Until Monday night, you had no reason to own Brian Westbrook.

The former fantasy stud had all of five carries for 9 yards in his 49ers career. Thanks in part to the Cardinals, along with an injury to Frank Gore, Westbrook rushed for 136 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries.

Then came the postgame news that could change the landscape of the fantasy football postseason: Gore has a fractured right hip, likely ending his season.

If you have Gore on your team, you're obviously in a huge bind as the fantasy football regular season enters its final week in most leagues. Depending on your waiver-wire priority, Westbrook might not be a possible acquisition, since he's a rare find -- a late-season potential standout at running back.

If you have a chance to get Westbrook, you have to, with one caveat: If you're 3-9 or 4-8 and have zero chance to make the postseason in your league, the right thing to do might be to let the contenders have a crack at Westbrook, since the best the back can do is help you win your fourth or fifth game.

Westbrook might not have another game like he did Monday night -- at least until the 49ers play host to the Cardinals in Week 17, which is a week after most of the fantasy championships are played. But he should be a decent No. 2 back in any format, and a potential standout in point-per-reception leagues.

From 2006 to '08, the 31-year-old averaged 1,162 yards per season on the ground. In that span, he had averages of 74 catches for 624 yards per year and scored 37 total touchdowns.

San Francisco's schedule the next four weeks isn't very favorable. It begins with a Week 13 game at Green Bay (No. 18 vs. the run, but only five rushing TDs given up), followed by a home contest against Seattle (No. 22 vs. the run, 11 rushing TDs allowed). In Week 15, the 49ers play at the Chargers (No. 3 vs. the run, eight rushing TDs), then travel to face the Rams (No. 12, five rushing TDs).

The schedule could be better. But you can't be too picky when a potential No. 2 back is available this late in the season.

Brian Westbrook leading you to a fantasy football title. If that happens, you can party like it's 2007.

A quick note before we get to the goodies: Click here for today's analysis of Vincent Jackson's fantasy value, along with items on Keiland Williams and Blair White, and a few quick hitters for today's games.

PATRIOTS AT LIONS

Start 'em

Patriots: QB Tom Brady, RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis, WR Wes Welker, WR Deion Branch

Lions: QB Shaun Hill, WR Calvin Johnson, WR Nate Burleson, TE Brandon Pettigrew

Sit 'em

Patriots: RB Danny Woodhead, TE Aaron Hernandez, TE Rob Gronkowski, defense and special teams, K Shayne Graham

Lions: RB Jahvid Best, RB Maurice Morris, TE Tony Scheffler, defense and special teams, K Dave Rayner

SAINTS AT COWBOYS

Start 'em

Saints: QB Drew Brees, WR Marques Colston, WR Lance Moore, defense and special teams, K Garrett Hartley

Cowboys: WR Miles Austin, WR Dez Bryant, TE Jason Witten

Sit 'em

Saints: RB Chris Ivory, RB Reggie Bush, WR Robert Meachem, TE Jeremy Shockey

Cowboys: QB Jon Kitna, RB Felix Jones, RB Marion Barber, RB Tashard Choice, WR Roy Williams, defense and special teams, K David Buehler

BENGALS AT JETS

Start 'em

Bengals: RB Cedric Benson, WR Terrell Owens, WR Chad Ochocinco

Jets: QB Mark Sanchez, RB LaDainian Tomlinson, WR Braylon Edwards, WR Santonio Holmes, defense and special teams, K Nick Folk

Sit 'em

Bengals: QB Carson Palmer, WR Jordan Shipley, TE Jermaine Gresham, defense and special teams, K Mike Nugent

Jets: RB Shonn Greene, TE Dustin Keller

QUICK SLANTS

-- As I wrote in the column that was linked to at the top, the Lions' Best isn't a good play after a game in which he had all of five touches. Teammate Maurice Morris had 14 touches in Week 11, and Best is bothered by a toe injury.

