Jene Bramel
Footballguy
Please watch my Twitter feed (link in my signature) for further discussion this morning. I'll continue to make every attempt to add key updates and analysis to this thread, but I expect to transition the bulk of the breaking news updates to Twitter this year. Also, if your new to this thread, please refrain from team advice requests and post news, inactives, etc. only.
Derrick Johnson looks likely to play today, as does Jovan Belcher. Johnson was limited all week, but there's yet to be an indication from the coaching staff, Johnson himself or local beat writers that he's in danger of missing the game. Brandon Siler would be a possible desperation start if Belcher is unable to play. Brandon Flowers also likely plays. Abram Elam could start for the doubtful Kendrick Lewis.
The Jets listed Sione Po'uha as questionable, but Rex Ryan strongly hinted that Po'uha will sit today in his Friday press conference. LaRon Landry is already taking practices off to limit the wear and tear on his heel but is ready to go this week. Quinton Coples flashed some upside late this preseason. He's too risky to use (expect in deep big play leagues) yet, but he should be monitored closely.
Jon Beason practiced fully this week and is ready to go. Joe Person told me on Twitter that he expects the team to rotate four linebackers based on down and distance. At least one of the Beason/Kuechly/Anderson group will have LB2 or better numbers, but I'd risk them as a boom-bust LB3 play and only if you don't have another top 25 option available to you.
Jerrell Freeman should start for Pat Angerer. He and Kavell Conner will play every down. Conner has top 20 upside today, Freeman should be considered a risk-reward LB3 only. Vontae Davis and Jerraud Powers are expected to start at cornerback. Dwight Freeney may be a rotational body only if Jerry Hughes can carry over his preseason play to the regular season.
Brian Urlacher practiced fully and will play today. He may not be the same player and there's a chance he could see limited snaps in some games this year, but his surrounding cast is the same. Either Urlacher continues to put up LB2 numbers or we'll see a better than expected season from Lance Briggs and at least one of the Chicago safeties. For now, it looks like Major Wright and Craig Steltz start at safety. The Indianapolis matchup isn't strong enough to bet on Wright today, but he could emerge quickly.
Daryl Smith is out today. Kyle Bosworth replaces him in the base package, Russell Allen moves into his nickel slot and an every-down role. Grab Allen if you need a high floor LB3/LB4 play in deeper leagues. Andre Branch is expected to start and could see near full time snaps.
Antoine Winfield will start and move into the slot on passing downs, but the team has hinted that they could limit his snaps at times. I don't think the depth chart is ready to support that yet, but we'll see. Chris Cook starts at the other corner and has CB2 upside today. Harrison Smith is the only safety worth considering. After some rumblings that Marvin Mitchell could challenge him, Erin Henderson looks to be entrenched as an every-down linebacker.
Brooks Reed is a game time decision, but appears to be closer to doubtful than probable. At minimum, expect to see Whitney Mercilus get a bigger rotational load than expected. Brian Cushing has been dealing with viral syndromes and a rib injury but will play. No concern with J.J. Watt, who should be at near full strength after his early preseason elbow dislocation.
Patrick Chung practiced fully all week. The Patriots have limited his snaps in the past when he's returned from injury, but he looks healthy and the subpackages have been DB-dominant so I expect that he'll play every down. Chandler Jones and Donta Hightower established themselves as trustworthy players in the preseason and should see lots of playing time. Hightower won't be a subpackage defender, but Jones could see at least 50 snaps a week.
There's been no new news on Tennessee's secondary situation. The coaches say they'll rotate Michael Griffin, Jordan Babineaux and Robert Johnson. Babineaux has been the only consistent box score option, but avoid this group until we see snap counts and subpackage philosophy.
DeMeco Ryans was pulled from the nickel package in favor of Jamar Chaney this week, leaving Mychal Kendricks as the lone every-down linebacker. Kurt Coleman starts at safety. With the emergence of Phillip Hunt and Brandon Graham, we may see fewer snaps for Jason Babin and possibly Trent Cole early in the season.
Scott Fujita is no longer suspended but is not expected to play with a foot injury. LJ Fort likely starts at one OLB position, with Kaluka Maiava at the other. James-Michael Johnson's oblique strain is very bad timing, he'll have to work his way back into possible playing time after he recovers. Joe Haden has not yet been suspended and will play today.
NaVorro Bowman and Aldon Smith were dinged up in the preseason but are not on the injury report this week.
DJ Smith starts for Desmond Bishop and is expected to play every down. The Packers will not discuss their secondary, but the beat writers have suggested that we could see a surprise alignment and that there's still indecision with the amount of playing time. That could mean Casey Hayward starts opposite Tramon Williams. Hayward could be a very strong CB2 if that's the case.
