A fantasy rundown of the Week 17 NFL games.

Saints coach Sean Payton says he has no intentions of taking his foot off the gas this week against the Panthers, providing a huge help to fantasy owners.

How does a potential suspension influence the draft position of WR Kenny Britt. Our intrepid Adam Rank has the scoop.

Mark Ingram is one of the top rookie runners to target in fantasy drafts. But if you think he’s in line for a true featured role, you’ll likely be disappointed.

While there are many marquee wideouts hungry for contracts, there aren’t too many premium running backs available.

Today is Ash Wednesday which is the kickoff day for millions of Catholics to give up something until Easter. Like, for instance, trying to stop obsessing over Tom Brady’s ponytail.

Saints RB Pierre Thomas, WR Marques Colston and TE Jeremy Shockey have been ruled out of Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Buccaneers.

Saints lead running back Chris Ivory didn’t play a prominent role in Sunday’s win over the Rams, and his noticeable absence has been explained.

Pulling in a couple of fantasy thoughts from the Twitterverse.

Rams safety Oshiomogho Atogwe, who has been nursing a shoulder injury, is active against the Saints. Another member of the secondary, CB Justin King (shoulder), has been ruled out.

Saints RB Pierre Thomas is expected to return this week vs. St. Louis, but do not rush him into your starting lineup. Coach Sean Payton has raved about RB Chris Ivory.

If Pierre Thomas returns in Week 13, it makes all the Saints running backs less attractive in fantasy leagues.

NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora has the latest on the CBA negotiations, injury updates on Saints RBs Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas, Browns WR Joshua Cribbs and Titans WR Kenny Britt, as well as the possibility of former Dallas coach Wade Phillips landing with Mike Shanahan in Washington.

Saints RB Pierre Thomas doesn’t appear to be any closer to a return. Chris Ivory and Ladell Betts will continue to share the workload, but neither should be a fantasy option against the Steelers.

Vikings QB Brett Favre is in a walking boot and has two fractures in his surgically repaired left ankle, though the ankle injury is not as severe as the fractured ankles of those currently jumping off the Vikings’ bandwagon.