It now is week 8, and we still are talking about Tom Brady. And that is not a good thing.

Brady, who underwent ACL reconstruction surgery earlier this month, now has gone under the knife three times since the original surgery. Two of those times have come in the last week because of an infection that has developed in Brady’s knee joint.

There are serious concerns now that the infection could compromise the original ACL reconstruction surgery. If that is the case, Brady would have to go under the knife again for an entirely new reconstruction. That is the worst case scenario, but it is looking more and more possible.

Obviously, a second ACL surgery would set Brady back tremendously. He was originally slated to be healthy enough for the start of training camp next summer. That is looking less and less likely.

Meanwhile, the Patriots are pissed off at Brady for refusing to use the team’s choice of doctor for the surgery. Brady elected to have the surgery done by a family doctor. What I want to know is why Brady did not pay a visit to Dr. James Andrews. Maybe that is who the Patriots had it mind.

Anyway, no one in their right mind is starting Brady this week, but there are other quarterbacks worth a look after the jump.

Start ‘em

Quarterbacks

  • Matt Cassel v. Rams: Can he keep it up? He had a great start on Monday Night Football against the Broncos, but the Denver defense has been giving it up to just about everyone this season. Playing at home again this weekend could keep Cassel hot, so now is a good week to use him as a bye week starter.
  • J.T. O’Sullivan v. Seahawks: New coach, but same offensive coordinator. Mike Martz trusts O’Sullivan to run the offense and this could be his last chance to prove he deserves the starting gig. O’Sullivan gets the advantage of playing against a pretty week defense.

Runningbacks

  • LenDale White/Chris Johnson v. Colts: Tennessee’s dynamic duo gets to showcase their one-two punch to the nation on Monday night. Expect the Titans to stick to the gameplan: Run, run and run some more against a weak rushing defense.
  • Thomas Jones @ Chiefs: Jones gets to pick up where the above left off last week. If White and Johnson can combine to gash the Chiefs for 300+ yards and four scores, Jones should at least be able to muster 100+ and a score.

Wide receivers

  • Lee Evans @ Dolphins: Gotta keep showing Evans some love. The under-the-radar wide receiver is having a great season, consistently providing production for his fantasy owners. The Trent Edwards-to-Lee Evans combo seems to be working out well for the Bills.
  • Vincent Jackson @ Saints: The weather could play a factor in this game, but if the track stays dry it should be a fast one. With Chris Chambers out of the lineup, VJax has dominated in the passing game and could be in for another great weekend.

Tight end

  • Owen Daniels v. Bengals: Daniels, like Tony Scheffler, is one of those intriguing young tight ends that could become a fantasy star. He needs to stay on the field and he needs Matt Schaub to do the same.

Sit ‘em

Quarterbacks

  • Jeff Garcia @ Cowboys: Fantasy owners know by now that Garcia is a roller coaster as a fantasy quarterback. Huge week last week against Seattle, but he could be in for a low point this weekend. Keep him on the bench unless he is your bye week starter.
  • Matt Ryan @ Eagles: No defense puts more pressure on the quarterback than the Eagles’. And fantasy owners can expect Philly to bring the heat this weekend against Atlanta’s rookie signal caller. Ryan is going to be harassed all day regardless of what Michael Turner does in the running game.

Runningbacks

  • Dominic Rhodes @ Titans: Joseph Addai threatens to return, but likely will miss another week. Even without the competition, though, Rhodes could struggle against one of the best defenses in the league.
  • Edgerrin James @ Panthers: James is showing his age and it may be time for the Cardinals to start getting rookie Tim Hightower more involved in the offense. James likely will struggle again this weekend against a resurgent Carolina defense.

Wide receivers

  • Kevin Curtis v. Falcons: Curtis is slated to make his return from a sports hernia this weekend and start opposite DeSean Jackson. But, like Marques Colston last week, it could take Curtis some time to get back in sync with Donovan McNabb. Keeping Curtis on the bench for another week is a safe bet for fantasy owners.
  • Torry Holt @ Patriots: If the Patriots defense puts the heat on Marc Bulger like they did Jay Cutler last weekend, the Rams passing game will be in trouble. This could be a good day for Steven Jackson, who will be trying to keep some of the pressure off his immobile quarterback.

Tight end

  • Heath Miller v. Giants: It is hard to pick a tight end to sit every week. Unless you have Jason Witten or Antonio Gates, they pretty much all are about the same. But I can use this spot to point out that Miller has vastly underperformed this season, and is barely rosterable at this point.
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