-- The Patriots' Woodhead is an OK play if you really need help at running back, but he shouldn't be considered a No. 2 back in 10- and 12-team leagues. The Lions rank 26th against the run and have allowed 11 TDs on the ground.

-- Reggie Bush is expected to play for the first time since Week 2, but at this point, he is at best a low-end flex play in point-per-reception leagues. Pierre Thomas has been ruled out for the Saints and Chris Ivory is coming off his best game since Week 6, but he and Bush are risky plays.

-- The Cowboys' Felix Jones could sit because of a hip injury. If that's the case, Tashard Choice is an intriguing option in PPR leagues because of his receiving ability. And it doesn't hurt that Marion Barber has been so bad (294 yards, 3.2 per carry) that the Cowboys might be anxious to give someone else a chance.

-- The Jets' Sanchez is an intriguing option after throwing for a combined 614 yards and five touchdowns in his last two games.

-- The rankings for the defenses: Patriots, No. 17 vs. run, No. 31 vs. pass, No. 30 overall, No. 23 in points allowed per game (24.2); Lions, No. 26 vs. run, tied for 13th vs. pass, No. 19 overall, No. 22 in points (23.7); Saints, tied for 13th vs. run, No. 2 vs. pass, No. 4 overall, No. 4 in points (17); Cowboys, No. 22 vs. run, tied for 21st vs. pass, No. 22 overall, No. 28 in points (27.1); Bengals, No. 23 vs. run, No. 18 vs. pass, No. 18 overall, No. 26 in points (26.2); Jets, No. 5 vs. run, No. 16 vs. pass, No. 7 overall, No. 5 in points (17.7).

If you have Hakeem Nicks, today was a bad day.

If you have Randy Moss, it likely has been a bad year.

Monday, it was announced Nicks will miss at least the Giants' next three games because of a nerve condition in his lower right leg. That takes the Giants receiver out of your lineup through at least Week 14, which means you won't get your No. 1 receiver back until the fantasy semifinals, if at all.

Mario Manningham likely isn't available on your league's waiver wire. If he is, however, he should be priority No. 1, since the Giants also will be without Steve Smith for at least one more week. Manningham -- who had 10 receptions for 91 yards and a TD in Week 10 (New York's first game without Smith) -- is now Eli Manning's top target.

The good news, at least if you have Manningham: Sunday, the Giants will play host to the Jags, who entered Week 11 ranked 28th in the NFL defending the pass.

A few more thoughts as we get set to play the second-to-last week of the fantasy regular season:

-- If you're desperate for a running back, Carolina's Mike Goodson has had back-to-back 100-yard games for a terrible team. Goodson has rushed for 220 yards on 45 carries the last two weeks, and Sunday he will face the Browns, who were No. 21 vs. the run before Maurice Jones-Drew ran over them in Week 11. If you do acquire Goodson, keep this in mind: He's only valuable if Jonathan Stewart is sidelined. The latter has missed Carolina's last two games because of a concussion.

START 'EM

-- Nate Burleson, WR, Lions: He has 31 receptions in his last five games. In his last three, he has a combined 18 catches for 257 yards and two touchdowns.

-- Santonio Holmes, WR, Jets: This is an obvious one, but Holmes likely wasn't in many starting lineups until his recent three-game surge. The former Buckeye had zero TDs in his first three games back from suspension, but has a score in two consecutive games and a combined 17 receptions for 316 yards and three TDs in his last three.

-- Mike Williams, WR, Seahawks: I've never been a believer, but it's hard to ignore the fact Williams has had four big games in his last six. He's had three games with 10 or more receptions in that span, and three with 109 yards or more.

-- Mike Thomas, WR, Jaguars: With Mike Sims-Walker banged up, Thomas has scored in three consecutive games and has 13 catches for 185 yards in his last two contests.

-- Steve Breaston, WR, Cardinals: This is for deeper PPR leagues only. Since returning from a knee injury, Breaston has 20 receptions for 365 yards in four games.

