Did you miss this week's Fantasy Playbook as I go on with Lance McAlister on 1530 Homer the Sports Animal? Either way here's my notes from the show...

TREND OR MIRAGE
QB Kyle Orton (multiple TD passes in 3 straight) – TREND – The numbers might not stay quite at that right, but Orton has emerged as a starting fantasy option against the right match-ups, including Week 6’s tilt with the Falcons.

RB LaDainian Tomlinson (just one 100-yard game) – MIRAGE – He started slow last year two; in fact, thru 5 games his numbers are actually better this year than they were last season at this point.

RB Ronnie Brown (6 TDs over past 2 contests) – TREND – Before he got hurt last year he was fantasy’s top running back and he’s looking to be back at 100% and primed to make a run for the league-lead in TD’s.

WR Calvin Johnson (6 catches for 56 yards in last 2) – TREND – With Dan Orlovsky likely taking over at QB this week, don’t expect the passing game to wake up for the Lions.

WR Randy Moss (112 yards, TD last week) – MIRAGE – Trade him while he’s hot. Moss is going to be inconsistent all year long as he deals with the growing pains of Matt Cassel.


INJURY REPORT
Brian Westbrook (ribs, ankle) – After watching their running back play through his ankle injury last week, owners had to cringe when they learned of Westbrook’s two fractured ribs he suffered on Sunday. Don’t bet on him playing.

Marques Colston (thumb) and Jeremy Shockey (groin) – Both players could return this week. Colston participated in limited practice on Thursday for the second straight day. Shockey did that on Wednesday, but not on Thursday. Keep your eyes on both.

Jon Kitna (back) – He appears unlikely to play on Sunday at Minnesota as he’s battling back spasms. Dan Orlovsky will likely get the nod in his absence and that is not good news for a struggling Lions’ passing game.


BYE WEEKS
Buffalo, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Tennessee


VALUE PACK
QB – David Garrard at DEN: He’s starting to show progress after a slow start with 3 TDs and 0 INTs over his past two games, now he gets a Broncos’ D allowing 285 PaYd per game over the past month.

RB – Thomas Jones vs CIN: The Bengals are allowing 4.5 yards per carry and have given up six rushing touchdowns and that makes this Jet ready for take off.

WR – Greg Camarillo at HOU: He’s picked up 14 catches over the past three games and is suddenly looking like Chad Pennington’s favorite target. With a favorable matchup he’s worth a look, particularly in PPR leagues.

TE – Ben Watson at SD: He has been slow to work his way back in the mix from injury and he plays the Chargers, who are allowing the most fantasy points to TE’s by more than double the next closest team.

DEF – REDSKINS vs. STL: Washington has looked so good of late and now they a Rams’ offense that has allowed 13 sacks while only scoring 10.8 points per game through their first four contests.

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Fantasy Football kyle orton, ladainian tomlinson, ronnie brown, calvin johnson, randy moss, brian westbrook, marques colston, jeremy shockey, jon kitna, david garrard, thomas jones, greg camarillo, ben watson, redskins def

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Let's take a look at some of the latest headlines around the NFL:

PALMER LIMITED WITH ELBOW (Cincinnati Enquirer)
Carson Palmer's inflamed right elbow responded as expected in last week's battle against Dallas, and he is hopeful to play in Week 6 against the Jets. “No. There were a couple times where I didn’t have the confidence I normally have, just because my arm’s not the same as previous to the injury,” Palmer said during his Wednesday press conference. “But as far as throwing balls, I felt like I missed a couple I shouldn’t have missed, but the only thing I noticed was just a little less confidence in throwing some. I saw holes in certain spots that I kind of held back on and moved on to the next guy.”

HASSELBECK MISSES WEDNESDAY'S PRACTICE (Seattle Times)
Seattle's starting quarterback won't practice on Wednesday, coach Mike Holmgren said. Not only that but backup quarterback Seneca Wallace aggravated a calf injury he suffered before Seattle's Week 2 game against San Francisco, and he's not expected to practice either. "If Matt didn't practice all week and could play on Sunday, I would welcome him with open arms," Holmgren said. "He has to play."

