Byron Mullens suffered a lower back strain in Tuesday's game and his return is questionable.

He has fallen out of favor with coach Mike Dunlap and played just 11.4 minutes per game over his last five games. Mullens was squarely on the chopping block even before this injury and he's a liability on almost all fantasy rosters right now.

Byron Mullens was benched in favor of Josh McRoberts on Saturday, finishing with only two points and two rebounds and 5 minutes.

Mullens' value has been miniscule over the past three games (averaging 3.0 points with zero rebounds or blocks) and this demotion should be the coup de grace for his fantasy relevance. He remains a possible source of points and 3-pointers in deeper leagues, but most owners would do well to cut him.

Byron Mullens played just 17 minutes in Friday's 116-94 loss to the Thunder, scoring five points with two assists and one 3-pointer.

He shot just 2-of-7 from the field and didn't even grab a rebound. His value has migrated south in his previous two games, averaging 2.0 points with 0.0 boards in 8.0 minutes. Mullens has dealt with a knee issue and after missing almost six weeks with an ankle sprain, his durability isn't one of his better qualities. You have our blessing to drop him for a hot free agent, but he could turn it around with the lack of depth on Charlotte's roster.

Byron Mullens played through his knee injury on Wednesday, but lasted just 13 minutes and hit 2-of-6 shots for four points, while contributing nothing else.

We've given Mullens a long leash and the benefit of the doubt for some time now, and this looks like the straw that will break the camel's back. It's crunch time in fantasy hoops, and while there's a decent chance Mullens will suddenly get hot again at some point, it's far from a guarantee. If you need to drop him and pick up a hot free agent, do it. Especially as the Bobcats' nightly rotation seems to becoming more of a mystery with each passing day.

Byron Mullens (knee) will play Wednesday night against the Nets.

Mullens played just three minutes in Monday's game, but there's a debate over whether he asked out of the game or whether he was pulled from the lineup. Regardless, it's pretty clear Mullens' knee is less than 100 percent and owners should adjust their expectations to compensate.

Byron Mullens said after Monday's game that his knee injury isn't a long-term concern, and said that he didn't ask out of the game and that coach Mike Dunlap pulled him instead.

"I do think it was the smart thing to do -- come out, rest it," said Mullens. "At this point in the season, rest it another day. I'll get some stim (electric stimulation) and ice, and I'll be fine." It looks like this won't be a value-crushing moment, and we're calling him questionable for Wednesday's game against the Nets.

Byron Mullens suffered a knee injury and asked out of Monday's game after playing three minutes in the first quarter.

Mullens did not return to the game and while this at least gives some explanation to owners, it's not doing anything to pay the bills, especially for those in weekly leagues. We'll update you as soon as we learn more, and Josh McRoberts (nine points, eight boards, three assists, one block, 23 minutes) could be worth a short-term look in a deeper format.

Gerald Henderson and Byron Mullens tied for the team-high with 12 points in Sunday's ugly loss, in which none of Charlotte's players logged 30 minutes.

We've consistently warned owners about Bobcats-related blowouts and tonight was only the most recent example. They easily have the league's worst per-game +/- differential (-9.5), more than two full points behind the 29th-ranked Kings, and there is no help on the horizon.

Byron Mullens scored a team-high 12 points in the Bobcats' 30-point loss to the Jazz on Friday, hitting 5-of-14 shots (including two threes) with seven rebounds and no steals or blocks in 23 minutes.

The whole darn team sucked last night. Kemba Walker hit 4-of-13 shots for eight points with seven assists, zero threes and two steals, and Gerald Henderson hit 2-of-9 shots for five points, three assists and two blocks. After a relatively surprising start to the season, the Bobcats have imploded under Mike Dunlap.

Byron Mullens, who had hit 2-of-21 shots over his previous two games, hit 6-of-13 shots and a 3-pointer for 13 points, eight rebounds and five turnovers in Tuesday's ugly loss to the Clippers.

This was not a historic night for Mullens, but was certainly a step in the right direction. If he was dumped in your league after his last two duds, picking him up is probably a good idea.

Byron Mullens made 1-of-9 FGs and 2-of-4 FTs vs. the Nuggets, finishing with four points, three rebounds and two steals in 28 minutes.

