recover from an ankle injury sustained in Week

To say Najam Sethi at the PCB has been a shade bullish about the Pakistan Super Leagues prospects would be an understatement. It is understandable, given the PSL was virtually entirely his idea, and it is a mark of his influence at the PCB that the league has come into existence at all. (The public support of Shaharyar Khan, the PCBs chairman, for the project was mystifyingly muted; was it indicative of his thoughts on the whole idea?)Sethis delight at the PSL getting underway was irrepressible. The PSL will be the biggest thing that has hit Pakistan cricket, he said in an interview. He added that, five years down the line, if the PSL were held in Pakistan, it would be far more exciting than any FTP engagement could ever be. The PSL will be more like the IPL than other leagues, he declared.Although Sethis bombastic build-up to the PSL and his eagerness to associate it with the IPL come off as rather transparently insecure, the league has whipped up excitement among Pakistans cricket-starved fans in a way quite unlike anything else in recent memory. Hopes that the PSL will help bring back Pakistans glory days, even bring international cricket back to the country, fly unchecked. The extent and variety of raw young Pakistani talent on display is marvelled at. The number of international stars present is pointed to as proof of the tournaments marketability. Anything less than utter and complete admiration of everything PSL risks coming off as churlish in the extreme.Make no mistake, there is much that the PSL needs to be admired for. It has given Pakistani players the chance to participate in a lucrative T20 league. It has allowed them to gain precious experience sharing dressing rooms with international crickets biggest names, and financial incentives of the sort that have, unfortunately for Pakistani players, been severely curtailed in the past for a multitude of non-cricketing reasons, from a precarious security situation in Pakistan to an unstable political relationship with India. The PSL has greatly boosted the earning potential of young players on Pakistans domestic circuit, many of whom have had to hold part-time jobs, and often had to choose between feeding their passions and their families. It has enabled parts of Pakistan rejected by the cricketing establishment to take pride in their citys exploits. The irony of Quetta being joint top at the end of the group stage, the capital city of a province that has never seen a player turn out at ODI or Test level in Pakistans history, is not lost on anyone who loves a good underdog tale.But fans and administrators alike seem to be laying a greater burden on the shoulders of the tournament than it can possibly bear. Sethi, Ramiz Raja and Wasim Akram among many others have talked up the possibility of the PSL bringing international cricket back to Pakistan. One cannot help wonder how. Cricket did not move away from Pakistan because the countrys appeal went down in cricketing terms - indeed, Pakistan won the T20 World Cup three months after its international isolation began - but because of security issues, which have nothing to do with whether the PSL is a roaring success or a whimpering failure. The PSL could be as successful as the English Premier League and it couldnt bring cricket back to Pakistan as long as the threat of a team bus being ambushed and attacked by bullets and hand grenades on its way to a stadium remained realistic. If that is the yardstick by which the event will be measured, the PSL risks being unfairly set up for failure. Moreover, if the concept and layout of T20 league cricket is designed for entertaining, fast-paced cricket, the PSLs format could not have done more to blunt its sharpness more effectively. Five is an awkward number of teams to play in any league, but stipulating that four go through to the knockout round (which isnt actually a knockout, but thats a different story) makes the group stage almost pointless. Thats an unwelcome indictment, given the group stage is more or less the entire tournament. Therefore, all the teams needed to do to stave off elimination was ensure they didnt finish rock bottom, which meant that very soon, Quetta and Peshawar werent playing for too much at all.It also, surely, made Karachi Kings the worst team in the short history of T20 cricket to advance to a round where they were three matches away from winning the entire event. Shoaib Maliks (and then, of course, Ravi Boparas) men were so ordinary by the end of the group stage that they were guaranteed a losing win-loss record, even if they went on to win the tournament. A format that permits this to happen cannot be much more than a work in progress. Surely the only sensible format was the top two teams making the final? Make that a best-of-three if you must. It would be far more exciting to see Quetta and Peshawar play three hard-fought contests between them than the mess that is the current arrangement.The disappointing crowds at almost