The Rams are extremely thin at DT. Three of their four rotational players, including Michael Brockers, are out. That will stress James Laurinaitis' shed skills today, but the potential of more snaps (especially against a spread offense like DET) will more than balance out that concern. JoLonn Dunbar was playing in subpackages in the preseason but if Darian Stewart is deemed healthy enough to allow more of the usual dime looks, Dunbar is a risky start. So is Stewart unfortunately, as it appears Craig Dahl is the starting safety. Dahl looks like an elite safety play for now.
The Lions will start John Wendling for Louis Delmas. Erik Coleman beat out Amari Spievey at the other safety position. Rookie Bill Bentley starts for an injured Chris Houston.
Brandon Meriweather will miss at least two weeks with an MCL/PCL injury. DeJon Gomes is expected to start with Madieu Williams, but it wouldn't be surprising to see Reed Doughty rotate.
Curtis Lofton and David Hawthorne are very likely to start and play in their expected pre-injury roles. Barrett Ruud and Jonathan Vilma remain on the exempt list and will not be active today. Lofton should play every down, Hawthorne likely replaced in the nickel by Jonathan Casillas. Jabari Greer has been limited all preseason, but answered questions from reporters this week as if he'd play. Will Smith is off the suspended list and should be active. He's been working with the team, so I expect that he'll see his usual number of snaps.
Ryan Clark will not play in Denver due to health concerns related to his sickle cell anemia. James Harrison is also unlikely to play as he works to get back into condition after multiple offseason issues. Jason Worilds, who has been limited by a wrist issue, and Chris Carter likely rotate in Harrison's place. Larry Foote seemed very questionable earlier in the week with an ankle injury, but practiced fully Thursday and Friday and will start.
Carlos Dunlap will not play this week, nor will Dre Kirkpatrick. Dunlap seems close to returning, Kirkpatrick had a setback last week and it's unclear how long he could remain out. Taylor Mays will start at SS, but his subpackage role isn't yet clear.
Antonio Garay is questionable with an ankle injury. Atari Bigby has held off rookie Brandon Taylor to start at safety for now. Melvin Ingram looks to have a major rotational role.
Richard Seymour is listed questionable with a knee injury and has been limited in practice. He's expected to play and we're likely to see the same situation all season long. Miles Burris will start at OLB, but Phillip Wheeler has stayed on the field in subpackages.
Quinton Carter isn't listed as the starter yet, but he's worked with the first team frequently. He's a hold until we see the lineup and how well he's progressed this offseason. Joe Mays and Wesley Woodyard should both be every-down defenders.
Derrick Johnson looks likely to play today, as does Jovan Belcher. Johnson was limited all week, but there's yet to be an indication from the coaching staff, Johnson himself or local beat writers that he's in danger of missing the game. Brandon Siler would be a possible desperation start if Belcher is unable to play. Brandon Flowers also likely plays. Abram Elam could start for the doubtful Kendrick Lewis.
The Jets listed Sione Po'uha as questionable, but Rex Ryan strongly hinted that Po'uha will sit today in his Friday press conference. LaRon Landry is already taking practices off to limit the wear and tear on his heel but is ready to go this week. Quinton Coples flashed some upside late this preseason. He's too risky to use (expect in deep big play leagues) yet, but he should be monitored closely.
Jon Beason practiced fully this week and is ready to go. Joe Person told me on Twitter that he expects the team to rotate four linebackers based on down and distance. At least one of the Beason/Kuechly/Anderson group will have LB2 or better numbers, but I'd risk them as a boom-bust LB3 play and only if you don't have another top 25 option available to you.
Jerrell Freeman should start for Pat Angerer. He and Kavell Conner will play every down. Conner has top 20 upside today, Freeman should be considered a risk-reward LB3 only. Vontae Davis and Jerraud Powers are expected to start at cornerback. Dwight Freeney may be a rotational body only if Jerry Hughes can carry over his preseason play to the regular season.
Brian Urlacher practiced fully and will play today. He may not be the same player and there's a chance he could see limited snaps in some games this year, but his surrounding cast is the same. Either Urlacher continues to put up LB2 numbers or we'll see a better than expected season from Lance Briggs and at least one of the Chicago safeties. For now, it looks like Major Wright and Craig Steltz start at safety. The Indianapolis matchup isn't strong enough to bet on Wright today, but he could emerge quickly.
Daryl Smith is out today. Kyle Bosworth replaces him in the base package, Russell Allen moves into his nickel slot and an every-down role. Grab Allen if you need a high floor LB3/LB4 play in deeper leagues. Andre Branch is expected to start and could see near full time snaps.
