SAN DIEGO (AP)Punter Mike Scifres(notes) has agreed to a five-year contractextension that will keep him with the San Diego Chargers through 2016.Scifres has been with the Chargers since 2003, when he was a fifth-rounddraft pick. He has consistently been one of the NFL's best punters and was a Pro Bowlalternate from 2004-09.While Scifres' gross average was 46.7 yards last year, he was a victim ofthe Chargers' poor special teams play. He had four punts blocked and anotherdeflected, helping to drop his net average to 30.8 yards.Scifres calls the extension "unbelievable" and says he had no intention oftesting the free agent market when his current deal expired.
Arian Foster: (Hamstring) Possible Game-Time Decision
Update:Foster (hamstring) Authentic Seattle Seahawks Jerseys worked out individually, but did not participate in Wednesday's practice, HoustonTexans.com's Nick Scurfield reports. "He went a little harder today in his rehab process," Texans coach Gary Kubiak said Wednesday. "He was over there working out, and he'll be day-to-day. We'll see where we're at tomorrow, but it looked like he did a little bit more from me watching from afar." Recommendation:For his part, Foster is unsure if he'll be able to play on Sunday, noting that he could see the decision go right up to game-time. "I ran on it today and it felt good, but you don't want to push it too fast too soon," Foster said Wednesday. "This is a 16-game season, and you don't want to rush back for game one if you're not ready. I plan on being ready, but if it's not ready, it's not ready. So we're just going to take it day-by-day." Derrick Ward(notes) and Ben Tate(notes) would be in line for extra work Sunday if Foster is out or limited at all.
Peyton Manning: (Neck) Confirms Week 1 Absence
Update:Manning (neck) confirmed Wednesday that he won't play Sunday at Houston, the Indianapolis Star reports. "I simply am not healthy enough to play, and I am doing everything I can to get my health back," Manning said Wednesday. "The team will do fine without me, and I know for sure that I will miss them much more than they will miss me." Recommendation:Though Manning addressed his Week 1 status directly, Authentic Tennessee Titans Jerseys no mention was made of a timetable for his possible return. As a result, we'll consider him week-to-week until further notice.
Del Pilar's Digest: Fantasyland injuries
Del Pilar's Digest: Fantasyland injuries Let's take a midweek look at injuries heading into Week One. Obviously, Colts QB Peyton Manning(notes) (neck) leads all stories this week but it's a moot point. He's out and no one knows how long he'll be out. All we know is it's a waiting game as his nerves need to regenerate. His loss affects all of the Colts' skill-position players with the exception of RBs Joseph Addai(notes) and Delone Carter(notes), who get more work with Kerry Collins(notes) at quarterback.Cassel ready to roll for ChiefsChiefs QB Matt Cassel(notes) (rib) has been a full participant in practice this week and said he's good to go. During a radio interview, he wouldn't discuss his pain or discomfort level Washington Redskins Jersey Authentic but refused to discuss the injury or confirm that it's a cracked rib, as has been rumored. Head coach Todd Haley will have the final say but if Cassel can tolerate the pain, he will play. The team needs Cassel out there. It doesn't matter if Dwayne Bowe(notes) had a great camp; he needs a quarterback to get him the Miami Dolphins Jersey rock and Cassel's the best the team has.Week One concerns linger for Foster Texans RB Arian Foster(notes) did not practice Wednesday and is still Carolina Panthers Jersey Authentic day-to-day. He ran on the sidelines at practice and he's someone that will be a dreaded game-time decision. If Foster can't go, Derrick Ward(notes) is the backup, but expect to see Ben Tate(notes), too — then watch head coach Gary Kubiak go with the hot hand.Moore's groin keeps him out Week OneSaints WR Lance Moore(notes) (groin) has not practiced this week after returning last week from a groin strain. He said he's dealing with soreness and fatigue on the field. Despite head coach Sean Payton saying that Moore is one of those players mentally tough enough to miss a week's worth of practice and play, why risk it? It appears the Saints won't, and he has been ruled out for Week One. Robert Meachem(notes) and Devery Henderson(notes) are the beneficiaries.Different team, same old story for RiceSeahawks WR Sidney Rice(notes) never has been a durable player, and while I might be in the minority, I don't blame the Vikings for letting him