Week 13 was highlighted by No. 1 selection JaMarcus Russell’s pro debut, a splendid performance by both the McCown brothers and the loss of Brett Favre as the Cowboys defeated the Packers in a matchup of NFC elite. The free agent list this week will feature RB Fred Jackson, RB Jerious Norwood, and WR Roddy White, while injured players QB Donovan McNabb, QB Jeff Garcia and RB Brandon Jacobs are expected to return in Week 14. WR Roy Williams, WR Anquan Boldin, QB Steve McNair and RB Derrick Ward won’t be as lucky though. Chutes ‘n’ Ladders will get you caught up with some injury news and preview what players will be out there on your waiver wires.
Quarterbacks
Free Agent Possibilities
JaMarcus Russell, OAK 4-for-7, 56 yards
Gus Frerotte, STL 23-for-35, 311 yards, three TD, two INT
Luke McCown, TB 29-for-37, 313 yards, two TD, INT, 34 yards rushing
Josh McCown, OAK 14-for-21, 141 yards, three TD, 22 yards rushing, FL
Tarvaris Jackson, MIN 18-for-24, 204 yards, two TD, INT
David Garrard, JAC 24-for-29, 257 yards, two TD, INT, FL
Rex Grossman, CHI 25-for-46, 296 yards, TD
Kellen Clemens, NYJ 15-for-24, 236 yards, TD, INT, 14 yards rushing
Aaron Rodgers, GB 18-for-26, 201 yards, TD, 30 yards rushing
Chris Redman, ATL 16-for-24, 172 yards, two TD, INT
Vinny Testaverde, CAR 17-for-26, 169 yards, two TD, two INT
Sage Rosenfels, HOU 17-for-30, 185 yards, TD, INT, 25 yards rushing
Trent Dilfer, SF 14-for-29, 171 yards, two TD, four INT
Trent Edwards, BUF 22-for-36, 257 yards
Damon Huard, KC 19-for-34, 186 yards, TD, two INT
A.J. Feeley, PHI 19-for-42, 220 yards, TD, four INT
Major Offensive Injuries
Brett Favre left Thursday’s heavyweight contest with the Cowboys with right elbow and separated left shoulder injuries. After the game, the former Hall of Famer said that he thought he would be OK and able to continue his consecutive starting streak, which currently stands at an NFL-record 249 straight. He’ll have a full 10 days to recover, so pencil him in your starting lineups going forward … Steve McNair will undergo surgery for a partially torn rotator cuff Monday and will miss the remainder of the season. There is a possibility this could be career threatening or at least mean the end of Air McNair’s tenure in Baltimore. Kyle Boller will remain the starter for the Ravens the remainder of the year … Jeff Garcia sat out Week 13 with a back injury and coach Jon Gruden denied a report that the quarterback has a hairline fracture in his back. Luke McCown started and played fantastic in relief, throwing for 313 yards and leading the Bucs to the winning touchdown drive in the closing seconds. Garcia thinks he’ll be able to return in Week 14 though, so McCown will go back to back-up duties.
Eagles coach Andy Reid said there’s a pretty good chance that Donovan McNabb (ankle, thumb) will start in Week 14 against the Giants. A.J. Feeley looked fantastic against the Patriots last week, but struggled mightily last week against the Seahawks … Brodie Croyle also expects to return to start next week after sitting out a contest with a back injury … The Falcons will likely start Chris Redman after his strong performance in mop-up duty last week … Matt Schaub will undergo an MRI on his dislocated left shoulder Monday. He’s left four contests with injury thus far this season and it’s possible that Sage Rosenfels will get another spot start at QB in Week 14 … The Raiders decided to start Josh McCown this week after Daunte Culpepper injured his quadriceps muscle while reportedly racing a teammate in practice. Rookie JaMarcus Russell also made his pro debut briefly and should be in store for increased playing time in the final month.
Running Backs
Free Agent Possibilities
Derrick Ward, NYG 24 rushes, 154 yards, TD, two receptions, 29 yards, FL
Leon Washington, NYJ 10 rushes, 68 yards, two TD, two rec, 35 yards
Ron Dayne, HOU 18 rushes, 86 yards, TD, three rec, 25 yards
Jerious Norwood, ATL eight rushes, 94 yards, three rec, 21 yards
Fred Jackson, BUF 16 rushes, 82 yards, four rec, 69 yards
Chris Brown, TEN 11 rushes, 46 yards, TD, two rec, 13 yards
DeAngelo Williams, CAR 17 rushes, 82 yards, rec, 46 yards
Reuben Droughns, NYG 10 rushes, 25 yards, TD
Aaron Stecker, NO four rec, 35 yards
Major Offensive Injuries
Brandon Jacobs is expected to return from a hamstring injury in Week 14 after sitting out the prior two contests. Reuben Droughns and Derrick Ward did a strong job filling in, but it looks like Jacobs will be a decent option next Sunday against the Eagles. Ward rushed for a career-best 154 yards in the G-Men victory, but the RB fractured his fibula and will miss the remainder of the season. Therefore, Droughns has decent value as the short-yardage back behind Jacobs … The Titans lost starting running back LenDale White to a dislocated right middle finger and was unable to play in the fourth quarter. Chris Brown took over as the primary back and could be in line for increased touches next week.
