Willie Parker Fantasy 2008

[Hache Man]

Willie Parker - RB - Steelers

Willie Parker may be used infrequently on passing downs in 2008.
Mewelde Moore will likely replace Parker when the Steelers want a back in they can check down to or send on a downfield route. Najeh Davenport will come in to pick up the blitz. Losing passing-down work would hurt Parker's PPR value. Parker also could surrender short-yardage carries to Davenport. Apr. 8 - 1:12 p.m. ET
Source: Sporting News - Your expert source for MLB Baseball, NFL Football, NBA Basketball, NHL Hockey, NCAA Football, NCAA Basketball and Fantasy Sports scores, blogs, and articles

[Hache Man]

	Fast Willie returns from fractured fibula
	Willie Parker - RB - PIT - Apr. 22 - 9:37 a.m. ET
	Willie Parker (fractured fibula) was a participant at the Steelers' first offseason practice Monday. He can run and cut and says he's "real close" to 100%. Parker led the NFL in rushing at the time of his injury last year, but averaged a career low 4.1 YPC with only two TDs. He's reportedly now back to running 4.4 forties. Fantasy leaguers should monitor how much passing-game work he might lose to Mewelde Moore and if he'll give up short-yardage duty to Najeh Davenport. Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

[Hache Man]

	Mendenhall, Fast Willie to be used together
	Rashard Mendenhall - RB - PIT - Apr. 29 - 1:19 p.m. ET
	Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians says he'll use Rashard Mendenhall and Willie Parker in a pony backfield this year. Both can catch and run without lead blockers, so a look like this would keep defenses honest. Arians noted Mendenhall's pass blocking ability. The Steelers' last great pony backfield consisted of Tim Worley and Merrill Hoge. Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

[Hache Man]

Willie Parker - RB - Steelers

Willie Parker (fractured fibula) practiced once daily during the Steelers' most recent round of offseason activities.
"If this were the season, I would be out there (full time)," Parker said. FWP declared himself "real close" to 100% at those workouts and should be at full tilt by late July. He's likely to split carries with Rashard Mendenhall in 2008. May. 29 - 6:20 p.m. ET
Source: Hashmarks Blog

[Hache Man]

Willie Parker - RB - Steelers

Willie Parker realizes that his workload will be heavily reduced this season following the Steelers' addition of Rashard Mendenhall.

Parker admits he was "surprised" when the Steelers chose Mendenhall 23rd overall, but can "understand." Parker hopes fewer carries will lengthen his career. Still, don't expect FWP to catch passes or score frequently this year. Jul. 15

Source: USA Today

[Hache Man]

Willie Parker - RB - Steelers

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin says RB Willie Parker is again under consideration for goal-line duties.

Two years ago Parker scored 16 touchdowns, but he lost the job last season largely because of durability concerns. Tomlin didn't want Parker to get hit in short-yardage work. It's far from a sure thing -- and could easily change throughout the season -- but goal-line work would obviously boost Parker's fantasy value. For what it's worth, we think Rashard Mendenhall will end up with the majority of short-yardage carries. Aug. 6

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

[Timber Rattler]

Rashard Mendenhall may be a real fantasy sleeper this year.

[Hache Man]

	Willie Parker to miss Week 4 with knee sprain
	Willie Parker - RB - PIT - Sep. 23
	Coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Willie Parker has been ruled out for Monday night's game with a sprained knee. Parker struggled in Week 3 and suffered the injury late in the game, but continued to play. Tomlin gave no indication about how long he's expected to be sidelined, but being ruled out so early in the week probably isn't a good sign. Rashard Mendenhall will start against the Ravens, which is a highly unfavorable matchup and makes the rookie little more than a low-level RB2 option. Mewelde Moore will also see his role increase. Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

[Hache Man]

	Willie Parker likely to miss Week 5 game, too
	Willie Parker - RB - PIT - Sep. 25
	Steelers beat reporter Ed Bouchette confirms an AP report that Willie Parker (knee sprain) is likely to miss Weeks 4 and 5. Rashard Mendenhall will start both games (vs. BAL, @ JAX) with Mewelde Moore playing on third downs. FB Carey Davis may be in the mix for goal-line carries, although if Mendenhall plays well it seems unlikely that he'd sub out in scoring position. FWP figures to return after Pittsburgh's Week 6 bye. Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

[Hache Man]

Willie Parker - RB - Steelers Parker out for Week 5, likely back after bye
No surprise, as Parker isn't expected back until after the team's bye, but the Pittsburgh Post Gazette reports that he should be ready for Week 7 against the Bengals. With Rashard Mendenhall out for the season, the Steelers will go with Mewelde Moore, Gary Russell and either Najeh Davenport or Carey Davis in the backfield Sunday. Moore is the best bet to have some fantasy value. September 30
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

[Hache Man]

Willie Parker - RB - Steelers Parker almost 100 percent, will play Week 7
Parker did some running on the side Friday and said he's "back full speed, cutting and everything." Barring a setback, Parker will play against the Bengals after the Week 6 bye. With Rashard Mendenhall out of the year, Parker's is set to dominate the carries in the second half of the season. October 4 - 1:39 p.m. ET
Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

[Hache Man]

	Willie Parker resumes practicing for Steelers
	Willie Parker - RB - PIT - Oct. 13 - 4:34 p.m. ET
	Willie Parker has resumed practicing and revealed that his knee injury was a sprained MCL. The sprain essentially cost him three weeks, as Parker didn't practice over Pittsburgh's bye. "I'm ready to play, man," FWP said. "I went out there today and my main focus was to getting timing down, just practicing so I can help the team." Parker is slated to start in Week 7 at Cincinnati. Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

