Start – Eddie Lacy, RB, Packers

Bruising rookie Lacy has been out since Week 1 and will make his return this week at home against the Lions.  Lacy scored a touchdown in his Week 1 performance against San Francisco, and playing a Lions defense that has allowed five rushing touchdowns in four games this season; I believe Lacy could possibly find the end zone more than once in this one. This is especially true given the way Aaron Rodgers can move the ball down the field through the passing game. 

Sit – DeAngelo Williams, RB, Panthers

Williams has acted as a fairly consistent cog in the Carolina offense in terms of rushing yards, including a 120 yard performance in his previous game against the Giants.  However, he’s still yet to score a touchdown on the campaign. This week Carolina will take on a stiff Arizona rush defense, and I believe Cam Newton will throw early and often in this one. Williams isn’t a terrible bye-week play, but if you have the depth then I would tuck him away on your bench.

Start – Steve Smith, WR, Panthers

Steve Smith hasn’t done much since his Week 1 trip to the end zone, and fantasy owners seem ready to give up on the veteran. I might hold on to that thought this week, as the Panthers come off a bye and head into a game against a Cardinals secondary that has allowed touchdowns to opposing wide-outs in three straight games. He may be getting covered by Patrick Peterson, but with the amount Carolina will likely throw the ball, I believe Smith will slip away for a big play or two and be a sneaky bye-week filler.

Sit – Danny Amendola, WR, Patriots

So far, reports are that Amendola will be good to go this week after his injury since Week 1.  Amendola was a highly touted fantasy commodity this offseason after many thought the scrappy slot guy would be a second coming of Wes Welker. While this could end up as a productive season if Amendola can get healthy, I don’t think he’ll be ready to explode just yet coming into a game against a solid Bengals secondary. You might want to wait and see how Amendola does in his first week back.