Marc is getting all Monday Morning Rehab on us with this week’s Rookie Report, which is great. Rashard Mendenhall’s injury came after this week’s MMR, but it is something you all need to know.

Lucky for me, I traded Mendenhall last week for a ham sandwich my bye week defense. Whew, dodged a bullet there!

I want to start this week’s RR with an injury update.

One of my favorite rookies coming into this NFL season was Pittsburgh runningback Rashard Mendenhall. Unfortunately, he left the Monday night game with a fractured shoulder and is done for the season.

For those in keeper and dynasty leagues, don’t do something stupid like trade him for a ham sandwich. I still believe he is the future in Pittsburgh and to give up on him now would be a mistake.

To the list!

Honorable Mention: Jonathan Stewart, RB, Panthers: I hated dropping Stewart out of the top five because he found the endzone again this past weekend against the Falcons, but who would you move out of the top five for him? If he ever becomes the main option in Carolina: Look out, because he will prove why a lot of people picked him to be this year’s rookie of the year.

5. Eddie Royal, WR, Broncos: Even though his Broncos lost, Royal still came up big with 9 catches for 104 yards. I have no idea what happened to this guy when he played the Saints, but he bounced back well and could continue to impress since Mike Shanahan has fallen in love with Jay Cutler throwing the ball.

4. DeSean Jackson, WR, Eagles: All is forgiven, young Jackson. You held onto the ball in the endzone, even though you didn’t have the opportunity to drop it at the goal line. As a rookie, Jackson has become Donovan McNabb’s big-play guy and one of his favorite targets. We all know what kind of numbers that can be put up in the Eagles offense by a big play receiver (see T.O).

3. Matt Forte, RB, Bears: Forte is another hybrid back that can run the ball and catch it out of the backfield. He is the only consistent option in the Bears offensive attack and should bounce back after a sub par week of 43 yards rushing and 42 yards receiving.

1A. Steve Slaton, RB, Texans: Slaton was shut down in the running game against the Jaguars, but he displayed his versatility in the passing game, catching eight balls for 83 yards and a touchdown. He has shown when you shut him down one way he will find another way to beat you.

1B. Chris Johnson, RB, Titans: Johnson found the endzone — twice — and his longest run was only nine yards. That is a real good sign that coach Fisher might trust this rookie to start getting some short-yardage and goal-line carries. This guy is the real deal and he is pushing LenDale White to the side in Tennessee.