[Hache Man]

	Parker uncertain after aggravating knee
	Willie Parker - RB - PIT - Oct. 15 - 3:56 p.m. ET
	Willie Parker aggravated his knee injury and did not practice Wednesday. His status for Week 7 is now up in the air. Parker reportedly stepped in a hole at practice Monday as the Steelers came off their bye week. All signs before the aggravation pointed towards FWP playing against the Bengals after missing two games. Now Mewelde Moore may get the tasty matchup. Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

[Ego74]

Steelers RB Willie Parker (knee) has been ruled OUT for Sunday's game against the Bengals.

[Hache Man]

Willie Parker - RB - Steelers Tomlin: Parker may practice Wednesday
Tomlin indicated that Parker may be limited initially, but has a chance to rejoin the lineup this week. However, Mewelde Moore's strong play in his absence has likely lessened Parker's future workload. Steelers beat writer Ed Bouchette thinks Parker will play this week. October 21
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

[Hache Man]

	Fast Willie not on PIT's Week 8 injury report
	Willie Parker - RB - PIT
	Willie Parker is not on the Steelers' Week 8 injury report. He's practicing fully again. It's possible the Steelers held FWP out of their Week 7 game as a precaution, knowing they'd stomp the Bengals without him. Parker will start against the Giants' fifth-ranked run defense Sunday.

[Hache Man]

	More Mewelde: Parker likely to miss game
	Willie Parker - RB - PIT - Oct. 24 - 11:29 a.m. ET
	Willie Parker (knee) is likely to miss this week's game against the Giants after missing practice Friday. FWP must have encountered yet another setback after practicing fully Wednesday, then being limited Thursday. His sprained knee has now sidelined him since Week 3. Mewelde Moore will get another start in his place and the Steelers could focus more on the passing game this week. Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

[Hache Man]

Willie Parker - RB - Steelers

Willie Parker (knee) practiced in complete fashion for the second consecutive day on Thursday.

He's on track to start Monday night. That Parker didn't have setbacks and wasn't too sore to work again after Wednesday's full practice is promising. While he has a difficult matchup against the Redskins and will likely lose touches to Mewelde Moore, FWP will still be a good bet for goal-line carries. Oct. 30 - 5:58 p.m. ET

[Hache Man]

Willie Parker - RB - Steelers

Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said Willie Parker won't be given a full load in his first game back from a sprained knee.

"He's not ready to play 50 plays," Arians said. We suspected that Mewelde Moore would maintain a significant role while Parker eases back in, but it's nice to have confirmation. Parker is likely to start, but both backs make for better flex plays than RB2s against the Redskins on Monday night. Oct. 31 - 12:04 p.m. ET

Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

[Hache Man]

	FWP in danger of missing Week 10 game
	Willie Parker - RB - PIT - Nov. 6 - 3:39 p.m. ET
	Willie Parker (shoulder) missed practice for a second consecutive day Thursday and is reportedly in danger of missing Week 10. It's unclear when Parker got hurt; ESPN says it happened Monday night so they must have better eyes than everyone else. There was never a write-up on their website about the shoulder or a report from their writers. Either way, if Parker doesn't practice Friday, he will likely sit out against the Colts. That would give Mewelde Moore another start. Grab Moore in all leagues. Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

[Hache Man]

	Out again: Willie Parker to miss Colts game
	Willie Parker - RB - PIT - Nov. 7
	The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports Willie Parker will miss Sunday's game against the Colts with an injured shoulder. Parker suffered the injury last Monday against the Redskins, but the shoulder didn't affect him until the next morning. FWP will be replaced by Mewelde Moore this week, but he's only expected to miss one game. As Parker has been unable to hold up physically, owners will want to keep Moore rostered for the remainder of the season.

[Hache Man]

Willie Parker - RB - Steelers Tomlin expects Fast Willie to start Sunday
Parker is expected to practice Wednesday, and that should give us an idea of how healthy the shoulder is. If he does start, Parker will be wearing a shoulder harness. November 12 - 8:40 a.m. ET
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

[Hache Man]

	Willie is off Steelers' Week 11 injury report
	Willie Parker - RB - PIT - Nov. 13 - 5:50 p.m. ET
	Willie Parker is not on the Steelers' Week 11 injury report. Parker's removal from the report altogether means he is sure to start against San Diego. The Chargers' run defense is surrendering 4.0 yards per carry, ranks 13th in the NFL overall, and has given up six TDs in nine games.

[Hache Man]

	Tomlin: Parker to be questionable for Week 13
	Willie Parker - RB - PIT - Nov. 25 - 12:43 p.m. ET
	According to coach Mike Tomlin, Willie Parker is questionable for Week 13 after leaving Thursday night's game with a knee injury. For now Parker's injury is being called knee inflammation, but he's slated to be examined further later this week. Mewelde Moore would start in his place against the Patriots.

[Hache Man]

	Fast Willie returns to full practice Thursday
	Willie Parker - RB - PIT - Nov. 28
	Willie Parker (knee) returned to a full practice Thursday for the Steelers. Parker will have to avoid a setback Friday, but he looks like a safe bet to start against the Patriots. Owners should proceed with caution, however, as Fast Willie is no lock to make it through a full game.