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The Late Shift

Newcomers and returning players are altering teammates' fortunes

CHRIS HENRY'Sreturn to the Bengals in Week 10, after serving an eight-game suspension,was good news for any fantasy owner in need of a receiver. But his presence inthe Cincinnati lineup threatened the production of the team's otherwideouts--whose touches would Henry take away? After three games it appears theanswer is: no one's. In fact, Henry's presence has been an overall tonic forthe passing game.

Facing thetalented trio of Henry, Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh, defenses don'tknow whom to double. While Henry led Bengals receivers with 99 yards his firstgame back, in the next he, Johnson and Houshmandzadeh each nabbed eight ballsfor 80-plus yards. Then Johnson, who had gone without a TD catch sinceWeek 2, had three scores against the Titans on Sunday. Also looking sharp,at long last, is QB Carson Palmer, who had 283 passing yards and the highestcompletion percentage of his career (84.2) in that game. The irony? Henry, withthree catches for 41 yards, had the least productive game since his return.

Kellen Clemens

THOMAS JONES'Scarries will continue to be limited with the team playing from behind while newQB Clemens figures it out; Laveranues Coles's injury doesn't help.

Javon Walker

BACK FROM injuryin Denver, he'll help Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall. But Brandon Stokley, whohas been coming on, will likely see fewer throws.

Chris Brown

THE RATE AT whichthe Titans' vet steals carries from LenDale White accelerated after a sillypenalty by White landed him on the bench last week; Brown ended up with morered-zone tries.

Brodie Croyle

HIS RISE in K.C.has been bad news for Tony Gonzalez owners. The tight end has averaged only 41receiving yards (35 below his norm) in the QB's three starts.

Which QBs Freeze in Cold Weather? PAGE F8

 

LIVE HELP

David Sabino fields your fantasy questions on Sunday mornings atSI.com/expert.

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MICHAEL HICKEY/WIREIMAGE.COM (HENRY)

 O HENRY!With Henry (15) back, Palmer has an extra target to throw to.

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RICH KANE/US PRESSWIRE (CLEMENS)

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ICON SMI (BROWN)