Stephania Bell

  (11:03 AM)

Happy Friday everyone - welcome to the chat. We will get going here right away - lots of questions already in the queue!

TG (Baton Rouge)

Goodmorning Stephania, Will Dwyer be the primary RB for Pitt this weekend?

Stephania Bell

  (11:06 AM)

TG: Sure is sounding that way. Not sure that he will get the start, but Tomlin strongly hinted at him having a bigger role after he "earned" it with last week's game. So I think he ends up the primary.

Matt (DC)

I'm sure I'm about the 100th person to ask this, but any updates on Forte?

Stephania Bell

  (11:09 AM)

Matt: Congratulations! You're 101...just kidding...and the panic is understandable. It certainly didn't look good. The early word from our Adam Schefter is that a source is saying it's a high ankle sprain. So many variants of this - and it depends on the degree of injury. A good starting point is presuming a 4-6 week timeframe. Hopefully the news gets better as we learn more but better to plan ahead.

Andy (Chicago)

Jacoby Ford done for the season?

Stephania Bell

  (11:10 AM)

ANdy: Yes, expect he is. Team only saying they are considering IR. I think that will happen.

Jon (LA)

Mathews playing this Sunday and if he does, how many snaps do you think he will play?

Stephania Bell

  (11:12 AM)

Jon: Not confirmed yet. Yesterday was BIG hurdle in being cleared for contact. Imagine they go back and see how he responded to Thursday. If all good today, then seems likely. I will say this. Once he does get cleared, I think he gets the green light to work as much as possible.

AC Slater (Bayside)

Any reason for caution with Arian Foster or Demarco Murray? I see P's next to their names....

Stephania Bell

  (11:12 AM)

AC SLater: Nope. (Love when there are relatively healthy guys out there - makes it easy). Expect both to play.

Nate (NJ)

Will AP be limited in any capacity? Concerned about the reports of soreness?

Stephania Bell

  (11:14 AM)

Nate: Not concerned. This is normal when returning to game action for the first time after an injury/surgery like he had. Don't see him as limited, although Vikings say he will not be a 25 touch guy yet. We checked out his past average carries and it was typically below that number. And we know how he performed. So no worries right now.

Farrel (NJ)

Thoughts on Gates? Not happy that he hasn't practiced all week yet...

Stephania Bell

  (11:16 AM)

Farrel: I understand that. Normally I'd feel the same way. But it's Gates. Last year when his foot was so bad he often missed the entire week but played on Sunday. Bruised ribs need rest. Better to rest him and increase his chances of playing. He did come back to the game Monday night after getting hurt. AND - it was Monday when they played, so extra rest days this week make sense. Not worried yet.

Landry (Frisco,TX)

Stephania, I am a Nicks owner in all leagues. I know he is expected to play, but do you expect his production to take a step up from last week? A little worried.

Stephania Bell

  (11:17 AM)

Landry: I do. He is starting to feel like he is getting back into football shape. Remember, he missed a lot of practice time in the preseason and was not quite up to par. Foot soreness is normal. Expect him to improve week to week. Starting this week.

Stephania Bell

  (11:19 AM)

Now getting word that it is indeed a high ankle sprain for Forte. No timetable issued by team yet btu presume a month to start. Boo.

Will (Boston)

Take a wait and see approach on Kenny Britt this week, or plug him in?

Stephania Bell

  (11:22 AM)

Will: This is a big question. If it's me, I wait. Here's why. First game back after not one, not two, but three knee surgeries - an ACL and a follow-up scope, plus a scope on the other side. Has had minimal work with the team (remember just cleared for contact and full practice immediately prior to start of season, then suspended and worked out away from team for a week) AND extensive history of soft tissue injuries including serious hamstring strains. All of which make him risky to me and I need to see how he looks before I put him in my lineup. They expect him to contribute but also plan to limit his snaps.

Scott (Denver)

Have there been any updated on Garcon's foot injury? He was still very limited according to coach.

Stephania Bell

  (11:23 AM)

Scott: Not since that one. Very limited and they said they would have no idea as to his availability until Friday (assuming he tries to practice). Very hard to tell right now but certainly worrisome.

JB (PA )

Thoughts about Malcin this week w/the hip? Thanks Stephania!

