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Sunday NFL Preseason Notes

Jonathan Stewart (RB) - X-rays on injured ankle negative
Head coach Ron Rivera doesn't believe he suffered a high ankle sprain. It sounds like Stewart avoided a worst-case scenario from the injury he suffered in Sunday's preseason game, but his availability for Week 1 is in question.

Hakeem Nicks (WR) - (foot) practices nearly at nearly 100 percent Sunday
There's some chance he even sees action in the team's final preseason game, but either way, he should be ready to go for the season opener.

Shonn Greene (RB) - Rushes 13 times for 47 yards and caught three passes for eight yards during Sunday's loss to Carolina.
Greene had one 18-yard burst up the middle when the blocking was sharp, but he struggled to make anyone miss - or to move the pile - on his own. He needs a lot of things go to right on any play. On the positive side, the Jets want to run a conservative offense and there isn't a dynamic back that's pushing Greene.

Stephen Hill (WR) - (finger) has team-high five receptions for 68 yards during the Jets preseason loss to Carolina on Sunday night.
Hill looks like New York's clear No. 2 receiver and a possible fantasy sleeper, though he did leave one play on the field - a poor drop in the second quarter handed Carolina a gift interception. Keep an eye on him as the JEst don't have much behind him at WR.

Santonio Holmes (WR) - (ribs/back/hamstring) had one reception for eight yards in Sunday's preseason loss to Carolina.
Holmes didn't take too many snaps (or too many hits), but at least he got through the game without incident. For all his flaws, the Jets desperately need him to play well when the regular season opens.

DeAngelo Williams (RB) - Seven carries for 28 yards during Carolina's preseason game against the Jets.
Williams and teammate Jonathan Stewart put up almost identical stats which tells you all you need to know about how these guys will be used during the regular season. They're both great backs but the timeshare they're involved in remains a killer for their fantasy values. However, Stewart did go down with an ankle injury on Sunday which may have opened the door for Williams to thrive if the injury keeps Stewart down for an extended period of time.

Cam Newton (QB) - Completes 6-of-15 passes for 60 yards and one touchdown and also runs for 16 yards on two carries with a lost fumble during Carolina's preseason win over the Jets on Sunday night.
Newton hasn't looked particularly impressive at any point in the preseason and on Sunday night he was average at best. It's possible that a sophomore slump is on the horizon, but we think when the real games start you'll see the real Cam Newton.

Russell Wilson (QB) - Named the Seahawks' starting quarterback for Week 1.
Wilson has officially earned the job after completing 36-of-56 passes for 464 yards, five touchdowns and one interception while rushing for more than 100 yards during the preseason. In fact, he leads the NFL with a 119.4 quarterback ranking this preseason. Matt Flynn failed to impress this summer after signing with Seattle, and he now has an elbow injury. That, combined with Wilson's outstanding play, has the 23-year-old set to be behind center.

Michael Vick (QB) - Says Sunday that he'll be ready for the regular-season opener.
Vick took a nasty shot to the midsection during Monday's preseason game, but Vick threw a 50-yard pass to DeSean Jackson during Sunday's practice "with ease." It sounds like he'll be ready for the Browns on Sept. 9.

Vernon Davis (TE) - Catches just one pass Sunday in Denver but he made it count as it went for 44 yards and a touchdown in the 49ers' preseason victory.
Davis and starting quarterback Alex Smith have always had a good rapport and we don't expect that to change this year. Davis could approach career numbers now that the team has improved its wide receiving corps, which will help draw off the constant double-teams Davis sees.

Alex Smith (QB) - Completes 5-of-7 passes for 69 yards with one touchdown during the 49ers preseason win over the Broncos on Sunday.
Smith had much better protection on Sunday getting sacked only once and he looked much more comfortable in the pocket because of it. He's not going to put up super-star numbers but if he can stay steady and avoid turnovers like he did Sunday then the 49ers stellar defense will have more opportunities to turn the tide.

Willis McGahee (RB) - 27 yards on seven carries and 14 yards on one reception during Sunday's preseason loss to the 49ers.
McGahee looks ready for the regular season and the exciting part for the veteran is that Peyton Manning finally looked like the Peyton of old. If Manning can keep it up McGahee should see more room to run as teams go smaller trying to defend the pass.

Dustin Keller (TE) - Left Sunday's game in the first period with a right hamstring injury.
Keller had a 24-yard catch before departing. The Jets are probably just taking it safe here, but the team can't afford to lose any significant targets, given the spotty receiving depth.

Eric Decker (WR) - Leads the Broncos with four receptions for 38 yards and two touchdowns during Denver's third preseason game Sunday against San Francisco.
Decker and starting quarterback Peyton Manning really seem to be forming a good rapport with one another and with Demaryius Thomas likely to see the majority of the double-teams from week-to-week it could be Decker who sees the most one-on-one coverage and reaps the rewards.

Peyton Manning (QB) - Completes 10-of-12 passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns during Denver's preseason loss to the 49ers.
Manning was brilliant in his third start with his new team and finally looked like the Manning of old. His two touchdowns were both thrown to Eric Decker while his two incompletions were a dropped pass and a throw-away on a play that should have resulted in pass interference. Even more important was that Manning took some huge hits in the game and bounced right back up after both which bodes well for his surgically repaired neck.