FANTASY FOOTBALL NFL PLAYERS

Posted: 11/13/2009 11:16am et

Steve Corkran, of the Oakland Tribune, reports Raiders WR Javon Walker has asked the Raiders for his release.

The Huddle Take: Oh yeah, almost forgot Walker was still in the league. The Raiders barely use the young receivers they have, so it's not surprising a veteran with little if any left of his NFL career would prefer a different venue. If he offers to give back whatever money Al Davis has given him so far, there's little question the Raiders would have no problem giving Javon his walking papers.

Posted: 9/18/2009 10:24am et

Oakland Raiders WR Javon Walker will be active for the team's Week 2 game. He might see some time at wide receiver and will be the backup punt returner.

The Huddle Take: It's been a long road back for Walker, who will back up rookies Louis Murphy and Darrius Heyward-Bey. However, "backup to two rookies on a run-first team with an inaccurate quarterback" doesn't exactly fit the definition of fantasy sleeper.

Posted: 9/2/2009 11:14am et

Jerry McDonald, of ANG Newspapers, reports Oakland Raiders WR Javon Walker could start in the team's preseason finale if WR Louis Murphy is unable to play.

The Huddle Take: Murphy is battling a foot injury, while Walker was recently activated from the PUP list as he works his way back from knee problems. Given the state of the Raiders' passing game, neither warrants more than a blip on the fantasy radar.

Posted: 8/24/2009 9:46pm et

CBSSports.com reports the Oakland Raiders have activated WR Javon Walker (knee) from the Physically Unable to Perform list. Walker is participating in practice Monday, Aug. 24.

The Huddle Take: Keep an eye on this situation to make sure that Walker can remain on the field after coming off the PUP list. If he can perform at even near the level he has been known for in the past then he could be a fantasy factor in an offense expected to throw the ball early and often.

Posted: 8/16/2009 9:45pm et

CBSSports.com reports Oakland Raiders WR Javon Walker (knee) could come off the Physically Unable to Perform list as early as Aug. 24, according to head coach Tom Cable.

The Huddle Take: Regardless of Walker's status with the team, there is still very little chance at this point that he will play a very big role for either the Raiders or fantasy teams at the start of the season.

Posted: 8/3/2009 12:42pm et

Updating previous reports, David White, of The San Francisco Chronicle, reports Oakland Raiders WR Javon Walker ran with noticeable speed Sunday, Aug. 2. He cut hard, and sprinted well during the workouts. As reported, he also caught the football very well during the day, only dropping one pass. The Raiders can activate him from the PUP at any time.

The Huddle Take: Walker is still officially on the PUP due to a problematic knee. If that issue is behind him, then all he'll have to deal with is a questionable quarterback situation; maybe then he'll start popping up on the radar as a potential fantasy sleeper.

Posted: 8/1/2009 11:20pm et

Oakland Tribune reports Oakland Raiders CB Stanford Routt said he believes WR Javon Walker can be a reliable playmaker for the team this season. 'Everyone knows what Javon is capable of doing,' Routt said. 'He wasn't able to perform at the level he is accustomed to last season, but ... we expect big things from him this season.'

The Huddle Take: We've heard this before, and there hasn't been much to back it up, so take it worth a grain of salt. When Javon starts blowing up on the field when the games count, we'll start believing it. Until then, don't believe the hype.

Posted: 7/30/2009 11:06pm et

CBSSports.com reports Oakland Raiders WR Javon Walker (knee) said he expects to spend a couple of weeks' on the Physically Unable to Perform list while he recovers from offseason knee surgery.

The Huddle Take: Walker has been hampered by knee problems for last few seasons and it seems 2009 will start off no differently. Expect Walker to once again get off to a slow start as it would really be hard to recommend him factoring in as much of a fantasy option anyway.

Posted: 7/30/2009 1:06pm et

The San Francisco Chronicle reports the Oakland Raiders have placed WR Javon Walker (knee) on the Physically Unable to Perform list.

The Huddle Take: Walker should be good to go for the regular season barring any setbacks. Tons of players are on the PUP list around the league. However, the more time Walker misses in camp, the less likely he'll be the starter come Week 1.

Posted: 7/27/2009 10:21pm et

The San Francisco Chronicle reports the Oakland Raiders need WR Javon Walker to produce something this year in order to give the team's younger receivers time to develop. When it comes to experienced wideouts, Walker is all the Raiders have. He has to prove something to the team and would not even be with them now had he not taken a massive paycut.

The Huddle Take: Walker is on borrowed time, and he and the Raiders obviously hope he can reclaim some of the glory he had while playing in Oakland on the first go-round. However, until the rest of the team catches up in experience, this isn't likely to happen, still he's likely to get at least some action, making him worthy of late round consideration.