Frank Gore (RB)- Gets contract extension: Gore agreed to terms on a three-year, $21 million extension, including $13.5 million guaranteed on Tuesday. It is clear the 49ers want and need him to be the focal point of their offense, but Gore turns 28 this season and hasn't reached the 300-carry mark since 2006, so it is unclear how much longer he can shoulder the load. Still, a three-year additional investment is a modest risk considering the upside Gore brings to Jim Harbaugh's run-heavy offense. The 49ers might be lucky Gore didn't demand a longer contract. The extension might seem like a significant blow to Kendall Hunter's dynasty league value, but given Gore's durability issues, there's no guarantee that Gore plays out the whole deal. Also, a timeshare between the two will become more likely in the upcoming years.
Zach Miller (TE)- Will be the main man in 2011: With John Carlson out for the year, Miller should see more targets. Miller has a good chance to get back to being a top-10 tight end now that his main competition for playing time and targets is on injured reserve.
Marshawn Lynch (RB)- Won't play Friday due to ankle issue: Lynch will sit out Friday's game against the Lions. This is more of a precautionary move by coach Pete Carroll than anything else. Lynch should be ready to go by Week 1, but a bigger concern is his offensive line, which has struggled during the preseason. However, things may be looking up with left tackle Russell Okung (ankle) close to returning.
Marion Barber (RB)- Does not practice Tuesday due to calf issue: The injury is not considered serious, so we will consider him day-to-day until further notice. Still the Bears have a history of not playing any dinged up players in their final preseason game, so Barber is likely be held out Saturday against the Browns. Barber looks to have the No.2 RB job locked up behind Matt Forte for 2011.
Brandon Marshall (WR)- Will not be suspended: Marshall will not be disciplined by the NFL for any potential violations of the league's personal conduct policy in the wake of an incident of domestic violence at Marshall's home that occured this past offseason. Marshall certainly comes with potential off-field baggage and his QB situation is not optimal, but he's healthy and the best and most talented receiving target the Dolphins have, which in itself seems to give him a solid floor as long as he can stay on the field.
Reggie Bush (RB)- Will be Dolphins' lead RB in 2011: Coach Tony Sparano noted Tuesday that he believes that Bush "...is going to have the most touches and the most carries" in the Dolphins' backfield this season. That's obviously dependent on him staying healthy and taking advantage of his golden opportunity, but it's pretty clear that the Dolphins intend to put Bush -- already an asset in PPR formats -- in a position to succeed, especially with Daniel Thomas not having been especially impressive thus far. 2011 could, we stress could, actually be the year Bush finally breaks out and approaches 1,000 yards rushing if he can stay healthy and proves he can handle a heavier workload.
Javon Ringer (RB)- Ringer will miss Thursday's preseason finale due to hip issue: Ringer has been around long enough that his absence shouldn't prevent him from remaining the Titans' No. 2 RB behind holdout Chris Johnson, once he's back at full strength. That being said, Ringer is not a complete lock for the job due to the impressive showing by Jamie Harper this preseason.
Ben Watson (TE)- Sits out Tuesday's practice with hip issue: On the plus side, coach Pat Shurmur says that his starting tight end will be back on the field quickly. Watson had a solid year in 2010 and will look to improve on those numbers in 2011 as the team's pass offense figures to be improved.
Wes Welker (WR) - Misses Tuesday's practice with neck injury: Welker has been telling his teammates that he feels fine since leaving Saturday's preseason game against the Lions with a neck injury. That being said there really is no compelling reason for the Patriots to rush him back for Thursday's preseason finale.
Arian Foster (RB)- Able to do some light activity: Foster stretched with the Texans and did some light jogging at practice again Tuesday. Foster will stay in Houston this week to rehab his hamstring, as there is zero upside to him playing in the team's preseason finale. Still, he seems to be trending in the right direction after tweaking his hamstring this past Saturday. There is no reason knock Foster down your draft boards but just be wary that this hamstring issue has been lingering off and on for a while and could creep up again during the regular season.
Jahvid Best (RB)- Will play in Thursday's preseason finale against the Bills: Don't expect to see Best out there too long as he is recovering from a concussion, but assuming no setbacks, his presence Thursday will confirm his health and readiness to lead the Lions' backfield come Week 1. Best of course has a history of concussion issues not to mention durability concerns in general, but he is clearly the main horse in the Lions backfield and could approach 1,000 yards in his sophomore campaign if he can stay injury-free.