Week 8: Pickups of the Week

QB Trent Edwards, OAK

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Edwards shouldn't be available, but I can assure you doubters that there are owners out there who (inexplicably) feel better rostering the likes of Matt Cassel, J.T. O'Sullivan, Kerry Collins, JaMarcus Russell…even Damon Huard and J.P. Losman! Edwards is no star, but he deserves better than that. Take a look at the vulnerable Miami secondary (currently giving up 235 passing yards per game) and tell me you can't make room for this guy.

RB Deuce McAllister, ---

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Lazarus is no longer the only Saint to have risen from the grave. Left for dead by many fantasy owners, Deuce McAllister has re-emerged and now might be the starting running back for the next several weeks. Reggie Bush had minor surgery Monday after tearing meniscus in his left knee in the game against the Panthers. He'll miss at least the next few weeks. Pierre Thomas would also benefit if Bush misses time, but McAllister stands to inherit the bulk of the carries.

RB Sammy Morris, ---

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Laurence Maroney is out (IR). Sammy Morris is in...maybe. He blasted through an, admittedly soft, Bronco's defense for 138 first half rushing yards before leaving with a knee injury. No word yet on the severity, but this might be a gamble worth taking. If Morris bounces back, we could start seeing him in more of a feature role. He was already averaging over 10 carries per game and should (if healthy) inherit some of the 1^st and 2^nd down carries he was sharing with Maroney.

RB Pierre Thomas, ---

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Part two of the Reggie Bush tale of woe involves Pierre Thomas' possible ascent to fantasy prominence. He's had only four rushes in the last three games, mostly due to surprising effectiveness of Deuce McAllister, but is liable to spell the older, injury prone back until Bush is healthy. Thomas is worth picking up in the deepest leagues, but you might be better waiting to see what kind of workload he gets this weekend against the Chargers.

WR Kevin Curtis, ---

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Curtis is due back this week and should immediately resume his starting role. Remember that Curtis was a huge addition to what had been, in 2006, a sputtering Philadelphia passing game. He broke the 1,000-yard receiving mark last season catching passes from McNabb and, when healthy, is a reasonable WR#2 and an excellent WR#3 in fantasy leagues. He should be owned in almost every format and there's a good chance people have forgotten about him after he missed the first seven games due to a groin injury and last week's bye.