If you read every single news item from the NFL this month, you'd never have time to eat, sleep, and shower. Here's a condensed version for you, all the news fantasy owners need to know midway through August (and with one preseason game in the books).

Clinton Portis had his knee examined by Dr. James Andrews recently, which is seldom good news for fantasy players. Even if Portis is healthy come the start of the regular season, Ladell Betts is a fantastic spec pick once all of the starting backs are off the board – he fits the offense well, Washington has a very strong offensive line, and we saw Betts become a dominant runner when given the starting job at the end of last year. I'm surprised the Redskins didn't try harder to move Portis in the offseason.

Thomas Jones has his calf injury and the Eric Mangini code of secrecy around it – week-to-week is the latest we've heard there. I'm more optimistic about Jones for the early part of the year than Portis, but nonetheless Leon Washington should be one of the top backup RBs selected in any draft (probably 10-15 picks after Betts goes).

Vernon Davis has been very impressive in San Francisco's camp and barring injury, the second-year tight end should easily lead the team in receptions. Alex Smith has one of the weaker arms in the league, so any big, reliable target in the middle of the field, between the hashes, is someone he'll use a lot.

Don't be too concerned about Larry Johnson's holdout, but the condition of the Kansas City offensive line and offense in general, now that's something to be worried about. In our eyes, Johnson should go in the middle of your first round, at the earliest.

Rudi Johnson already ahad a very safe floor in Cincinnati – he's tied to a great offense and a solid line, and he's the automatic option from in close – and his security became even greater when Kenny Irons suffered a knee injury last week. Irons, an intriguing rookie who the Bengals planned to use liberally, is done for the season.

Be careful with Carolina's backfield – DeAngelo Williams is clearly the most talented guy but he's got a tender ankle, DeShaun Foster played well in the first preseason game (five carries, 62 yards), and it's possible the team will use a bigger back ( Eric Shelton, perhaps) to steal the valuable goal-line carries. The hope here was that one back, probably Williams, would take control of the situation in camp, but that's yet to happen.

Brandon Jackson finished the first preseason game with ordinary numbers (16 carries, 57 yards), and his best carries came in the second half against Pittsburgh scrubs. He's still getting important reps while Vernand Morency (knee) gets healthy, but it's not like Jackson is blowing anyone away, either. In short, it's fine to take Jackson if the room makes him a modest value, but we're not ready to aggressively target him, per se. The Packers have already mentioned a possible committee approach in the backfield.

Rookie Chris Henry was the only Tennessee back who showed anything much in the preseason opener, albeit he got into the game late. With Chris Brown forever an injury risk (and not someone the Titans are enamored with), and LenDale White starting to look like a sham passed off by his talented USC teammates, Henry is the only Tennessee back you need to take seriously on draft day (and you can probably land him very late).

None of the name receivers on the Jaguars do much for us, but the guy to especially avoid is Reggie Williams, who's currently No. 5 on the depth chart. Dennis Northcutt (who would be a slot receiver for most teams) is currently running with the starters along with Ernest Wilford; Matt Jones , who looked so good at the end of 2006, is on the second unit for now.

Trent Green was a mess in his first start for the Dolphins, though the offensive line more than anything deserves the blame. Bad news for Ronnie Brown owners: those are the same guys who need to open holes for him, and run blocking in general is a harder skill to master than pass blocking.

Minnesota isn't going to be a big passing team, but everyone has to throw the ball eventually, so keep an eye on starters Bobby Wade and Troy Williamson. Both looked passable in the opener

New England's holding so many key guys out of practice, it's hard to know where their offense is right now. We're hoping Bill Bellichick lets the big kids out of school for the third preseason game, but that's far from a guarantee. Laurence Maroney (shoulder) isn't taking contact at practice, and Randy Moss and Donte Stallworth – two players who have been injury prone in recent years – sat out the first preseason game

L.J. Smith is dealing with a groin injury, bad news given that he had hernia surgery a few months ago. He's no sure thing for opening day

St. Louis rookie RB Brian Leonard was one of the stars of the opening week, rushing nine times for 36 yards and a touchdown, and also catching five passes for 30 yards. The Rams love to throw to their backs and they're looking to ease Steven Jackson's workload just a little bit, all which makes Leonard a worthwhile target as one of your final picks

Carnell Williams probably gets a clearer path to goal-line work with Mike Alstott done for the season, but Michael Pittman will also see regular time

Greg Olsen caught two passes on Chicago's first drive of the preseason, which means he'll be cutting into Desmond Clark's production sooner, rather than later. The learning curve of the NFL might keep Olsen from being a dynamic tight end right away, but he's a can't-miss kid for keeper-league players.