Stephania Bell

  (11:26 AM)

JB: Maclin and the hip pointer were out of practice through Thursday. Here's my worry indicator. They supposedly sent him out to test the hip with some running Thursday after which he might practice. He did not practice. Sooooo...did it not go well? CLearly they decided he wasn't ready. Friday a big day typically for Andy Reid. Interestingly, he has now closed practices to media (following in step with other teams) b/c of social media...makes me think we'll have less Eagles info Friday when typically we've always had really good insight.

chase (tallahassee)

is roddy white playing this sunday?

Stephania Bell

  (11:27 AM)

Chase: I expect he will. I know he was on the injury report but does not sound major.

John P (Columbus)

What the latest on DeSean Jackson?

Stephania Bell

  (11:29 AM)

John: Missed Thursday after straining his hamstring late Wednesday. Sounds like it was a mild strain and the Eagles are hopeful he'll play SUnday. I'd like to see him do something in practice Friday.

Mark (NY)

If White's injurey is not major, then why the Q instead of a P?

Stephania Bell

  (11:29 AM)

Mark: It's a Monday night game for him. Those are also not official designations (until they get submitted to league, which for MNF is on Saturday). Lots of time for him before game.

Stephania Bell

  (11:30 AM)

And thanks everyone, realized after I typed it that he plays Monday...

Tom (DC)

So are you saying if Mathews is cleared to play for Sunday, you would feel confident starting him at RB2?

Stephania Bell

  (11:33 AM)

Tom: Yes. And then I would cross my fingers. Seriously though, I'm trusting that the bone has healed satisfactorily based on MD clearance. I expect the Chargers to use him normally once he's active.

Rick (The Land of Disney)

Hi Stephania! Love your columns. Do you believe there is something physically wrong with Michael Turner? He seems to have slowed to a glacial pace...

Stephania Bell

  (11:35 AM)

Rick: Thank you! I just think it's the thing that happens to a lot of RBs. Not as powerful, explosive and more inclined to share work.

Jeff (West Hills, CA)

Hi Stephania! With the Rams banged up offensive line, should I be worried about Steven Jackson as my RB2? Would you play BGE over him this week?

Stephania Bell

  (11:36 AM)

Jeff: Yes. And yes (at least I would). He is such a talent that it's hard for me to write that but, based on specific scenarios, I would do jsut that.

Grant (Seattle)

Thoughts on Marshawn's back spasms? Will they be a season-long occurrence?

Stephania Bell

  (11:37 AM)

Grant: I don't know that they will but he will be at risk of that occurring. I wouldn't necessarily worry week to week (at least once he seems to be past this episode) but I would not be surprised to see it crop up again at some point.

Steve (NC)

Is there any word on Aaron Rodgers' hand. I saw him flexing his hand a lot with pain on his face after taking a sack on third down last night.

Stephania Bell

  (11:38 AM)

Steve: Banged his elbow and hit the ulnar nerve. Made his fingers tingle and that's why the ball slipped out of his hands, lost his grip briefly. But within minutes he was fine. No worries.

Paul (Cleveland, OH)

Greg Jennings needs to spend less time making commercials and more time stretching... will he be back to full strength next week?

Stephania Bell

  (11:39 AM)

Paul: Expect he is. He was hoping to play last night so I think it was wise to hold him out but with the extra days before the next game, I expect him to return.

Bill (NE)

Hi Steph! Huge Fan! How is Steve Smith looking? The real Steve Smith, not the other one. :)

Stephania Bell

  (11:39 AM)

Bill: Fine. ROn Rivera says without a doubt he is playing.

brad (binghamton)

whats the deal with Revis??? is there any chance he plays this weekend?

Stephania Bell

  (11:40 AM)

Brad: Needs to be medically cleared. He says he feels fine but that's why other folks make the decision for him.

Max S (NY)

Will Fred Jackson be able to play again this year?

Stephania Bell

  (11:41 AM)

Max: Absolutely expect him to. Could be 4 weeks, could be longer depending on how he progresses over the next 7-10 days. But unless the injury is actually way worse than they've let on, I expect him back.

Justin (Rhode Island)

Is Miles Austin's hamstring injury still lingering? When will he get back to being an elite WR?

Stephania Bell

  (11:42 AM)

Justin: Don't think the injury is still there per se but I do think we haven't seen him really open it up yet. By the end of the Week 1 game he was looking better and the extra days between games should help. I'm looking for a bigger performance this week.

Mike (VA)

How effective do you think Witten can be this week?

