Jene Bramel
Footballguy
Arizona
Darnell Dockett, Clark Haggans, Kerry Rhodes and Greg Toler are questionable. All were limited on Friday, only Rhodes made it through a full practice last week and that was on Wednesday. Dockett is a GTD and his availability is dependent on a strength test to check the progress of his stinger this morning. Rhodes seems likely to play. There isn’t much information on Haggans or Toler, who was benched last week for Mike Adams.
Dockett and Rhodes active, Toler and Haggans inactive.
Kansas City
Kendrick Lewis seems likely to be back this week despite being listed questionable.
Atlanta
John Abraham and Sean Weatherspoon are questionable. Weatherspoon increased his participation all week long and practiced fully on Friday. He was listed as the starter on the depth chart earlier this week and signs point to him playing. Expect him to be rusty and he’s not a lock to play every down in his first week back, so start him with caution only unless there’s clear indication he’s playing full snaps. Abraham is likely to play.
St. Louis
Fred Robbins was listed questionable after tweaking his back midweek and being limited in practice Thursday and Friday. He was named a team captain this week, which is a good indication that he’ll play. Bradley Fletcher got back in the lineup after being benched for Kevin Dockery last week, but Spagnuolo is still calling the competition open.
Baltimore
Nothing of note here.
Carolina
Jon Beason, Nic Harris and Charles Johnson all practiced fully on Friday and are all probable after midweek missed practices. All should be safe to use. Be aware that Harris did his damage as a part time player last week. The matchup against Baltimore looks favorable for Harris, with the base defense likely to be on the field for a lot of snaps, but he’s not without risk.
Buffalo
Spencer Johnson is out this week. Kyle Williams was limited with a hamstring injury. Observers noted Williams to be moving pretty well and Chan Gailey implied that Williams has a decent chance to play. Expect him to go. Bryan Scott’s impressive W10 performance could be repeated if the Bengals run frequently from their three wide set, where Scott would likely be the hybrid LB/S again. Definitely risky, though.
Kyle Williams is active.
Cincinnati
Antwan Odom is still at least two weeks away from returning from his broken wrist. Chris Crocker and Rey Maualuga are questionable and both were limited all week. Both are GTDs. Chinedum Ndukwe is probable and would likely replace Crocker again if needed. I’d give Brandon Johnson a better chance to play OLB than Michael Johnson if Maualuga doesn’t go, but Brandon Johnson has never impressed as an every-down player. Both should probably be avoided.
Crocker and Maualuga are active. Michael Johnson starting at DE.
Cleveland
Scott Fujita is out for at least two weeks with a knee injury. David Bowens replaces him. Bowens is the best bet to pick up some fantasy value, but all the CLE ILBs are risky because of how the Browns play nickel (no single LB gets all his snaps in the box). Cleveland could also be without Sheldon Brown and Mike Adams. Brown says he’ll play, but Joe Haden will almost certainly take many of his snaps.
Jacksonville
The Jags started Jeremy Mincey and Austen Lane, but Derrick Harvey made for a three way rotation in the base defense. Mincey and Larry Hart were the nickel rushers. Expect Mincey to again lead the group in snaps this week, but he’s viable only in tackle heavy scoring.
Detroit
Cliff Avril is out again. Lawrence Jackson and Turk McBride are likely to split snaps again this week. Amari Spievey is likely to see the bulk of the strong safety snaps over CC Brown, who isn’t on the injury report but didn’t play last week.
Dallas
Nothing of note here.
Green Bay
Ryan Pickett was limited all week and is questionable. Clay Matthews didn’t practice much this week, but is probable. Brandon Chillar is back on the injury report (probable) with his shoulder problem and only played a small percentage of the nickel snaps in Week 9. Expect Desmond Bishop to be a near every-down player again this week against MIN.
Minnesota
Nothing of note here.
Houston
Zac Diles is out this week after being hospitalized with a heart condition. Daryl Sharpton replaces him in the lineup. Kevin Bentley likely becomes the second nickel backer, unless the Texans think that Adibi isn't good enough to play in the base but remains the best coverage option. Brian Cushing played OLB on the vast majority of his snaps last week, with Bentley inside, and looked much better. There was still lots of Cover-2/Tampa-2, especially on nickel downs, with Cushing dropping back in the middle. Bernard Pollard is playing out of the box more often with the coverage scheme changes, but is a good bet to rebound this week against the Jets.
New York Jets
Nothing of note here.
Indianapolis
Gary Brackett and Clint Session didn’t make the trip to New England. Pat Angerer gets another start as the every-down MLB. Expect the Colts to start Kavell Connor at WLB again (with Phillip Wheeler at SLB), but for Tyjuan Hagler to get the bulk of the snaps as the nickel backer next to Angerer. Aaron Francisco and Kelvin Hayden are questionable but look likely to play.
New England
Patrick Chung isn’t on the injury report. His late game struggles last week were later reported to be cramps. He’s safe to start.
Oakland
Nnamdi Asomugha is questionable and was limited all week with his high ankle sprain. He’s very much a GTD and is probably less than 50-50 to play.