SIT 'EM

-- Steve Smith, WR, Panthers: The Panthers' QBs have combined to crush Smith's value. The volatile one has been held out of the end zone in five consecutive games and has 34 catches for 411 yards and two TDs in nine games on the season. Smith has had 50 receiving yards or fewer in six of his last seven.

DROP 'EM

-- Clinton Portis, RB, Redskins: If you need the roster space, it's OK to let go of Portis even after he returned from a groin injury. The ailment limited him to five carries for 32 yards last week, and Keiland Williams (68 yards rushing, six catches for 27 yards Sunday) has emerged as Washington's featured back with Ryan Torain battling a hamstring injury.

-- Randy Moss, WR, Titans: It's almost unfathomable to consider dropping a healthy receiver you selected in the top 10 overall, but Moss has all of two catches for 34 yards in his last three games. Sunday, he was shut out.

-- Brett Favre, QB, Vikings: It's Legends Week in the drop section, as Favre had another touchdown-less game Sunday. He has 10 TDs and 17 interceptions on the year, and he's thrown for 250 yards or more three times in 10 games.

Stat of the week

15: Total yards receiving by the Cowboys' Dez Bryant (three catches for 8 yards) and Miles Austin (two for 7 yards) on Sunday against the Lions. The pair combined for three TDs -- scores of 1, 3 and 4 yards.

START 'EM

Bears: RB Matt Forte, K Robbie Gould, defense and special teams

Dolphins: WR Brandon Marshall, K Dan Carpenter, defense and special teams

Quick slants: Forte has rushed for only 159 yards and been held out of the end zone in his last three games, but he has six TDs overall and is an asset in PPR leagues (30 receptions for 324 yards and three scores). ... Gould has 59 points in nine games, but scored nine last week and should have a few field-goal attempts in what could be a low-scoring game. ... The Bears' defense ranks fourth in total yards (301.9 per game), second in points (16.2) and second against the run (82.3 yards per game). ... Marshall, as we pointed out yesterday, hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 3. He has 18 catches for 185 yards in his last four games and has been limited to 71 yards or fewer in eight of nine contests with Miami. He's due (we can only hope). ... The Dolphins' defense ranks eighth in total yards (314.1 per game), 13th in points allowed (21.3) and sixth against the pass (204). ... Carpenter, with 80 points in nine games, is fantasy's best kicker. Not counting bonuses for field goals of 40 yards or more, he has scored 11 or more points in four of his last five games and has 58 points in that span.

SIT 'EM

Bears: QB Jay Cutler, RB Chester Taylor, WR Johnny Knox, WR Devin Hester, TE Greg Olsen

Dolphins: QB Tyler Thigpen, RB Ronnie Brown, RB Ricky Williams, WR Davone Bess, WR Brian Hartline, TE Anthony Fasano

Quick slants: Cutler has five touchdowns in his last two games, but had as many interceptions (seven) as touchdown passes in his first six contests. ... Taylor has a combined 21 carries the last two weeks, but has 306 total yards and one TD on the season. ... Knox has 32 receptions for 617 yards, but he's scored only one TD and has had four or fewer receptions in six of nine games. ... Hester, with 24 catches for 243 yards and two TDs, continues to prove he's much better as a returner than receiver. ... Olsen has a TD in two consecutive games, but has had 43 yards or fewer in all but one game and has nine receptions in his last five. ... Thigpen, who is making his first start since 2008 because of injuries to Chad Henne and Chad Pennington, was pretty good two years ago with the Chiefs (2,608 yards passing, 18 TDs, 386 yards rushing, three TDs), but I wouldn't play him against a Bears defense that has 14 interceptions and has allowed just six TD tosses. ... Brown has a score in two straight, but he has three TDs on the season and has rushed for 65 yards or fewer in seven of nine games. ... Williams, with 452 total yards on 36 fewer touches than Brown (137 to 101), has been more effective than his backfield mate, but you can't play him until he gets more opportunities. ... Bess has 48 catches, but has had 53 receiving yards or fewer in six of nine games and is averaging 44 yards with zero TDs in his last three. ... Hartline had five catches for 98 yards last week, but you don't want to take a chance on a No. 3 receiver who hasn't had a TD since Week 2 -- even if he is a former Buckeye. ... Fasano had a big Week 10 (five catches for 107 yards and one TD), but had a combined nine catches for 111 yards and zero scores in the three games prior to that.

