Update: According to WWLTV Sports in New Orleans, the Saints signed John Carney as a kicking consultant Thursday, coach Sean Payton said.  After cutting the 45-year-old veteran Tuesday, the Saints have committed to K Garrett Hartley for the remainder of the season.

Fantasy Impact: Carney cannot kick for another NFL team this season.  There should now be little hesitation to pick up Hartley off waivers if he is available.  Considering the high-octane Saints offense, Hartley is a #1 fantasy kicker in all league formats.

Update: According to the Detroit News, Lions running back Kevin Smith had ACL surgery today.

Fantasy Impact: The Lions will target a Week 1 return for Smith next season, although he will need to undergo a rigorous rehab program. Fantasy owners in keeper leagues may want to think twice before hanging on to Smith.

Update: According to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, 49ers wideout Isaac Bruce will be inactive for the remainder of the season.

Fantasy Impact: This may be the end of the line for Bruce who has not seen game action the past four weeks.  It is doubtful he will return in 2010.

Update: The Detroit News reports that Lions rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford has been placed on injured reserve. His season is now over due to a shoulder injury.

Fantasy Impact: Stafford won just two games in his rookie campaign, and ended up with 13 TDs and 20 iNTs.  Not exactly the season the Lions were hoping for.  He should only get better as he continues to learn the Lions offense, and the team builds some weapons around him.

Update: The Detroit News reports that Lions rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford has been placed on injured reserve. His season is now over due to a shoulder injury.

Fantasy Impact: Stafford won just two games in his rookie campaign, and ended up with 13 TDs and 20 iNTs.  Not exactly the season the Lions were hoping for.  He should only get better as he continues to learn the Lions offense, and the team builds some weapons around him.

Update: Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme was placed on injured reserve today after experiencing swelling in his broken finger after trying to throw.

Fantasy Impact: Delhomme tossed 18 interceptions this season, and was flat out terrible.  He will continue to be replaced by rookie Matt Moore who could be making his case to take over as the team's starter heading into next season. 

Update: Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme was placed on injured reserve today after experiencing swelling in his broken finger after trying to throw.

Fantasy Impact: Delhomme tossed 18 interceptions this season, and was flat out terrible.  He will continue to be replaced by rookie Matt Moore who could be making his case to take over as the team's starter heading into next season. 

Update: According to The New York Daily News' Ralph Vacchiano, Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw missed practice again on Thursday with sore ankles.

Fantasy Impact: Bradshaw has not seen much practice time the past few weeks, but he should be a go for this week's game.  The Giants cannot afford to lose anymore, and he should expect the same workload he got in Monday night's blowout win over Washington.

Update: According to The New York Daily News' Ralph Vacchiano, Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw missed practice again on Thursday with sore ankles.

Fantasy Impact: Bradshaw has not seen much practice time the past few weeks, but he should be a go for this week's game.  The Giants cannot afford to lose anymore, and he should expect the same workload he got in Monday night's blowout win over Washington.

Update: The Boston Globe is reporting that Patriots quarterback Tom Brady returned to practice on Thursday and will play against the Jags this weekend. Brady missed practice on Wednesday with a rash of injuries including a sore shoulder, finger, and rib.

Fantasy Impact: Brady will be fine this weekend, and the Patriots will be looking to inch closer to a playoff birth. 

Update: The Boston Globe is reporting that Patriots quarterback Tom Brady returned to practice on Thursday and will play against the Jags this weekend. Brady missed practice on Wednesday with a rash of injuries including a sore shoulder, finger, and rib.

Fantasy Impact: Brady will be fine this weekend, and the Patriots will be looking to inch closer to a playoff birth. 

Update: The Philadelphia Daily News is reporting that Eagles backup quarterback Michael Vick was voted as the most courageous player on the Eagles. The honor was decided on by his teammates.

Fantasy Impact: Vick was given this award because of his turn around as a person off the field.  He failed to make a huge impact on the field this year for the Eagles, but it wouldn't be surprising to see another team look to grab Vick for next season. 

Update: The Philadelphia Daily News is reporting that Eagles backup quarterback Michael Vick was voted as the most courageous player on the Eagles. The honor was decided on by his teammates.

Fantasy Impact: Vick was given this award because of his turn around as a person off the field.  He failed to make a huge impact on the field this year for the Eagles, but it wouldn't be surprising to see another team look to grab Vick for next season. 

Update: According to the St. Petersburg Times, Tampa Bay Bucs wideout Maurice Stovall is expected to keep his starting job opposite of Antonio Bryant.  Michael Clayton is expected to return from injury this week, but it appears that Stovall will keep the starting gig.

Fantasy Impact: Stovall has meshed nicely with quarterback Josh Freeman, but he still is not worthy of fantasy consideration.

Update: According to the St. Petersburg Times, Tampa Bay Bucs wideout Maurice Stovall is expected to keep his starting job opposite of Antonio Bryant.  Michael Clayton is expected to return from injury this week, but it appears that Stovall will keep the starting gig.

Fantasy Impact: Stovall has meshed nicely with quarterback Josh Freeman, but he still is not worthy of fantasy consideration.