Stephania Bell

  (11:43 AM)

Mike: Put it this way. Much more so than last week.

Rob (State College)

Baseball question for the H2H playoffs please? I've had Tulo on the DL for what seems like forever. Now that he's on the verge of coming back, do you see him as able to contribute Tulo-like numbers for the balance of the season (aka, the H2H playoffs)? Thanks and have a great weekend!

Stephania Bell

  (11:44 AM)

Rob: I don't know that I would guarantee the numbers. They are going to be very careful with him in his return. If that means resting him intermittently they will. The main goal is having him get confidence in that hip/groin before the long offseason.

Tommy (Sing Sing)

Could you do everyone a big favor Stephania and somehow acquire Megatron on your fantasy teams? Its the only way to counteract the Madden curse according to Wikipedia. Unless you already have him-in which case he's a goner.

Stephania Bell

  (11:48 AM)

Tommy: So I have Stafford on a couple of teams...but no Calvin Johnson. Let's hope he can defy the Madden curse. As far as his foot goes, no big deal. Back in practice Thursday. This is a guy who missed multiple practices mid-week last year, showed up Sundays. Until and unless we really have something to worry about, not a concern.

Crazy for Collie (Virginia)

Picked up Austin Collie this week and thought I had a steal. Now I feel like an idiot fooled by Chuck Pagano! What gives?

Stephania Bell

  (11:50 AM)

Hi Crazy: Not sure that he's deliberately misinforming everyone as much as he doesn't really know how post-concussion management truly behaves and thinks Collie will be back when he might not be ready. All we can say is they manage these injuries one day at a time, especially when the history is like Collie's.

Pete (Mahwah)

Harrison and Polamalu update?

Stephania Bell

  (11:52 AM)

Pete: It appears the Steelers could be without both of them. I would say I'll feel better about that inof when we're past Friday practices but neither looks good right now.

dave (NJ)

any word on nate washington?

Stephania Bell

  (11:53 AM)

Dave: Not practicing yet but sounds like they think he still could play.

Bill (Lansing)

Anything new on Sidney Rice?

Stephania Bell

  (11:54 AM)

Bill: Just that he has not practiced all week because of a (vague) knee issue. On Wednesday, Carroll sounded as if he expected him to play bit I would like to see him do something in Friday practice first.

Kevin (Long Island)

Trust Denarious Moore this sunday? My choice is to play him at 1pm or take a chance with Mathews at 4pm.

Stephania Bell

  (11:56 AM)

Kevin: Moore still a bit of a risk. They think he looks great in practice and the decision to hold him out Monday night was probably a very good one. Still, they have already said they plan to be cautious because he has missed so much time with the hamstring. limited snaps (although we know teams can change their mind) and, as always, first game back post-hamstring I'm always a little cautious given it's such a big test. Hopefully we know Mathews is cleared before Sunday at 4.

Kevin (USA)

Would you start Schaub over Vick this week? I have a bad feeling Vick is going to get hurt.

Stephania Bell

  (11:57 AM)

Kevin: I have that feeling every week. Worry about Vick's injury risk, despite the upside. Conservative me, I go with Schaub. Like his matchup this week.

Big Mike (Chicago)

Baseball!! Any update on Josh Hamilton??

Stephania Bell

  (11:58 AM)

Big Mike: Injection in knee, rest yesterday. Supposedly expected back in lineup today (but double check pregame).

Matt (Oakland)

All the worries regarding Frank Gore's demise were a bit premature?

Stephania Bell

  (11:59 AM)

Matt: He loves to hear that people think he's done. Motivation. I do think over the year they will integrate Hunter more, esp goal line but Gore still the clear number one for now.

Chris (Boston)

Hey Stephania, how confident are you in Leshoure being back at 100% after the achilles? Do you think he eventually gets significant touches/takes over for Smith?

Stephania Bell

  (12:00 PM)

Chris: I think the upside of Leshoure wins out eventually but it may take a few weeks. And while we've seen some glimpses of excellent running, we haven't yet seen a full game. Another one who could be a sneaky pick-up now and then hold on to him for later.

Stephania Bell

  (12:02 PM)

OK everyone - time for me to leave the chat room! Thanks so much for coming, wishing you all good luck in Week 2!! Fantasy Football Now will be on ESPNews this week because of golf programming. 11-1 ET for last minute updates.