Boy, whoever gave “Fast” Willie Parker his nickname wasn’t kidding. With both Duce Staley and Jerome Bettis out with injuries, Parker got a chance to start for the Steelers and made the most of it. In all, he carried 22 times for 161 yards (7.3 ypc) and one touchdown while also catching a pass for 48 yards. That performance will likely earn him another start next week. It will be interesting to see how the team uses him when Staley and Bettis return.

Green Bay wideout Javon Walker left the game with a knee injury and the team isn’t optimistic. They say he injured his ACL, but they’re not sure how serious the injury is until he can undergo a MRI on Monday. If they lose Walker for the season it will be a devastating blow to a Packer team already reeling from a 17-3 drubbing at the hands of the Detroit Lions. From a fantasy perspective, keep your eye out for the results of the MRI and be ready to pounce on Robert Ferguson, who will likely be available on your league’s waiver wire.

HEADLINERS

Carnell Williams – Any questions about Williams’ potential workload were answered on Sunday. The rookie RB carried 27 times for 148 yards and a touchdown, which was second only to Willie Parker’s performance. Many thought that Michael Pittman would steal touches from Williams, especially early in the season. How many touches did Pittman get against the Vikings? Zero.

Larry Fitzgerald – 13 catches for 155 yards and a TD. Fitzgerald slipped some in the preseason with a couple of nagging injuries, but he and Anquan Boldin will make a formidable duo for QB Kurt Warner.

Steve Smith – He’s baaaaaaack! I love Smith’s chances of returning to his 2003 form. His line on Sunday: 8 catches for 138 yards and a TD. He actually scored a second time but it was called back.

Jimmy Smith – He’s still here! A few prognosticators wrote Jimmy off after he dropped a few balls in the preseason. But the guy is a pro and he rewarded faithful fantasy owners with a 7 catch, 130 yard, two-touchdown day and appears to be a must-start here on out.

FLATLINERS

Daunte Culpepper – Sure, he threw for 233 yards, but he committed five turnovers (3 INTs, 2 fumbles) and didn’t throw a TD in a 23-13 loss to Tampa Bay at home. Yikes!

Shaun Alexander – He averaged 5.2 ypc (73 yards on 14 carries) but didn’t catch a pass or score a TD. All in all, a disappointing day from a guy that was drafted 1.02 in a lot of leagues.

Chad Pennington – Six fumbles? How do you fumble six times? Luckily, he only lost one, but he also threw a pick and failed to lead the Jets to any points – against the Chiefs!