FANTASY FOOTBALL NFL PLAYERS

Posted: 11/20/2009 4:18pm et

ESPN.com reports New Orleans Saints RB Reggie Bush (knee) did not practice Friday, Nov. 20, and is questionable for Week 11.

The Huddle Take: Much like Cedric Benson with the Bengals, Bush could conceivably play, but the Saints may choose to rest him in a game they should win against Tampa Bay. If Bush does sit out, the value of Pierre Thomas should rise significantly. Mike Bell's value should also rise, although he's had 11 fewer rushing attempts than Thomas in the last two games combined.

Posted: 11/19/2009 3:34pm et

The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports New Orleans Saints RB Reggie Bush (knee) did not participate in practice Thursday, Nov. 19. Head coach Sean Payton said Bush has some swelling in his knee.

The Huddle Take: This looks like a precautionary move more than anything, for now at least. If Bush isn't practicing on Friday, there will be some significant doubt regarding his availability for Sunday's game against Tampa Bay.

Posted: 10/28/2009 11:32am et

CBSSports.com reports New Orleans Saints RB Reggie Bush had a season-low six touches (three carries, three receptions) in Week 7. However, Bush does not feel as if he is being phased out of the offense.

The Huddle Take: The Saints have been giving the bulk of the carries to Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell, leaving little for Bush—even in the passing game. We've seen Bush be more effective when his touches are limited, so the key will be finding that balance between sufficient opportunities and getting lost in the shuffle.

Posted: 9/24/2009 2:58pm et

Updating a previous report, Brian Allee-Walsh, of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, reports New Orleans Saints RBs Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas and Lynell Hamilton saw time with the first-team offense during practice Wednesday, Sept. 24. Hamilton said the coaches told him to be ready to play in Week 3.

The Huddle Take: Super duper; with Mike Bell out of the picture, the Saints introduce yet another back into the mix. Is Mike Shanahan secretly coaching New Orleans' running backs?

Posted: 9/14/2009 3:27pm et

CBS Sports reports New Orleans Saints RB Pierre Thomas (knee) is uncertain to return for the team's Week 2 game. When Thomas does return, he will splits snaps with RB Mike Bell, according to head coach Sean Payton. Payton also said there's a clear plan for how they'll utilize RB Reggie Bush, who is used in a more exotic fashion than Bell or Thomas.

The Huddle Take: Hopefully you've picked up Bell due to the uncertainty surrounding Thomas. Even though it was against the Lions, Bell still tallied more than 140 yards rushing.

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

CBSSports.com reports New Orleans Saints RB Reggie Bush said he is 100 percent healthy from his knee and calf injuries. He said it will be up to the coaches if he plays in the final preseason game Thursday, Sept. 3.

The Huddle Take: Bush says he's healthy, but three preseason touches and 1.7 yards per carry don't do much to support that assertion. Bush is still an injury risk, but a flash of his ability on Thursday might boost him back up fantasy draft boards.

Posted: 8/26/2009 4:40pm et

The Associated Press reports New Orleans Saints FB Mike Bell has dropped his weight to 219 pounds and is having a strong training camp for the team. "He runs hard," head coach Sean Payton said. "He's a physical player. I think he's had a real good offseason and camp. I'm encouraged. He's in good shape and his weight is where we want it to be." Bell figures to be part of a three-back tandem along with RBs Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush when the Saints offense is in need of a more basic, punishing, clock-eating approach.

The Huddle Take: Two-headed backfields are one thing, but if the Saints go to a three-pronged approach it will significantly dent Pierre Thomas' value. Bush's fantasy value has already taken a hit due to his injury risk and his inability to run between the tackles. Bell is cropping up on fantasy radars after rushing for 100 yards on 10 carries against the Saints last week.

Posted: 8/25/2009 12:02pm et

The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports New Orleans Saints RB Reggie Bush (calf) said he will play in the team�s next preseason game and expects to receive a heavy workload. 'It's just precautionary, taking it slow, building back to the season,' Bush said. 'I'm sure I'll play quite a bit this game. I know I'm looking forward to it.' Head coach Sean Payton said Bush likely will be on the field for about 20 plays.

The Huddle Take: With Pierre Thomas nursing a sprained MCL, look for Bush to see a lot of carries. But once the regular season starts, expect Thomas, assuming, obviously that he's at full speed, to shoulder most of the rushing load.

Posted: 8/23/2009 10:25pm et

The Associated Press reports New Orleans Saints RB Reggie Bush (calf) did not play Saturday, Aug. 22, due to a strained calf. Head coach Sean Payton said Bush should be able to practice this week, and called Bush's injury 'fairly mild.'

The Huddle Take: With Pierre Thomas also in the mix at running back for New Orleans this season don't expect the Saints to rely on Reggie Bush as much as they have done in seasons past. It is good news that the injury is considered mild as New Orleans will likely ease him back into action and limit his touches in preseason.

Posted: 8/22/2009 9:52pm et

The New Orleans Times-Picayune, reports New Orleans Saints RB Reggie Bush (calf) will not play in the team's preseason game Saturday, Aug. 22.

The Huddle Take: The injury to Bush should not be considered serious at this point as the team will likely limit his touches during the preseason to insure that he starts the season in good health. Fantasy owners should be wary of Reggie Bush this season as running back Pierre Thomas looks to have more of a presence in the offense.