The Browns are hopeful Trent Richardson will return to practice next week – It is a cause for optimism that Richardson will resume practice drills after undergoing an arthroscopic procedure on his knee on August 9, but it remains to be seen how much he can do once he does hit the field. While the team is hoping to have him back for Week 1 versus Philadelphia, it is still a very legitimate possibility that their star rookie just won't be in game condition by September 9.
Mikel Leshoure (hamstring) is expected to play in Saturday's preseason game versus Oakland – It appears that Leshoure will finally make his professional debut and it could be just in time for many owners to form a more accurate assessment of his worth. If he displays the explosion and aggressive, downhill style between the tackles that made him a highly touted second-round NFL draft pick, Leshoure should cement his status as a promising mid-round selection. On the flip side, if he appears tentative and sluggish, or worse, aggravates his hamstring injury, he could plummet down draft boards.
Michael Turner has been working on his receiving skills out of the backfield – The Falcons offense is looking to become a more up-tempo unit this season, but not about to take one of their best offensive weapons out of the game plan. To adjust to a new system under coordinator Dirk Koetter, Turner has been working on his pass catching and could improve his production in that area despite the presence of Jacquizz Rodgers. While wear and tear are legitimate worries with Turner playing this season at 30, coach Mike Smith's statement that "he's going to get his touches just like the other guys" makes it seem as if Turner's stock has taken some unnecessary abuse this summer.
Jason Witten (spleen) will not require surgery – This is excellent news for Witten and anyone that may have already drafted him. If he had required surgery to repair his lacerated spleen, he more than likely would have missed the season. As it stands now, doctors believe his injury will heal on its own and he projects to return to the field early in the regular season, if not by Week 1.
Sidney Rice (shoulders) will play in the Seahawks third preseason game versus the Chiefs on Friday – With the competition heating up at receiver for Seattle, the team is looking to see where Rice's conditioning and health stand. Assuming his surgically repaired shoulders hold up fine, he's easily the team's No. 1 wideout entering the year and one of the more interesting risk/reward players at the position.
Dez Bryant (patella tendinitis) is confident he'll be ready for Week 1 – Bryant will want to get some revenge for the Week 17 loss last year that sent the Cowboys home and the Giants on their improbable playoff run. He's day-to-day for now and while he's likely to experience lingering discomfort in his knee all season, it is not an injury that should prevent him from taking the field.
Darren Sproles (knee) will sit out Saturday's preseason game versus Houston – Sproles has participated in recent practices in a limited capacity, and if it were a regular season game, it sounds as if he'd be available to play, but the Saints are taking the wiser path and resting him as a precaution. Don't expect the lightning bug to suit up until the Week 1 visit from the Redskins when he should resume his role as the team's top threat out of the backfield.
Mike Shanahan is uncertain if either Roy Helu (Achilles) or Tim Hightower (knee) will be ready for Week 1 – Though neither is going full speed at the moment, both players participated in a full pads practice on Wednesday and are progressing with the regular season as a target for their return. Whether Helu or Hightower is ready physically however does not necessarily mean they will see many, if any carries. And until the backfield is a lot healthier as a whole, the job of lead back appears to be on the shoulders of Evan Royster, who could be a nice early season starting option for teams that elect to take a chance on an Adrian Peterson or Ryan Mathews with a high pick.
Dwayne Bowe will play in Friday's preseason game versus Seattle – While he's not expected to see many plays, it does provide a chance to see where Bowe is at from a conditioning standpoint. Now that he's returned, he should have little trouble getting up to full speed by the start of the regular season and resume his spot as the Chiefs' unquestioned No. 1 wide receiver.
Steve Smith missed practice with a foot infection – The injury is not considered serious, though if the infection does not clear up in a few days, it's possible Smith will miss the Panthers dress rehearsal preseason game against the Jets on Sunday.
Jason Pierre-Paul (back spasms) will not play in Friday's preseason matchup with Chicago – JPP has been bothered a bit by back spasms and will be held out as a precautionary measure. Assuming he's healthy when Dallas comes to town in a couple weeks, Pierre-Paul will once again be a terror in opposing backfields this season and one of fantasy's top IDP options.