Lions QB Matt Stafford has reportedly worked hard this offseason to strengthen his upper body. If he stays healthy, you can expect a monster season.

What’s a Monday morning without a chance to hear Dave Dameshek vent about Sunday night’s episode of “Top 100 Players of 2011,” which aired on NFL Network?

A group of 10 elite running backs have earned their place on NFL Network’s “The Top 100 Players of 2011″ series. Kansas City Chiefs blazer Jamaal Charles (No. 33) and St. Louis Rams mainstay Steven Jackson (No. 38) were revealed in Sunday night’s telecast. NFL Network analyst Marshall Faulk, one of the greatest running back to ever suit up for the Rams, thinks Jackson deserved to be higher. The rankings are based completely on votes from NFL players. “When you look at what he brings to the table, he’s a complete back,” Faulk said on Sunday night’s “Top 100: Players of 2011 Reactions” show. “He can take it the distance, he gets the tough yardage, and yes, he carries the [...]

If the lockout lingers into training camp, handcuffing your top running backs could become more important than ever.

NFL.com senior analyst Pat Kirwan offered up his two-round mock draft, and one name that stood out was Nebraska CB Prince Amakamara going to the Cowboys. Interesting choice, and when you think of the Cowboys drafting a defensive back you can’t help by think of the famed Rod Hill pick in 1982.

With the role of feature backs nearly extinct in today’s NFL, Jerome Bettis says Adrian Peterson of the Vikings is the one player he sees with Hall of Fame potential.

With an assist from the NFL Network research crew, here’s a look at some of the notable numbers and top performances of Week 14.

The Rams will have RB Steven Jackson against the Panthers on Sunday, just six days after he had surgery on a broken ring finger on his left hand.

Steven Jackson missed Thursday’s practice, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be active in Week 8.

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.

With an assist from George Li on the NFL Network research desk, here’s a look at some of the most notable numbers and best performances to come out of Week 4.

Rest paid off for Rams RB Steven Jackson, who is active for Sunday’s game against the Seahawks despite a strained groin. Jackson sat out practice Wednesday and Thursday, and he was limited Friday.

Pierre Thomas was limited in practice on Friday and is considered a game-day decision. Obviously, game-day decisions are terrible for many reasons, which we have discussed before. And Thomas is i no better position than Jahvid Best, Ray Rice or Steven Jackson.

Steven Jackson will be a game-time decision in Week 4, so fantasy owners should add Kenneth Darby as insurance.

With a number of big-name players facing injuries this week, here’s a one-stop shop for the latest updates as the news cycle comes to a close on Thursday.