| PLAYER, TEAM POS | LATEST REPORT... | | Steve Smith*, Car WR IR | Smith underwent successful surgery to repair his broken left forearm on Monday, CBS Sports reports. He will go on injured reserve this week. Spin: Obviously, Smith will miss Carolina's season finale and can be dropped in seasonal leagues. Depending on his recovery time, he may miss or be limited in some of Carolina's offseason work, but should be ready by the time training camp rolls around. |
Dallas Clark, Ind TE P | Clark caught seven passes for a team-high 86 yards in Sunday's loss to the Saints in the Super Bowl. Spin: Clark recorded career-highs in both catches (100) and yards (1,106) this season, while recording 10 TDs. Clark's outstanding rapport with one of the NFL's best QBs (Peyton Manning) makes him one of the league's elite fantasy tight ends heading into the 2010 season. |
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| PLAYER, TEAM POS | LATEST REPORT... | | Matt Forte, Chi RB P | Forte underwent arthroscopic left knee surgery within the last two weeks, ESPN reports. Spin: This is more of a clean-up procedure and Forte should be fine by the time the summer rolls around. It could also explain his big drop-off this year, as he sprained his left knee in Week 3 and seemed to struggle for much of the season, finishing with just 929 rushing yards. Perhaps a healthier Forte will be like the 2008 Forte, though it remains to be seen if there's room enough for Forte and Jay Cutler to both be their productive selves while sharing a backfield. |
| Chad Ochocinco, Cin WR P | Johnson (knee) practiced fully Wednesday, the Bengals' official site reports. Spin: As we said Tuesday, we think Darrelle Revis has a better chance of slowing down Johnson Saturday than the wideout's knee injury does. |
| Jeremy Shockey, NO TE Q | Shockey caught three passes for 13 yards on Super Sunday. He did, however, provide one of the most important plays in the game, catching a two yard slant for the Saints' second touchdown. The grab gave the Saints a lead they would not relinquish and helped propel the team to its first championship in franchise history. Spin: Shockey finished the year with modest numbers, only topping the 100-yard barrier on one occasion. He managed to find the end zone twice in the playoffs though, and showed a newfound maturity this season that made him an asset for the team rather than a liability. He is under contract for next year, so expect Shockey to continue in his role as the top pass-catching tight end for the league's best offense. |
| Steve Slaton*, Hou RB IR | Slaton, who landed on IR because of a nerve issue in his neck, should be ready for next season according to coach Gary Kubiak, the Associated Press reports. Spin: Kubiak said the specialist Slaton saw about his injury believes the problem will heal on its own in 4-6 weeks. Surgery could be an option if it does not, however. "This is not career threatening," Kubiak said. "Steve's going to be fine. He will play and play well. Everything is going to be OK. They just said that right now he doesn't need to be taking any hits over the course of the next month." In the meantime, Chris Brown and Ryan Moats are in line to handle the Texans' rushing duties. |
| Jamal Lewis*, Cle RB IR | Though he is still suffering from concussion-related headaches and blurred vision, Lewis hasn't ruled out a return to the NFL, the Associated Press reports. "It's sort of a yes, no, maybe so," Lewis said. "After I get finished doing what I have to do with the concussion process and get everything straight on top, then I can make a solid decision." Spin: Our best to Lewis in his recovery, but assuming he is cleared to play, it's uncertain what sort of role would be waiting for him. |
| Donald Brown, Ind RB P | Brown hurt his toe in Sunday's AFC championship game but should be fine for the Super Bowl in two weeks, the Associated Press reports. Spin: Brown saw six carries for a modest 18 yards in Sunday's win, whereas Joseph Addai carried the mail on 18 occasions. |
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