Pittsburgh
Lawrence Timmons and Troy Polamalu are dinged, but are probable and expected to play their usual number of snaps. Both fully practiced Friday.
Seattle
Colin Cole remains out with his high ankle sprain. Lofa Tatupu missed much of practice this week with a knee problem but practiced fully Friday and is probable. Aaron Curry saw lots of snaps as a DT/NT when the Seahawks used seven DBs last week. That package may be a big part of the game plan against New Orleans. It could give Curry added, but risky, value in big play leagues. Kam Chancellor did not take any snaps from Lawyer Milloy last week and David Hawthorne continues to sit in the nickel.
New Orleans
Darren Sharper is out this week. Malcolm Jenkins is questionable. Jenkins seems likely to go and take over at FS again, but the Saints may be forced to go with Usama Young. Patrick Robinson looks unlikely to return from a high ankle sprain this week.
Tampa Bay
Kyle Moore is out and Quincy Black is unlikely to play with an ankle injury. Black tested the ankle on Friday after not practicing all week and will be a GTD at best.
San Francisco
Taylor Mays played many fewer series than Reggie Smith last week and was rarely in during the second half. The rotation could be closer to 50-50 this week against the run heavy Buccaneers, so it’s probably worth waiting for another week’s worth of data before committing to either player.
Washington
LaRon Landry and Carlos Rogers did not make the trip to Tennessee. Reed Doughty gets the start at SS and is a nice fill-in target. Kevin Barnes will play corner for Rogers.
Anderson Williams is starting at SS. Philip Buchanon starts at CB.
Tennessee
Nothing of note here.
New York Giants
Nothing of note here.
Philadelphia
Juqua Parker is questionable, but was very limited all week. He’s apparently expected to play, but will be at less than full strength. Dimitri Patterson should again play for Ellis Hobbs, who is probable after missing games with a hip injury. Nate Allen is also expected back.
Denver
The Broncos may be moving back toward the 3-4, with Joe Mays playing SILB next to DJ Williams and Mario Haggan staying at OLB. Mays played a small handful of nickel snaps last week but will be a risky LB4+ in most weeks. The move shouldn’t affect Williams potential, but will make Haggan a marginal play in all formats in most weeks.
San Diego
Steve Gregory is listed doubtful, putting Paul Oliver back in the lineup again as the every-down strong safety.
Darnell Dockett, Clark Haggans, Kerry Rhodes and Greg Toler are questionable. All were limited on Friday, only Rhodes made it through a full practice last week and that was on Wednesday. Dockett is a GTD and his availability is dependent on a strength test to check the progress of his stinger this morning. Rhodes seems likely to play. There isn’t much information on Haggans or Toler, who was benched last week for Mike Adams.
Dockett and Rhodes active, Toler and Haggans inactive.
Kansas City
Kendrick Lewis seems likely to be back this week despite being listed questionable.
Atlanta
John Abraham and Sean Weatherspoon are questionable. Weatherspoon increased his participation all week long and practiced fully on Friday. He was listed as the starter on the depth chart earlier this week and signs point to him playing. Expect him to be rusty and he’s not a lock to play every down in his first week back, so start him with caution only unless there’s clear indication he’s playing full snaps. Abraham is likely to play.
St. Louis
Fred Robbins was listed questionable after tweaking his back midweek and being limited in practice Thursday and Friday. He was named a team captain this week, which is a good indication that he’ll play. Bradley Fletcher got back in the lineup after being benched for Kevin Dockery last week, but Spagnuolo is still calling the competition open.
Baltimore
Nothing of note here.
Carolina
Jon Beason, Nic Harris and Charles Johnson all practiced fully on Friday and are all probable after midweek missed practices. All should be safe to use. Be aware that Harris did his damage as a part time player last week. The matchup against Baltimore looks favorable for Harris, with the base defense likely to be on the field for a lot of snaps, but he’s not without risk.
Buffalo
Spencer Johnson is out this week. Kyle Williams was limited with a hamstring injury. Observers noted Williams to be moving pretty well and Chan Gailey implied that Williams has a decent chance to play. Expect him to go. Bryan Scott’s impressive W10 performance could be repeated if the Bengals run frequently from their three wide set, where Scott would likely be the hybrid LB/S again. Definitely risky, though.
Kyle Williams is active.
Cincinnati
Antwan Odom is still at least two weeks away from returning from his broken wrist. Chris Crocker and Rey Maualuga are questionable and both were limited all week. Both are GTDs. Chinedum Ndukwe is probable and would likely replace Crocker again if needed. I’d give Brandon Johnson a better chance to play OLB than Michael Johnson if Maualuga doesn’t go, but Brandon Johnson has never impressed as an every-down player. Both should probably be avoided.
Crocker and Maualuga are active. Michael Johnson starting at DE.
Cleveland
Scott Fujita is out for at least two weeks with a knee injury. David Bowens replaces him. Bowens is the best bet to pick up some fantasy value, but all the CLE ILBs are risky because of how the Browns play nickel (no single LB gets all his snaps in the box). Cleveland could also be without Sheldon Brown and Mike Adams. Brown says he’ll play, but Joe Haden will almost certainly take many of his snaps.
