New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush will reportedly miss the next 2-to-4 weeks with a torn meniscus in his left knee, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Bush had missed practice time this week with swelling in the same knee, then left the Saints’ 30-7 loss to Carolina when he injured it on a punt return.

Needless to say, Bush’s absence from both the Saints’ and fantasy teams’ lineups will hurt. Entering the week, he led the NFL with eight touchdowns and was a force in PPR leagues with 42 catches. While he struggled to move the ball on the ground — he averaged just 3.4 yards per carry — Bush was the league’s only player to score at least one rushing, receiving and return touchdown.

His big play ability opened up the Saints’ passing game and was a constant threat to opposing punt coverage units. Head coach Sean Payton was dedicated to getting the former USC star the ball in open space, where he could better use his explosiveness. And the plan paid off, especially in the passing game, where Bush led the team in receptions and scored three of his eight touchdowns.

That element will be missing in coming weeks, but quarterback Drew Brees and company will find a way to move on. With Bush on the sidelines, New Orleans will turn to the more physical running of Deuce McAllister and Aaron Stecker, while Brees focuses more on his downfield options.

Bush was the lone constant in the Saints’ unpredictable passing game. While his absence creates more opportunities for Devery Henderson, Lance Moore and Robert Meachem, the return of Marques Colston to the lineup will only serve to further complicate things. Moore has especially become a fixture in fantasy lineups, but his all-or-nothing game can’t be trusted on a weekly basis.

Bush wasn’t the only running back making headlines on Sunday …

Big day for S-Jax dampered by thigh injury
In St. Louis, Steven Jackson’s big day in the Rams’ surprising 34-14 win over Dallas ended with a quadriceps injury that could prove to be serious. While Jackson is confident it’s just a bruise, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch is reporting that he could miss next week’s game vs. New England because of the injury.
Fantasy Spin: Figures that Jackson, a consensus first round pick in fantasy drafts, finally begins meeting lofty expectations, and the performance was still bittersweet for fantasy owners. As the Post-Dispatch story discusses, it’s tough to figure who replaces Jackson - should he miss Week 8 - in the backfield. Brian Leonard, who played the replacement role last season, is done for the year, which leaves Travis Minor as the most likely candidate.

More trouble for Chiefs’ Johnson
The Chiefs, meanwhile, are dealing with a report that running back Larry Johnson was involved in yet another altercation with a woman at a Kansas City night club. Johnson was also charged with simple assault for a similar incident in February, according to the Kansas City Star, and was inactive for Sunday’s 34-10 loss to Tennessee because he violated team rules.
Fantasy Spin: Anyone’s guess what the NFL office decides to do about this. Johnson is developing quite a rap sheet for these kinds of incidents, which will certainly be taken into account.

Commissioner Roger Goodell has been consistent in handing out suspensions for multiple offenders, so Johnson could be in line to miss more games in the not-so-distant future. If that’s the case, fantasy owners should be rooting for an extended audition for rookie Jamaal Charles. The third-round pick has more upside than backup Kolby Smith, though neither guy figures to be an immediate factor.

Bengals go different route, start Benson
In a move that surprised even Cedric Benson, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Cincinnati Bengals penciled the recent signee into the starting lineup over Chris Perry. While the matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers defense didn’t set Benson up for success, he rushed well enough to retain the starting job. Benson had 14 carries for 52 yards, while Perry did not touch the ball.
Fantasy Spin: This was a distinct possibility for a team that needed to make a change. Perry was ineffective, and he fumbled five times in six starts to earn the demotion. This news comes at a good time for fantasy owners, too. Benson and the Bengals face the Houston Texans, who have given up the second-most rushing touchdowns (11) in the NFL, in Week 8.

Mewelde Moore makes most of opportunity
With starter Willie Parker on the shelf with a knee injury, backup Mewelde Moore cashed in with a big day in the Steelers’ 38-10 win over the Bengals. Moore rushed for 120 yards and two touchdowns and caught five passes for 14 yards and another score, making him by far the highest impact fantasy acquisition of the week.
Fantasy Spin: Moore is likely headed back to the bench for Week 8, but he rewarded fantasy owners who rolled the dice on him with a huge day. The Bengals rank among the bottom five teams in the NFL in both rushing yards allowed (28th, 152.3 ypg) and rushing touchdowns allowed (T29th, 10). Astute owners played the soft matchup and got what they were looking for.

Titans smash records in demolition of Chiefs
Everything clicked for the Tennessee Titans, who remain the NFL’s only undefeated team at 6-0, as they reeled off a franchise record 332 rushing yards in a 34-10 rout of Kansas City. Among other observations, the Tennesseean reports that it was the franchise’s first game with two 100-yard rushers since 1977. Rookie Chris Johnson rushed for 168 yards and a touchdown, and LenDale White ran for 149 yards and three scores.
Fantasy Spin: Until Johnson broke a 66-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, it was all White in this one. The big fella even broke an 80-yard touchdown earlier in the fourth, moving into a tie with Reggie Bush for the NFL lead with eight touchdowns. Johnson, who now leads all rookies and ranks fourth in the NFL with 549 rushing yards, has still managed to score four touchdowns (three rush, one catch) of his own this season.

What other blogs are saying …

Deuce and Reggie answer all your questions about Bush’s torn meniscus.

Intentional Foul says Larry Johnson may want to avoid night clubs all together.

Tony’s Kansas City thinks LJ’s troubles may be more fun to watch than Chiefs games.

Troy’s Thoughts on Sports chronicles the Rams’ journey from 0-4 to their current two-game win streak.

The Fantasy Football Geek Blog points out the wealth of running backs who had big days for fantasy teams in Week 7.

Steelers Today quizzes you about Pittsburgh fun facts.

Tirico Suave expresses the frustration of all Chris Johnson owners, who watch LenDale White cash in on all his work between the 20s.

Cincy Jungle says Bengals fans should be proud of their 0-7 team and breaks down each of the seven sacks the team allowed against Pittsburgh on Sunday.