Damage Control: Some Preseason Injuries Still Linger

Practice for the rest of the week is going to be of major importance to a few runners looking to come back from injuries.

Keep an eye on Michael Bush in Oakland, who may have ball control issues as he tries to play with a broken thumb. Beanie Wells and Maurice Jones-Drew have banged up knees, but both are expected to play. How much of a fantasy impact can they make?

Quarterback

• Josh Freeman, Buccaneers - A setback is the only thing that will stop Freeman from playing on Sunday. He was sore after Tuesday's practice and didn't participate on Wednesday, but he's still expected to play.

• Donovan McNabb, Redskins - McNabb admitted that his ankle is not 100 percent, but that it wouldn't keep him from playing on Sunday. He'll be the starter as they host Dallas on Sunday night.

Running Back

• Fred Jackson, Bills - Coach Chan Gailey says that Jackson should be available to play on Sunday against Miami. Jackson should be limited by his hand and won't even be starting as rookie C.J. Spiller has been named the starting running back.

• Knowshon Moreno, Broncos - Moreno admitted that he's going to have to get past the tendency to hesitate in regard to his weak hamstring. He vowed to give a 100 percent effort on Sunday and will be in the lineup as the featured back.

• Beanie Wells, Cardinals - Wells missed Thursday's practice and now could be a game-time decision on Sunday.

• Laurence Maroney, Patriots - Maroney practice fully on Thursday and should play on Sunday. How much is still anyone's guess.

• Michael Bush, Raiders - Bush will be a game-time decision on Sunday. He did not practice on Thursday but is expected to practice on Friday. Bush is having trouble gripping the ball. Don't count on him providing many fantasy points this week.

• Steve Slaton, Texans - Slaton, who suffered a toe injury during preseason play, says he'll be ready for Week 1 action on Sunday against Indianapolis. He's still the second option in Houston as Arian Foster is now the primary runner.

• Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars - Jones-Drew insists that he's healthy and was not listed on the Jaguars' Week 1 injury report. At this point, you should feel safe starting him.

Wide Receiver

• Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals - Fitzgerald has been out of action since August 15 with a sprained MCL but is expected to play on Sunday against the Rams.

• Demaryius Thomas, Broncos - While not playing at all in the preseason, Thomas still hasn't been ruled out of Week 1. He returned to practice on Tuesday but hasn't seen a lot of reps this month. If he plays he won't be a huge fantasy scorer. Thomas fully participated on Thursday and has looked better and better each day this week that he's been out there.

• Dez Bryant, Cowboys - Bryant participated fully in practice on Monday and is good to go for Sunday's game. He'll be the third receiver on passing downs. On Thursday, Bryant said his ankle is 100 percent and that he's ready to "unleash".

• Marques Colston, Saints - Colston says that he will be 100 percent on Thursday as the Saints play the Vikings. Colston bruised his kidney last week in preseason action.

• Michael Jenkins, Falcons - Jenkins was not able to practice on Wednesday and likely won't make his comeback from his shoulder injury in Week 1.

• Anthony Gonzalez, Colts - Gonzalez is now on the Colts' injury report with a back injury. He was limited in Thursday's practice and is far enough down the depth chart that this news should scare you away from even considering putting him into your lineup.

Tight End

• Dallas Clark, Colts - Clark hasn't played a down all preseason but that shouldn't worry anyone. He's expected to play on Sunday and will be a top-ranked fantasy tight end.

• Owen Daniels, Texans - Head coach Gary Kubiak says that Daniels will only play about 25 snaps on Sunday. He shouldn't be in your fantasy lineup until he's 100 percent.

Did the injury bug hit your fantasy football team like it was a car windshield moving at 100 MPH? If so, it may be time to do some Damage Control.