Rashard Mendenhall: Mike Tomlin refuses to lean one way or another in terms of Mendenhall’s status for Week 1. Regardless of the designation, I just can’t see him being ready to come back and play at this level so soon. Mendenhall has been quoted as being fired up and motivated to come back this week, but I just can’t see the training staff and Coach Tomlin risking big carries in Week 1, so even if he plays, expect 10 touches at the most.
Ryan Mathews: He’s participating in individual drills every day and has been much more active around the Chargers practice facility, but he still has not received clearance for contact. I like his long-term chances of playing a big role this season because they’re doing the right thing and giving that clavicle time to heal properly. Contact would be detrimental to his recovery and could set him back weeks, if not months, if he gets hit in the wrong spot. My gut feeling: He misses two weeks (which would put him roughly 6 weeks post-surgery, which was the original prognosis), gets clearance in the next 10 days or so, and comes back full bore for Week 3. Stay way this week for sure.
Austin Collie: Concussions are very tough to predict, in terms of both clearance to return and how they will respond to that first big hit. Even Collie himself isn’t 100% sure of what’s going to happen, because he was singing a different tune in the past few weeks. There seems to be an air of uncertainty surrounding Collie, which should scare you a bit in terms of him playing this week. I’m always weary of guys with chronic concussion issues, especially since he’s been down this road before: 2 concussions in 2010, 1 concussion in Week 2 of the 2012 preseason. He has been cleared to practice, which is a positive, but until I see him out there, take a couple hits, and bounce back up, I’d sit him.
Trent Richardson: He practiced today in full pads and seemed to come through it okay. Coach Shurmur made it sound like Richardson will be all systems go for Week 1, but no commitment was given in terms of touches/carries. Two surgeries in one year can sound tricky, but the most recent one (Aug 9th) was arthroscopic to clean out a “hang nail” piece of cartilage that was irritating the joint space of his knee. No setbacks (from either surgery) have been reported and numerous reports say he looked great in practice this week. Meniscal injuries are not terribly serious in the grand scheme of things, and this month he’s had off (he didn’t play a pre-season game) is more than enough recovery time for a routine scope. Gut feeling: I think he plays, and more than has been reported. I like him as a flex this week against the Eagles, so long as you don’t have a better option.
Denarius Moore: He returned to practice today, which is a welcome sign since he’s been out since August 4th. These tricky hamstring strains scare the crap out of me, especially with speed guys who’s primary job is to stretch the field. There is no widely regarded timetable for returning from hamstring strains, but this muscle group in particular seems to linger more than others because of how important it is for explosiveness off the line, changing directions, and slowing down. So essentially, it’s involved in all phases of being a WR. The Raiders play Monday, which is good because it gives him an extra day, but bad because you’re taking a big risk if you’re waiting to see if he plays since the majority of games will already be done. Avoid this week, revisit next week.
Lightning Round:
Marshawn Lynch: Still plagued by back spasms, I think he sits this week. Back spasm flare ups can be debilitating and really restrict motion and mobility.
Jonathan Stewart: No full practice participation, has missed two weeks of practice, Williams/Tolbert are both healthy, he sits and rests his sprained ankle this week and probably next as well
Brian Urlacher: He sat today, but was a full participant the last two days. I like the Bears D a ton this week and it looks like their anchor will be ready. Fearless prediction: Health + Colts O + Rookie QB = Top fantasy D this week
Stevie Johnson: Had some tightness of his surgically repaired groin, sat out practice today. He played all of last season with a strained groin, so this precaution shouldn’t scare you. Roll with Stevie J.
Ziad Dahdul 