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Stephania Bell

  (11:03 AM)

Good morning Sports Nation: I hope everyone had a successful fantasy football weekend. In one of my leagues (with all of our fantasy staff here) I scored the second most points in the league...and lost...to Matthew Berry. Could it be any worse than that?I'm already looking ahead to next week..and your questions. So here we go...

Marcie (Issaquah)

Hi Stephania, I heard Boldin was hurt and I was wondering if he is going to be out against the Giants? I am thinking of picking up Breaston in at least my standard league maybe ppr if he is out.

Alan (Indy)

Happy Tuesday Stephania! Any news on Frank Gore? Is he ready to handle the bulk of the carries coming out of the bye week?

Stephania Bell

  (11:06 AM)

Marcie: You heard correctly. Boldin sprained his right ankle Sunday and we know now that he did not fracture it. If you can get Breaston, I certainly would. He's been consistently productive and has a chance to be even more so next week if Boldin sits. Still too early to say he will since Whisenhunt says he wants to see how he progresses as the week goes on, but Breaston has value either way.

Stephania Bell

  (11:08 AM)

Alan: Gore and the 49ers say he'll be ready to go in Week 7 and it certainly appears that their intent is to give him the bulk of the RB carries. That being said, his activity has been limited in the bye week. I'm not sure I would unload Coffee yet if you have him as a backup, but at this point the 49ers sound confident in Gore's availability.

John (SF)

Ding!!!!! Hello Miss Bell...What is the status with Megatron? Is he going to be able to play this week?

Stephania Bell

  (11:09 AM)

John: Detroit on a bye this week so he gets another week of rest - but judging from the limited info out of Detroit, it sounds like they expect him back in Week 8.

Mark (NY)

hey stephania, any updates on the progress of anthony gonzalez? will we see the same player when he returns?

Stephania Bell

  (11:12 AM)

Mark: AS you probably know, I have been skeptical about his ability to return in Week 7 all along - and if he did come back, was not confident he'd be at full form. Well, so far he hasn't practiced with the team and was only cleared to run recently. The team hasn't said it, but I would not plan on Gonzalez for Week 8.

Brian (IN)

Hi Stephania and thanks for the advice. Have you heard anything about Donnie Avery?

Stephania Bell

  (11:14 AM)

Brian: Yes, the bruised hip that forced him out is apparently just that - a bruise - and he says he'll play this week. I think he was concerned about the injury b/c last year when he injured his hip he had a hairline fracture that turned out to be a debilitating problem. We've seen guys be limited with bruised hips in the past (Boldin comes to mind) but Avery sounds positive on his condition early in the week.

David (Indianapolis)

Is Roy Williams healthy enough to be effective? I have Patrick Crayton (bye-week sub) who I might need.

Stephania Bell

  (11:17 AM)

David: Sounds like they expect Williams to play and he was back in practice at the start of the week. He says he's ready. Here's the thing about rib cartilage injuries - it's hard for them to fully heal as long as you keep doing a lot of movement (twisting/reaching like you have to do as a receiver) and taking hits. So he might be a big hit away from having a setback. He hasn't been especially effective even without the injury so I'm not sure what you can really expect this week. And Miles Austin has surpassed Crayton - so either way Crayton not of use to you this week.

Diego (Chicago)

Good Morning Stephania!What do you think the Cowboys will do with Felix Jones? Tashard Choice has done well in the RB2 role, and I'm thinking they may decide to give Felix 10 snaps or less this week to see how he feels and preserve him for the rest of the season.Your thoughts?

Stephania Bell

  (11:19 AM)

Hi Diego: Sticking with Dallas. Even though Jones was back in practice this week, I have some concerns about him going forward. A PCL sprain is tough to come back from at pre-injury form (like we siad with GOnzalez). Just ask Reggie Bush who was never the same afterward and ended that season early. Jones hopes to be back, but I'm not clear that he'll play a huge role. I think Barber is #1, even if not at 100% and Choice will still see plenty of action.

Matt (Portland, ME)

Any update on Percy Harvin?

Stephania Bell

  (11:21 AM)

Matt: Well, the Vikings won't say exactly what the injury is. He was in a sling after the game though which certainly tells you that his shoulder was painful and inflamed (it's like crutches for your arm) and he was in obvious pain after aggravating it. I think unless he does substantially more late in the week (I suspect they keep him out Weds and even THurs), he doesn't play since the injury worsened this week.

