Keith Lipscomb

  (11:04 AM)

Stephania had a taping pushed back this morning, but she will join you to answer your questions in 10-15 minutes. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Stephania Bell

  (11:13 AM)

Happy Friday everyone - just out of taping Fantasy Football Now Friday...thanks for hanging in...concerns heading into Week 7? Lots of teams on bye, tricky for subs..

Matt (St. Louis)

I know you're too nice to ignore a question just because I'm a Cardinal fan... Any word on Bradshaw this weekend? My other option is Felix Jones. Thank you!

Stephania Bell

  (11:15 AM)

Matt: Let me get it out of the way now...and show you I can be a good sport...(at least one of my teams won last night)...Bradshaw I expect will play. And I definitely like him over Jones.

Big Al (D.C.)

Have to start Alex Green this week. Is he ok to play?

Stephania Bell

  (11:16 AM)

Big Al: Expect he is. Think they're holding him back in practice b/c they've committed to him being a guy who will be the primary ball carrier and they want to decrease his exposure in practice.

David (NC)

Can you explain what does limited in practice really mean? Does it look like J. Graham will be able to play this Sunday?

Stephania Bell

  (11:18 AM)

David: Great question, but the answer is that it can be highly variable. Reflects that a guy took limited practice reps. So you don't necessarily know whether he just did a few light drills on the practice field or whether he engaged in the majority of team work, just sitting out a few plays. Sometimes the guys will hint at it in speaking with media post-practice but practice not open to media for more than a half hour usually, so not much for them to see. As far as Graham, looks like Saints are leaning towards having him, but he will not be fully healthy.

Darren (MN)

Vincent Brown...What's the timetable outlook? Should I drop Kerley now for him in a TD heavy scoring league?

Stephania Bell

  (11:20 AM)

Darren: Originally sounded like the Chargers expected to have him 11/1. But he was eligible to return to practice this week and hasn't done so. The longer he continues to be held out (and there hasn't been any good info as to why), the more concerning it is that he won't make that game.

Ryan (Charleston, SC)

Hi Stephania... I noticed Frank Gore seemed to sound short of breath in the post game presser. I'm just speculating, but did he sustain a rib injury? Or do you have any insight into what happened to him last night? Thanks!

Stephania Bell

  (11:21 AM)

Ryan: Good observational skills. He did have bruised ribs but no fracture (per x-rays taken at the stadium). Thankfully he has a little extra time before the next game.

Jeff (CT)

Any concern with Vincent Jackson? Popped up on the injury report mid-week. Would injury concerns put him on my bench, behind Wallace, this week?

Stephania Bell

  (11:22 AM)

Jeff: Need to see what happens today. When a player gets added late in the week, often means something happened in practice to then limit his workout. He was listed with a calf injury, whether it was just a minor thing where they proactively ended his day early yesterday or whether it's something to worry about will become more apparent after today.

Matt (Houston)

What's the deal with Aaron Rodgers Stephania? Is that questionable tag something I need to be worried about this weekend and find a more suitable backup than Fitzpatrick?

Stephania Bell

  (11:23 AM)

Matt: Calf strain from the Week 6 game. Sat out Weds but was back yesterday. Don't think there's any real reason to worry about his status for Sunday.

Paul (Denver)

Any fear over Lloyd not playing (effectively)?

Stephania Bell

  (11:24 AM)

Paul: Don't think so, mostly b/c he's not even listed on the Patriots injury report. Shows the shoulder not really a big deal.

Elvis (Mississippi)

Hi Stephania! News on DeMarco Murray?

Stephania Bell

  (11:25 AM)

Elvis: Very quiet on the Murray front in Dallas. Since they've already indicated (or Jerry Jones has) that he won't play at Carolina, there's really no need for them to tell us much b/c he's relegated to treatment only.

Captain Merlot (Franklin MA)

Huge fan Starphania! Right now I have Tanner cued up at flex, but Dwyer is avialable on waivers, how likely is it Mendy and Redman are scratches giving Dwyer the start?

Stephania Bell

  (11:27 AM)

Captain: Why, thank you. Dwyer looking more and more likely to start although that should shake out better this afternoon. Mendy and Redman haven't practiced yet and while Mendy's injury doesn't appear serious, the bigger concern is putting him out there if he's compromised when he's fresh off the ACL injury. Dwyer talking like he'll get his first start. If Mendy and Redman (who I don't think will play) don't practice today, then Dwyer gets the start.

Loren (Detroit)

Just acquired Gronk in a blockbuster, what's the deal with his hip and how much to you think this will affect his production?

Stephania Bell

  (11:29 AM)

Loren: Seems like he's fairly status quo. The hip is clearly still bothering him (and the hip may be reflective of an issue with his back and he has had surgery before). The good news is he continues to play through it. THe downside is it may be making it tough for him to fully recover. Gronk is a guy who is going to play unless they absolutely make him sit so at least you know he should be out there.

Keith (Philly)

Hi Stephania - little concernied about AP not practicing. Is his ankle going to be an all season concern?

Stephania Bell

  (11:31 AM)

Keith: Don't know about all season but it's still an issue. AP admits it's sore and is affecting his mobility but not to the degree where he feels like he can't contribute. The non-practice this week is to allow the ankle to rest with two games coming in close succession this week and next. After that he'll have a decent break, so as long as nothing happens to make it worse, that will give him a good chance to let it improve.

Matt (PA)

Garcon.... ever coming back?

