Fantasy owners have been tracking player news, depth chart changes and injury notes since the final gun sounded in Glendale last February. All the shuffling of positional rankings, the exhaustive research and snooze-fest preseason action has now come to an end.

Raise your coffee cups or beverage of choice to your fantasy brethren as we embark on another fabulous campaign. It’s time to make lineup decisions in games that count and review some of the injuries that may influence your decisions. The list will undoubtedly grow between now and the kickoffs of Sunday morning, so Roger Rotter, John Halpin and I will be working tirelessly through the weekend to get you the final news and notes as you begin your mission of fantasy dominance. I truly appreciate you joining me for the ride.

Let’s start in Jacksonville, where the Jaguars seek to unseat the Colts in the AFC South. They just might begin the campaign without two of their top receiving options.

<i> The Jacksonville Times </i> reports that receiver and red zone monster Reggie Williams spent Wednesday’s practice on a stationery bike. His availability for Sunday’s opener against Tennessee is now in doubt. Meanwhile, teammate Jerry Porter, who had missed extensive time because of a hamstring injury of his own, returned to practice. It now appears that Porter will be available to play this weekend.

<b><i> Impact: </i></b> I suspect that the long layoff for Porter will keep him from making a significant impact in what is sure to be a hard-fought smash-mouth type of game. I sit him down until he proves healthy. It remains to be seen whether he can go through a full game of cuts and contact. The absence of Williams in the red zone opens opportunities for Marcedes Lewis, who stands as my super-sized fantasy sleeper of the week.

<i> The Houston Chronicle </I> advises that Texans tailback Ahman Green has fully participated in practice this week in advance of the Week 1 battle against Pittsburgh. Green reportedly ran well during drills, seemingly indicating that he’s adequately recovered from his groin injury.

<b><i> Impact: </i></b> The lingering injury concern and the fact that Green touched the ball just once this preseason forces me to leave him on the bench, even if he’s declared the starter. We’ll certainly see a committee approach, with both Chris Taylor and Steve Slaton factoring into the mix. If forced to pick a player from this rotation, I’m rolling with dark horse sleeper candidate Slaton in the Flex slot.

According to <i> The Oakland Tribune </i>, off-season acquisition Javon Walker has been slowed by a hamstring injury this week and may miss the season opener on Monday against the division rival Broncos.

<b><i> Impact: </i></b> Ronald Curry and Todd Watkins have been more consistent during camp, although I’m not optimistic that either player provides much of a boost for fantasy owners against the strong Denver corners. Look for the running game to be front and center (start McFadden and Fargas) with Zach Miller seeing a ton of work over the middle.

<i> The Carolina Observer </I> reports that Matt Moore that the original bone bruise diagnosis has been updated to reflect a fractured fibula. Moore was throwing on Wednesday when he felt a pop in the original area. He’s expected to miss 4-6 weeks at a minimum.

<b><i> Impact: </i></b> The acquisition of Josh McCown gives the Panthers a veteran option should an injury befall Jake Delhomme while Moore, who played well in spurts last season, recovers from the injury. There’s no immediate change here save for the name on your watch list and a potential waiver option should Delhomme go down. 

Also in Carolina, longtime fantasy sleeper D.J. Hackett returned to practice this week after missing several weeks because of a toe injury. Hackett is expected to see significant time alongside Muhsin Muhammad while the team plays out Steve Smith’s suspension.

<b><i> Impact: </i></b> John Fox noted after Wednesday’s practice that he doesn’t anticipate that Hackett’s absence from the four preseason games would limit his contribution in Week 1 against Buffalo. Hackett warrants consideration in deeper leagues as a solid second option for Delhomme.

I don’t know that I’ll ever get used to typing it, but Chad Ocho Cinco is set to start Week 1 against the hard-hitting Ravens. Ocho Cinco has appeared at practice this week and is confident that he’ll post numbers immediately.

<b><i> Impact: </i></b> The Ravens will play without Ed Reed, which leaves them susceptible to plays downfield. That assumes, of course, that the Cincinnati O-Line can stop the pass rush and protect Carson Palmer. Regardless, play Ocho Cinco while you can in your No. 3 slot.

<i> The Cleveland Plain Dealer </i> reports that Jamal Lewis returned to practice on Wednesday and ran well in limited work. Lewis is expected to get the starting nod, although running room may be sparse against the tough Dallas defense.

<b><i> Impact: </i></b> Barring a late change (keep it locked onto FOXSports.com for the latest information), Lewis is still worthy of a start as a RB2 or Flex play. Derek Anderson has recovered sufficiently from his concussion and will lead a passing parade that will try to keep pace with the Dallas juggernaut. However, Lewis is still there for the touchdown glory.

<p> Also in Cleveland, linebacker Antwan Peek was lost for the year on Wednesday with a ruptured patellar tendon. Shantee Orr was re-signed by the squad and will split time with rookie Alex Hall.

<b><i> Impact: </i></b> There’s absolutely no rational being who would be tempted to start the Browns this weekend. Even the most ardent Browns supporters couldn’t be swayed (unless you have a scoring system that makes Josh Cribbs, who is also injured, a fantasy legend in return yardage).

 According to sources in Philadelphia, receiver Reggie Brown didn't participate in Thursday's practice. Brown remains sidelined by a hamstring issue. His availability for Sunday's tilt with the Rams is in jeopardy.

<b><i> Impact: </i></b> It's time to push DeSean Jackson and L.J. Smith up your rankings sheets for Week 1. I've already written at length about each player and how they ultimately present tremendous targets for Donovan McNabb (Hank Baskett will see a few more looks, too), but that also assumed Brown's presence. You have to like them even more against a St. Louis team that will be tested on both sides of the ball. I suspect that the Philadelphia defense generates several turnovers from Jim Johnson's blitz packages, giving McNabb quick-strike capabilities.

<i> The Seattle Times </i> reports that Deion Branch appeared at practice in full uniform on Wednesday. I caution against getting overly optimistic here, as he’s now just seven months removed from surgery to repair a torn ACL and reportedly spent most of his time catching balls off of the Juggs gun. Branch told reporters that he’s been running, but was non-committal to a question about running routes. I don’t believe that we’ll see Branch until after the Week 4 Bye.

<b><i> Impact: </i></b> As Branch and Bobby Engram (shoulder) shelved with injuries, you’re looking at Nate Burleson, John Carlson and Courtney Taylor as the top options for Matt Hasselbeck. Burleson will see a high target number against the Bills, although his ability to produce as a No. 1 receiver remains a huge question mark. Carlson is a nice sleeper candidate this weekend, while Taylor and my deep, deep sleeper Jordan Kent will make modest dents in the box score.

Keep it locked onto the pages of FOXSports.com for all of the breaking news and injury updates as we countdown to the glory of fantasy football 2008.