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In a bit of a shocking development, Knowshon Moreno has been ruled out of this week because of an undisclosed injury. Josh McDaniels learned from Bill Belichick so don’t expect an injury update any time soon. Correll Buckhalter and newly acquired Laurence Maroney are expected to carry the load. Given the Broncos match-up against Indianapolis, this is a big blow to Moreno owners. Both Buckhalter and Maroney are risky plays even in a flex slot.

Josh McDaniels took in one of the Patriots’ castoffs, picking up RB Laurence Maroney in a trade. Maroney’s fantasy value doesn’t change unless there is an injury to Knowshon Moreno. He will merely provide depth along with Correll Buckhalter.

As for the Patriots, this solidifies Fred Taylor’s starting gig. Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk, and BenJarvus Green-Ellis will share the load.

If you were holding onto Mauroney in hopes that he would win back his starting gig with the Pats, feel free to cut him loose.

Here’s a look at some of the injury situations around the league as the preseason wrapped up.

• Jerome Harrison owners have to be breathing a little easier after Montario Hardesty injured his left knee in last night’s preseason against the Bears. Fortunately for Hardesty owners it’s not the right knee that had been bothering him earlier in camp. James Davis was also walking gingerly on the sidelines, although it doesn’t appear to be serious.
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• Reports that Michael Bush up to a quarter of the season or more according to Oakland Tribune’s Jerry McDonaldn can’t sit well with Bush owners. This is great news for Darren McFadden, who will get a chance to prove himself, and the owners who have faith in Run DMC.
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• Beanie Wells owners appear to have survived a scare as he avoided a serious knee injury in Arizona’s final preseason tune-up against Washington. Given Beanie’s track record with injuries, this is a little discouraging, but assuming he practices feel free to roll with him against St. Louis in Week 1. If you haven’t drafted yet, you may want to bump Tim Hightower up a few notches just in case.
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• The Steelers don’t have to worry about keeping their QB plans for the season opener under wraps as Byron Leftwich suffered a knee (MCL) injury. Looks like it’s Dennis Dixon time in the Steel City.
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• Laurence Maroney finally played some preseason snaps rushing for 32 yards on nine carries against the Giants. As usual the Patriots’ RB situation is something to avoid, but Maroney is the guy I’d take in fantasy drafts.
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• Marshawn Lynch returned to action as well, racking up two yards on five carries. He’ll be the backup to C.J. Spiller in the opener (assuming Fred Jackson can go), and return to third string (if he’s not moved) when Jackson returns.
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• Correll Buckhalter returned to action for the Broncos. He only gained three yards on three carries, but I can tell you first hand from being in the stands that he looked really good on a 15 yard swing catch. He is in a RBBC with Knowshon Moreno, but should be a serviceable option at RB2 or the flex spot during bye weeks.
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Image courtesy of Icon SMI

The Patriots should continue to be one of the better teams both in fantasy and reality, but they aren’t quite what they once were. Perhaps playing more of an underdog role is what they need.

Fantasy Playoffs Schedule:  Somewhat difficult
If the Patriots play like they are capable of, their opponent doesn’t really matter. However, facing the Bears in Chicago (Week 14), the Packers at home (15), and the Bills in Buffalo (16) means they could have three bad weather games in the fantasy playoffs. You should keep that in mind when deciding between Patriot players and someone you consider of equal value.

Five Star Fantasy Options
Tom Brady – Brady had a great season (65.7 completion percentage, 4398 yards, 28 TDs, 13 INTs, 96.2 passer rating), especially when you consider he was coming off a serious knee injury. Don’t look for another 50 TD season, but he remains one of the elite QBs in the league.

Randy Moss – He’s playing for one last big contract. He can disappear a bit when teams get physical, but you know what you’re getting with Moss. 1000+ yards and 10+ TDs.

Four Star Fantasy Options
None

Three Star Fantasy Options
Wes Welker – He can move up to four star option if he proves that his knee will be OK. He could also slide down to a two or one star option. It’s a matter of how he recovers, and you won’t know until down the road.

Patriots Defense/Special Teams – They always seem to be an opportunistic unit. They have some solid match-ups against the Bills twice (Weeks 3 & 16), the Browns (9), and the Lions (12).

Two Star Fantasy Options
Laurence Maroney – I don’t love Maroney, but he’s probably the best option the Patriots have. Draft him for RB depth and ride him if he gets hot.

Julian Edelman & Torry Holt – If Welker is slow to recover, Edelman can be used to fill the void. Once Welker is back, Edelman will catch the ball, but consistency will be an issue. I don’t think Holt has anything left in the tank, but Belichick somehow squeezes the last bit of production our of veterans.

One Star Fantasy Options
Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk, and Fred Taylor – Each of them will probably show some value at different points of the season, but you can’t rely on any of them.

Taylor Price and Brandon Tate – Keep these guys on your radar, but don’t bother drafting them until they have defined roles.

Alge Crumpler, Rob Gronkowski, and Aaron Hernandez – The Patriots have little to offer at TE. Look elsewhere.

Click here for additional 2010 NFL Team Previews.

Yesterday I gave you the Sell High Candidates.  Today I flip it up and give you the Buy Low ones.  These are guys who have started off slow.  Now is the time to pluck them from your competition before their value increases.

Peyton Manning - How often is it that Peyton Manning has more INTs than TDs after three games?  How about only 3 TDs in three games?  There are about a dozen QBs who have had better starts than Peyton.  If you can somehow package a RB or a WR with little brother Eli and snag Peyton, why wouldn’t you?  How about Aaron Rodgers?  You have to be more confident in Peyton’s ability to score big throughout the year.  This could be a great year to own him since they aren’t running away with the division.  They likely won’t be closing shop in Week 16 this year.  He has the bye week to continue to get healthy and work out his kinks.  You need to strike now before he gets hot.

Joseph Addai - You probably should have tried to get him a week ago, but he’s has less than 200 total yards and 3 TDs right now.  If you can acquire him for Sell High candidate Michael Turner, I say do it now.    Once Saturday gets healthier Addai will be ripping it up again.

Laurence Maroney - He’s done absolutely nothing.  He is averaging 22.3 yards per game.  Why would yo even consider him?  He finishes stong.  Nine of his twelve career TDs have come in the second half, with six of them coming in December.  If you can get him for bargain bin value, why wouldn’t you?  Even if he doesn’t rebound, he likely won’t cost you much.  If you have guys on bye early at RB you can afford to stash him on your bench.

Braylon Edwards - He has 73 yards in three games.  That’s pathetic.  That’s slightly better than what Maroney produced.  His QB situation is a mess, but eventually they are going to have to get him involved if they want to turn this thing around. 

Chad Ocho Cinco - He’s also off to a slow start.  I’ve told you already not to trust Ocho.  However, if you can acquire him as your third WR, don’t you think he’s worth the risk?  He still has a great QB throwing to him with a great WR opposite of him.