Peyton to miss opener: What had been feared for the past couple of weeks is now reality: Peyton Manning is officially out of the Colts’ season opener against the Houston Texans. Coach Jim Caldwell made the announcement during his Wednesday press conference and Manning released a statement saying he is “not healthy enough to play, and I am doing everything I can to get my health back.” While the veteran quarterback expresses his confidence that backup Kerry Collins and the rest of his teammates will be all right without him on the field, fantasy owners of Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark or any other Colts shouldn’t be so sure. Hopefully you drafted a credible backup QB to help you hold on until Manning is back. As for Indy’s receiving targets, either find another option for Week 1 or temper your expectations.

Cassel still uncertain: Matt Cassel says he’ll be ready to go for the season opener against the Bills, but that could change based on the quarterback’s own toughness. Cassel suffered a rib injury in the team’s preseason finale against Green Bay and anyone who has had the same injury can tell you that something as simple as a sneeze or a hearty laugh can cause a good amount of pain. Short of putting him in bubble wrap, there’s little Kansas City can do besides hope everything stays status quo between now and Sunday. For owners hoping to take advantage of Cassel’s favorable matchup against the Bills defense, keep a close eye on him as the week goes along.

Saints’ Moore out for opener: New Orleans Saints receiver Lance Moore has been ruled out of Thursday’s season opener against the Packers after missing Tuesday’s practice with a groin injury. Moore was second on the team with receptions (66) and receiving yards (763) last season while pulling in a team-leading eight receiving touchdowns. The seventh-year pro is unofficially listed as the third receiver on the Saints depth chart, but with the way Drew Brees distributes the ball, that doesn’t mean much. The depth of New Orleans’ receiving positions makes it hard to predict where the extra targets would go, but Devery Henderson does have value as a waiver wire pickup if Moore is unable to go.

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