The News
Dwight Smith did not practice on Thursday due to a hamstring injury. He has been playing through the injury for five weeks, but the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that he could miss Sunday’s game against the Cowboys.

Our View
Tank Williams and Mike Doss have been splitting Smith’s reps during practice. Williams has served as the primary backup all season, so he would most likely get the start if Smith can’t play.

The News
Redskins running back Clinton Portis spent the offseason rehabbing shoulder and hand surgeries and dealing with knee tendinitis. He did not play during the preseason. Because of all the time off, Portis tells the Washington Post on Thursday, “I do feel like I’m finally getting back in football shape.” He is averaging 4.2 yards-per-carry and ranks 21st in the NFL with 363 rushing yards.

Our View
Portis quote suggests we haven’t seen the best of Clinton yet this year. All the injuries along the Redskins offensive line haven’t helped either. We’d like to think Portis will eventually bust out some 100-yard games, but we’re not holding our breath.

The News
Tight end Todd Heap is “unlikely for Sunday,” Ravens coach Brian Billick told the Baltimore Sun. Heap has missed practice this week after tweaking his strained hamstring in last week’s win over the Rams.

Our View
With Heap and fellow tight end Daniel Wilcox both out, the Ravens will have only one tight end—Quinn Sypniewski—on their active roster. Offensive lineman Chris Chester, who played tight end for two years in college, could be pressed into duty if Mike Flynn is healthy enough to return to his gig as the starting center.

The News
Injured wide receiver Drew Bennett is unlikely to play on Sunday, according to the St. Louis Post Dispatch. Bennett missed Week 6 with a hamstring injury.

Our View
Bennett was able to practice on a limited basis on Thursday after sitting out entirely the day before, but it clearly doesn’t look good for him returning to action this week. The fact that both Isaac Bruce and Marc Bulger are expected to return to action this week should help offset the absence of Bennett for the Rams.

The News
Jacoby Jones, who was back in the lineup last week after missing two games with a separated shoulder, will resume full return duties for the Texans this week. “He took all the returns in practice,” head coach Gary Kubiak told the Houston Chronicle. “He’s playing in three- and four-receiver sets, so I expect him to get his hands on the ball a few times.”

Our View
Jones had moved into the starting lineup when Andre Johnson went down with a knee injury, but since then Andre Davis has played well in that role. Jones, who returned two punts for touchdowns in the preseason and was injured on a lengthy return against the Colts, brings a dynamic element to Houston’s return game as well as depth to their receiving corps.

The News
Cardinals right tackle Levi Brown participated in a full practice on Wednesday for the first time in nearly a month thanks to an ankle sprain. He has missed the last three games and his availability for Sunday will be determined by how he responds to an increased workload this week. However, coach Ken Whisenhunt told the Arizona Republic, “he should be OK for the game.”

Our View
If the coach says he’s playing, we’re going to go ahead and assume he’s playing. Getting Brown back will only help Edgerrin James continue what has been a solid season so far.

The News
Vernon Davis was upgraded to probable on the 49ers Week 7 injury report after practicing without restrictions on Thursday, reports the San Jose Mercury News.

Our View
Davis has been out since Week 3 with a knee injury, but is expected to start on Sunday against the Giants. With Trent Dilfer expected to start in place of Alex Smith for another week, Davis isn’t the greatest of plays against an improving Giants pass defense.

The News
Giants running back Reuben Droughns is shocked that he’s been asked to score three one-yard touchdowns this season. “It is very surprising to me because I had trouble scoring back in the past in Cleveland and Denver,” he tells the team’s official web site. “But it is fun. It is a challenge to me, especially when I have a guy like big Brandon Jacobs, who has done it in the past, on my back. If you want to keep that type of job, you have to continue to score.”

Our View
Fantasy owners are in shock, too. We don’t know that Droughns will continue to see every carry near the end zone, and we’re fairly sure that Jacobs’ various injuries have had something to do with Reuben’s role.

The News
Ted Ginn feels he’s ready to step in and contribute more now that Chris Chambers has been traded. “I’ve showed a lot in practice, and I hope it carries over to the field,” Ginn told the Miami Herald. “Being out there for 60 or 70 plays, just getting back into the routine of playing a ballgame, I’m ready for it. I’ve been growing in the passing game, but when Chris was here, it was just hard for me to get out there.”

Our View
The Dolphins claim they traded Chambers in part because of the progress of Ginn and fellow youngster Derek Hagan. Ginn has been used more in the base offense in recent weeks, but has still done most of his work on kick returns thus far (including a highlight-reel 96-yard return that was negated by a penalty last week). It appears as if Hagan will get the starting nod opposite Marty Booker this week, but Ginn has a chance to make more noise now that Chambers is out of the picture. If only the Dolphins weren't relying on Cleo Lemon as their quarterback…