every game not held on a Friday, particularly in Dubai, have been a sobering reality check. The huge, lifeless stands that have become an unwelcome hallmark of Pakistans adopted home have been in full evidence for large parts of the event. A smattering of passionate support in a small part of the ground does not do nearly enough to dispel the impression of indifference to the PSL in the UAE - which Sethi put down on the eve of the tournament to a tight marketing budget. While it seems hardly fair to criticise the PSL for sparse crowds - it was an inevitable consequence of the tournament not being held in the cities whose teams featured in the league - such a strong lack of interest in the event from the people of the cities where it did take place is a solemn reminder of the work that still lies ahead if the PSL is going to last much longer than its debut season.That will be the greatest challenge of all. For the PSL to have any kind of long-term future, it needs to come back to the country whose name makes up one third of the acronym, and the unlikelihood, at present, of that happening makes its long-term prospects rather bleak.The PSL has done many things right, but there is room for improvement. (It could take on three more teams and adopt a logical format, for starters.) However, a number of factors in Pakistan cricket simply arent within the PSLs power to change, and it is crucial the tournament doesnt become a wishing wand for spectators and administrators alike. It may well fill the PCBs coffers, but it cannot fill Pakistans stadiums. Detroit Red Wings Jerseys . Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek defeated Nenad Zimonjic and Ilija Bozoljac 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (4) on the indoor hard-court at Belgrade Arena. The victory improved the Czech pairs impressive cup doubles record to 14-1. Kris Draper Jersey . Roman Josi had a goal and an assist to lead the Predators to a 4-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Monday night. http://www.redwingshockeyauthentic.com/kris-draper-jersey/ . Paul Pierce couldnt believe he missed at the end. Young scored a season-high 26 points to spark a huge effort from the leagues most productive bench, and Los Angeles beat the Brooklyn Nets 99-94 on Wednesday night after blowing a 27-point lead. Chris Chelios Jersey . After Mondays hard-fought loss, the wait seemed longer than usual. Getting set to go their separate ways for a short Christmas break, the Raptors coach credited his team for their effort on a seemingly impossible three-game road trip, urging them to build on that success when they get back to work at the end of the week. Jimmy Howard Red Wings Jersey . At a Manhattan federal court hearing, attorney Jordan Siev said his law office has gotten more evidence nearly every day to support its lawsuit accusing MLB and Selig of going on a "witch hunt" to ruin Rodriguezs reputation and career. He said the defendants went "way over the line. Welcome to Week 8! Its a fantasy nightmare as six teams are on bye this week and most of the other 26 are contending with some bumps and bruises. This weeks teams on bye are: San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Rams. The Titans and Jaguars played their game Thursday night, leaving fantasy owners with only 12 games to choose from this weekend. One of those 12 kicks off at 9:30 a.m. ET Sunday as the Washington Redskins and the Cincinnati Bengals face each other in London. Lineup replacements can be hard to come by with so many teams off this week so fantasy owners might have to engineer some last-minute trades to complete a roster.Injury concerns regarding players heading into the Sunday and Monday games can be critical. Each Saturday, this entry will be dedicated to each player who appears on the official weekly NFL game status injury report and how his status might impact fantasy teams.For those who might be new to this feature: Injury reports provide some insight into a players status. The NFL requires teams to submit practice injury reports several times a week, identifying the body part that is involved in the injury. This year, there has been a change in the language of injury reporting, per the league office. The most notable change is the removal of the probable designation. For more detailed information on the changes and what they mean, click here.Early in the week, the practice injury reports indicate whether a player did not practice, was limited in practice or was a full participant in practice. On Fridays, all teams file a game status injury report assigning one of the following designations: questionable, doubtful or out. The designations listed here reflect the injury reports filed with the league office Friday evening. Teams playing Monday night do not have to issue their designations until Saturday. The explanation for each designation is as follows:Out: This is the easy one: The guy is not playing Sunday.Questionable (Q): This remains the most dreaded player designation. By