We'll get to much more in the next couple of days, but first our weekly rapid-fire reaction from the week that was (albeit a day later than you and I would like):

Start 'em

-- Fred Jackson, RB, Bills: With C.J. Spiller out at least a week with a hamstring injury and Marshawn Lynch in Seattle, the carries are all Jackson's. The latter had 25 rushes for 133 yards and a TD, along with six receptions for 37 yards and a score, last week against Detroit. Sunday, Buffalo will face Cincinnati, which ranks 22nd vs. the run and has given up eight TDs on the ground.

-- Santonio Holmes, WR, Jets: He has 10 receptions for 190 yards and a TD in his last two games (I'm guessing you remember the touchdown all too well), after compiling 10 catches for 131 yards and zero scores in his first three contests back from a four-game suspension. This week, the Jets face the Texans, who are allowing 301 yards passing per game and have yielded a league-worst 22 TD tosses.

-- Mario Manningham, WR, Giants: He has three touchdowns in his last four games, and in his first game with Steve Smith out, Manningham had 10 receptions for 91 yards and a TD last week. He's a must-play as long as Smith is out, which could be a few more games.

-- Jermaine Greshman, TE, Bengals: This is for deep leagues only. The rookie had the best game of his career last week, catching nine passes for 85 yards and a TD at Indy. He's had four or more catches in six of nine games, and Sunday he'll face the Bills, who have allowed 18 TD passes and totaled only two interceptions.

Sit 'em

-- Randy Moss, WR, Titans: I would dismiss him completely, but Tennessee's schedule the next three weeks -- the Redskins at home, at the Texans, home against the Jaguars -- is tempting. The three teams rank 29th (Jags), 31st (Redskins) and 32nd (Texans) against the pass and have allowed a combined 59 touchdown passes, compared to 22 interceptions, this season. Regardless, I have a difficult time playing a receiver who has five receptions for 64 yards and zero touchdowns in his last three games. The zero also matches how much Moss seems to care these days.

-- Jahvid Best, RB, Lions: If you can afford to make this move, I would. The rookie scored five TDs in his first two games, but has none since. On the season, he's averaging 3.1 yards per carry and has yet to hit the 400-yard mark on the ground.

Stat of the week

1: Touchdown by Brandon Marshall this season. The Dolphins receiver scored in Week 3, and hasn't reached the end zone since. In the six-game scoreless span, Marshall has 33 catches for 362 yards.

Last season, Marshall had 101 receptions for 1,120 yards and 10 TDs for the Broncos. This year, he's on pace to come close to matching his 2009 totals in receptions and yards (98 for 1,159), while falling eight or nine TDs shy of his 10 from a year ago.

All of which begs the question: Are we witnessing possibly the worst 100-catch season in history?