Antoine Winfield will start and move into the slot on passing downs, but the team has hinted that they could limit his snaps at times. I don't think the depth chart is ready to support that yet, but we'll see. Chris Cook starts at the other corner and has CB2 upside today. Harrison Smith is the only safety worth considering. After some rumblings that Marvin Mitchell could challenge him, Erin Henderson looks to be entrenched as an every-down linebacker.
Brooks Reed is a game time decision, but appears to be closer to doubtful than probable. At minimum, expect to see Whitney Mercilus get a bigger rotational load than expected. Brian Cushing has been dealing with viral syndromes and a rib injury but will play. No concern with J.J. Watt, who should be at near full strength after his early preseason elbow dislocation.
Patrick Chung practiced fully all week. The Patriots have limited his snaps in the past when he's returned from injury, but he looks healthy and the subpackages have been DB-dominant so I expect that he'll play every down. Chandler Jones and Donta Hightower established themselves as trustworthy players in the preseason and should see lots of playing time. Hightower won't be a subpackage defender, but Jones could see at least 50 snaps a week.
There's been no new news on Tennessee's secondary situation. The coaches say they'll rotate Michael Griffin, Jordan Babineaux and Robert Johnson. Babineaux has been the only consistent box score option, but avoid this group until we see snap counts and subpackage philosophy.
DeMeco Ryans was pulled from the nickel package in favor of Jamar Chaney this week, leaving Mychal Kendricks as the lone every-down linebacker. Kurt Coleman starts at safety. With the emergence of Phillip Hunt and Brandon Graham, we may see fewer snaps for Jason Babin and possibly Trent Cole early in the season.
Scott Fujita is no longer suspended but is not expected to play with a foot injury. LJ Fort likely starts at one OLB position, with Kaluka Maiava at the other. James-Michael Johnson's oblique strain is very bad timing, he'll have to work his way back into possible playing time after he recovers. Joe Haden has not yet been suspended and will play today.
NaVorro Bowman and Aldon Smith were dinged up in the preseason but are not on the injury report this week.
DJ Smith starts for Desmond Bishop and is expected to play every down. The Packers will not discuss their secondary, but the beat writers have suggested that we could see a surprise alignment and that there's still indecision with the amount of playing time. That could mean Casey Hayward starts opposite Tramon Williams. Hayward could be a very strong CB2 if that's the case.
The Rams are extremely thin at DT. Three of their four rotational players, including Michael Brockers, are out. That will stress James Laurinaitis' shed skills today, but the potential of more snaps (especially against a spread offense like DET) will more than balance out that concern. JoLonn Dunbar was playing in subpackages in the preseason but if Darian Stewart is deemed healthy enough to allow more of the usual dime looks, Dunbar is a risky start. So is Stewart unfortunately, as it appears Craig Dahl is the starting safety. Dahl looks like an elite safety play for now.
The Lions will start John Wendling for Louis Delmas. Erik Coleman beat out Amari Spievey at the other safety position. Rookie Bill Bentley starts for an injured Chris Houston.
Brandon Meriweather will miss at least two weeks with an MCL/PCL injury. DeJon Gomes is expected to start with Madieu Williams, but it wouldn't be surprising to see Reed Doughty rotate.
Curtis Lofton and David Hawthorne are very likely to start and play in their expected pre-injury roles. Barrett Ruud and Jonathan Vilma remain on the exempt list and will not be active today. Lofton should play every down, Hawthorne likely replaced in the nickel by Jonathan Casillas. Jabari Greer has been limited all preseason, but answered questions from reporters this week as if he'd play. Will Smith is off the suspended list and should be active. He's been working with the team, so I expect that he'll see his usual number of snaps.
Ryan Clark will not play in Denver due to health concerns related to his sickle cell anemia. James Harrison is also unlikely to play as he works to get back into condition after multiple offseason issues. Jason Worilds, who has been limited by a wrist issue, and Chris Carter likely rotate in Harrison's place. Larry Foote seemed very questionable earlier in the week with an ankle injury, but practiced fully Thursday and Friday and will start.
Carlos Dunlap will not play this week, nor will Dre Kirkpatrick. Dunlap seems close to returning, Kirkpatrick had a setback last week and it's unclear how long he could remain out. Taylor Mays will start at SS, but his subpackage role isn't yet clear.
Antonio Garay is questionable with an ankle injury. Atari Bigby has held off rookie Brandon Taylor to start at safety for now. Melvin Ingram looks to have a major rotational role.
Richard Seymour is listed questionable with a knee injury and has been limited in practice. He's expected to play and we're likely to see the same situation all season long. Miles Burris will start at OLB, but Phillip Wheeler has stayed on the field in subpackages.
Quinton Carter isn't listed as the starter yet, but he's worked with the first team frequently. He's a hold until we see the lineup and how well he's progressed this offseason. Joe Mays and Wesley Woodyard should both be every-down defenders.
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