By Dan Parr
Aug. 14, 2008

Suspensions to the Panthers' and Broncos' top receiver have put a damper on the early-season outlook for the two clubs. Each team entered training camp looking for a bounce-back year to carry it into the playoffs after a 7-9 campaign in 2007. However, Carolina will open the season without WR Steve Smith, arguably the best player on the squad, for the first two games after he was suspended for punching and breaking the nose of teammate CB Ken Lucas. Denver's top target in the passing game, WR Brandon Marshall, was suspended for three games by commissioner Roger Goodell for violating the league's personal conduct policy, but his sentence could be reduced by a game if he attends counseling.

The absence of each player will have significant consequences and could affect the fantasy stock of three key contributors from each team. Here's a look at what the suspensions mean for their teammates and whether their fantasy stock was helped or hurt by them.

Broncos

Jay Cutler — He established quite a connection with Marshall last season, as the star wide receiver compiled 102 grabs and was targeted by Denver quarterbacks 170 times. There is no other receiver on the Broncos who comes close to the versatility and big-play ability Marshall possesses, and sources say they envision a much more conservative game plan for Cutler early on. Cutler will have fewer opportunities to throw the deep ball and may have to settle for dinking and dunking his way through the first couple of games. The stock on Cutler is heading south.

Tony Scheffler — Even before Marshall was suspended, it appeared Scheffler, another favorite target of Cutler's, was on his way to becoming the team's second or third option in the passing game. With Marshall gone, Scheffler rises another notch. Sources say the third-year tight end is one of the more dynamic options left in the receiving corps, and he could become a top target in the red zone. For Scheffler, the arrow is pointing up.

Eddie Royal — He has rocketed up the depth chart since training camp began and could be in the starting lineup, even when Marshall returns. Although he's undersized, Royal has great speed and has overtaken Darrell Jackson as the No. 2 receiver, meaning he'll be the No. 1 during Marshall's suspension. Despite his ascent, Royal is still not well-known, but he could pay big dividends on fantasy rosters for owners willing to take a risk on an inexperienced, yet ultra-talented, young pass catcher. Royal's fantasy stock is surging.

Jake Delhomme

Panthers

Jake Delhomme — In the past few seasons, few quarterbacks have relied more on one receiver than Delhomme has with Smith. Although the Panthers have acquired more depth at receiver and have better pieces around Smith than in past years, he still makes the passing attack go. While Smith is out, count on Delhomme handing off to RBs Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams for the vast majority of the time as Carolina looks to reassert its power running game. Delhomme's fantasy status is as flimsy as a surgically repaired elbow.

Muhsin Muhammad — It would seem that D.J. Hackett would belong in this spot, rather than Muhammad, who is likely to start the season as the No. 2 receiver, behind Hackett. The problem with Hackett, however, is that he's a notorious slow starter and has been plagued by injuries early in seasons throughout his five-year career. He recently sustained a toe injury, which isn't believed to be serious, but it's an alarming development for fantasy owners. Although his upside isn't quite as high, Muhammad is a much more stable option right now. He has a great deal of familiarity with Delhomme, having played with him for two seasons (2003-04) in his first stint with the Panthers, and could emerge as the quarterback's favorite safety valve. The stock on Muhammad should be rising.

Jonathan Stewart — Stewart's stock leaps a touch higher than Williams', since it still looks like the rookie will handle most of the load in the ground game. Head coach John Fox is firmly committed to running the ball, and he will be to an even greater extent with Smith temporarily out of the picture. It's not hard to imagine Stewart getting close to 25 carries in each of the first two games as the Panthers take a ball-control approach against the sound defenses of the Chargers and Bears. Stewart continues to rise up draft boards.