Jon (Canada)

Is cotchery going to be done for the year

Stephania Bell

  (11:23 AM)

Jon: Way too early to say that. I think after his setback in Week 5 and then heading into a short week in Week 6, the obvious thought was to avoid risking a major tear that would end his season. Still up in the air as to whether he plays this weekend vs Oakland and I wouldn't be surprised if he's out another week, but I expect him back eventually.

Chris (Pittsburgh)

I heard rumor that the Jets lost a key defensive player this week...should I be concerned?

Stephania Bell

  (11:24 AM)

Chris: Yes - it was a huge loss - Kris Jenkins, lost for the year with a torn ACL, leaves a huge hole in the middle of their defense. Will be tough to fill the void.

Chris (Saratoga Springs)

Hi Stephania, Any news on Sammy Morris? I was thinking of picking up Maroney(yikes)...

Stephania Bell

  (11:27 AM)

Chris: Always tough to get anything from NE. All we're hearing is that it is his "leg" - earlier we heard knee so the reports are actually getting more vague as time goes on. Maroney finally had a game worthy of fantasy consideration - you have to assume he'll be the feature guy if Morris is out - and you know we won't know much about that until we can check practice reports.

Fred (NYC)

Any word on Norwood's injury? I was holding him in case Turner got hurt -- is he a drop at this point?

Stephania Bell

  (11:28 AM)

Fred: Norwood has had some bad injury luck - first the concussions, now a hamstring injury and we know how finicky those can be. He's solid when he's in - just don't know when that will be. I would try to find someone more reliable.

Chris (ESPN)

Steph, the cotchery question asked by Jon was not answered

Stephania Bell

  (11:29 AM)

Gang: Hit refresh, it's showing up on my chat screen. Sometimes this happens - sorry about that...

Eric (Pittsburgh)

Manning's knee?

Stephania Bell

  (11:29 AM)

Eric: No issues. He's fine.

Philip (Dallas)

Stephania, I have Aaron Rodgers. How worried should I be about the injury to Clifton, his lineman? The pass protection has been terrible this year.

Stephania Bell

  (11:31 AM)

Philip: Very worried -never like a setback. McCarthy did say they don't think it's as severe as the original - but the fact that he was setback during his first appearance since injury means they may hold him out longer this time.

Andrew (Philadelphia (displaced Niners fan))

Stephania, do you consider Crabtree to be a higher injury risk for the rest of the season because of all the time he sat out and because he's a rookie?

Stephania Bell

  (11:31 AM)

Andrew: No. He's obviously been maintaining his conditioning or they wouldn't be so confident about putting him in their lineup. I think his chances are the same as anyone else's.

Tom (Ohio)

How is willie parkers toe after sunday? Is mendanhall likely to get the start again this week or will parker be well enough to take back the majority of the carries?

Stephania Bell

  (11:33 AM)

Tom: Sounds like no worse for having played. Their running game wasn't hugely effective and his fumble didn't help him. So I think he continues to get better with another week, although these things can remain in the background for quite some time.

Eric (Pittsburgh)

concussion keeping Trent out?

Stephania Bell

  (11:34 AM)

Eric: Doesn't look good at this point.

Chuck (NYC)

Good morning...any updates on statford and culpepper?

Stephania Bell

  (11:36 AM)

Chuck: Stafford situation murky. Chris Mortensen reporting that Stafford had a repeat MRI that was sent to Dr. Andrews for a second opinion. Stafford and Lions stating they know nothing about this and that he continues day-to-day. I will say that the fact that he had a setback mid-week is not encouraging, but he does have the bye coming up so we'll see how he does with some extra rest. Culpepper tweaked a hamstring and should be fine after the bye - sounded not too serious.

Rigs (State)

Any word on Mario Manninham's injury?

Stephania Bell

  (11:37 AM)

Rigs: Reportedly not serious - just allowed Nicks to get more playing time b/c he got banged up. Sounds as if the GIants expect him to play Sunday.

Tyler (VT)

Hi Star! Anything to worry about with Forte's knee? Has this led to the lack of production?

Stephania Bell

  (11:39 AM)

Tyler: It's certainly a worhtwhile question. The Bears took him off the injury report indicating he was fully practicing and there were no concerns - but he hasn't really run as well as expected. Makes you wonder...

Matt (Minneapolis)

Any word on Winfield or Peterson?