definition it means a player is uncertain to play. How uncertain is uncertain? There is no percentage or measurement scale, so this classification remains rather vague. Whether a player ends up active or inactive often comes down to a game-time decision based on how he feels on game-day morning or how he performs during warm-ups. Final inactives are due 90 minutes before kickoff.Doubtful (D): The doubtful designation means a player is unlikely to play that week. Rarely does a player labeled as doubtful end up playing, unless he experiences a major turnaround before game time.Each week in this Saturday feature, we run down a list of key fantasy players, by position, who appear in the Friday injury report, along with the injured body part as listed on the report, player status and any relevant developments or insight. The primary fantasy positions are covered (quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end).This year, at the end of each positional section, there is a subgroup of players: Players off game status injury report. The probable tag no longer exists, so players who would have been listed as probable in previous years are now simply removed from the report. This means there will be players who appear in the practice injury reports during the week but will not appear on the game-status report Friday, since they are presumed active for game day. They are included in this article so that fantasy owners can see where players who were on the practice injury report during the week have been upgraded in advance of the games.At the end, key fantasy players listed Friday as out for the weeks games will appear as a group.QuarterbacksPlayers off game status injury report:Josh McCown, QB, Cleveland Browns, left shoulder: McCown resumes his starting role in Cleveland after practicing in full this week. He has been out since Week 2 because of a broken collarbone.Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals, hamstring: Palmer was questionable last week but played. Although he is still listed on the practice injury report and continues to get treatment, he is off the game status injury report. He is expected to play against the Panthers.Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts, right shoulder/ankle: Perhaps the best news for Luck is that in Week 7, he finally seemed to absorb less physical punishment than he had the previous six. If that trend continues, his body would surely appreciate it. For now, he remains on the injury report during the week but is removed prior to the filing of the game report.Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks, ankle/knee: Heres a new one for Wilson: He has a pectoral injury on his throwing side. Heres another new one: Wilson was kept to limited practice reps on Wednesday and Thursday. That just doesnt happen folks. Even with the high ankle sprain he was a full participant. The wise move was to limit his throws with the pec injury, saving him for when it really counts. Wilson is happy that the ankle is no longer an issue, at least from a reporting standpoint, although his mobility still appears to be limited, perhaps predominantly because of the MCL sprain in his knee. Now he has soreness in the chest muscle on his throwing side. It certainly doesnt help, but its not going to keep Wilson from taking the field Sunday. It will be interesting to see if the team still opts to go pass heavy as they face the Saints.Trevor Siemian, Denver Broncos, left shoulder: Siemian has already played in the presence of this injury and continues to turn in full practices. He will start Monday night.Running backsLeSean McCoy, hamstring, (D), and Mike Gillislee, foot, (Q), Buffalo Bills: McCoy was a surprise active last week, then unsurprisingly aggravated his hamstring injury and was forced out of the game in the third quarter. This week he did not practice and the doubtful tag has been applied. He is not expected to play and its not clear whether he makes a return before the teams Week 10 bye.Meanwhile, Mike Gillislee is expected to start in place of the injured McCoy. The questionable designation is not confidence inspiring but there has been no suggestion that Gillislee is in danger of missing the game. Limited reps in practice makes sense as the team tries to preserve his effort for Sunday. Fantasy owners should double check his status before the game, just in case.Lamar Miller, Houston Texans, shoulder, (Q): After practicing on a limited basis each day, it appears Miller will look to play Sunday, despite the questionable tag. Miller took a big hit to the shoulder in Monday nights game and has less recovery time than a normal Sunday to Sunday schedule. The bigger concern, once the team officially declares Millers status Sunday, is how long he will last if he plays. He could split work with Alfred Blue and that split could shift if Millers shoulder becomes more problematic during the game. In other words, fantasy owners should first check to see if hes active, then decide if they want to start