They say time flies when you are having fun. Well, what does it do if you are having a frustrating season? Injuries, mediocrity and shenanigans have seemed to plague fantasy owners this year and now we are approaching the final stretch before fantasy football playoffs begin.

Speaking of shenanigans, this week we saw the return of running back Ricky Williams... or, at least, his potential return after the NFL reinstated him. Williams, who has not played since 2005, pretty much told the league, fans and his teammates to kiss off more than once during his career. Ranging from repeated violations of the substance abuse policy to retiring on the Dolphins as training camp was kicking off... he has certainly marched to his own beat.

Will that beat have any fantasy value to it moving forward? It's tough to bank on a player like Williams, especially with running back Jesse Chatman doing so well the last few weeks. However, if you have the roster spot available and can handle a little extra heart burn, Williams is worth a flier.

Let's take a quick buzz around the NFL to see what interesting items you should be aware of. Before we go any further, remember the Bye weeks are now a thing of the past so you can work with a full allotment of players. Please note, however, that Thursday games return next week with three on Thanksgiving!

• Fantasy owners of running back Brian Westbrook (knee) need to be very, very cautious entering this weekend. Westbrook did not practice Thursday, Nov. 15, or Friday, Nov. 16, this week. Head coach Andy Reid thinks he will be able to play but we've seen Westbrook's status go both directions on game-time before so be ready for the worst... tailback Correll Buckhalter would likely be the starter if he cannot play. The good news is this is an early game Sunday so you won't have to go in blind once you have the game day inactives from KFFL's Hot off the Wire.
• So much for Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch's ankle injury being minor! He was still sporting a protective boot Friday, Nov. 16, and won't be able to play this weekend.
• Detroit Lions running back Kevin Jones should get his normal workload this weekend even though his lingering foot issues knocked him out of last week's game twice. There had been some fear about his status floating around entering this weekend, but he practiced and appears all set to go in Week 11.
• San Diego Chargers stud tight end Antonio Gates was limited during practice Friday, Nov. 16, but it was a team decision. Gates is still expected to start this weekend. Now can quarterback Philip Rivers get him the football?
• Carolina Panthers wideout Steve Smith (shin) did not practice Friday, Nov. 16. While listed as questionable, word has it that he will likely be a game-time decision for the team. That's not good news for quarterback Vinny Testaverde (Achilles'), who is expected to start.
• New England Patriots receiver Wes Welker (undisclosed) is expected to be a game-time decision for the Patriots this weekend. He is averaging almost seven catches per game for quarterback Tom Brady, so he would be sorely missed if he cannot play.
• Still holding out hope for wide receiver Terry Glenn (knee) to return? So are we, but don't look for it to happen in Week 11.
• Guess who is expected back! The Houston Texans have to just be giddy right now, as receiver Andre Johnson (knee) practiced this week and is expected to start. Johnson hasn't played since Week 2, and he was averaging seven receptions, 131 yards receiving and 1.5 receiving touchdowns per game. Hopefully he won't be too rusty, as he adds another dimension to the offense.
• Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson (knee, illness) did not practice the past two days but is still expected to play. Taking Thursdays off has become commonplace for him, as the team does that to allow him to rest.
• It looks more and more likely that Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison (knee) will continue to tick off and hurt fantasy players this week because he is not likely to play once again. The good news is the Colts should have tight end Dallas Clark (concussion) back, as he has been cleared to play this weekend.
• The Baltimore Ravens are listing tight end Todd Heap (hamstring) as questionable but head coach Brian Billick referred to him as doubtful at the end of the week. He did not practice Friday, Nov. 16, and it isn't looking good for this weekend. The only thing he has been a heap of this year is frustration.
• If you picked up Seattle Seahawks running back Maurice Morris last week you were smiling when he posted 103 total yards and a score considering halfback Shaun Alexander (knee, wrist) hasn't been able to do much of anything lately. Well, Alexander is on the pine once more this week so Morris is expected to see the bulk of the workload once again.
• Speaking of the Seahawks, it appears wide receiver Deion Branch (sprained foot) will return to the lineup this week. He considered it a week ago and, while a game-time decision, he was able to practice all week.
• New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush (knee, concussion) should be able to play this weekend, too, after getting dinged last weekend. He was able to participate in practice and should be fine.
• So I don't put you to sleep, here's a roundup of other quarterback changes: Trent Dilfer starts in place of Alex D. Smith (shoulder) for the San Francisco 49ers due to Smith not being 100 percent healthy; Brodie Croyle replaces Damon Huard (neck) as the starter for the Kansas City Chiefs; Daunte Culpepper is once again starting for the Oakland Raiders, as he subs in for Josh McCown (quad); Byron Leftwich (ankle) is expected to replace Joey Harrington in the lineup for the Atlanta Falcons; and, finally, Kyle Boller starts in place of Steve McNair (shoulder), who is also out for a few weeks with an injury. It's OK to yawn, I just did.
• Updating a report in this space earlier this week, the New York Jets should indeed have wide receiver Laveranues Coles (concussion) back on the field this weekend. He practiced again Friday, Nov. 16, which is good news for fantasy owners.

Until next time, good luck!