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START 'EM

Ravens: QB Joe Flacco, RB Ray Rice, WR Anquan Boldin, K Billy Cundiff, defense and special teams

Falcons: RB Michael Turner, WR Roddy White, TE Tony Gonzalez, K Matt Bryant

Quick slants: Flacco has thrown for 801 yards and seven touchdowns (with no interceptions) in his last three games. ... Rice has been held to two touchdowns in eight games, but his Week 9 numbers (83 yards rushing, seven receptions for 97 yards) were encouraging. His previous high in receiving yards this season was 38. ... Boldin had his second-worst game of the year last week (two catches for 28 yards), but he's on pace for 80 catches and 10 TDs. ... Cundiff is averaging 7.6 points per game (not counting fantasy bonuses for field goals of 40 yards or more) and has 27 points in his last two contests. He is 7-for-8 in field goals and perfect in six point-after attempts in the two games. ... The Ravens' defense ranks sixth in points allowed per game (17.4) and ninth in total yards allowed (310.8). ... White is expected to play, despite injuring his knee last week. He is on pace for 116 catches for 1,592 yards and 10 TDs. ... Don't be hesitant to play Turner against the Ravens, who rank 13th against the run and have allowed five rushing TDs. Turner has 228 rushing yards and four TDs in his last two games. ... With White banged up last week, Gonzalez had his most receptions (eight) and yards (72) since Week 3.

SIT 'EM

Ravens: RB Willis McGahee, WR Derrick Mason, TE Todd Heap

Falcons: QB Matt Ryan, defense and special teams

Quick slants: McGahee had scored a TD in three consecutive games prior to being held out of the end zone in Week 9. Unless he scores, he's not worth playing (231 rushing yards, 48 receiving yards in eight games). ... Mason has been productive in two of his last three games, but Boldin is clearly the Ravens' top option, limiting Mason's value. The latter has had only two games with more than 48 receiving yards this season. ... Heap had a combined three TDs in Weeks 6 and 7. Take away those two games, and he has 20 catches for 233 yards and zero TDs in six contests. ... Ryan has start-worthy stats (1,949 yards, 13 TDs, five interceptions), but if you have a quality backup, I would sit him against a Ravens defense that ranks ninth against the pass and has as many interceptions (eight) as TD passes allowed. ... The Falcons' defense is tied for 21st in the league in total yards allowed per game (346.4). Atlanta is 10th in points allowed per game (19.3).

Once in a while (OK, a lot), real life gets in the way of our fantasy lives as wanna-be general managers.

For that reason, we are getting to the usual quick takes from the week that was -- two days later than usual.

Let's take stock of what we've seen thus far ...

Stock up

-- Nate Burleson, WR, Lions: Yes, Matthew Stafford is out, but Stafford has been out for all but two games this season. Burleson has 20 receptions and two TDs in his last three games, and 14 catches for 160 yards in his last two. In four games since returning from injury, he has 24 catches for 266 yards and three scores.

-- Brandon Marshall, WR, Dolphins: Chad Pennington replacing Chad Henne at quarterback certainly can't hurt. Marshall has one TD all season, and it was in Week 3. In his last three games, he has 15 catches for 151 yards.

-- Bernard Berrian, WR, Vikings: At least until Sidney Rice returns and Berrian moves to third on the depth chart. Berrian had nine receptions for 89 yards last week -- the Vikings' first game post-Moss Take II. If you need a third receiver, he's a decent play as long as Rice is on the PUP list.

-- Dwyane Bowe, WR, Chiefs: That's now six TDs in his last four games after he had nine receptions and one TD in his first four.

Stock down

-- Ricky Williams, RB, Dolphins: You probably weren't playing him anyway, but you might have held on to him, figuring Ronnie Brown would go down with an injury at some point. Instead, Brown had a productive Week 9, against the Ravens of all defenses (while he lingered on many of our benches), and Williams had all of one carry. What do with Brown from here on out is a mystery, but I'm inclined to play him, since he had 14 touches to Williams' one last week, and he had 99 total yards with the TD.

-- Miles Austin, WR, Cowboys: He hasn't scored in his last four games, he has 38 receiving yards or fewer in three of his last four, and Jon Kitna is his quarterback. Kitna has thrown for 562 yards in two starts in place of Tony Romo, but he's been picked off six times and thrown only two TD passes.