Josh McRoberts played six minutes off the bench, so we can't use him as a scapegoat for Mullens' ugly game. He continues to struggle with shot selection, part of the reason for his 38.9 percent FG shooting, but he's been hot enough lately to give him a pass.

Byron Mullens was just 1-of-12 for two points, six rebounds, three assists and nothing else in Friday's loss to the Bulls.

He was probably due for a night like this but owners shouldn't be discouraged. The Bobcats picked up a power forward at the trade deadline, but it was Josh McRoberts, and not Kris Humphries, which means Mullens' job is safe. He just had a bad night. Mullens came in averaging 17.6 points and 9.3 rebounds over his last nine games, so just keep rolling him out there.

Byron Mullens hit 6-of-12 shots and three more 3-pointers for 15 points and six rebounds in Wednesday's loss.

Mullens is crushing right now, as he came into this one averaging 20 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.6 3-pointers on 47 percent shooting over his previous five games. This makes four straight without a block, but they should be coming as long as he's starting for Charlotte. The acquisition of another power forward could slow his roll a bit, but Mullens is simply a must-own, must-start player until further notice.

Byron Mullens hit 8-of-17 shots and two 3-pointers for 20 points, 12 rebounds and a steal in Tuesday's win.

Mullens suffered a sprained ankle during the game, but looked fine after having it re-taped. He's been one of the best waiver wire pickups over the last few weeks and has officially entered must-own, must-start territory.

Byron Mullens suffered an apparent ankle injury in the third quarter of Tuesday's game and went to the locker room.

He was a little gimpy after a dunk attempt, but Mullens did try to play through it. He was standing around the bench and didn't need assistance to go to the locker room. He's just getting his ankle taped and he could be back in the game soon.

Byron Mullens hit 9-of-19 shots and a 3-pointer for 19 points and three rebounds Wednesday, but didn't have a steal or a block.

While this game doesn't compare to his stellar 25-point, 18-rebound performance against the Celtics on Monday, it was still a fine outing. His shooting is a concern, but he's hot right now, averaging 19 points, 8.6 rebounds, 0.6 blocks and 1.8 3-pointers on 48 percent shooting over his last five. Hopefully he can keep it going after the break, and owners also have to hope the Bobcats don't trade for Kris Humphries or another power forward that would negatively impact Mullens going forward.

Byron Mullens scored 25 points with 18 boards, four assists and four 3-pointers in 43 minutes during Monday's win over the Celtics.

He shot 10-of-16 from the field and the Celtics had no answer for him. Mullens scored the team's first 10 points and never really slowed down. His last five games have been productive with averages of 17.6 points, 9.8 boards and 2.0 triples in 33.2 minutes. The 18 boards tonight were a career high and he shouldn't be on any waiver wires.

Byron Mullens kept his foot on the gas pedal in the Bobcats' 100-93 loss to the Lakers on Friday, scoring 20 points on 8-of-18 shooting (1-of-4 3PTs, 3-of-3 FTs) with 12 rebounds, one steal, and one block in 39 minutes.

Give it to Charlotte, whatever they did rehabbing Mullens has allowed him to come out firing right out of the gate. He was aggressive tonight but did get tired late, which is to be expected of a player coming off injury like he did. He's a must-start player until he slows down. Gerald Henderson also went off with 20 and 10 of his own with three steals and a block.

Byron Mullens will start Friday's game against the Lakers.

Following his severe ankle sprain, Mullens got eased in with two games off the bench. Now he's ready to resume his starting power forward job. In 26 starts earlier this season, the versatile big man averaged 11.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.4 treys, 0.9 blocks and 0.9 steals. He should be locked into most fantasy lineups going forward.

Byron Mullens hit 4-of-7 shots and three 3-pointers for 15 points, seven rebounds and a block in just 17 minutes of Wednesday's loss.

He's doing exactly what we were hoping he would do, averaging 13.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and 2.5 3-pointers in his two games since returning from a severe ankle injury. He's shooting 43 percent in those two games, and while we expect his shooting to be an issue on most nights, he should help make up for it with the points, boards, blocks and 3-pointers.