All News

QB Freeman playing through pain
12:00 AM, 09/08
Update: NFL.com is reporting that Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Josh Freeman is expected to play in Sunday's season-opener against the Cleveland Browns. The second-year QB practiced for the first time on Tuesday since breaking his thumb on his throwing hand on Aug. 21 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Freeman says he is confident that he will be able to play through the pain. (See complete news)

Seahawks re-sign S Babineaux
06:50 PM, 09/07
Update: Yahoo! Sports is reporting that the Seattle Seahawks have re-signed S Jordan Babineaux just days after releasing him. There was an issue with his contract, and the new deal means he will accept less pay. He was set to earn about $2.5 million this year, but now will make less than that. (See complete news)

RB White has surgery
06:40 PM, 09/07
Update: ESPN.com is reporting that Denver Broncos RB LenDale White underwent surgery on Tuesday to repair a ruptured right Achilles tendon. White was recently traded from the Tenessee Titans to the Seattle Seahawks, but was then let go by Seattle and picked up by the Broncos. He will miss the entire 2010 season. (See complete news)

Several NFL teams could face blackouts
06:30 PM, 09/07
Update: Yahoo! Sports is reporting that at least 11 teams could be facing blackouts in their home markets. The rule is that each home game must be sold out 72 hours prior to kickoff in order for the game to be shown on local television stations. Last year, five teams (Jacksonville Jaguars, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, St. Louis Rams) contributed to 22 blackouts, the most in five years. (See complete news)

Ireland takes over as Dolphins czar
06:15 PM, 09/07
Update: The Associated Press is reporting that Bill Parcells has turned control of the Dolphins' day-to-day operations over to general manager Jeff Ireland. Parcells will remain with the organization as a consultant, but Ireland will assume full control over the team and support staff. Parcells' biggest contribution in Miami has been handling the bulk of draft-related responsibilities, which has netted the organization such valuable players as quarterback Chad Henne, Pro Bowl left tackle Jake Long, and cornerbacks Sean Smith and Vontae Davis. Ireland will have awfully big shoes to fill. Fantasy Impact: This is not good news for the Dolphins. After a 1-15 season, Parcells did a lot to turn the organization around, and with his presence much less visible and prominent, there are unknowns as to what direction the organization will head in. The aforementioned draft picks that Parcells was chiefly responsible for, as well as the acquisitions of good veteran players like Chad Pennington and Anthony Fasano were the building blocks for the reversal of fortunes Miami has seen over the last couple years, as relationships that guys like Pennington and Fasano, as well as head coach Tony Sparano, had formed with Parcells while with previous teams helped convince these men to come to South Florida. Ireland's biggest accomplishment was trading for Pro Bowl wideout Brandon Marshall this past offseason, but Marshall comes with baggage and cost the Dolphins the ever valuable second-round pick in 2011. As far as handling the draft goes, if Ireland's decision to ask eventual Cowboys first-round pick Dez Bryant if his mother had ever been a prostitute is indicative of the kind of professionalism fans of the fish can expect from their director of football operations, it could be a bad sign of things to come. (See complete news)

Tomlin won't guarantee Roethlisberger starting job when suspension ends
05:25 PM, 09/07
Update: ESPN.com is reporting that Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that there is no guarantee that Ben Roethlisberger will be his starting quarterback even when his four-game suspension ends. When asked if Roethlisberger would regain his starting job upon his return, Tomlin answered, "I'm going to dodge that one and not artfully. I'm not going to back myself in a corner." Fantasy Impact: For anyone who drafted Roethlisberger in the late rounds of your fantasy draft as an automatic potential starter over the last three-quarters of the season (myself included), you should monitor very closely how well Dennis Dixon plays over these next four weeks. If Dixon gives the offense a spark, with his legs as well as his arm, while making smart decisions and making clutch plays in key moments, then there really is no reason to disrupt the rhythm of the offense midseason, especially if they are 3-1 or possibly 4-0 by then. If Dixon falters and the Steelers are struggling to keep their heads above water through Week 4, then there is no reason to keep a former Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl winner on the bench. (See complete news)

Redskins and Titans discussing trade for Haynesworth
04:40 PM, 09/07
Update: The Associated Press is reporting that the Redskins and Titans are in discussions about a trade that would send defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth back to his former team. Haynesworth hasn't seen eye to eye with head coach Mike Shanahan since Shanahan arrived in the nation's capital and even last season under Jim Zorn, Haynesworth did not meet the expectations that his seven-year, $100 million contract warranted. The departure of Haynesworth from Tennessee in the 2009 offseason hurt the Titans' defensive line considerably last season and they would benefit tremendously if they were able to reacquire him either early in the season or between now and Sunday. (See complete news)

McNabb ready to play
03:25 PM, 09/07
Update: ESPN.com is reporting that Washington Redskins QB Donovan McNabb is ready to go despite a sprained ankle. McNabb says the ankle still isn't fully healed but that won't stop him from playing in the 'Skins opening game against the Cowboys on Sunday. McNabb hurt his ankle a little over two weeks ago in a preseason game. (See complete news)

Bills expected to make Spiller starting RB
02:25 PM, 09/07
Update: NFL.com's Jason LaCanfora is reporting that the Bills are expected to announce C.J. Spiller as their starting running back on Wednesday. Spiller had a strong training camp and rushed for 122 yards and 3 TD's on 26 preseason carries while Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson were sidelined with injuries. Fantasy Impact: Based on Spiller's small body of work, between college, training camp, and preseason, this is a no-brainer. Marshawn Lynch has proven that he doesn't run with the explosiveness and aggressiveness that Buffalo thought he would when they made him a first-round pick in 2007 and Fred Jackson has proven that he works best as a change of pace back. Jackson and Spiller also complement each other better than Lynch and Jackson or Spiller and Lynch. I have reservations about starting Spiller Week 1 against a tough Miami team, knowing how well defensive coordinator Mike Nolan shuts down ground games, unless you're starved for better options. However, once he gets his feet wet with the first week and the schedule softens up a little, put him right in the middle of your lineup. (See complete news)

Rams release WR Burton
01:50 PM, 09/07
Update: STLtoday.com is reporting that the St. Louis Rams have released WR Keenan Burton in order to make room for newly aquired WR Mark Clayton. Burton was the Rams' fourth-round pick in 2008 out of Kentucky. Burton played in 22 games with the Rams including seven starts but was slowed with knee injuries through his career. (See complete news)