Two-point conversion

-- Seyi Ajirotutu is a great name, and the Chargers receiver had a great game in Week 9 (four receptions for 111 yards and two TDs), but it was against Houston. The Texans are allowing a league-worst 298 passing yards per game, and the opposition has thrown for 20 touchdowns, with only five interceptions. There's also the fact that when Vincent Jackson returns from his suspension (Week 12) and Malcom Floyd returns from injury (possibly Week 11), Ajirotutu will be San Diego's No. 4 receiver, behind Jackson, Floyd and Patrick Crayton.

-- We'll be back Thursday with a start-and-sit list for the game between the Ravens and Falcons.

In a column for Friday's print and online editions, we address Randy Moss' value as a Titan, along with the emergence of Jacob Tamme as a top-10 option at tight end because of all the injuries at the position.

Click here early Friday morning to find the column.

Until then, let's update more key injuries as we enter Week 9:

-- Cardinals running back Beanie Wells suffered an allergic reaction to a lubricant injection in his right knee (unfortunately, it always seems to be something with this former Buckeye). He plans to practice Friday, and he's scored a touchdown in two consecutive games. Arizona's opponent Sunday, the Vikings, rank 13th against the run, an uncharacteristically high number for Minnesota. If Wells is active (the Cardinals play at 1 p.m., so time won't be an issue), I'd consider him a flex play in 12-team leagues.

-- Colts running backs Joseph Addai (neck and shoulder injuries) and Mike Hart (ankle) didn't practice Thursday, and both seem to be doubtful for Sunday's game at Philadelphia. Enter Donald Brown and Javarris James. The latter is a rookie from Miami with three carries for 4 yards. The former is a 2009 first-round pick who hasn't lived up to expectations and has been outplayed by Hart, a sixth-round selection in 2008. Of the two, I'd play Brown, but only if both Addai and Hart are inactive. The Eagles rank 18th against the run.

-- Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (foot) is expected to sit for a second consecutive week. Jonathan Stewart (14 carries for 30 yards) was a bust last week, but I would start him Sunday against the Saints, considering six teams have a bye this weekend -- making Stewart a top-20 back almost by default. The Saints are the league's No. 16 run defense, but have allowed only two rushing TDs in eight games.

-- Colts receiver Austin Collie practiced fully Thursday and is in line to start Sunday, which is a week or two earlier than we were led to believe he would return. He's a must play, especially with Anthony Gonzalez again hampered by an injury (this time, his knee).

-- Up-and-down Seahawks receiver Mike Williams missed practice Wednesday with a bruised knee, and Seattle will face the league's top pass defense Sunday in the Giants. I wouldn't play him unless you're desperate for a third receiver.

-- Packers receiver Donald Driver, who hasn't had a catch in his last two games, won't play Sunday against the visiting Cowboys because of a quadriceps injury. He is expected back in Week 11, following the Packers' bye next week. If you are looking for help, teammates James Jones and Jordy Nelson will be the Nos. 2 and 3 receivers. Jones, who had four catches for 107 yards in Week 7, is the better start in leagues that don't award a point per reception. Nelson should be the more productive of the two in PPR leagues after catching 13 passes in his last three games. The 2008 second-round pick hasn't scored a touchdown this season.

-- Chargers receiver Malcom Floyd probably will miss a third consecutive game with a hamstring injury. Sounds like a good week to start teammate Patrick Crayton against the Texans, who are giving up a league-worst 299 passing yards per game.

-- Texans receiver Andre Johnson isn't practicing because of a sore ankle, but he's expected to play Sunday. The Texans play at 1, so by now you know the drill with A.J., who always produces and always seems to have a lingering injury.

-- Vikings receiver Percy Harvin lost Moss, who significantly increased his fantasy value, as a teammate on Monday. Now Harvin might be out because of an ankle injury. With Harvin banged up and Sidney Rice not ready to return, Bernard Berrian could return to a prominent role in the passing game. Minnesota will play host to Arizona on Sunday. The Cards rank 21st against the pass.

