Three big names could be absent from fantasy lineups this weekend.

Steven Jackson, Jason Witten and Joseph Addai all are battling injuries of different types and degrees heading into week 9.

Jackson injured his quad muscle two weeks ago against Dallas and missed last weekend’s matchup with New England. He is in jeopardy of missing again this weekend despite getting some practice time this week. SJax could be a game-time decision on Sunday.

Witten fractured a rib in the win against Tampa Bay last weekend. He, too, could be a game-time decision, though he stated his desire to give it a go against the division-rival Giants. The Cowboys do have a bye in week 10, which would give Witten an extra week of rest between this game and the next.

Addai, meanwhile, missed the last two weeks for the Colts with a hamstring injury. Dominic Rhodes has filled in nicely for Addai, but with the Colts below .500 now might be the time to have all hands on deck. He put in a full practice on Thursday, which is a great sign for his chances to return against New England this weekend.

Start ‘em

Quarterbacks

• Kurt Warner @ Rams: Fresh off the bye another solid performance, Warner draws a very favorable matchup. This game has shoot out written all over it, as both teams have been susceptible to the pass in the past. It should be a great show with lots of passing yards and points.
• Chad Pennington @ Broncos: Think the Broncos solved their defensive problems during the bye week? Think again. With no Champ Bailey in the secondary, Pennington will be playing keep-up with the Denver offense all day.

Runningbacks

• Earnest Graham @ Chiefs: The Jets tried to attack the Chiefs’ defense through the air last weekend. That got them in a shootout which required a late touchdown for the win. Why fix something that is not broken? The Chiefs are terrible against the run, so expect Jon Gruden to rely on Graham and the running game to dominate KC.
• Maurice Jones-Drew @ Bengals: Hot-cold-hot-cold. It is hard to tell what to expect of MJD any given week. But the Bengals defense is poor against the run and Jones-Drew is due for another big week.

Wide receivers

• DeSean Jackson @ Seahawks: The rookie continues to start despite the returns of Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown to the lineup. And as long as he is in the starting lineup, he makes for a good fantasy play at receiver. This weekend’s matchup is a good one for the Philly offense all around.
• Donnie Avery v. Cardinals: Avery is another player, like Warner, involved in what should be an offensive explosion in St. Louis. He exploded last weekend against New England and should be even faster in the dome at home.

Tight end

• Greg Olsen v. Lions: The Bears are involving Olsen more in the passing game, and that bodes well for both parties this weekend versus Detroit. He would be a great bye week starter.

Sit ‘em

Quarterbacks

• Brad Johnson @ Giants: Like I need to tell you at this point that he is a must-sit. But if you picked him up a few weeks ago to fill in for a week 9 quarterback on bye, think again. Find another option on the waiver wire, perhaps Chad Pennington.
• Tyler Thigpen v. Buccaneers: Thigpen had a great game last weekend, but two in a row are very unlikely … especially considering he draws the Tampa Bay defense this weekend. Temper your expectations for the young gun.

Runningbacks

• LenDale White v. Packers: You figure, at some point, the well is going to run dry. White has been bailing fantasy owners out most of the season with short touchdown runs. If Chris Johnson can bust a couple of long TDs, White and his owners could be left high and dry.
• Cedric Benson v. Jaguars: Just because he has the starting job does not mean he deserves to start for fantasy teams. He still has not given owners the type of effort needed to have some security in his services. Until he does so, he is nothing more than a bench warmer.

Wide receivers

• Santana Moss v. Steelers: If a gimpy hamstring limits Moss at all, it will show up big time in the box score of this game. Moss had a huge week last week and another this Monday against Pittsburgh is unlikely. If you have a better option on the bench, it would be a good week to explore it.
• Terrell Owens @ Giants: The time has come to bench TO. I hate to do it, but he has not done much of anything lately and is killing fantasy owners at the wide receiver position. Until Tony Romo gets back, TO needs to be benched.

Tight end

• Tony Scheffler v. Dolphins: Scheffler put in some limited practice this week but is no sure bet to return to action. The groin injury still may bother him for a few more weeks, so it would be best to keep him on the bench until he proves he can stay on the field again.

For more great fantasy roster advice this week, including a plethora of Start & Sit links and consensus rankings, head over to the Fantasy Football Librarian. Don’t forget to grab your library card.

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