Fantasy Football: Before You Start

It’s the first football Sunday of the 2012-13 NFL regular season and we’ve got some fantasy football news you’ll want to be aware of that will help you set your line-ups:

-Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart is out. If you have DeAngelo Williams on your roster and can insert him into the starting line-up do so. With a match-up against last season’s pitiful Bucs run defense Williams should put up at least RB2 type numbers today.

-Cleveland Browns running back Trent Richardson is expected to play and start but there are conflicting reports about his workload. If you drafted him probably took him pretty high in your draft and want to start him. You can start him knowing he’ll be starting but that he might not get a whole lot of touches.

-Look for a timeshare committee in Arizona between Beanie Wells and Ryan Williams. If you have to pick between the two go with Williams.

-The Steelers have named Isaac Redman the starting running back for tonight’s game against the Broncos

-Reports are that the Redskins plan to start Alfred Morris at running back today. You never know what to expect from the Redskins run game so don’t go in expecting much. If you have to start one of their running backs right now Morris is the man but just remember he might not be the one finishing.

-Marshawn Lynch is expected to play but will be limited to about 10-15 touches due to his back problem. Try to avoid him if you can.

-Arian Foster is looking like he’ll be starting today but nothing is set in stone until we get closer to kickoff. Even if he does start you have to wonder how much of the game he’ll play. Ben Tate is more than a capable fill-in and the Texans might be up big early against the woeful Dolphins.

-Shane Vereen has been ruled out for the Patriots, which should give Stevan Ridley a great opportunity as the starting running back in New England.

-Another timeshare scenario to watch out for is in Minnesota. AP is slated to play but will be sharing touches with Toby Gerhart.

-The Chargers have already ruled out Ryan Matthews for Monday night’s contest against the Raiders. Look for Ronnie Brown to be their week 1 starter at running back.

-Bills WR Stevie Johnson is active and expected to start.

-The Colts have announced that WR Austin Collie will be inactive this week.

-Saints WR Marques Colston is active and good to go.

-Jets tight end Dustin Keller is starting.