News: The Steelers activated defensive tackle Casey Hampton off the physically unable to perform list Friday. Hampton is still recovering from his third ACL surgery after suffering a right knee injury during the playoff loss to Denver on Jan. 8.
Analysis: Hampton will rejoin the Steelers for practice and conditioning work with more than two weeks left in the preseason, but may still not be in condition for the Steelers' season opener. Hampton has minimal Fantasy value come Draft Day.
News: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Steelers NT Casey Hampton said he will have surgery Friday to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, an injury he sustained in the season-ending playoff loss in Denver. It will be the third time Hampton has had ACL surgery, two of which came during his Steelers career. It is the second time he has had the surgery on his left knee.
Analysis: Hampton, 34, said he wants to play in 2012, but his salary will be $4.89 million and his cap value will be more than $8 million next season. And team president Art Rooney II said the organization will face "tough decisions" during the offseason because the Steelers are $25 million over the salary cap. With the retirement of long-time backup nose tackle Chris Hoke, however, the Steelers are not prepared to go into 2012 without both players at what many consider to be the most important position in the 3-4 defense. The only one backup nose tackle is Steve McLendon. Keep an eye on Hampton's recovery, but he has minimal Fantasy value in 2012.
News: Steelers DL Casey Hampton could return in Week 8 against New England, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Hampton, who has missed the team's past three games with a shoulder injury, is expected to practice beginning Wednesday.
Analysis: Hampton is one of several defensive players who have been slowed by injuries and has been sidelined since Oct. 2. The 34-year-old has racked up eight tackles this season and is still searching for his first sack. He should not be considered a worthwhile Fantasy option.
News: Steelers DL Casey Hampton suffered a hamstring injury in Week 1 against the Falcons and the team offered up no further update on his status after the game. Hampton had one assisted tackle before leaving the game.
Analysis: Hampton has had some injury issues in the past, but it is usually hit or miss with him. He is a very good nose tackle in the Steelers' 3-4 scheme, but he doesn't do a ton for Fantasy owners since he doesn't get a lot of sacks. He has little to no Fantasy appeal when healthy.
News: The Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to a deal with nose tackle Casey Hampton, who would have been a free agent this offseason had the two sides not agreed to a deal. ESPN first reported the agreement with Hampton, and Kevin Colbert, the team's director of football operations, confirmed it at the NFL Scouting Combine. ESPN reported the deal was for three-years and $21 million, including $11 million guaranteed. Hampton, a nine-year veteran, had 43 tackles and 2 1/2 sacks last season. Colbert said he hopes Hampton will spend the rest of his career with the Steelers.
Analysis: Hampton is a huge part of what the Steelers do defensively and is a huge part of their run defense. It's good that they have him for a while longer, but he's not a big stat producer. Thus, keep him off of Fantasy rosters.
News: Pittsburgh DL Casey Hampton (knee) was able to play in the team's first preseason game on Thursday against Arizona. He recorded one tackle in the game.
Analysis: Hampton is considered the key to the Steelers'league-leading rushing defense and would be a severe blow the the Steelers DST if he misses time this season. However, he has little value in IDP formats.
News: Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle Casey Hampton left practice Sunday with a knee injury, although coach Mike Tomlin said the four-time Pro Bowl player is expected to be fine.
Analysis: Hampton, who missed three games last season with a groin injury, is considered the key to the Steelers' league-leading rushing defense. This injury would definitely affect the Steelers DST much greater than Fantasy IDP owners. Hampton has little value in IDP leagues.
News: The Steelers listed the following players as inactive for Week 7 at Cincinnati: QB Dennis Dixon (third QB), RB Willie Parker, RB Carey Davis, LB Keyaron Fox, WR Dallas Baker and DL Casey Hampton.
Analysis: Aside from Parker, none of the players on this list should be considered viable Fantasy option. They are not in a position to contribute regular stats as they aren't in line for regular playing time. They've got some depth chart climbing to do and should be left on the waiver wire.
News: The Steelers listed RB Carey Davis, QB Dennis Dixon, LB Andre Frazier, DL Nick Eason, DL Casey Hampton and DL Brett Keisel as inactive for Week 5 at Jacksonville.
Analysis: None of these players does enough statistically to matter in Fantasy even when active. Leave them all on waivers.
News: The Steelers announced Tuesday that DLs Brett Keisel and Casey Hampton have already been declared out for Week 5 at Jacksonville.
Analysis: While the loss of these two guys is key for the Steelers, neither of them contribute much on the Fantasy side of things, so continue to ignore them in all formats.
News: The Steelers listed QB Dennis Dixon, WR Limas Sweed, LB Donovan Woods, DL Casey Hampton and DL Brett Keisel among their inactives for Week 4 against the Ravens.