BRONCOS RULE OUT SCHEFFLER, YOUNG; ROYAL COULD PLAY (Rocky Mountain News)
Head coach Mike Shanahan announced on Wednesday that running back Selvin Young and tight end Tony Scheffler, both of whom are dealing with groin injuries, will miss Sunday’s home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Shanahan said he expects both players to be ready for Denver’s next game on Oct. 20 at New England, a Monday night tilt. The coach did tell the paper that he expects rookie wideout Eddie Royal to be able to go. “(Royal) is a little sore right now, but he should be ready to go and will probably star practicing (Thursday),” Shanahan said.

KITNA DEALING WITH BACK PAINS (MLive.com)
Lions quarterback Jon Kitna missed Wednesday's practice and his status for Sunday's game against the Vikings is questionable. Kitna left last week's game with back spasms, something he's had before. The problem must not have improved since Monday because the team sent Kitna for an MRI today.

BOLDIN UNLIKELY TO PLAY (Arizona Republic)
Cardinals' wide receiver Anquan Boldin was meeting with the surgeon who fixed a facial fracture and should be at practice the rest of the week. It's highly questionable, however, if Boldin plays Sunday. It is more likely that he would return after the team's Week 7 bye.

MCFADDEN SHEDS THE BOOT (Oakland Tribune)
Running back Darren McFadden made his way slowly to the practice field without his protective boot as the Raiders began preparations to face the New Orleans Saints Sunday in New Orleans. McFadden was held out Monday, with coach Tom Cable saying he expected the rookie to practice Wednesday.

WESTROOK SITS OUT PRACTICE (Team Website)
Eagles' RB Brian Westbrook did not practice on Wednesday. He began last Sunday's game with questions about his bum ankle, but he had enough right answers to be cleared to play. ust six offensive plays later, however, Westbrook found himself nursing a completely different injury. Head coach Andy Reid called Westbrook a "warrior" for finishing the game despite suffering from two fractured ribs.

NFL carson palmer, matt hasselbeck, tony scheffler, selvin young, jon kitna, anquan boldin, darren mcfadden, brian westbrook

Sunday brought plenty of injuries for fantasy owners to have to deal with:

QUARTERBACKS
Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle Seahawks - hyperextended right knee
Brian Griese, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - shoulder
Trent Edwards, Buffalo Bills - concussion
Jon Kitna, Detroit Lions - back spasms

RUNNING BACKS
LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers - aggrevated toe injury
Brian Westbrook, Phildaelphia Eagles - fractured ribs
Selvin Young, Denver Broncos - strained left groin
LaMont Jordan, New England Patriots - left leg

WIDE RECEIVERS
Chris Chambers, San Diego Chargers - lower leg
Eddie Royal, Denver Broncos - sprained left ankle; may miss a few games
Deion Branch, Seattle Seahawks - heel -

TIGHT ENDS
Tony Scheffler, Denver Broncos - strained left groin
Randy McMichael, St. Louis Rams - broken tibia; headed to I.R.

Fantasy Football, NFL injury report, matt hasselbeck, brian griese, trent edwards, jon kitna, ladainian tomlinson, brian westbrook, selvin young, lamont jordan, chris chambers, eddie royal, deion branch, tony scheffler, randy mcmichael

This weekend brought a slew of injuries for fantasy owners to chew on. Here are the latest updates:

QUARTERBACKS
Ben Roethlisberger - right hand - X-rays negative; Likely to play
Donovan McNabb - chest - Returned to game; doesn't appear to be an issue
Jon Kitna - sprained right knee - will know more after the bye week

RUNNING BACKS
Brian Westbrook - ankle - high ankle sprain; doubtful for Week 4
Justin Fargas - groin - doesn't expect to play this week

TIGHT ENDS
Jeremy Shockey - hernia - will miss 4-6 weeks following surgery
L.J. Smith - Eagles - back - Not much info revealed on Monday

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Luis Castillo (SD) - knee - left game on MNF; status unknown
Casey Hampton (PIT) - groin - likely Wk. 4 vs. BAL

DEFENSIVE BACKS
Al Harris (GB) - spleen - likely out for season
Dawan Landry - head - could return later this season

Fantasy Football injuries, ben roethlisberger, donovan mcnabb, jon kitna, brian westbrook, justin fargas, jeremy shockey, l.j. smith, luis castillo, casey hampton, al harris, dawan landry, aaron ross