walk. His latest injury is to his Washington Redskins Jersey shoulder and Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said he's uncertain about Rice's status for Sunday. Honestly, I avoided Rice in all drafts because he's injury-prone and on a bad team. If he's on your roster, odds are you have to play him. Temper your expectations to no more than that of a No. 3 fantasy receiver. Ben Obomanu(notes), the team's No. 3, is running with the first team and is also the slot receiver.Austin good enough to face Revis?What do you do with Cowboys WR Miles Austin(notes)? He's facing one of the league's best corners in Darrelle Revis(notes) and is not 100 percent healthy because of a Authentic St.Louis Rams Jerseys hamstring injury. You can't bench him, but you better temper expectations and hope Austin is healthy to break free a few times Sunday night. Authentic Houston Texans Jerseys Austin did dress out Wednesday during the portion of practice the media can watch.Crabtree questionable for 49ers but not to fantasy ownersThe 49ers have said they're not sure if WR Michael Crabtree(notes) (foot) will be ready for Week One. Look at it this way: it's the second time he has broken his foot (2009 stress fracture), he missed camp and just got off the active/PUP list. Even if he does play, do you want him starting for your fantasy team? Watch his play on the field as he never has shown the fire that would Indianapolis Colts Jersey make him the player everyone believes he can be.Maclin ready to soarEagles WR Jeremy Maclin(notes) is all the way back from his offseason cancer scare and will start in Week One. Once cleared, his only issue was getting practice time and his football legs back. He has taken every snap at practice this week and will play. I look for him to start, and if you own him start him as a No. 3 fantasy wideout. Remember, he might lose some snaps at times to his backup Riley Cooper(notes).Smith to play with specific packagesIn no surprise, the Eagles have created a few packages for WR Steve Smith. In part because he doesn't know the offense but he's too talented to not find a role for him. It's just another way to take advantage of talent, but he has no fantasy value at this point in time. The Eagles have only five wideouts but they're loaded with talent. Barring injury, Smith will have to outplay one of the starters — DeSean Jackson(notes), Jeremy Maclin or Jason Avant(notes) — with Avant's No. 3 slot the most at risk. If recovered from his microfracture knee surgery, Smith is good enough to start, so don't undersell him. This WR corps will be fun to watch, as they're all highlight-reel performers.Is Collie good to go? Colts WR Austin Collie(notes) (foot) has been practicing this week, but he's the fifth option, at best, this week. Let's see him in action and watch how QB Kerry Collins spreads around the football. It shouldn't matter that Collie told reporters he's as ready as he'll ever be because this team is going to have to run more, limiting its use of multiple-WR sets.Around the league No news is good news for WR Wes Welker(notes) (neck). The Patriots don't give out much injury information but Welker did dress out for the final preseason game so I'm assuming he'll play in Week One. Packers TE Jermichael Finley(notes) (ankle) has been limited in practice this week but the team is just being cautious with the injury-prone fantasy stud. Barring a setback, he'll play and should be in starting lineups. Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch(notes), who missed the last two preseason games with a sore ankle, was back at practice Wednesday and is good to go for Week One. I don't like any Seahawks but view him as a flex or injury fill-in. Bears RB Marion Barber(notes) (calf) did not practice Wednesday and is still day-to-day with a calf strain. He's the handcuff to Matt Forté so let's watch how his role unfolds before inserting him into any lineups. Titans RB Javon Ringer(notes) (back) wasted an opportunity to showcase himself during Chris Johnson's holdout and though Ringer will play in Week One, he won't be a factor. The team plans on relying heavily on Johnson. Bench Ringer. Browns TE Benjamin Watson(notes) (hip) will play this week, as the team is just being cautious with him. However, teammate Evan Moore(notes) is the better pass-catching tight end and the better option of the two. Redskins TE Chris Cooley(notes) (knee), who hasn't participated in a full practice this preseason, will be a game-day decision. He's not worth the start as the team also has Fred Davis(notes), a solid pass-catching tight end. Bench Cooley.