him.Jeremy Langford, Chicago Bears, ankle, (Q): Langford has not played since suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 3. His participation in limited practices each day reflects his improvement and he has a chance to play Monday night. But Jordan Howard and KaDeem Carey arent going anywhere. There is no telling how well Langford will run when he does return or how hell be utilized. Did we mention theyre playing the Vikings?Players off game status injury report:Theo Riddick and Dwayne Washington, Detroit Lions, ankle: In a week where numerous backs are missing because of injuries or a bye, its nice to see a team that is getting running backs returning. Riddick, who has been out since Week 5 because of an ankle injury, turned in two full practices Thursday and Friday after a limited session Wednesday. Washington practiced all of last week on a limited basis but was declared inactive in advance of the game. This week he upgraded to full practices and will be available alongside Riddick. The downside of everyone getting healthy is a divided workload, but Riddick, a pass-catching outlet for quarterback Matthew Stafford, is likely to see the most volume.Devonta Freeman, Atlanta Falcons, hip: Its good to see that the hip issue Freeman was listed with early in the week was a nonfactor by the time the team submitted injury reports. Freeman will be relied upon for the Falcons ground game this week as teammate Tevin Coleman has already been ruled out because of a hamstring injury.Don Jackson, Green Bay Packers, hand: After being promoted from the practice squad to the active roster last week just in time for the Thursday night game, Jackson did not play much. He suffered a hand injury and did not re-enter the game. Jackson downplayed the injury and it appears he was justified. He was back to full practice this week and has been removed from the game status injury report.Matt Forte, knee, and Bilal Powell, toe, New York Jets: Add Powell to the running backs getting fewer reps during the week list. Both Forte and Powell had limited work early, then upgraded to full. They are both expected to be available Sunday.Wide receiversRandall Cobb, hamstring and Ty Montgomery, illness, Green Bay Packers, (Q): (Note: Although Montgomery has now been added eligibility at RB, his injury news will continue to be filed under his original position, WR.) Cobb was a limited practice participant throughout the week, apparently very limited, because of a hamstring strain. It sounds as if theres reason to be somewhat concerned about just how much Cobb will be able to run.Despite all the playing time Montgomery had last Thursday night, he emerged from the game relatively unscathed. However, he turned up on the injury report this week due to illness. He was held to limited practices daily but is expected to play Sunday.Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys, knee, (Q): Bryant is going to play. Unless something happens on the way to the stadium or from the locker room to the field, Bryant -- who was lobbying to play two weeks ago before the team entered its bye -- will be back out on the field for Sunday nights game. He has missed three games because of a hairline crack of the tibial plateau, but he has been participating in practice for over two weeks. He should play without limitation.Donte Moncrief, Indianapolis Colts, shoulder, (Q): Moncrief has been out for five weeks since fracturing his scapula (shoulder blade). He returned to limited practices Wednesday and Thursday this week and upgraded to full on Friday, but he participated in each session wearing a non-contact jersey. Earlier in the week, Moncrief said he would be surprised if he didnt play Sunday, yet he comes into the matchup with a questionable tag. The designation leaves the door open for Moncrief to sit but no one in Indianapolis is expecting him to miss a sixth game. ESPN.coms Mike Wells reports Moncrief will play, noting this will be the first time since Week 2 that quarterback Andrew Luck will have his top three wide reeceivers on the field.ddddddddddddJulian Edelman, New England Patriots, foot, (Q): This feels like a broken record. Edelman remains limited in practice, comes into the game as questionable, then plays. The productivity continues to be inconsistent, but the Patriots just have so many weapons available to them on offense, its hard to know when -- or if -- this will change.Robert Woods, Buffalo Bills, foot, (Q): Woods wanted to play last week but just wasnt ready. Although he was limited in practice during the week, there is more confidence he will be ready to go this Sunday. Given the questionable designation, fantasy owners will want to check pregame inactives.Cordarrelle Patterson, Minnesota Vikings, concussion, (Q): After sitting out Thursday and Friday practices because of a concussion, Patterson returned to limited practice Saturday. He comes in as questionable and has yet to be cleared to return to play but on Saturday coach Mike Zimmer said he was hopeful Patterson