FANTASY FOOTBALL NFL PLAYERS

Posted: 12/28/2008 8:35pm et

The Associated Press reports Cleveland Browns RB Jamal Lewis rushed for 94 yards on 23 carries in the team's Week 17 game, which allowed him to surpass the 1,000-yard mark for the season.

The Huddle Take: Despite the 1,000-yard rushing campaign, Lewis has been inconsistent for much of the year which saw Cleveland struggle offensively to stay in most games. The once highly sought after Lewis should now be considered no better than a No. 2 running back which could lose carries in a running back by committee approach in 2009.

Posted: 9/5/2008 5:09pm et

The Medina County Gazette reports Cleveland Browns RB Jamal Lewis (hamstring) was limited during practice Friday, Sept. 5. He is listed as questionable for Week 1 and will be a game-time decision.

The Huddle Take: Jerome Harrison would be the guy to start if Lewis can't go, so if you handcuffed you should be in decent shape by going with Harrison either way. If you didn't and only have Lewis, look somewhere else. Not only is this a matchup against a good defense, but starting Lewis this week has implosion written all over it.

Posted: 9/1/2008 12:43pm et

Strained Hamstring - Browns' veteran RB Jamal Lewis, who has missed the team's final two exhibition games because of a mild hamstring strain, is expected to practice with the team this week and he should be in the starting lineup for the team's Week 1 game. Head coach Romeo Crennel told reporters that Lewis has shown signs of improvement over the last couple of weeks and that he believes that Lewis will be cleared to play in the team's season opener. Lewis recently said that his hamstring is feeling better and that he feels that he is ready for Week 1. Crennel believes that Lewis will be cleared to play this upcoming weekend and at this point there is no reason to believe that he won't.

Posted: 8/21/2008 6:31pm et

The Associated Press reports Cleveland Browns RB Jamal Lewis (hamstring) is not expected to play in the team's preseason game Saturday, Aug. 23. He did not participate in practice Wednesday, Aug. 20.

The Huddle Take: Head coach Romeo Crennel said he didn't think the injury was major, for whatever that's worth, but it's still troubling news. Lewis could be a massive pickup for those savvy enough to try and get him in the third or fourth round. He's flying under the radar in a lot of leagues, but if he's healthy enough to put in a full season, the nature of the Browns' explosive offense should provide plenty of holes for him to run through. Hamstring injuries, of course, are an extremely frustrating occurrence for fantasy players. But for now, don't downgrade Lewis. See if he's practicing early in the week before you make your final decision on him.