If you shrewdly drafted a fantasy roster full of Lions this year, we have great news for you today via the Detroit Free Press: "All but one of the players on the Lions’ active roster were on the field [practicing] today. … The only exception was defensive tackle Grady Jackson(notes), but that has been the routine for the 36-year-old veteran."

Calvin Johnson(notes) (knee) and Kevin Smith(notes) (shoulder) both practiced, though Johnson was listed as limited. But even a limited Megatron is still, you know...a giant badass Decepticon. "As long as I don’t have any setbacks," he said, "I think it’ll look brighter for Sunday." [Detroit Free Press]

The Texans are not interested in helping you make lineup decisions, fantasy owner: "Coach Gary Kubiak won't say who's going to start at running back against the Colts but did say that Steve Slaton(notes), Ryan Moats(notes) and Chris Brown will play." Expect Slaton and Moats to both receive flex-ish ranks in Week 9, despite the fact that Indianapolis' defense gives up 4.5 yards per carry and 112.0 per game. [Houston Chronicle]

We've got no link for this one, but it's worth mentioning nonetheless: David Fleming's piece on the Saints' offense in the current ESPN the Mag (p. 60) is an excellent read, particularly if you're a Giants fan who's trying to process the events of October 18. "We're going to try to formation you to death and personnel you to death," says Drew Brees(notes). The game action that Fleming describes was well chosen. Please read. 

After seven games, Chris Johnson leads the NFL in rushing with 824 yards (6.9 YPC). He's on pace for nearly 1,900 yards this season, but that's slightly short of his goal. "'I told [the offensive line] if I get to 2,000 yards I'd buy them all a car.' … Johnson said he made no promises about the make or model of car, but said it would probably be something like a Honda." Not sure if it's a goal of Johnson's or not, but if he would like to find himself atop the fantasy RB ranks each week for the rest of the season, an '03 Civic with reasonable mileage should take care of it. [Nashville Tennessean]

You shouldn't need a Masters in Library Science to figure out how to manage a fantasy roster, but it doesn't hurt. This week, the Fantasy Football Librarian takes a look at favorable end-of-season schedules. [Bruno Boys]

Devin Hester(notes) (ankle) sat out another practice on Thursday, though he said yesterday that he expects to face Arizona this weekend. Per Brad Biggs, "The best guess is they will try to get him some work in practice on Friday. Stay tuned." [Chicago Sun-Times]

Say what you will about Roy Williams, but I'm enjoying him. Especially this week, after his declaration that he's still Dallas' No. 1 receiver (despite the fact that he's fourth on the team in both receptions and yards). Terrell Owens(notes) was never this funny: "[Miles Austin(notes)] gets the ball thrown correctly his way. I'm stretching and falling and doing everything. Everybody who's been here's balls are there. Our footballs are everywhere right now." [Shutdown Corner]

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