The thumb, the thumb ... always the thumb

Oakland running Michael Bush fractured the thumb on his left hand in his team's last preseason game. He has already had surgery on it and the coaching staff is hoping he'll be ready for Week 1, although you have to wonder how effective he will be. He's still a low-end No. 3 back at this point.
Speaking of broken thumbs. Tampa Bay quarterback Josh Freeman had the soft cast removed from his broken right thumb this week. Head coach Raheem Morris is hoping the quarterback will be ready for Week 1. Freeman is a sleeper back-up quarterback heading into your draft

Houston running Steve Slaton has come down with a case of turf toe and has been wearing a walking boot this week. Although Slaton is expected to be ready for Week 1, his injury strengthens Arian Foster's hold on the No. 1 running back spot for the Texans. Foster should be considered a strong No. 3 running back.

Houston tight end Owen Daniels practice briefly this week but is still not ready to resume fulltime duties. He should either be drafted very late as a back-up or picked up off the waiver wire a few weeks into the season.

Fans of Detroit Lions rookie running back Jahvid Best can rest easy. Back-up running back Kevin Smith has been struggling this preseason which means Best is the clear-cut No. 1 going into 2010. Draft him as a solid No. 2 fantasy back.

Jacoby Jones may have moved ahead of Kevin Walter for the No. 2 receiving spot in Houston. Jones had five catches for 63 yards and a touchdown Saturday while Walter had one reception for 17 yards. Whoever wins the battle is a decent No. 4 or 5 fantasy receiver.

For those of you have already had your drafts here's a few players you might want to keep an eye on during the first week or two as potential waiver wire pick-ups.

Wide receiver Laurent Robinson (St. Louis Rams) may have some value if rookie quarterback Sam Bradford gets a fast start to his career. With Donnie Avery out for the season, Robinson is the main man. Running backs Javon Ringer (Tennessee) and Rashard Jennings (Jacksonville) are both one injury away from being quality fantasy backs. Wide receiver Mike Williams (Tampa Bay) will be the top receiver in an up-and-coming offense.Williams won't make anybody forget Andre Johnson, but he's had a great preseason and appears to be set for a productive year.


Check out Tuesday's print edition (Aug. 31) for The Fantasy Forum where I discuss a few tips going into your fantasy draft.