will be available Monday night. Any fantasy owner considering him needs to have another option handy.John Brown and Michael Floyd, Arizona Cardinals, hamstring, (Q): Both players have hamstring next to their names and both are listed as questionable but that is where the similarities end. Floyd pulled up during the Week 7 game and reached for his hamstring when he felt a twinge. He did re-enter the game but naturally appeared on this weeks injury report and was held out of practice until Friday. He did return to limited work Friday but his status is, indeed, questionable and might not be decided until pregame warm-ups.Brown was able to turn in limited practices each day but it is unclear whether there is enough confidence to return him to the playing field just yet. The team has been working on a management plan to help him overcome intermittent leg pain they believe to be related to his sickle cell trait.With Jaron Brown placed on injured reserve because of a torn ACL, the Cardinals are thin at wide receiver. Larry Fitzgerald, the ageless wonder, continues to be productive -- and healthy -- thus far. J.J. Nelson could get a boost Sunday if one or both of the questionable receivers is sidelined.Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks, thigh, (Q): Lockett was a limited participant Wednesday and a full participant Thursday and Friday, so the questionable designation is an odd one. Perhaps the team wants to ensure there are no issues before kickoff. Lockett appears on track to play, but fantasy owners will want to double check his status before game time.DeSean Jackson, hamstring/shoulder, and Jamison Crowder, groin, Washington Redskins, (Q): Both Crowder and Jackson are expected to play in London on Sunday despite being listed as questionable. Both receivers participated in practice daily on a limited basis. This game kicks off at 9:30 a.m. ET, so fantasy owners who are considering using them will want to check early pregame inactive lists, but hopefully scrambling to find a replacement will not be required.Travis Benjamin, knee, and Tyrell Williams, knee, San Diego Chargers, (Q): Both receivers had Wednesday off to rest but both were limited in practice the remainder of the week. Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports both receivers are expected to play. This feels like one of those listed as questionable because probable doesnt exist anymore scenarios.Eddie Royal, toe, (D), and Cameron Meredith, shoulder, (Q), Chicago Bears: This team plays on Monday night, so fantasy owners will need to make early plans to replace these two wide receivers. Royal, at doubtful, is expected to sit this game out. He has not played since Week 6; it remains to be seen how much improvement he shows after the Bears bye next week.Meredith was limited in practice daily by a shoulder injury of unknown severity. It appears he has a chance to play, but given the lack of production last week, the unknown Jay Cutler effect and the defensive matchup against the Vikings, the uncertainty of his status only adds to the reasons to look elsewhere.Players off game status injury report:Jordan Matthews, Philadelphia Eagles, knee: Matthews was limited Wednesday with reports of knee tendinitis. His return to a full practice Thursday and another full practice Friday were enough to remove him from the game status injury report. He is expected to play.Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos, hip: Thomas was on the injury report earlier this season because of his hip but did not miss any time. It appears the problem has resurfaced but not to a degree that would threaten his game status. Two limited practices for Thomas were followed by a full practice on Friday. His removal from the game status injury report indicates he is planning to play.Phillip Dorsett, hamstring and T.Y. Hilton, hip, Indianapolis Colts: The Colts have certainly had their share of injury concerns, but they are finally getting some players healthier. Dorsett missed the Week 7 game because of two lower extremity injuries (a foot ailment in addition to the hamstring) but he is improved enough that he is off the game status injury report entirely. Dorsett turned in limited practice Wednesday but upgraded to full both Thursday and Friday.Hilton got a day off this week as he often does (this time it was Thursday) but returned to full practice Friday. Neither player appears on the game status injury report, truly a welcome sight for fantasy owners.Terrelle Pryor Sr., Cleveland Browns, hamstring: Pryor was essentially a decoy last week, playing very little because of a sore hamstring. This week, fantasy owners can feel much better about his status as he was removed from the pregame injury report.Mohamed Sanu, groin, Atlanta Falcons: Sanu appeared here last week with the same injury label. He might be receiving treatment, but he is still practicing in full each day and is not listed on the game status injury report.Emmanuel Sanders, Denver Broncos, hip: Sanders was a full participant