Fantasy Football Cut-N-Go: Megatron Malfunctions, MJD Sounds Off

Cut-N-Go is Fantasy Football FanHouse's weekday roundup of the NFL news with fantasy football impact.

We kinda saw this coming. Wouldn't it be nice if Calvin Johnson could transform like the real Megatron and withstand even the most crushing blows? Alas, he's human just like the rest of the stars our fantasy football team depends on. After taking a beating against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Johnson limped off the field with a right knee injury, his second ailment in the past two weeks. Now his status is very up in the air heading into what would be a great matchup with Green Bay. Is it time to get worried about our silver-and-blue crusader?

In the near future, yes. Unlike the thigh injury he sustained at Chicago, this is a sprained knee, and one that will most likely keep him out this week. ESPN insider Adam Schefter hinted as much on Wednesday. This would mean Dennis Northcutt and Bryant Johnson would pick up more targets and I think Northcutt is the guy you want if you're looking for a fill-in. He was targeted by Daunte Culpepper eight times and hauled in five receptions for 70 yards and a TD. Five of those targets were deep balls. If you're in a shallower league, check out Bust a Move for the most popular adds this week.

The good news is at least Johnson has a bye in Week 7 before facing the Rams, another prime opportunity for him to do what a healthy Megatron does -- abuse opposing cornerbacks. This could be only a two-week rest period, so buy low from a nervous owner.

Other Fantasy Football Notes
• It isn't like Maurice Jones-Drew to mouth off. Then again, if I only had 34 rushing yards in a 41-0 shellacking, I'd be tempted to lash out, too. Jones-Drew came out of that loss really P.O.'ed about the Jaguars offense. In a 15-minute session with reporters, MJD claimed the offense has no identity, questioned the playcalling, and even called himself the second-highest paid "decoy" in the league (behind ol' Reggie Bush). "I don't like to be embarrassed, so I do get upset about it," Jones-Drew said.

Despite the mini bowling ball's theatrics, I'm not too concerned. A big part of the Jags' problem lies with inconsistency -- including Mike Sims-Walker's surprise suspension last week for reportedly "violating team itinerary," whatever that means, and a recent shuffling of the offensive line. The St. Louis Rams usually are good for what ails you. Expect him to get back on track this week before the Jags get a chance to refocus during the bye week.

• Quick injury hits: Pierre Thomas was limited in Saints practice Wednesday with an ankle injury. Stash Mike Bell, especially if you have Thomas. Willie Parker and Troy Polamalu both returned to full practice for the Steelers. Rashard Mendenhall is still definitely the guy you want, but even Parker could impress if given 10 carries against the Browns. Correll Buckhalter returned to practice, but Knowshon Moreno got all the Broncos' first-team reps. Like the Steelers' situation, we're higher on the young buck's fantasy value. Adam Vinatieri will miss at least six weeks after undergoing surgery on his right knee. Matt Stover will take his place after the Colts return from their bye week.

• The Bills have reportedly decided to scrap the no-huddle offense according to a league source. If true, hooray! Change can only be a good thing for Buffalo's pathetic passing display and the subsequent fantasy values of Terrell Owens and Lee Evans. I'm higher on T.O.'s prospects the rest of the season than Evans, who had a nauseating 11 receiving yards against Cleveland.

• Three words you never want to hear associated with a wide receiver: routine knee drains. That's what Antonio Bryant is currently dealing with every week as he copes with residual swelling from offseason knee surgery. "It's been frustrating because the only time I get to be me is on Sundays," Bryant told the Pewter Report. "That's the only time I get to move, run or anything." Bryant's frustration hits close to home as I've watched my fiancee recover from meniscus surgery. It's no picnic, there are numerous sore/inhibiting days, and I can only imagine what it's like for a receiver that needs to power off with his legs. Bryant is nothing more than a WR4 as it currently stands.

• Circle Oct. 25 on your calendars. That's Michael Crabtree debut day. Mike Singletary confirmed that Crabtree will make his first 49ers apperance in Week 7 against the Texans. Sure it'll be nice to see Crabtree show his stuff on the big stage, especially in his home state, but Josh Morgan is the only 49ers receiver you want right now. In fact, with Crabtree's presence in the slot to attract defensive attention, this actually should open things up more for Morgan and Vernon Davis moving forward.