Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

First off, the Bruno Boys would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. We hope everyone has a happy, healthy and safe holiday season. Thanksgiving not only signifies the start of what tends to be a very hectic holiday season, it also signifies that the fantasy football playoffs are right around the corner. In most fantasy leagues, playoffs start in Week 14, which means we have just two weeks left to jockey for playoff position.

With playoffs approaching so quickly, this tends to be one of the most important weeks of the fantasy football season. Many teams will clinch playoff spots, while others will be left wondering what they did wrong over the course of the season that caused them to fall short and finish on the outside looking in. It is as important as ever to make sure that you have the right lineup in place this week. You do not want to make a mistake that costs you a shot at the playoffs and a chance at a fantasy football championship.

As you prepare the balancing act that is your Week 12 fantasy lineup, the Bruno Boys are once again here to study the potential fantasy football impact of some of this week’s news around the NFL. So, as you recover from your food induced coma after stuffing yourself on Thanksgiving, take a trip with us around the NFL as we take a look at some key injuries that could have a fantasy football impact.

Michael Turner returns to practice, remains questionable for this week

In less than two weeks after suffering a high-ankle sprain, Michael Turner surprisingly returned to practice Wednesday albeit on a limited basis. He suffered the injury in Week 10 against the Carolina Panthers and missed last week’s loss to the New York Giants. He seems to be on his way back from the injury, but according to head coach Mike Smith there is no timetable set for his return.

Turner has been having another very good season with 165 carries for 831 yards and 10 touchdowns in nine games played. Heading into Week 10, he had scored at least one touchdown in seven straight games. In Turner’s absence last week, back-up Jason Snelling was the starting running back and notched 25 carries for 76 yards with two touchdowns. If Turner doesn’t play this week, Snelling should be used as RB2 in a good match-up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If Turner does play, he will likely be limited and share carries with Snelling, making both of them low-end No. 2 running backs or flex options. Check back with us on Sunday morning as Turner will likely be a game time decision.

Cedric Benson did not practice Wednesday, but could be close to returning

Even though Cincinnati Bengals’ running back Cedric Benson did not practice Wednesday, he is expected to see some practice time this week, and there is still a chance that he could play Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. He is listed as questionable with strained hip muscles and did not play in the team’s shocking Week 11 loss to the Oakland Raiders.

Bengals’ head coach Marvin Lewis said Wednesday that Benson “seems to be very close” to getting back on the field. Even if he plays this week, he could lose some carries to rookie Bernard Scott, who started in Benson’s place last week and totaled over 100 yards with a touchdown. Benson has been very good this year and has 205 carries for 859 yards with six touchdowns. Keep a close eye on this situation throughout the rest of the week. If Benson starts, he should be used as a RB1, while Scott should be considered a RB3 or flex option. If Benson doesn’t play this week, Scott’s value would improve and he could be used as a low-end No. 1 fantasy running back.

Steven Jackson missed practice, expects to play Sunday versus Seattle

St. Louis Rams’ running back Steven Jackson missed practice on Wednesday with lower back spasms, but expects to play in Week 12 against the Seattle Seahawks. He is listed as questionable for the game, but he doesn’t appear to be in jeopardy of missing Sunday’s contest.

Jackson is second in the NFL in rushing with 1,031 yards and has posted more than 116 rushing yards in each of his last four games. After not scoring a single touchdown in the Rams’ first seven games, Jackson has scored a touchdown in three straight. It appears safe to insert Jackson into your starting lineup this week, and he should be used as a must-start RB1 on a weekly basis.

Kurt Warner participates in full practice, should play in Week 12

After suffering what appeared to be a concussion, Arizona Cardinals’ quarterback Kurt Warner left the team’s Week 11 win over the St. Louis Rams early and did not return. Head coach, Ken Whisenhunt said that Warner was suffering from concussion like symptoms and according to Warner he could have returned to the game if needed.

Warner has passed for 2,718 yards this season with 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He is officially listed as probable for this week’s game against the Tennessee Titans and should make his 42nd consecutive NFL start. It appears safe to put him into your starting lineup, and he should be used as a No. 1 fantasy quarterback this week against Tennessee, who has the 31st ranked pass defense and has given up 25 passing touchdowns this season.

Vincent Jackson sits out with rib injury, questionable versus Chiefs

San Diego Chargers’ No. 1 wide receiver Vincent Jackson missed the team’s practice Wednesday while trying to rest a rib injury. He is officially listed as questionable for Sunday’s match-up with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Jackson has been stellar for the Chargers and fantasy owners this season. He has 47 catches for 788 yards with seven touchdowns through 10 games, but he is coming off two sub-par games in which he has a total of five receptions for 66 yards without a touchdown. If healthy enough to play this week, Jackson should be used as a WR1 this week against a Chiefs defense that is ranked 28th against the pass this season. Keep on eye on his status throughout the weekend.

Knee injury sidelines Sims-Walker, listed as questionable for Week 12

Jacksonville Jaguars’ wide receiver, Mike Sims-Walker, sat out Wednesday’s practice with a knee injury. He is listed as questionable for the team’s Week 12 contest with the San Francisco 49ers.

MSW had eight catches for 91 yards with a touchdown in a Week 11 victory over the Buffalo Bills and has scored a touchdown in three straight games. After totaling just 16 catches for 217 yards without a touchdown during the 2008 season, Sims-Walker has been a breakout third-year wide receiver this season. He has 47 catches for 694 yards with six touchdowns, and if healthy for this week against the 49ers, he should be used as a low-end No. 1 fantasy wide receiver. Check with us on Sunday morning to make sure he is active against San Francisco, who is ranked No. 30 against the pass this season.

Jones-Drew misses practice with knee injury, questionable against 49ers

While dealing with a knee injury, Jacksonville Jaguars’ running back, Maurice Jones-Drew missed Wednesday’s practice while the team prepared to take on the San Francisco 49ers in Week 12. He is officially listed as questionable for this week’s contest in the Bay Area.

Jones-Drew had his lowest rushing output since Week 5 when he had 25 carries for 66 yards last week against the Buffalo Bills. He did add a touchdown in the game, and he has scored at least one touchdown in five straight weeks. If he is healthy enough to play this week, he needs just 74 yards to reach 1,000 rushing yards this season. We will keep you posted on his status throughout weekend. If MJD is active for Sunday’s contest consider him a RB1 this week against the 49ers, despite the Niners ranking 4th among the league’s rush defenses.

Week 12 Rankings:  QB  |  RB  |  WR  |  TE  |  K  | DEF    (click to read)

Week 12 Start & Sit:  START ‘EM  |  SIT ‘EM    (click to read)

Week 12 Waiver Wire Advice:  PICK THEM UP  |  CUT THEM LOOSE    (click to read)

————————

Don’t forget to head over to our Fantasy Football Message Board and sign-up for a FREE FORUM account. By doing so you will be able to talk fantasy football all season long.