Big Ben should play in Week 6

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's suspension was reduced from four to six games by the commissioner and that means he's eligible to play in Week 6 of the NFL season. The Steelers have a bye in Week 5. The move makes Roethlisberger a strong No. 2 fantasy quarterback.

Bad new for owners who thought they had a sleeper in Cleveland running back Montario Hardesty this year. The rookie tore his ACL in Thursday's preseason game and has been placed on injured reserve. That makes starter Jerome Harrison a solid No. 3 back.

Tennessee running back LenDale White suffered the same fate as Hardesty and is gone for the year. Any hopes that he might be the touchdown back for the Titans are history. 


The latest out of Seattle is that T.J. Houzmanzadeh will be released if he can't be traded. That means Deion Branch and Mike X Williams are the likely starters. Each may have value as No. 5 or No. 6 wideout in fantasy.

Dallas has traded Patrick Crayton to San Diego for a seventh-round draft choice. Although Crayton showed flashes with the Cowboys, he has no fantasy value at least until we see how the Chargers use him.

The Steelers' Byron Leftwich sprained his medial collateral ligament Thursday is probably out for a month. That clears the way for David Dixon to be the starting quarterback while Roethlisberger is suspended. Dixon could have some value on the weeks when the matchup is right.

Neil Rackers has won the place-kicking job in Houston with the release of Kris Brown. Rackers is a fairly consistent kicker who owners should have no qualms about adding to their roster.

An update on running back Michael Bush's status (fractured thumb) is that he now may be out four to six weeks. The coaching staff originally speculated that Bush might be available in Week 1 but orthopedic surgeon Dr. Michael Schwarz said that's unlikely.

Don't be surprised if veteran Fred Taylor is the primary ball carrier for the Patriots this season. He knows the offense, is a great third-down back and teammate Laurence Maroney is still battling an assortment of nagging injuries. Taylor is going undrafted in most leagues and is worth a waiver wire pick-up.

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