I apologize for the lack of detail in this week’s rankings. Having a new baby born this week may have had something to do with it. Expect more details in next week’s rankings.
Quarterback
1. Drew Brees NO vs. DET
2. *Tom Brady NE vs. BUF?Note: Without any real knowledge to the contrary, we’ll take the Patriots at their word that Brady’s shoulder injury isn’t serious, though it’s tough to trust them. Update: “Ready for the opener” was the report on Wednesday.
3. Peyton Manning IND vs. JAC
4. Aaron Rodgers GB vs. CHI
5. Kurt Warner AZ vs. SF?Update: (Hip) Not listed on the initial injury report.
6. Philip Rivers SD at OAK
7. Donovan McNabb PHI at CAR
8. Matt Hasselbeck SEA vs. STL
9. Jay Cutler CHI at GB
10. Tony Romo DAL at TB
11. *Matt Ryan ATL vs. MIA?Note: Sat out practice on Monday with an illness. Update: Took part in the morning walk-through on Wednesday.
12. *Matt Schaub HOU vs. NYJ?Note: Nursing a sprained left ankle. Took a “big step forward” on Tuesday. Update: Full practice on Wednesday.
13. Eli Manning NYG vs. WAS
14. *Carson Palmer CIN vs. DEN?Note: Missed the final three preseason games due to his ankle injury, but said he’ll be full go this week. Keep in mind that it’s not just the ankle injury he’s dealing with, but it’s also his elbow from last year. Update: Full practice on Wednesday.
15. Ben Roethlisberger PIT vs. TEN
16. David Garrard JAC at IND?Update: Has a neck stinger, but not listed on the Wednesday injury report.
17. Joe Flacco BAL vs. KC
18. Shaun Hill SF at AZ
19. Brett Favre MIN at CLE
20. Jake Delhomme CAR vs. PHI
21. Chad Pennington MIA at ATL
22. *Brady Quinn CLE vs. MIN?Note: Mangini won’t name a starter between Quinn and Derek Anderson until just before kickoff. I suppose it beats flipping a coin, but is there really that much strategic advantage to be gained by handling it this way? Update: Quinn has won the job, according to a “league source.” Note, this isn’t coming out of the mouth of Mangini, though.
23. JaMarcus Russell OAK vs. SD
24. Jason Campbell WAS at NYG
25. Byron Leftwich TB vs. DAL
26. Trent Edwards BUF at NE?Note: How much does the offensive coordinator change alter his value? Update: Bills waived LT Langston Walker on Tuesday – while that might be the right move long-term, it’s yet another late change.
27. *Matthew Stafford DET at NO?Note: Getting the start in the season opener over Daunte Culpepper, who is nursing a sore foot. Stafford has the Megatron and a decent matchup to work with, but we’ll shy away from the rookie getting his first start, on the road no less.
28. *Kyle Orton DEN at CIN?Note: Taking it easy on his finger injury until Tuesday’s practice. A banged up Chris Simms is the backup if Orton can’t go. The Brandon Marshall situation remains in flux, too. Update: Limited participant in practice on Wednesday.
29. *Marc Bulger STL at SEA?Note: Bulger is planning to play through a pinkie finger injury; it’s an issue of pain tolerance (and lousy teammates). Still hasn’t taken a snap under center. Update: Took snaps under center on Wednesday.
30. Kerry Collins TEN at PIT
31. *Matt Cassel KC at BAL?Note: Took part in Monday’s full practice wearing a brace on his injured knee. He moved around gingerly, looking “far from 100 percent.” Brodie Croyle and Tyler Thigpen looked bad in the preseason. Update: Limited participant in Wednesday’s practice.
32. Mark Sanchez NYJ at HOU
Running Back
1. Adrian Peterson MIN at CLE
2. Matt Forte CHI at GB
3. LaDainian Tomlinson SD at OAK
4. Steve Slaton HOU vs. NYJ
5. Ronnie Brown MIA at ATL
6. Steven Jackson STL at SEA
7. Michael Turner ATL vs. MIA
8. Marion Barber DAL at TB
9. Ryan Grant GB vs. CHI
10. *Maurice Jones-Drew JAC at IND?Note: Shin contusion, should practice on Wednesday and play on Sunday. Update: Not on the initial injury report.
11. *Brian Westbrook PHI at CAR?Update: (Ankle) Not on the initial injury report.
