The Week 5 games start in a few hours, and I know there are some owners out there still trying to plug bye week holes, and injuries. The Dallas Cowboys will be without the services of top wide receiver, Roy Williams today. We expected as much, but they didn't formally announce he was out until Saturday. For the Philadelphia Eagles, the get QB Donovan McNabb back under center, by wide receiver Kevin Curtis will not play. For the Cleveland Browns, the trade of diva receiver Braylon Edwards means all the receivers on the team are auditioning this week. So what does all this mean for you last minute free agent fiends?
Mile Austin, DAL ~ With Williams out the Cowboys are giving Austin his first start of the season, and he could make good use of it against the Kansas City Chiefs. Don't worry that Williams may suit up and play at the last minute. The team left both he and RB Felix Jones behind. Look for a nice day for both Austin and RB, Tashard Choice.
Jeremy Maclin, PHI ~ No team has surrendered more touchdowns (8) to wide receivers through the season's first four games than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It looks like Kevin Curtis' untimely absence could spell fantasy fortune for some savvy owners this week. If you have a spot, take a shot on a kid who could end up as next week's top waiver wire grab. Maclin is getting to start opposite DeSean Jackson this week. Coach Andy Reid has said that Maclin has improved enough that regardless of Curtis' health, Maclin is the new starter going forward. Snatch him up now.
Brian Robiskie, CLE ~ What a weirdly wild week in Cleveland. The team trades its premiere wide receiver away, and then they find out the win they nearly had against the Bengals was in fact a win that the referree's stole from them when they failed to notice Shayne Graham's game winning field goal was actually a missed field goal attempt. On top of all that, the big waiver wire grabs this week included Brown's wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi and running back Jerome Harrison. Let's not forget the Browns switched back to Derek Anderson at QB this week, which means more passing. Coach Eric Mangini has announced that all his wide receivers are auditioning now for playing time. One name he mentioned specifically as potentially starting this week, is rookie Brian Robiskie. Of the three guys listed here, Robiskie may be the riskiest play this week, though he is facing a Ravens' defense that has not been great against the pass so far. However, with Mangini as coach, who knows how much Robiskie will play. If you are in a deeper league, this would be a good time to snag him just in case. He might even be a worthy play in deep leagues in week 5.
Michael Crabtree, SFO ~ The 49ers have said that Crabby won't be playing until the first game after their bye week, which is week seven. However, sports columnists made a production this weekend of mentioning that Crabtree has officially been ruled out for this week. So if any readers out there had a notion he might hit the field this week, you still have two more weeks to wait. When Crabtree does play, the team plans to make him the slot receiver, which will boost the value of WR Josh Morgan, who has struggled so far this season.
Enjoy the games today,and keep up with all the important fantasy action by signing up for our notification service. Our readers knew about Harrison and Massaquoi the minute the exploded last week.
