It sounds like we're going to have an old-fashioned grudge match between Cedric Benson and the Bears this weekend. Benson will have a chip on his shoulder because the team said "negative things" about him after releasing him, while the Bears are probably mad that a guy who stunk when he played for them is now third in the NFL in rushing. Should be fun.

On to the news:

• Haven't we heard this before? Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin missed Wednesday's practice with a sprained ankle, and his playing status will probably be a gametime decision. Since his game is Sunday night, you're almost certainly going to have to bench him. Owning this guy is a headache, isn't it?
• Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that RB Rashard Mendenhall "has earned the right to take the majority of snaps as we proceed." That's not good news if you own Willie Parker. I've got a sell-high feeling on Mendenhall. About three weeks ago, he was in his coach's doghouse. Now he's a no-doubt fantasy starter? Hmm ...
• It sounds like Ryan Fitzpatrick will start in place of the concussed Trent Edwards for the Bills on Sunday. Fitzpatrick played 13 games for the Bengals in 2008 after Carson Palmer got hurt, and completed 59.4 percent of his passes for 1,905 yards, with eight touchdowns and nine interceptions. His QB rating was an awful 7.0. Terrell Owens must be beside himself with excitement.
• In related news, the Panthers' DST, which will host the Bills this week, is owned in just 38 percent of FOXSports.com leagues. I own them in one league already.
• According to this story, Cowboys RB Marion Barber will play Sunday despite a broken left thumb, while RB Felix Jones is also expected to play after missing two games with a knee injury. In other news from Jerry's Death Star, Miles Austin will start at WR ahead of Patrick Crayton. Like something different was going to happen after Austin's 250-yard explosion in Week 5.
• Obsessive tweeter Chad Ochocinco has been encouraging followers who submit insulting tweets about the Bears' secondary this week. My favorite so far: "CNN reports a new strand of the flu has been discovered by the Bears trainer. H1N85. The chicken flu."
• All systems are go for Frank Gore's return this week. He went through Wednesday's practice without incident.
• Patriots RB Sammy Morris missed Wednesday's practice due to his knee injury. If you wanted more information than that, you should have picked a running back from a team that doesn't operate like the CIA.
• In other Pats' news, rookie WR Brandon Tate could be in line for some playing time this week. With Joey Galloway gone and Julian Edelman hurt, you could do worse than Tate for a free-agent flier.
• Vikings RB Adrian Peterson (ankle) and WR Percy Harvin (shoulder) were limited in Wednesday's practice. Peterson's fine, and Harvin probably is, too. If Peterson was really hurt, don't you think I would have put this information a little higher in today's entry?
• Falcons RB Jerious Norwood doesn't expect to play this week, and thinks his hip flexor injury could keep him out "more than a couple weeks." Ugh.
• Redskins RB Clinton Portis missed Wednesday's practice with a leg injury, but I haven't heard anything indicating that he's in danger of not playing this week.
• Rams WR Donnie Avery missed Wednesday's practice due to his injured hip. Avery think's he'll practice today.
• Raiders WR Chaz Schilens will return Sunday against the Jets. As the lead in the San Francisco Chronicle story said, "Behold, the most heralded 15-catch receiver in Raiders history is back from foot surgery."
• "We have to keep looking at ways to get him the football." So said Saints head coach Sean Payton Wednesday about WR Robert Meachem. Makes you want to pick the guy up right now, doesn't it?
• The Browns were missing a dozen flu-ridden players on Wednesday, including RB Jerome Harrison and WR Chansi Stuckey. It's hard to say if this will affect them for Sunday.
• Don't forget your byes this week. The Ravens, Broncos, Lions, Jaguars, Seahawks and Titans are off.
• Need advice on some lineup issues? Mike Harmon will host a live chat on FOXSports.com today at 3 p.m. ET. Send your questions now!
• My latest video blog is up at FOXNews.com, so please watch it when you get a chance. One word: ELI!!!

See you tomorrow.