12. Frank Gore SF at AZ
13. DeAngelo Williams CAR vs. PHI?Update: Modest bump up, though I still don’t like the matchup.
14. Brandon Jacobs NYG vs. WAS?Update: (Arm) Not on the initial injury report.
15. Kevin Smith DET at NO
16. Willie Parker PIT vs. TEN?Note: Should get at least some goal line and red zone carries.
17. *Reggie Bush NO vs. DET?Note: (Calf) Appears ready to go for the season opener, and Thomas is banged up. Update: Not on the initial injury report, and Thomas is still missing practices.
18. Fred Jackson BUF at NE?Note: The Bills’ starter for the first three weeks. Some job security after the Bills cut Dominic Rhodes.
19. Cedric Benson CIN vs. DEN
20. Clinton Portis WAS at NYG?Update: Had sore ribs in the preseason, but not on the initial injury report.
21. Thomas Jones NYJ at HOU
22. Joseph Addai IND vs. JAC
23. Ray Rice BAL vs. KC?Update: Could lose goal line carries to McGahee.
24. Chris Johnson TEN at PIT
25. Darren Sproles SD at OAK
26. Julius Jones SEA vs. STL
27. *Mike Bell NO vs. DET?Note: Could get more action this week with Pierre Thomas iffy. Update: Thomas still missed practice on Wednesday.
28. Larry Johnson KC at BAL?Note: Actually like the player this year, just hate the matchup.
29. Derrick Ward TB vs. DAL?Note: Initially listed as the Bucs’ second-string back behind Cadillac Williams, though we suspect he’ll get plenty of carries.
30. *Darren McFadden OAK vs. SD?Note: Technically still not the starter yet – expect an announcement on Wednesday.
31. Tim Hightower AZ vs. SF?Note: Right now the starter over Beanie Wells.
32. Felix Jones DAL at TB
33. Chris Wells AZ vs. SF?Note: The presumption is that he’ll take over the starting gig from Hightower soon, but the prevailing thought often takes awhile to come to fruition.
34. Willis McGahee BAL vs. KC
35. *Correll Buckhalter DEN at CIN?Note: Potentially could start in Week 1, but ultimately the job is Moreno’s.
36. Chester Taylor MIN at CLE
37. Donald Brown IND vs. JAC
38. Cadillac Williams TB vs. DAL?Note: Listed first on the depth chart. The three-headed monster is bad news all around for fantasy owners, though.
39. Ahmad Bradshaw NYG vs. WAS
40. Rashard Mendenhall PIT vs. TEN?Note: Beaten out by Willie Parker for now, and won’t get any special goal line consideration.
41. *Knowshon Moreno DEN at CIN?Note: Missed the final three preseason games due to knee injury, but has been practicing and declared ready to go for this week. How much work will he get? Update: Limited practice participant on Wednesday. Watch carefully for the Friday reports, but for now assume that Buckhalter will at least start.
42. *Jamal Lewis CLE vs. MIN?Note: Nominally still the starter, but he was nearly waiver-bait, and he starts off against what should be a tough test.
43. Laurence Maroney NE vs. BUF?Note: Four-headed monster in New England between Maroney, Sammy Morris, Fred Taylor and Kevin Faulk.
44. Glen Coffee SF at AZ
45. Leon Washington NYJ at HOU
46. *Jerious Norwood ATL vs. MIA?Note: Sat out practice on Monday with knee/head issues. Update: Full participant in Wednesday’s practice.
47. LeSean McCoy PHI at CAR
48. Michael Bush OAK vs. SD?Note: Theoretically could still start.
49. *LenDale White TEN at PIT?Note: Minor ankle injury.
50. *Ricky Williams MIA at ATL
51. Edgerrin James SEA vs. STL
52. *Jonathan Stewart CAR vs. PHI?Note: Hasn’t practiced (Achilles tendon) since Aug. 11. Update: Returned to practice on Wednesday, as a full participant.
53. Earnest Graham TB vs. DAL?Note: Listed third on the depth chart to start the season. Does he get more goal line carries?
54. Rashad Jennings JAC at IND?Note: Maurice Jones-Drew’s backup. Greg Jones is also in the picture around the goal line, but is also banged up.
55. Bernard Scott CIN vs. DEN
56. Jamaal Charles KC at BAL
57. James Davis CLE vs. MIN?Note: As much as we love what he’s done in the preseason, he’s still the backup and against a tough opponent.
58. *Fred Taylor NE vs. BUF
59. Sammy Morris NE vs. BUF
60. Mike Goodson CAR vs. PHI
61. Ladell Betts WAS at NYG?Note: The Redskins’ primary third down back.
62. Garrett Wolfe CHI at GB?Update: Adding to the rankings as the Bears’ primary backup behind Forte. The “other” Adrian Peterson also is in the picture.
