Fantasy owners will once again be without several big names in the fantasy industry this weekend, but a few players are blazing the comeback trail for fantasy owners.

Out for sure this weekend are Larry Johnson, Carson Palmer and Joseph Addai. Tony Romo’s status is up in the air, but I expect he will miss. Willie Parker may not return to the lineup just yet after aggravating his knee injury in practice this week.

Two of those players potentially returning to the action this weekend are Saints’ starters Marques Colston and Jeremy Shockey. Not like Drew Brees has missed a beat without these two guys in the lineup, but fantasy owners have been longing for the return of Colston in particular.

The team’s top wide receiver and a fantasy WR1 in most leagues, Colston torn ligaments in his hand back in week 1 and has not seen the playing field since. He caught only three passes for 26 yards in that week 1 victory against the Buccaneers. If he comes back this weekend against Carolina, which he is expected to do, his owners will need much more production than that to make a push for the fantasy playoffs.

Shockey, meanwhile, also plans to return in a game that has gigantic NFC South implications. At 3-3, the Saints are one game behind Tampa Bay, Carolina and Atlanta in the standings. Having all hands on deck could give the Saints offense that extra spark it may need on the road.

Hit the jump for this week’s start/sit list and scroll down to participate in the live chat.

Start ‘em

Quarterbacks

  • Peyton Manning @ Packers: Manning, the stud, is back. After a dominant performance against the best defense in the league, statistically, Peyton can resume his role as the best of the Manning brothers and a weekly must-start.
  • Matt Schaub v. Lions: Schaub came through late for the Texans last week and faces another suspect defense this weekend. He should be in for a good one with Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter and Steve Slaton against that weak Lions’ D.

Runningbacks

  • Chris Johnson @ Chiefs: The Titans are back from the bye and defending an undefeated record. I expect Johnson to get more and more of the work here in the second half of the season, and it should start this weekend against a team that gives up a lot of yards on the ground.
  • Sammy Morris @ Broncos: Teams can run all over Denver, so with Laurence Maroney and LaMont Jordan ailing, Morris should get a lot of work. He appears to be fully healthy and the Patriots really need to establish the running game with Matt Cassel running the offense.

Wide receivers

  • Laveranues Coles @ Raiders: Coles appears to be Brett Favre’s favorite target, even after all their squabbling earlier this season. He especially gets the looks in the redzone. Keep him in your starting lineup.
  • Hines Ward @ Bengals: Ward loves playing games in the NFC North and gets his chance to pick on the hapless Bengals. He and Big Ben should hook up for a score in this one.

Tight end

  • Chris Cooley v. Browns: Every Cooley owner knows he is a must-start. I just wanted to point out how good this guy has been lately for the Redskins and his fantasy owners. He is moving up near the elite tight end status, particularly in PPR leagues.

Sit ‘em

Quarterbacks

  • Trent Edwards v. Chargers: Edwards is coming off a concussion, while the Chargers physically dominated the Patriots last Sunday. I would wait another week before using Edwards again, he is one good hit away from being pulled.
  • Derek Anderson @ Redskins: Was last week the beginning of a trend or just a one-week anomaly? We will find out this weekend when the Browns travel to Washington to take on the ‘Skins, who may be refocused after suffering a setback against the Rams last weekend.

Runningbacks

  • Thomas Jones @ Raiders: Do not start him if you are expecting another three-touchdown performance. I doubt we see anything like that again from TJ. If, however, you need a flex RB this weekend, TJ is a good choice.
  • Willis McGahee @ Dolphins: McGahee cannot stay on the field right now, and it would be best for fantasy owners to keep him on the bench if they can afford it. Le’Ron McClain and Ray Rice continue to steal a lof ot McGahee’s work, even when healthy enough to play.

Wide receivers

  • Devery Henderson @ Panthers: With Marques Colston and Jeremy Shockey potentially back in the starting lineup, there will be less of Drew Brees’ balls to go around (ewwww!). Henderson slips behind Colston, Shockey, Reggie Bush and Lance Moore this weekend, meaning he will have limited chances to have a solid weekend.
  • Chris Chambers @ Bills: Watch Chambers’ status for this weekend’s game closely. He missed a few days of practice this week but has not been ruled out yet for this weekend. I would not trust him.

Tight end

  • Tony Gonzalez v. Titans: I doubt Gonzo owners have a better option. But he is disgruntled right now after the Chiefs failed to deal him to a contender before the trade deadline, and the Titans have a really good defense coming off a bye. He could be held in check.

Week 7 Start/Sit advice hosted by the_hazean.

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