Stephania Bell

  (11:34 AM)

Matt: Yes. I think the notion he's done for the year is a bit premature. It just became a situation where the pain was clearly limiting him and the team felt he should really give it the rest required to be able to come back and play the position effectively. How long that takes is the unknown but it would stand to reason that he would need a few weeks of not stressing it. He's a classic week-to-week.

Bill (Buffalo)

Is Martellus Bennet fully healthy again???

Stephania Bell

  (11:35 AM)

Bill: Don't know if it's 100% but it is no longer a concern, as evidenced by the fact he's not on the injury report.

Justin (Philly)

What are the chances of Hardesty getting the start this week?

Stephania Bell

  (11:37 AM)

Justin: Not happening. Richardson has been practicing and despite the rib injury, expect he plays. Now, they should be able to run on the Colts and Hardesty should definitely get some work but I don't expect him to start.

GG (Fargo)

Weekly update on Nicks? Better this week since he practiced wed/th?

Stephania Bell

  (11:39 AM)

GG: That is precisely the reason we know he's better this week. First time he's done back to back workouts since the start of the season. Very good sign that they weren't worried about him overdoing it in that regard. Barring a setback between now and Sunday, I expect him to start and have a good game.

Perry (Baltimore, MD)

Big fan, Stephania! How is Donald Brown's timetable progressing? I have Ballard and deciding whether I should drop for Daryl Richardson. Who would you rather own this week and next week?

Stephania Bell

  (11:42 AM)

Perry: We're not hearing much on Brown, as is often the case post-surgery when a guy is not practicing. I don't think it's as automatic coming back from a scope as the team suggests, especially since he's a running back. Ballard is at least the starter while Brown is out. So that's my choice.

Michael (OKC)

D. Keller?...Your thoughts on his return and his outlook for the season?

Stephania Bell

  (11:44 AM)

Michael: It's a good sign that he got through a week and is back in practice. As long as there are no setbacks in the next week or two, can start feeling more confident that the injury is behind him. His role should pick up.

Greg (MA)

Any Aaron Hernandez setbacks this week? Didn't seem to practice yesterday.

Stephania Bell

  (11:45 AM)

Greg: The Patriots will do that sometimes for a guy to rest and get treatment. Not a setback (as far as we're aware) but probably a deliberate move to give him a day off.

Scott (Kentucky)

What are your thoughts on Welker for Sunday? Think he will be active?

Stephania Bell

  (11:46 AM)

Scott: Yes. Another guy who is on the report because he's getting treatment and/or less reps. But plan on him playing.

Summary Of Fargo ("Geez")

The Big Janikowski, good to go?

Stephania Bell

  (11:47 AM)

Yes.

Jon (IN)

TE run! lets finish it with Jimmy Graham. Any Updates??

Stephania Bell

  (11:51 AM)

Jon: Nothing beyond the fact he returned to limited practice yesterday and is questionable for this weekend. The suggestions from those who cover the Saints is that the team would like to have him if possible, because he poses a threat that defenses have to take into account, even if he's not at his best. But it could also mean that he won't be as productive as what fantasy owners typically expect from him. And, there's always the possibility that he lands awkwardly on it, suffers an in-game setback and leaves early. So if he does end up playing, it's a bit of a roll of the dice as to how much you can count on. WIth so many teams on bye though, him being active might not leave much choice. Of course, it can always come down to a gametime decision.

Ralph (NC)

Is Lance Moore at full speed?

Stephania Bell

  (11:54 AM)

Ralph: Well, I haven't seen him run. But the fact that he was back in practice doing everything makes it seem as if the hamstring issue that kept him out in Week 5 is behind him. As I've always said, until a guy gets back into a game and gets through it (and another one or two beyond) without a setback, there's no way of knowing if it's truly in the past. But I'd feel comfortable starting him.

doug (dallas)

Would you go with the sure bet heath miller or take a chance on graham if he plays?

Stephania Bell

  (11:55 AM)

Doug: Heath Miller.

IDP (Defense)

Any news on Ngata?

Stephania Bell

  (11:55 AM)

Ngata injured his MCL but it got buried under the news of the other defensive players who were lost for the year. It seems as if he'll play but not definitive just yet.

mike (TX)

Defense Question, Is Suggs going to play?

Stephania Bell

  (11:57 AM)

Suggs is apparently traveling to Houston, per Ed Werder. No word yet - and it may not come until Sunday - whether he's activated or not. If anything, I think he sees limited action. A couple days of practice do not translate into game readiness, especially coming off a major injury like that.

Evan (Concord)

I woke up today with a P next to Big Ben. Please tell me it's gonna be okay

Stephania Bell

  (11:58 AM)

Evan: Hurt his ankle (very mildly according to reports) when he stepped on a teammate's foot in yesterday's practice. Yesterday Ben said he was fine. Won't be something that keeps him out.

Scott (Northglenn, CO)

Kenny Britt essentially 100%? ...Now that his knees are good, just needs to get those hands fixed...

Stephania Bell

  (12:00 PM)

Scott: I'm not convinced the knees/hamstrings/quads. etc are "good" just yet either. Need to see him get a few full games under his belt. Still risky for me.

Stephania Bell

  (12:01 PM)

Thanks everyone for coming to the chat. Have to vacate the room. Will update all the guys in the Saturday blog and then see you Sunday on Fantasy Football Now at 11 a.m. ET on ESPN2. Good luck in Week 7!