Snap, crackle and pop

Snap, Crackle & Pop Snap, Crackle and Pop is a weekly column that reviews the major injuries (Snap) and then projects both busts (Crackle) and sleepers (Pop) for the coming week.

• It will be another stressful week for Brian Westbrook owners. The Philly running back suffered two fractured ribs in last week's loss to the Redskins and could miss his second game in his last three weeks. Westbrook suffered the injury in the first quarter on Sunday, though he stayed in the game and played through it, even scoring a TD. We know his pain threshold is high, so it's a matter of getting clearance from the medical staff to suit up. Keep Correll Buckhalter in reserve as Westbrook is likely to be a game time decision in San Francisco. There may be no running back as critical to an offense as Westbrook is to Philadelphia's.

• Raiders RB Justin Fargas will return this Sunday against the Saints. Fargas owners were fortunate that rookie Darren McFadden had two mediocre games in a row. Fargas will slide back in as a starter against the Saints. He should be picked up in any league where he is available.

• Jon Gruden's quarterback carousel is turning again. The Tampa Bay coach is pessimistic about the condition of Brian Griese's elbow. Former starter Jeff Garcia saw some action in relief of Griese last week and could get the start against Carolina on Sunday. Stay away from Buccaneers quarterbacks this week. Whoever starts will face a good Carolina pass defense.

• The Texans are still looking for their first win, but having Matt Schaub back for the Dolphins game should help. Their starting quarterback missed last week's Colts game with a viral infection. Miami has a pretty good run defense, so Schaub will be throwing the ball a lot against the Fish.

• Seattle coach Mike Holmgren held Matt Hasselbeck out of practice on Wednesday as a precaution. Hasselbeck hyperextended his knee last week against the Giants and was removed from the game when it got out of hand. Hasselbeck would have finished the game if the Seahawks were competitive. Hasselbeck's actually a pretty good pick against the Packers defense now that he has some receivers to throw to. One of those receivers will not be Deion Branch, however. Branch suffered a foot injury last Sunday and will return to patrolling the sidelines in street clothes.

• It looks like the Broncos will be down two receivers for Sunday's game against the Jaguars. WR Eddie Royal and TE Tony Scheffler were both hurt last week against the Buccaneers. Royal has a sprained ankle and Scheffler a strained groin. Start looking for replacements for this Sunday and beyond. The Broncos will start Brandon Stokley for Royal.

• Bears WR Brandon Lloyd missed last week's Lions game with a knee injury and has yet to practice. His chances of starting at Atlanta seem slim unless he makes a tremendous recovery. Check the Friday practice report. This makes Marty Booker a starter against Atlanta, though he should be avoided in all fantasy formats.

• Expect another week off for Arizona WR Anquan Boldin. Boldin had facial surgery to repair a sinus fracture and missed last week's game against the Bills. The Cardinals will play it safe with Boldin, holding him out another week and then giving him the bye week to fully recover. Expect Boldin back for week 8.

• In and out: Saints TE Jeremy Shockey should be ready to return from his groin injury this week against the Raiders. Not so with San Diego WR Chris Chambers -- he will likely miss this Sunday's New England game.

• Cincinnati features the 30th-ranked rushing attack in the league. That makes the decision to release Rudi Johnson and hand the starting job to Chris Perry look awfully foolish. Perry is averaging 2.8 yards per rush and has fumbled a league-high five times. His troubles will continue as Cedric Benson will eat into his carries. Stay away from Benson this week against a good Jets run defense and stay away from Perry ... forever.

• Speaking of Johnson, he has wormed his way into a running-back-by-committee situation with Kevin Smith. However, neither Detroit running back is a good play this week against Minnesota.

• Texans RB Steve Slaton has been a nice story this season. Stepping in for the injured Ahman Green, Slaton has rushed for 285 yards, with a 5.0-yard average and 3 TDs. Nevertheless, this looks like a week to sit Slaton if you have other options. Slaton faces a surprisingly good Miami defense, ranked fourth in the league.

• Tampa Bay receivers have a bad match-up this week, no matter who the quarterback is. Ike Hilliard and Antonio Bryant are decent options in point-per-reception leagues, but not this week against Carolina's pass defense.

• Bench all your Bills, Titans, Chiefs and Steelers while they rest up on their bye.

• You have questions? I have answers. Need a bye-week replacement at quarterback? Two NFC North QBs fit the bill. Chicago's Kyle Orton is hot, coming off a career-best 334 yards against the Lions last Sunday. The Bears have been passing a lot lately and figure to continue against Atlanta on Sunday. Now it's Gus Frerotte's turn to torch the Lions defense. The Vikings quarterback and his favorite receiver, Bernard Berrian, should have big days against Detroit on Sunday.

• Want more? New England's Matt Cassel faces San Diego Sunday night. The Chargers pass defense is dead last in the NFL. It's time for WR Wes Welker to get his first TD of the season.

• After the Rams, who has the worst defense in football? It's St. Louis. The red-hot Redskins host the Lambs this Sunday. Would you believe that Jason Campbell has a 97 QB rating? And that he has not thrown an interception? The resurgent Santana Moss is a big reason why. Campbell is a fantasy QB1 this week.

• Got receivers? Seattle's Bobby Engram had eight receptions last week, his first game of the season. Engram will be Hasselbeck's main target with Branch out. Engram is a great choice against Green Bay on Sunday in point-per-reception leagues.

• Jacksonville WR Matt Jones has a surprising 23 receptions this season, nearly double the next-best Jaguars receiver. Jones faces a bad Denver defense on Sunday.

• Arizona WR Steve Breaston will get the start again this week with Boldin out. The Cardinals host the Cowboys.