63. *Pierre Thomas NO vs. DET?Note: (MCL Sprain) Did not practice on Monday, still limping. Update: Missed practice again on Wednesday – even if he gets cleared to play, he’s too risky to start this week.
64. *Shonn Greene NYJ at HOU?Note: Recovering from a rib injury, might be available in Week 1. Update: Full practice participant on Wednesday.
65. *Justin Fargas OAK vs. SD?Note: Nursing a hamstring injury. The Raiders still haven’t named a starting tailback.
66. Le’Ron McClain BAL vs. KC?Note: Back to a true fullback role.
67. *Jerome Harrison CLE vs. MIN?Note: Recovering from a left knee injury. Update: Limited participant on Wednesday.
68. *Brandon Jackson GB vs. CHI?Note: Ankle injury, no lock to play. Update: Did not practice on Wednesday.
69. *Maurice Morris DET at NO
70. Kevin Faulk NE vs. BUF
71. LaMont Jordan DEN at CIN
72. Marshawn Lynch BUF at NE?Note: Suspended for the first three games.
73. *Kevin Jones CHI at GB?Note: Out for the year (ankle) – frequently I’ll list a player that’s out at the bottom of the rankings, at least for that first week he is out.
74. Just to illustrate how quickly things change in the NFL, especially at running back, the following players were in our rankings in Week 1 last year but are nowhere to be found this year: Selvin Young (DEN), Chris Perry (CIN), Ahman Green (HOU), Rudi Johnson (DET), Kenny Watson (CIN), Deuce McAllister (NO), Chris Taylor (HOU), Andre Hall (DEN), DeShaun Foster (SF), Warrick Dunn (TB), Jacob Hester (SD), Aaron Stecker (NO), Lorenzo Booker (PHI), Michael Pittman (DEN), Jason Wright (CLE).
Wide Receiver
1. Larry Fitzgerald AZ vs. SF
2. Calvin Johnson DET at NO
3. Randy Moss NE vs. BUF
4. Andre Johnson HOU vs. NYJ
5. *Greg Jennings GB vs. CHI?Note: Missed the end of the preseason with a concussion, but cleared to go for Week 1. Update: Not on the Wednesday injury report.
6. Reggie Wayne IND vs. JAC
7. Marques Colston NO vs. DET
8. *Steve Smith CAR vs. PHI?Note: Shoulder appears to be fine.
9. Roddy White ATL vs. MIA
10. T.J. Houshmandzadeh SEA vs. STL?Update: Practiced on Wednesday after sitting out earlier in the week with “general soreness.”
11. Braylon Edwards CLE vs. MIN
12. Anthony Gonzalez IND vs. JAC
13. Eddie Royal DEN at CIN
14. Terrell Owens BUF at NE
15. Chad Johnson CIN vs. DEN?Note: Renewed dedication – will it pay off?
16. Wes Welker NE vs. BUF?Update: Undisclosed injury, but practiced on Wednesday. A little added danger with the Pats playing on Monday night.
17. *Anquan Boldin AZ vs. SF?Note: (Hamstring) Sat out a “light practice” on Monday, but still expected to play on Sunday. Update: Chances are “very good” that he’ll play, even though he missed Wednesday’s practice.
18. Lance Moore NO vs. DET
19. *Roy Williams DAL at TB?Note: (Shoulder) Returned to practice on Monday.
20. DeSean Jackson PHI at CAR
21. Torry Holt JAC at IND
22. Antonio Bryant TB vs. DAL?Update: (Knee) Full practice, shouldn’t be restricted.
23. Santonio Holmes PIT vs. TEN
24. Jerricho Cotchery NYJ at HOU
25. Derrick Mason BAL vs. KC
26. Dwayne Bowe KC at BAL
27. Devin Hester CHI at GB
28. Bernard Berrian MIN at CLE?Update: (Hamstring) Limited participant in Wednesday’s practice.
29. Vincent Jackson SD at OAK?Note: Will he draw Asomugha? How much does Asomugha’s wrist injury matter?
30. Donald Driver GB vs. CHI
31. Santana Moss WAS at NYG
32. *Donnie Avery STL at SEA?Note: Quicker recovery from foot injury than expected. Update: Full practice participation on Wednesday.
33. Hines Ward PIT vs. TEN
34. Ted Ginn MIA at ATL
35. Chris Henry CIN vs. DEN?Note: Huge preseason – will it translate?
36. Laveranues Coles CIN vs. DEN
37. Nate Burleson SEA vs. STL
38. Steven Smith NYG vs. WAS
39. Lee Evans BUF at NE
40. *Brandon Marshall DEN at CIN?Note: Returned from team-imposed suspension on Sunday. How much will he play?