daily despite being on the injury report for his hip. He is expected to play on Monday night.Tight endsJordan Reed, Washington Redskins, concussion: Reed resumed practice again this week after venturing out to one practice session last week. He was cleared to fly to London and again practiced with the team overseas. He was given the green light to return and is expected to play Sunday morning, barring a setback.Hunter Henry, San Diego Chargers, concussion, (Q) : Henry reported symptoms after last weeks game and was entered into the concussion protocol. After limited practice Wednesday, he participated in consecutive full practices Thursday and Friday. When the game status reports were filed, Henry had yet to be cleared to return to play. According to ESPN.coms Eric Williams, Hunter said he expected to play Sunday against the Broncos. Fantasy owners will want to check the pregame inactives to be sure of his status.Eric Ebron, Detroit Lions, ankle/knee: After missing three weeks because of ankle and knee injuries, Ebron appears to have turned a corner. He returned to limited practice Wednesday, then followed it up with two consecutive days of full practice. The questionable tag leaves the door open for him to be sidelined again should he have trouble in pregame warm-ups, but his upward trend in activity suggests that he probably plays.Martellus Bennett, New England Patriots, ankle, (Q): Bennett injured his ankle in Week 5 but has not missed a game. He is routinely listed as limited in practice, but this week he was a non-participant Friday, making fantasy owners nervous. He is still expected to play Sunday, according to ESPN.coms Mike Reiss. The Patriots upcoming bye will do all their questionables, including Bennett, a world of good.Players off game status injury report:Jimmy Graham, Seattle Seahawks, knee: Nothing to worry about with Graham, at least that is what the Seahawks are saying by removing him from the game status injury report. Graham got a day off practice Wednesday but returned to full status for Thursday and Friday.Players ruled outThis space is intended for a list of key players, not including those who have been moved to injured reserve status, who are officially listed as Out for the upcoming game.C.J. Anderson, RB, Denver Broncos, knee: Anderson underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus and has been put on injured reserve.Matt Jones, RB, Washington Redskins, knee: Jones had some painful memories triggered when the knee that he injured in college became problematic again this week. Although he tried to overcome it enough to play in London, that wasnt to be and he has already been ruled out.Cody Kessler, QB, Cleveland Browns, concussion: Kessler is not yet practicing since suffering a concussion. Josh McCown resumes his role as the starter.Tevin Coleman, RB, Atlanta Falcons, hamstring: Coleman injured his hamstring in last weeks game and the workload shifted to Devonta Freeman. Coleman was not able to practice all week and Freeman will be primed to carry the rock for the Falcons.Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs, knee: Charles went from off the injury report in Week 6 to questionable in Week 7, when he was then listed as active but managed zero yards on one carry. Clearly he has not yet returned to form. Now he is out in advance of the Week 8 game.Reports of recent knee swelling combined with coach Andy Reids comments early last week that Charles was not ready to be an every-down back hinted at a continued primary back role for Spencer Ware. This week there is no doubt about Wares role as Charles will be sidelined for (at least) this game.Jerick McKinnon, RB, Minnesota Vikings, ankle: The ankle injury was too much for McKinnon to overcome this week. Expect much more Matt Asiata on Monday night as the Vikings host the Bears.James Starks, RB, Green Bay Packers, knee: Starks continues to rehab from his recent surgery to address a meniscus tear.Jared Cook, TE, Green Bay Packers, ankle: Cook is out again this week as he continues to recover from an ankle injury sustained in Week 3 but he is making progress with his activity. His return might not be far off.Doug Martin, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, hamstring: Martin suffered a setback to his hamstring and now has no timetable for his return.Dwayne Allen, TE, Indianapolis Colts, ankle: Allen injured his ankle in Week 6 and was expected to be out for potentially a few games. This marks the second consecutive week he will miss.Thomas Rawls, RB, Seattle Seahawks, fibula: Rawls continues to heal from his fibula fracture and has not yet returned to practice.Tony Romo, QB, Dallas Cowboys, back: Romo is not yet practicing but he has resumed some throwing.Corey Coleman, WR, Cleveland Browns, hand: Coleman remains out because of a broken hand but is making progress and getting closer to a return.Be sure to check out Fantasy Football Now, Sundays on ESPN2 at 11 a.m. ET for last-minute inactives, rankings, injury impact and more! ' ' '