Jacksonville
The Jags started Jeremy Mincey and Austen Lane, but Derrick Harvey made for a three way rotation in the base defense. Mincey and Larry Hart were the nickel rushers. Expect Mincey to again lead the group in snaps this week, but he’s viable only in tackle heavy scoring.
Detroit
Cliff Avril is out again. Lawrence Jackson and Turk McBride are likely to split snaps again this week. Amari Spievey is likely to see the bulk of the strong safety snaps over CC Brown, who isn’t on the injury report but didn’t play last week.
Dallas
Nothing of note here.
Green Bay
Ryan Pickett was limited all week and is questionable. Clay Matthews didn’t practice much this week, but is probable. Brandon Chillar is back on the injury report (probable) with his shoulder problem and only played a small percentage of the nickel snaps in Week 9. Expect Desmond Bishop to be a near every-down player again this week against MIN.
Minnesota
Nothing of note here.
Houston
Zac Diles is out this week after being hospitalized with a heart condition. Daryl Sharpton replaces him in the lineup. Kevin Bentley likely becomes the second nickel backer, unless the Texans think that Adibi isn't good enough to play in the base but remains the best coverage option. Brian Cushing played OLB on the vast majority of his snaps last week, with Bentley inside, and looked much better. There was still lots of Cover-2/Tampa-2, especially on nickel downs, with Cushing dropping back in the middle. Bernard Pollard is playing out of the box more often with the coverage scheme changes, but is a good bet to rebound this week against the Jets.
New York Jets
Nothing of note here.
Indianapolis
Gary Brackett and Clint Session didn’t make the trip to New England. Pat Angerer gets another start as the every-down MLB. Expect the Colts to start Kavell Connor at WLB again (with Phillip Wheeler at SLB), but for Tyjuan Hagler to get the bulk of the snaps as the nickel backer next to Angerer. Aaron Francisco and Kelvin Hayden are questionable but look likely to play.
New England
Patrick Chung isn’t on the injury report. His late game struggles last week were later reported to be cramps. He’s safe to start.
Oakland
Nnamdi Asomugha is questionable and was limited all week with his high ankle sprain. He’s very much a GTD and is probably less than 50-50 to play.
Pittsburgh
Lawrence Timmons and Troy Polamalu are dinged, but are probable and expected to play their usual number of snaps. Both fully practiced Friday.
Seattle
Colin Cole remains out with his high ankle sprain. Lofa Tatupu missed much of practice this week with a knee problem but practiced fully Friday and is probable. Aaron Curry saw lots of snaps as a DT/NT when the Seahawks used seven DBs last week. That package may be a big part of the game plan against New Orleans. It could give Curry added, but risky, value in big play leagues. Kam Chancellor did not take any snaps from Lawyer Milloy last week and David Hawthorne continues to sit in the nickel.
New Orleans
Darren Sharper is out this week. Malcolm Jenkins is questionable. Jenkins seems likely to go and take over at FS again, but the Saints may be forced to go with Usama Young. Patrick Robinson looks unlikely to return from a high ankle sprain this week.
Tampa Bay
Kyle Moore is out and Quincy Black is unlikely to play with an ankle injury. Black tested the ankle on Friday after not practicing all week and will be a GTD at best.
San Francisco
Taylor Mays played many fewer series than Reggie Smith last week and was rarely in during the second half. The rotation could be closer to 50-50 this week against the run heavy Buccaneers, so it’s probably worth waiting for another week’s worth of data before committing to either player.
Washington
LaRon Landry and Carlos Rogers did not make the trip to Tennessee. Reed Doughty gets the start at SS and is a nice fill-in target. Kevin Barnes will play corner for Rogers.
Anderson Williams is starting at SS. Philip Buchanon starts at CB.
Tennessee
Nothing of note here.
New York Giants
Nothing of note here.
Philadelphia
Juqua Parker is questionable, but was very limited all week. He’s apparently expected to play, but will be at less than full strength. Dimitri Patterson should again play for Ellis Hobbs, who is probable after missing games with a hip injury. Nate Allen is also expected back.
Denver
The Broncos may be moving back toward the 3-4, with Joe Mays playing SILB next to DJ Williams and Mario Haggan staying at OLB. Mays played a small handful of nickel snaps last week but will be a risky LB4+ in most weeks. The move shouldn’t affect Williams potential, but will make Haggan a marginal play in all formats in most weeks.
San Diego
Steve Gregory is listed doubtful, putting Paul Oliver back in the lineup again as the every-down strong safety.
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Would think that Bentley has the best shot at playing alongside Cushing in the nickel, unless Xavier Adibi is healthy enough to take those snaps. If Adibi isn't good enough/healthy enough to play in the base, the edge goes narrowly to Bentley.
Cody Glenn drawing the start over Angerer?! 
How deflating. So then Angerer will be manning the strong-side, though he'll probably still play in the nickel.
