Fantasy Focus

Coach Mike Sherman is reportedly not optimistic about TE Bubba Franks' (back) chances of playing this week.
"His availability is very suspect at this present time." Sherman said. Sherman is taking a lot of heat for playing Franks so soon after his concussion, but the Packers' medical staff cleared him to play

According to the Arizona Republic, K Neil Rackers (calf) may be able to kick mid-range field goals this week.
That would be quite the recovery from what was initially expected to keep him out for nearly a month. Whatever happens with Rackers, the Cardinals will keep K Nick Novak on the roster for the stretch run.

Brian Westbrook left today's game with a foot sprain at halftime.
Westbrook suffered the injury early in the contest, stayed in the game, but it tightened up at halftime. He will undergo an MRI Tuesday. Westbrook rushed nine times for 17 yards and caught five passes for 38 yards before leaving the game.

Titans TE Erron Kinney is likely to miss this week's game with a knee injury.
Kinney's career year has hit a snag. Kinney is undergoing tests to determine the extent of the injury. Ben Troupe will step up as a starter.

Courtney Roby could start at wide receiver following Roydell Williams' season-ending injury.
Both Roby and Tyrone Calico will pick up snaps. Roby isn't a terrible pickup in deep leagues, if only because Tennesee's schedule looks great.

Jay Fiedler (shoulder) is out for week 14 and may not make it back this season.
Coach Herm Edwards doesn't sound optimistic about Fiedler's chances. "We'll probably know this week more, where he's really at," Edwards said. "If he's not getting well, something has to happen." Fiedler may have to undergo surgery in the off-season.

Braylon Edwards will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL.
The Browns franchise has some seriously terrible luck. Since the injury comes so late in the season, this will obviously affect Edwards' off-season training. It often takes 9-12 months to fully recover, so Edwards may not be all the way back for the start of next season. Dennis Northcutt will take over the starting job the rest of the year.

RB Kevin Jones sat out Sunday's game with a quadriceps injury.
Jones was scratched after struggling during warmups, and the Lions are hoping to get him back next week. "We didn't work him out hard today," coach Dick Jauron said. "Hopefully that'll pay dividends for us."

Coach Tony Dungy reversed field a bit, saying he is unsure how he'll handle playing time once the Colts clinch homefield advantage.
The e-mails and phone calls from Peyton Manning owners must have had an impact, because Dungy is now turning to a higher power for advice on the issue. "I'll pray about it, try to get some wisdom from the Lord as to what to do," Dungy said. "If we decide to play our guys, which I'm sure they'll all want to play, I'll pray that they don't get hurt and we can go out and keep winning.''

RB Kevan Barlow (knee) is reportedly likely to return this week.
Barlow was apparently able to play Sunday, but coach Mike Nolan benched him in favor of guys who could help on special teams.

Coach Jack Del Rio gave no indication yesterday about RB Fred Taylor's (ankle) status for this week.
It sounds like RB Greg Jones will get plenty of carries regardless of Taylor's health.

It doesn't sound like WR Charles Rogers is in the Lions' plans for the remainder of the season.
"He has to fight his way back," coach Dick Jauron said. "I wouldn't necessarily stand here and tell you he is doing anything wrong, but we only have four spots." Interesting that he would describe it as "only four spots" when everyone has basically agreed about how horribly the Lions' wide outs have played. Dec. 6 - 9:50 am et

QB Jeff Garcia blamed his injury, underachieving wide receivers, and the Lions' unwillingness to throw downfield as the causes of his struggles.
Garcia's girlfriend, former Playmate Carmella DeCesare, called in to a local radio show to defend her man Monday. Steve Mariucci is probably thinking he got out of there just in time

Koy Detmer completed 13-of-29 passes for 84 yards and two interceptions in week 13.
He will probably be Philadelphia's starter next week, although he didn't play any better than Mike McMahon. Stay away from the Philly offense.

Marques Tuiasosopo is expected to start for the Raiders in week 14.
Oakland heads to New York this week to face the Jets. The Raiders then face the Browns and Broncos, which is a fine schedule for a QB. Tuiasosopo is worth grabbing as a QB2 in fantasy leagues if you need help. He's athletic, but is really an unknown in his fourth season. He becomes a free agent after the season if he doesn't take 30% of Oakland's snaps, which is unlikely with only four games left.

Gus Frerotte will return to Dolphins practice this week and will remain Miami's starting quarterback.
It's a somewhat surprising move, considering how well Sage Rosenfels played in Miami's win. "This should not be an issue. We don't want it to be an issue. I know y'all are going to try to make it an issue," coach Nick Saban said. Chris Chambers owners would probably like to keep Rosenfels.

NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue said it is "likely" that the Saints will play games in San Antonio and Baton Rouge in 2006.
The league also hopes to play some games in the SuperDome. According to Tagliabue, splitting the Saints "home" games between San Antonio, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans not only possible, but a goal. It's unclear where Saints headquarters would be located, but playing another season like this one is a competitive disadvantage at the very least.