41. Josh Morgan SF at AZ?Note: Niners’ #1 while Crabtree sits.
42. Kevin Walter HOU vs. NYJ?Update: Sat out practice on Wednesday with a hamstring injury. Downgrade accordingly.
43. Steve Breaston AZ vs. SF?Update: Sore right knee.
44. Michael Jenkins ATL vs. MIA
45. *Earl Bennett CHI at GB?Note: A bit of a speculative play for Cutler’s favorite college receiver.
46. Justin Gage TEN at PIT
47. Percy Harvin MIN at CLE
48. Chris Chambers SD at OAK
49. Patrick Crayton DAL at TB
50. Muhsin Muhammad CAR vs. PHI
51. *Mark Clayton BAL vs. KC?Note: Missed the preseason with a hamstring injury. Update: Practicing at full speed, plans to play.
52. Domenik Hixon NYG vs. WAS
53. Isaac Bruce SF at AZ
54. Jeremy Maclin PHI at CAR
55. Davone Bess MIA at ATL
56. Troy Williamson JAC at IND
57. Sidney Rice MIN at CLE
58. Laurent Robinson STL at SEA?Note: Adding him to the rankings – the Rams’ strong #2 after they waived Curry.
59. Devery Henderson NO vs. DET
60. Bryant Johnson DET at NO
61. Robert Meachem NO vs. DET
62. Chansi Stuckey NYJ at HOU?Note: New #2 for NYJ?
63. Mark Bradley KC at BAL
64. *Miles Austin DAL at TB?Note: Sat out practice on Monday with an ankle injury. Update: Full practice on Wednesday.
65. Darrius Heyward-Bey OAK vs. SD
66. *Javon Walker OAK vs. SD
67. Louis Murphy OAK vs. SD
68. *Sam Hurd DAL at TB?Note: Healing faster than Miles Austin at this point.
69. *Joey Galloway NE vs. BUF?Note: Won the third receiver job for the Pats.
70. Michael Clayton TB vs. DAL
71. Austin Collie IND vs. JAC?Note: Third receiver on the Colts isn’t such a bad gig, though he still hasn’t cleared Pierre Garcon.
72. Mario Manningham NYG vs. WAS
73. *Kevin Curtis PHI at CAR?Note: Dropping out of favor behind Maclin and Avant? The sands shift quickly in the Philly receiver corps, though.
74. *Nate Washington TEN at PIT?Note: (Hamstring) Practiced on Monday, but status for Thursday’s game still iffy. Update: Practicing, but not with the first team – Kenny Britt has been in that spot.
75. *Greg Camarillo MIA at ATL?Note: Has his knee fully healed?