Selvin Young left Sunday’s contest against Oakland with a bruised arm in the third quarter and did not return. It isn’t thought to be a serious injury though, and he will likely be able to return next week to split carries with Travis Henry again … Bills coach Dick Jauron said he was optimistic that Marshawn Lynch would return in Week 14 after missing the past three games with an ankle injury, but expressed there still was some doubt. With Anthony Thomas out as well, Fred Jackson could get another start. He racked up 151 total yards in last week’s comeback win.
Wide Receivers
Free Agent Possibilities
Roddy White, ATL 10 rec, 146 yards, TD
Roydell Williams, TEN five rec, 74 yards, TD
Bryant Johnson, ARI six rec, 56 yards, TD
Nate Burleson, SEA four rec, 71 yards, TD
Justin Gage, TEN five rec, 64 yards, TD
Sidney Rice, MIN five rec, 53 yards, TD
Jerry Porter, OAK five rec, 49 yards, TD
Bobby Wade, MIN four rec, 54 yards, TD
Michael Jenkins, ATL five rec, 48 yards, TD
Arnaz Battle, SF four rec, 51 yards, TD< FL
Dennis Northcut, CLE four rec, 37 yards, TD
Isaac Bruce, STL four rec, 31 yards, TD
Mike Furrey, DET seven rec, 57 yards
Earnest Wilford, JAC five rec, 72 yards
Major Offensive Injuries
Roy Williams will miss several weeks after spraining his PCL this weekend. With four games remaining in the season, it seems very likely Detroit will be without their top wideout the remainder of the regular season. Mike Furrey will now start along side Calvin Johnson as Shaun McDonald works out of the slot … The Cardinals were without top wideout Larry Fitzgerald because of a groin injury and also lost Anquan Boldin after he sustained a dislocated toe against the Browns. He left in the third quarter and did not return. He’ll be evaluated throughout the week, but will likely be questionable for Week 14. If he cannot start, Bryant Johnson will be the Cards top receiver. Coach Ken Whisenhunt said he is hopeful that Fitzgerald would be able to return next week though.
Marvin Harrison (knee) sat out his sixth straight contest this weekend against Jacksonville and coach Tony Dungy said the perennial All-Pro WR is still without a timetable for his return. The coach added that if these games were must-win contests, Harrison would probably play. With the Colts 10-2 and essentially locked for the No. 2 seed, it’s conceivable that Harrison will be sidelined until the playoffs … Javon Walker is still very limited at wideout for the Broncos. He was held to one catch for seven yards against Oakland. He only played about 20-25 plays this past game and coach Mike Shanahan said he wasn’t sure if Walker would ever be able to see a full game of snaps in the final month … Titans WR Brandon Jones left Sunday’s contest with a groin injury and his status is uncertain going forward. He has no fantasy value when healthy though.
Tight Ends
Free Agent Possibilities
Alge Crumpler, ATL seven rec, 65 yards
Mercedes Lewis, JAC five rec, 42 yards, TD
Zach Miller, OAK three rec, 58 yards, TD
Anthony Fasano, DAL rec, 26 yards, TD
David Martin, MIA four rec, 22 yards
Leonard Pope, ARI two rec, 14 yards, TD
Delanie Walker, SF rec, 21 yards, TD
Bo Scaife, TEN four rec, 57 yards
Jeff King, CAR two rec, four yards, TD
Jerramy Stevens, TB two rec, eight yards, TD
Ben Utecht, IND three rec, 47 yards
Week 14 Schedule
Thursday, Dec. 6 8:00pm ET
Chicago @ Washington
Sunday, Dec. 9 1:00pm ET
San Diego @ Tennessee
New York Giants @ Philadelphia
Dallas @ Detroit
Miami @ Buffalo
Carolina @ Jacksonville
Oakland @ Green Bay
St. Louis @ Cincinnati
Tampa Bay @ Houston
Sunday, Dec. 9 4:05pm ET
Minnesota @ San Francisco
Arizona @ Seattle
Sunday, Dec. 9 4:15pm ET
Pittsburgh @ New England
Kansas City @ Denver
Cleveland @ New York Jets
Sunday, Dec. 9 8:15pm ET
Indianapolis @ Baltimore
Monday, Dec. 10 8:30pm ET
New Orleans @ Atlanta