Stephania Bell

  (11:41 AM)

Matt: AP tweaked an ankle and while it didn't look good on video, he says it's no big deal, he's fine. Sounds like they expect him to play as usual. Winfield a concern. He has a sprained foot and it's unclear at this stage whether he''l be available for this week.

Mark (Omaha)

Is LT 100% again or is the ankle going to hurt him all year?

Stephania Bell

  (11:41 AM)

Mark: He's fine. He ran the best he's run all year last night and looked good.

Tim (San Diego)

Darren McFadden has already been ruled out this week. Will he be back next week or week 10 after the bye?

Stephania Bell

  (11:43 AM)

Tim: No one has said for sure but I would not expect him until after the bye. I've said all along that these scopes usually take closer to 4 weeks than 2 to return from - and Week 10 sounds more reasonable.

Joe (TX)

Any update on Lendale White? Worth dropping for Donald Brown?

Stephania Bell

  (11:44 AM)

Joe: It looked bad when he was carted off but he walked out of the facility under his own power. It's his knee that's sprained - that's all we know. I would definitely take Donald Brown.

Brandon ("The OC", Ca.)

Stephania, Jacobs stinger? Nothing serious? Also, would you trade Manningham for Smith(Panthers)?

Stephania Bell

  (11:47 AM)

Brandon: Yes - we saw the medical staff working on Jacobs' neck on the sidelines during the game. So far no report of anything serious. And he did manage to come back and had a nice reception so I'm not sure there is anything to worry about. I would probably make your trade at this point.

Ted (Montpellier, France)

Hey Stephania, Go Niners. I am a new Addai owner. Why does he have that red P next to his name? (Obviously, "probable", but please expound upon it...). Thanks!

Stephania Bell

  (11:50 AM)

Ted: Because he left the last game with a shoulder injury briefly - but then returned. The fact that he returnedmade it appear not too serious - and we haven't heard a thing about it while they were on bye - so am assuming this is not a big deal for him this week. He gets nicked a lot - but so far haven't seen anything that would likely keep him out.

Scott (Miami)

How much does the injury to C. Samuels affect Cooley's value from here on out?

Stephania Bell

  (11:51 AM)

Scott: I think it hurts a fair amount b/c Cooley will be called on to block more overall and I'm not sure that changes as the season progresses.

Joseph (Dallas, TX)

Fred Jackson's status? he limped off the field in overtime

Stephania Bell

  (11:52 AM)

Joseph: No word of any injury with Jackson.

Josh (Williamsburg)

Star, any word on Pierre Thomas's hamstring that surprised us last week? Is Thomas's hamstring what allowed Bush to vulture my TDs?

Stephania Bell

  (11:53 AM)

Josh: Nope. They were just mixing it up. He apparently emerged just fine.

Marc (Tucson)

What about Boldin? What is a "high ankle sprain" and what is the typical recovery time?

Stephania Bell

  (11:56 AM)

Marc: Just an FYI. I cannot confirm that he has a high ankle sprain -although I know it's been reported in one place, but am not confident that that is certain. THat said, high ankle sprains tend to take longer than routine sprains to recover from - often several weeks before a player can return (4-6) especially is the position demands mobility...

Stephania Bell

  (11:57 AM)

Since I keep getting posts that there was no COtchery answer, I am pasting it again here. The question was whether he was done for the year:(2610783) Stephania Bell: Jon: Way too early to say that. I think after his setback in Week 5 and then heading into a short week in Week 6, the obvious thought was to avoid risking a major tear that would end his season. Still up in the air as to whether he plays this weekend vs Oakland and I wouldn't be surprised if he's out another week, but I expect him back eventually.

James (PA)

Starphania, how did Barber do in their bye week? Is he continuing to improve?

Stephania Bell

  (12:00 PM)

James: About the best thing we can say is that he rested his quad during the bye week and that could only have helped the healing process. We won't know until we see him run whether he has his trademark explosiveness and he can certainly continue to improve as he plays, but I expect him to run well this week.

Merrill (GA)

Is jiggered a word??? LOL! How is Ricky Williams?

Stephania Bell

  (12:03 PM)

Merrill: Pod Vader invents words when he's trying to defend himself against our outbursts.. :)Williams sprained his ankle on the final drive of their last game but Sparano said it was nothing to worry about and I believe him. No concerns about him out of Miami this week.

Stephania Bell

  (12:03 PM)

OK everyone - thanks for coming. Great questions as always. See you again Friday morning at the same time. Have a great week!