Week 5 Oct 5, 2007 | More

BYE WEEK: CIN, MIN, OAK, PHI

Player Notes: Rumors and quotes

Asked about his chance to play this upcoming Sunday, Hines Ward (PIT) said: "So far, so good. I'm way ahead of schedule." Although coach Mike Tomlin had an entirely different point of view, saying: "he's questionable to say the least at this point." Ward is considered day to day. - Anquan Boldin's (ARI) chances of playing this Sunday seem slim. It seems the Cardinals are not exactly sure what to make of his injury after coach Ken Whisenhut told reporters that he did not know if Boldin's hip injury is a tear or a strain. Whisenhut also said: "We don't want to have any setbacks, we want to make sure the soreness goes away" and that he wouldn't be allowed to play through a hip injury if he doesn't practice first. - Washington signed 37 year old Keenan McCardell on Monday in an apparent indication that not all is well with Santana Moss (WAS) who has yet to even run in practice this week. - After team president Bill Polian said Monday that Marvin Harrison (IND) could have returned to the game last Sunday, Harrison sat out practice on Wednesday and reports are differing on whether his knee has a strain or a bruise. - Andre Johnson (HOU) sat out Wednesday's practice and looks to likely miss another game. Jacoby Jones (HOU) practiced on a limited basis and could be a game time decision. - Javon Walker (DEN) was uncertain about his status for this Sunday on Monday and regarding his knee injury said: " it's not a long term thing and every day it gets better." Then he missed practice on Wednesday. - Isaac Bruce (STL) missed practice on Wednesday with a strained hamstring. - Coach Herm Edwards said that Eddie Kennison (KC) has a chance to return to the starting lineup this week alongside rookie Dwayne Bowe this Sunday.  Samie Parker will head to the bench. - Eric Parker (SD) is likely to miss an additional 3-4 weeks with a toe injury and that gives rookie Craig Davis more time as a starter. - With recently acquired Charlie Frye as the backup to Matt Hasselbeck, Seneca Wallace (SEA) saw some action at the receiver position and recorded his first career reception.

Injury Watchlist: A list of injuries reported throughout the week, some teams did not report and player status will be reported when the official injury report is released on Friday.

ARI: Anquan Boldin (hip) BAL: Derrick Mason (knee), Yamon Figurs (shoulder) DET: Calvin Johnson (back) GB: Greg Jennings (team decision) HOU: Andre Johnson (knee), Jacoby Jones (shoulder), Jerome Mathis (shin) IND: Marvin Harrison (knee), Roy Hall (shoulder) NE: Donte Stallworth (knee), Kelley Washington (hamstring) NO: David Patten (calf) NYG: Plaxico Burress (ankle), Steve Smith (shoulder) PIT: Hines Ward (knee) STL: Isaac Bruce (hamstring), Drew Bennett (thigh), Dane Looker (thigh) TB: Joey Galloway (team decision) WAS: Santana Moss (groin), Brandon Lloyd (shin). Teams that did not report: DAL, DEN, SD, SF, SEA.

Favorable Matchups:

CAR @ NO: Despite being on a bye last week, on a per game average New Orleans ranks as the 3rd worst group against the receiver position, fantasy wise. They also rank 4th worst against the quarterback position, fantasy wise.  David Carr was real bad filling in for Jake Delhomme, in his first game against a tough Tampa Bay squad last Sunday. This is a team he should be able to redeem himself against.

CHI @ GB: Chicago ranks as one of the better units against the receiver position, 10th best, and the quarterback, 12th best, but they have a ton of injuries on the defense. Their entire starting secondary was out last week and they remain likely out this week. They could also be without linebacker Lance Briggs. Green Bay's offensive line is much better than Detroit's and will protect the ageless Brett Favre better than Detroit did for Jon Kitna.

DAL @ BUF: Buffalo ranks as the 4th worst group against the receiver position, fantasy wise and 6th worst against the quarterback position, fantasy wise. Buffalo is another team with alot of injuries on defense. They had two more guys that started in the youngest secondary in the league and left because of injury last Sunday. They have injuries at the linebacker and defensive line positions as well.

NE vs CLE: Cleveland ranks as the 2nd worst group against the receiver position, fantasy wise and the worst group against the quarterback position, fantasy wise. This should be a clinic.

Unfavorable Matchups:

SEA @ PIT: Pittsburgh is the 9th best group against the receiver position, fantasy wise and 7th best group against the quarterback position, fantasy wise. They had some players that left the game last week and it showed after they were out. They should all play this week and bounce back from last weeks loss to Arizona so lower your expectations.

SD @ DEN: Denver is the third best group against the receiver position, fantasy wise and 8th best against the quarterback position, fantasy wise. San Diego is in a serious funk right now and being on the road in Denver I would lower your expectations

KC vs JAC: Despite being on a bye last Sunday, Jacksonville is the 2nd best ranked group against the receiver position, fantasy wise on a per game basis. They are also the 2nd best ranked group against the quarterback position, fantasy wise on a per game basis. They have not allowed 1 touchdown to the receiver position and have only allowed 353 yards.

DET @ WAS: Despite being on a bye last Sunday, Washington is the 6th best group against the receiver position, fantasy wise on a per game basis. They are also the 6th best group against the quarterback position, fantasy wise on a per game basis. They have only allowed 367 yards and 1 touchdown to the receiver position thru three games so lower your expectations.

Watchlists: Players that may be available

Patrick Crayton - DAL: Last Week: 8 targets, 7 receptions, 88%RC, 2 touchdowns. Will continue to start in place of Terry Glenn.

Michael Jenkins - ATL: Last Week: 6 targets, 6 receptions, 100%RC, 2 touchdowns. Starter that has 6 targets two weeks in a row.

Biggest Bust of the Year:

Donte Stallworth - NE: 13 targets, 8 receptions, 62%RC (reception conversion), 0 touchdowns

Mark Clayton - BAL: 17 targets, 9 receptions, 53%RC, 0 touchdowns

Reggie Brown - PHI: 24 targets, 8 receptions, 34%RC, 0 touchdowns

Lee Evans - BUF: 27 targets, 11 receptions, 41%RC, 0 touchdowns