Analysis: None of these players contributes enough statistically to have Fantasy value when healthy. Leave them all on waivers.
News: The Steelers will be without injured nose tackle Casey Hampton for Monday night's home game against Baltimore. Hampton, a Pro Bowl defensive lineman the last four seasons and the key to the Steelers' run defense, has a strained groin.
Analysis: Hampton was on the PUP list to begin training camp because he was out of shape. It doesn't help his case that he gets injured in the third game of the season. Hampton is a premier defensive tackle when healthy, but he is more important to his real team than Fantasy owners. It's safe to ignore him.
News: Steelers DL Casey Hampton left Week 3's loss against the Eagles in the third quarter with a left groin injury.
Analysis: Hampton was on the PUP list to begin training camp because he was out of shape. It doesn't help his case that he gets injured in the third game of the season. Hampton is a premier defensive tackle when healthy, but he is more important to his real team than Fantasy owners. It's safe to ignore him heading into Week 4 against the Ravens.
News: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said he is satisfied with the progress of overweight nose tackle Casey Hampton, who was taken off the physically unable to perform list and practiced with his teammates for the first time since reporting to training camp 40 pounds overweight. Tomlin would not disclose Hampton's weight or how many pounds he has shed since the start of camp.
Analysis: Hampton has had weight problems his entire career. Hampton is one of the best nose tackles in the NFL, but he is far more valuable to the Steelers than he is to Fantasy owners. Ignore him in Fantasy leagues at this time.
News: Steeelers head coach Mike Tomlin ruled out four players for Friday's preseason opener against the Eagles, including strong safety Troy Polamalu (hamstring) and nose tackle Casey Hampton, who is working his way into shape. Each are on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, though Tomlin said both Polamulu and Hampton are "close" as far as starting to practice. In addition to Polamalu and Hampton, Tomlin said free safety Anthony Smith (groin) and tight end Cody Boyd (shoulder) won't play against the Eagles. Smith practiced yesterday, but he has been sidelined for most of training camp.
Analysis: Hampton has had weight problems his entire career, but this is the first time the Steelers have punished him by putting him on the physically unable to perform list. Hampton is one of the best nose tackles in the NFL, but he is far more valuable to the Steelers than he is to Fantasy owners. Ignore him in Fantasy leagues at this time.
News:Casey Hampton, the four-time Pro Bowl nose tackle, remained on the sidelines Monday as the Steelers began their second week of training camp. Hampton isn't hurting and there's no contractual issue, but coach Mike Tomlin still isn't ready to let him onto the practice field. During a time when NFL linemen who don't weigh at least 300 pounds are becoming scarce, and being in the 350-pound range isn't uncommon, Hampton is being punished by the Steelers for what now is a seldom-seen violation: weighing too much. Hampton claimed Monday he isn't sure what he weighs, though it appears to be far more than the 325 pounds listed on the Steelers' roster. "I ain't got on the scale. I don't really get on the scale, that's not my thing," Hampton said. "I play ball."
Analysis: Hampton has had weight problems his entire career, but this is the first time the Steelers have punished him by putting him on the physically unable to perform list. Hampton is one of the best nose tackles in the NFL, but he is far more valuable to the Steelers than he is to Fantasy owners. Ignore him in Fantasy leagues at this time.
News: Pro Bowl nose tackle Casey Hampton was placed on the physically unable to perform list Sunday after reporting to training camp overweight and failing to complete the Pittsburgh Steelers' annual run test. Hampton, listed at 325 pounds but apparently much heavier, lagged 30 yards behind defensive end Brett Keisel during one of eight 100-yard sprints. Hampton completed only five. "He's overweight and he's not conditioned enough to participate at this point," coach Mike Tomlin said. Hampton won't be allowed to practice in this camp until he drops weight, and Tomlin suggested that will take more than a few days.
Analysis: Hampton, starting his eighth NFL season, skipped the Steelers' optional team practices last spring to work out on his own. He explained Sunday that his absence was to take care of personal business and not because he had any issue with the team. "I wasn't trying to make any statement," Hampton said. Tomlin didn't like the one he made during the running test as Hampton was the only player who couldn't finish. Some players who attended a certain number of voluntary team workouts were allowed to skip the tests as a reward for their attendance. "It's not about (missing the voluntary practices)," Tomlin said of Hampton. "It's about coming to camp ready to play football." Hampton is one of the best nose tackles in the NFL, but he is far more valuable to the Steelers than he is to Fantasy owners. Ignore him in Fantasy leagues at this time.
News: Steelers DL Casey Hampton totaled two tackles (both solo) and picked up his first sack during a Week 16 win against the Rams. It was his fifth career sack and first since the 2003 season. He now has 29 tackles.
