back) – probable, expected to play
Jamal Lewis (foot) – questionable, Jason Wright would replace
Deuce McAllister (knee surgery) – out for the season
Sammie Morris (chest) – out, likely out 1-3 more weeks
Alvin Pearman (knee surgery) – out for the season
Chris Perry (ankle) – out indefinitely
Michael Pittman (leg) – out indefinitely
Clinton Portis (knee) – questionable, expected to play
Fred Taylor (groin) – questionable, likely will play
Derrick Ward (ankle) – doubtful, expected to miss contest
Carnell Williams (knee) – out for the season
Ricky Williams (suspension) – applying for reinstatement
DeShawn Wynn (ankle) – probable, likely will play

Wide Receivers
The Colts won’t know if they’ll have perennial Pro Bowler WR Marvin Harrison until game-time against the Panthers. He has been unable to practice the past couple weeks, so there’s obviously some doubt if he’ll be able to suit up. If he’s unable to go, Indy will likely start Aaron Morehead at wide receiver, but Dallas Clark and Anthony Gonzalez will be the guys that see a larger workload.

Injury List
Drew Bennett (hamstring) – probable, expected to play
Deion Branch (foot) – questionable, might return in Week 9
Troy Brown (knee surgery) – questionable
Plaxico Burress (ankle) – questionable, expected to play
Michael Clayton (ankle) – out indefinitely
Brian Finneran (knee surgery) – out for the season
David Givens (knee surgery) – out for the season
Terry Glenn (knee surgery) – out indefinitely
D.J. Hackett (ankle) – questionable,
Marvin Harrison (knee) – questionable, game-time decision
Chris Henry (CIN) (suspension) – return Week 10?
Chad Jackson (knee) – might return in Week 8?
Andre Johnson (knee) – out, likely sidelined until week 11
Brandon Jones (knee surgery) – questionable, game-time decision
Joe Jurevicius (knee) – questionable, likely will play
Eddie Kennison (hamstring) – out, Dwayne Bowe and Samie Parker will start
Santana Moss (groin) – probable, will play
Eric Parker (toe) – out for the season
Tab Perry (hamstring) – out for the season
Peerless Price (neck) – out for the season
Koren Robinson (suspension) – reinstated, expected to play
Marcus Robinson (quadriceps) – out for the season
Rod Smith (hip) – likely out for the season
Steve Smith (NYG) – doubtful, likely won’t play
David Tyree (wrist) – likely out this week
Javon Walker (knee) – out, likely out 5 more weeks, Brandon Stokley would replace
Hines Ward (leg) – will play

Tight Ends
Injury List
Chris Baker (back) – questionable, status uncertain
Mark Campbell (back) – out for the season
Alge Crumpler (knee) – bye, questionable for Week 9
Bubba Franks (knee) – out, might return in Week 9
Todd Heap (hamstring) – bye, questionable
David Martin (ankle) – out for week 8
Marcus Pollard (knee surgery) – out indefinitely
Alex Smith (ankle) – questionable, Jerramy Stevens would replace
L.J. Smith (groin) – probable, expected to start
Ben Watson (ankle) – questionable, not expected to play, Kyle Brady will replace
Daniel Wilcox (ankle) – questionable

Kickers
Josh Scobee (quadriceps) – out, might return in Week 9, John Carney will likely replace

Matchups for Week 8
Toughest against the pass
1. Indianapolis (162.2 YPG) – Vinny Testaverde, Steve Smith, Drew Carter
2. Denver (164.7 YPG) – Brett Favre, Donald Driver, Greg Jennings
3. Pittsburgh (174.8 YPG) – Carson Palmer, Chad Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh
4. New England (182.1 YPG) – Jason Campbell, Santana Moss, Antwaan Randle El
5. Tampa Bay (185.6 YPG) – Quinn Gray, Reggie Williams, Matt Jones

Easiest against the pass
32. Minnesota (282.5 YPG) – Donovan McNabb, Kevin Curtis, Reggie Brown
31. Buffalo (270.0 YPG) – Chad Pennington, Laveranues Coles, Jerricho Cotchery
30. Detroit (269.3 YPG) – Brian Griese, Bernard Berrian, Muhsin Muhammad
29. Cleveland (263.5 YPG) – Marc Bulger, Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce
28. Cincinnati (249.2 YPG) – Ben Roethlisberger, Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes

Toughest against the run
1. Tennessee (59.7 YPG) – LaMont Jordan, Justin Fargas
2. Baltimore (71.9 YPG) – BYE
3. Pittsburgh (75.5 YPG) – Kenny Watson, Rudi Johnson (doubtful)
4. Minnesota (76.5 YPG) – Brian Westbrook, Correll Buckhalter
5. Washington (80.7 YPG) – Laurence Maroney, Kevin Faulk
6. San Diego (84.5 YPG) – Ahman Green, Ron Dayne

Easiest against the run
32. Denver (176.2 YPG) – Vernand Morency, Brandon Jackson
31. Miami (156.4 YPG) – Brandon Jacobs, Reuben Droughns
30. Cleveland (149.5 YPG) – Steven Jackson, Brian Leonard
29. Oakland (141.7 YPG) – LenDale White, Chris Brown (questionable)/Chris Henry
28. New York Jets (138.0 YPG) – Marshawn Lynch, Anthony Thomas

Week 8 Schedule
Games - Spreads, O/U, Weather (High/Low, Chance of rain)
Sunday, October 28, 2007 1:00pm ET
Indianapolis (-7) @ Carolina (44.5) 69/43, 20%
Detroit (+5) @ Chicago (45) 56/39, 10%
Pittsburgh (-3.5) @ Cincinnati (48) 59/37, 10%
New York Giants (-9.5) @ Miami (48) (London)
Philadelphia (–1)@ Minnesota (37.5) (Dome)
Cleveland (-3) @ St. Louis (45) (Dome)
Oakland (+7.5) @ Tennessee (40.5) 64/38, 10%
 
4:05pm ET
Buffalo (+3) @ New York Jets (38) 60/39, 20%
Houston (+10) @ San Diego (45) 82/58, 10%
Jacksonville (+3.5) @ Tampa Bay (32) 85/69, 30%

4:15pm ET
Washington (+16.5) @ New England (48) 59/35, 10%
New Orleans (–2.5) @ San Francisco (40) 74/53, 10%

Monday, October 29, 2007 8:30pm ET
Green Bay (+3) @ Denver (42.5) 72/47, 10%

Byes
Cardinals, Falcons, Ravens, Cowboys, Chiefs, Seahawks