76. Malcom Floyd SD at OAK
77. Malcolm Kelly WAS at NYG
78. Brandon Stokley DEN at CIN
79. Hakeem Nicks NYG vs. WAS
80. Bobby Engram KC at BAL
81. Devin Thomas WAS at NYG
82. Limas Sweed PIT vs. TEN
Quarterback
1. Drew Brees NO vs. DET
2. Tom Brady NE vs. BUF
3. Aaron Rodgers GB vs. CHI
4. Peyton Manning IND vs. JAC
5. Philip Rivers SD at OAK
6. Kurt Warner AZ vs. SF
7. Matt Hasselbeck SEA vs. STL
8. Donovan McNabb PHI at CAR
9. Jay Cutler CHI at GB
10. Tony Romo DAL at TB
11. Matt Ryan ATL vs. MIA
12. Matt Schaub HOU vs. NYJ
13. Ben Roethlisberger PIT vs. TEN
14. Carson Palmer CIN vs. DEN
15. Eli Manning NYG vs. WAS
16. David Garrard JAC at IND
17. Joe Flacco BAL vs. KC
18. Jake Delhomme CAR vs. PHI
19. Brett Favre MIN at CLE
20. Shaun Hill SF at AZ
21. Chad Pennington MIA at ATL
22. Brady Quinn CLE vs. MIN
23. JaMarcus Russell OAK vs. SD
24. Jason Campbell WAS at NYG
25. Byron Leftwich TB vs. DAL
26. Trent Edwards BUF at NE?
27. Mark Sanchez NYJ at HOU
28. Kyle Orton DEN at CIN
29. Matthew Stafford DET at NO
30. Kerry Collins TEN at PIT
31. Matt Cassel KC at BAL
32. Marc Bulger STL at SEA
Running Back
1. Adrian Peterson MIN at CLE
2. LaDainian Tomlinson SD at OAK
3. Matt Forte CHI at GB
4. Steve Slaton HOU vs. NYJ
5. Ronnie Brown MIA at ATL
6. Steven Jackson STL at SEA
7. Cedric Benson CIN vs. DEN
8. Michael Turner ATL vs. MIA
9. Ryan Grant GB vs. CHI
10. Marion Barber DAL at TB
11. Frank Gore SF at AZ
12. Brian Westbrook PHI at CAR
13. DeAngelo Williams CAR vs. PHI
14. Brandon Jacobs NYG vs. WAS
15. Kevin Smith DET at NO
16. Maurice Jones-Drew JAC at IND (questionable)
17. Reggie Bush NO vs. DET
18. Fred Jackson BUF at NE
19. Ray Rice BAL vs. KC
20. Clinton Portis WAS at NYG
21. Thomas Jones NYJ at HOU
22. Joseph Addai IND vs. JAC
23. Chris Johnson TEN at PIT
24. Mike Bell NO vs. DET
25. Darren Sproles SD at OAK
26. Julius Jones SEA vs. STL
27. Larry Johnson KC at BAL
28. Derrick Ward TB vs. DAL
29. Willie Parker PIT vs. TEN
30. Darren McFadden OAK vs. SD
31. Tim Hightower AZ vs. SF
32. Felix Jones DAL at TB
33. Chris Wells AZ vs. SF
34. Willis McGahee BAL vs. KC
35. Correll Buckhalter DEN at CIN
36. Chester Taylor MIN at CLE
37. Donald Brown IND vs. JAC
38. Leon Washington NYJ at HOU
39. Ahmad Bradshaw NYG vs. WAS
40. LenDale White TEN at PIT
41. Cadillac Williams TB vs. DAL
42. Jamal Lewis CLE vs. MIN
43. Laurence Maroney NE vs. BUF
44. Glen Coffee SF at AZ
45. Rashard Mendenhall PIT vs. TEN
46. Jerious Norwood ATL vs. MIA
47. LeSean McCoy PHI at CAR
48. Ricky Williams MIA at ATL
49. Knowshon Moreno DEN at CIN
50. Michael Bush OAK vs. SD
Wide Receiver
1. Larry Fitzgerald AZ vs. SF
2. Calvin Johnson DET at NO
3. Randy Moss NE vs. BUF
4. Greg Jennings GB vs. CHI
5. Andre Johnson HOU vs. NYJ
6. Reggie Wayne IND vs. JAC
7. T.J. Houshmandzadeh SEA vs. ST
8. Steve Smith CAR vs. PHI
9. Roddy White ATL vs. MIA
10. Marques Colston NO vs. DET
11. Anquan Boldin AZ vs. SF
12. Anthony Gonzalez IND vs. JAC
13. Eddie Royal DEN at CIN
14. Chad Johnson CIN vs. DEN
15. Braylon Edwards CLE vs. MIN
16. Wes Welker NE vs. BUF
17. Terrell Owens BUF at NE
18. Lance Moore NO vs. DET
19. Santonio Holmes PIT vs. TEN
20. DeSean Jackson PHI at CAR
21. Torry Holt JAC at IND
22. Antonio Bryant TB vs. DAL
23. Roy Williams DAL at TB
24. Jerricho Cotchery NYJ at HOU
25. Derrick Mason BAL vs. KC
26. Dwayne Bowe KC at BAL
27. Devin Hester CHI at GB
28. Bernard Berrian MIN at CLE
29. Hines Ward PIT vs. TEN
30. Donald Driver GB vs. CHI
31. Santana Moss WAS at NYG
32. Donnie Avery STL at SEA
33. Vincent Jackson SD at OAK
34. Ted Ginn MIA at ATL
35. Nate Burleson SEA vs. STL
36. Laveranues Coles CIN vs. DEN
37. Chris Henry CIN vs. DEN
38. Steven Smith NYG vs. WAS
39. Lee Evans BUF at NE
40. Brandon Marshall DEN at CIN
41. Josh Morgan SF at AZ
42. Kevin Walter HOU vs. NYJ
43. Steve Breaston AZ vs. SF
44. Michael Jenkins ATL vs. MIA
45. Domenik Hixon NYG vs. WAS
46. Justin Gage TEN at PIT
47. Sidney Rice MIN at CLE
48. Chris Chambers SD at OAK
49. Muhsin Muhammad CAR vs. PHI
50. Patrick Crayton DAL at TB
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