Analysis: Hampton is one of the best nose tackles in the NFL, but he is far more valuable to the Steelers than he is to Fantasy owners. Ignore him in Fantasy leagues at this time.
News: Steelers safety Troy Polamalu (rib cartilage) and nose tackle Casey Hampton (hamstring), both of whom missed the Seattle game, expect to benefit from their week off. They could be ready to play at Denver in Week 7. "I would be able to play this week, I feel that good," Polamalu said. "If we played Denver this week, I'd be playing."
Analysis: Polamalu, when healthy, is a must-start Fantasy DB. He should be good to go for Week 7 at Denver. Hampton isn't productive enough to use in IDP league play.
News: Steelers SS Troy Polamalu (abdomen) and DT Casey Hampton (hamstring) have been ruled out for Week 5 vs. Seattle. Neither of them practiced this week. CB Bryant McFadden (ankle) is also out.
Analysis: The Steelers defense is still a startable option, but without those two key defenders, expect the Seahawks to do a little better on offense. That includes an improved outlook for Shaun Alexander and Matt Hasselbeck.
News: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review both report Friday that Steelers SS Troy Polamalu (abdomen) and DT Casey Hampton (hamstring) are questionable for Week 5 vs. Seattle. Neither of them practiced this week.
Analysis: Polamalu is off to a slow start with just 12 tackles and one forced fumble. That is no reason to jump off the bandwagon. He still remains a must-start Fantasy DB when healthy. Hampton isn't productive enough to use in IDP league play.
News: Steelers safety Troy Polamalu and nose tackle Casey Hampton, forced out of the Arizona game with injuries, are expected to play Sunday against Seattle. While Polamalu and Hampton couldn't finish the Steelers' 21-14 loss to the Cardinals, Tomlin did not initially list them when he reviewed the team's injuries at his weekly news conference. "We expect these guys to be OK," Tomlin said.
Analysis: The Steelers host the Seahawks in Week 5, which will be tough for the Steelers but not so tough that you should consider other options. Start them if you own them. As far as IDP play goes, Polamalu remains a must-start while Hampton is a low-end reserve in leagues that do not specifically use defensive tackles.
News: Steelers DL Casey Hampton injured his hamstring Sunday against Arizona and didn't return.
Analysis: Hampton's status for Week 5 against Seattle is unknown, but he has minimal Fantasy value when healthy.
News: Steelers DL Casey Hampton (hamstring) is listed as probable for Week 9 vs. Denver.
Analysis: Hampton is not a viable Fantasy IDP option at this time.
News: Notable Steelers inactive for Week 8 at Oakland include: WR Willie Reid, RB Duce Staley, S Mike Logan, LB James Harrison, DT Casey Hampton and QB Brian St. Pierre (3rd QB).
Analysis: Keep these players reserved for Fantasy purposes in Week 8.
News: Steelers DL Casey Hampton (hamstring) has been downgraded from questionable to doubtful for Week 8 at Oakland.
Analysis: Hampton is not a viable Fantasy IDP option at this time.
News: Steelers LB James Harrison (ankle), DB Mike Logan (hamstring) and WR Willie Reid (foot) are out, LB Clark Haggans (ankle), DL Casey Hampton (hamstring), LB Joey Porter (hamstring) and WR Cedrick Wilson (groin) are questionable, while DB Tyrone Carter (shoulder) and RB Dan Kreider (ankle) are probable for Week 8 at Oakland.
Analysis: Porter is a viable Fantasy option when healthy, but the other injured Steelers in Week 8 are not at this time.
News: Steelers NT Casey Hampton left the Falcons game at halftime with a hamstring injury and did not return. Chris Hoke played the entire second half in his place.
Analysis: Neither Hampton nor Hoke rack up enough stats to warrant use in Fantasy play.
News: Hampton, a Pro Bowl lineman whose listed weight is 325 pounds, had problems with the run test three years ago. On Saturday, he took part in several 100-yard runs that weren't part of the Steelers' prescribed running test and trailed badly in his group. "Casey tweaked a hamstring last week running for the test," coach Bill Cowher said. "I was surprised. He said he tweaked it, but I didn't know he could run fast enough to tweak it."
Analysis: Track his progress this camp. It could be a dangerous one for him.
News: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that NT Hampton will miss the rest of the season with a torn ligament in his right knee. CB Chad Scott's (knee) injury is more uncertain. Rookie Ricardo Colclough or Willie Williams would likely replace Scott in the lineup.
Analysis: The Steelers DST remain a worthy starting unit in all leagues.
News: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Hampton will miss the rest of the season with a torn ligament in his right knee.
Analysis: Hampton was a Pro-Bowler last season and will likely be replaced by Chris Hoke at nose tackle.
