For those you that have paid attention to me this preseason know that I tabbed Ronnie Brown as one my sleepers at running back. However, a series of events has unfolded since then, forcing me to tone down my expectations for Brown.

For starters, he injured his hand last weekend and was wearing a cast after game with a thumb injury. There are some indications that he may be losing ground to Ricky Williams. The Palm Beach Post reported on Monday that Williams has overtaken Brown on the team's depth chart.

It is likely to be a running back-by-committee, but Brown may actually have a lesser role now (at least to start the season).  

Then came the shocker as ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported on Monday Night Countdown that Ronnie Brown could be on a team other than the Dolphins by Week 1.

I am not convinced that the organization and namely team president Bill Parcells is sold on Brown, who is attmepting to return from an ACL injury that sidelined him for most of the 2007 season.

When Brown tore his ACL in Week 7, he was the top-ranked fantasy running back. He led the NFL in total yards, averaging 170 in his last five games. Meanwhile, Williams has ten NFL carries in the last five years, so it’s anyone’s guess if he can stay healthy. He is a huge risk, but certainly has upside.

For now, we are going to keep the CHEAT SHEET in tact, but this is a situation that will need to followed closely by fantasy owners and one that could have a major impact by time draft night rolls around.

If I were drafting today I would still take Brown over Williams in nearly every format. 

Fantasy Football dolphins, ronnie brown, ricky williams