-- Patriots receiver Deion Branch was limited in practice by a hamstring injury. He had only one catch for 21 yards last week, and I wouldn't play him Sunday against the Browns.

Stat of the week

7.2: Yards per touch for Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles this season. He has 103 carries for 666 yards, an average of 6.5 yards per attempt, and 16 receptions for 191 yards (11.9). In Kansas City's first three games, Charles had 39 touches. In the last four contests, he has 80 touches for 527 yards (428 yards rushing, 99 receiving). I think I speak for every Charles owner when I say, thank you for coming around, Todd Haley and Charlie Weis.

We'll address the impact of the Vikings unceremoniously dumping Randy Moss -- and seemingly infuriating everyone but Brad Childress in the process -- but first we'll take a quick trip around the NFL as we enter Week 9, just past the halfway point for leagues that play a 13-game regular season and three-week postseason.

-- Cadillac Williams, you had a good run, or at least an injury-filled one. But that sound you heard Sunday was the keys being handed to LeGarrette Blount, who rushed for 120 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries against the Cardinals. Granted, it was the Cardinals, but considering the state of fantasy running backs, I'd play the young Buc who has rushed for 192 yards on 33 carries (5.8) in his last two games.

Start 'em

-- Jacob Tamme, TE, Colts: Hey, why not? First, you'll probably have to pick him up, since Tamme was owned in only 4.2 percent of the leagues on ESPN.com entering Week 8. Tamme didn't have a catch all season and had six catches for 47 yards in his three-year career prior to Monday. After a six-reception, 64-yard, one-TD performance in place of Dallas Clark against the Texans, he's certainly worth a starting spot.

-- Matthew Stafford, QB, Lions: He threw for 212 yards, four touchdowns and one interception his his first game since Week 1. He also has Calvin Johnson on his team. That's good enough for me.

-- Steve Breaston, WR, Cardinals: In his first appearance since Week 3, he had eight receptions for 147 yards. He's played in only four games and his quarterback may or may not be Derek Anderson, but if you need a third receiver, you could do a lot worse than a player who has 22 receptions for 330 yards in four games. An aside: Arizona's schedule in Weeks 14-16 (fantasy playoff time): home against Denver, at Carolina, home against Dallas.

Sit 'em

-- Felix Jones, RB, Cowboys: He bruised his left forearm and sprained his ankle in Week 8. Since rushing 14 times for 109 yards and catching four passes for 17 yards in Week 5, he has 31 rushes for 89 yards (2.9) and zero touchdowns. The only positive (and it's not Marion Barber still poaching the goal-line carries): Jones has 16 catches for 102 yards in that span.

-- Donald Driver, WR, Packers: He's been bothered by thumb and quad injuries, leading to the veteran failing to catch a pass in back-to-back games. The Packers have a bye in Week 10, so it might make a lot of since to rest him Sunday against the visiting, reeling, rancid, rudderless (feel free to insert your negative description here) Cowboys.

Stock up

-- BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB, Patriots: Now this is a surprising development. A Patriots running back has a TD in five straight games, and his name sounds like someone you would choose to represent you if you're a Vikings fan deciding to sue Childress for neglect of talent. Green-Ellis had 17 carries for 112 yards and two scores against the Vikings. In the five-game span, he has rushed for 330 yards and six TDs, averaging 4.8 yards per carry.

Stock down

-- Jahvid Best, RB, Lions: Sunday, he split carries with Kevin Smith. The rookie had five TDs in his first two games and has zero in five contests since. He has rushed for 199 yards in the five games and is no longer an automatic start. Best is much better suited to PPR formats. He's on pace for 82 receptions this season.

-- Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seahawks: He had nine carries for 7 yards in Week 8 at Oakland. He got some of our hopes up by scoring a TD in his first game after being traded by Buffalo to Seattle, but the former fantasy must-start has 33 carries for 96 yards (2.9) with zero TDs and zero receptions in his last two games.