Jene Bramel
Footballguy
Calais Campbell is listed questionable, but is very unlikely to play this weekend. He’s not practiced since suffering a calf injury in practice last week and there’s no indication he’ll be back next week either.
Sean Weatherspoon is still not practicing and looks more doubtful than questionable though the team continues to refuse to rule him out. Akeem Dent would continue playing every down if Weatherspoon cannot play. John Abraham is also questionable but is likely to play. With Ray Edwards out, Cliff Matthews and Lawrence Sidbury could see more rotational snaps spelling Kroy Biermann.
Reggie Nelson is likely out this week again. Chris Crocker replaced him last week. Vontaze Burfict missed practice early in the week, but fully practiced on Friday and will play. Nate Clements likely returns to the lineup at safety.
Joe Haden strained an oblique muscle in practice this week. He’s listed questionable, but that’s a tough injury to play through. Don’t be surprised if he’s inactive today or leaves the game early if he tries to play.
Dan Connor should return to the Dallas ILB rotation today, but nobody in that rotation is a good bet for fantasy value.
Clay Matthews and Charles Woodson are out for Green Bay. Erik Walden is already playing full time with Nick Perry out, Dezman Moses likely sees the bulk of playing time on the other side now. There’s a chance that Dom Capers chooses to use both Brad Jones and AJ Hawk in his subpackages with Matthews out, but Hawk is still a risky play.
Amari Spievey (now on IR) and Louis Delmas are likely out again, with Ricardo Silva and Erik Coleman continuing to start. Cliff Avril looks likely to play.
Pat Angerer and Kavell Conner barely played last week with the Colts in their subpackages most of the day. That’s likely to be the case again against New England, as Angerer still doesn’t look ready for a nickel role. Moise Fokou likely gets lots of snaps this week, with Justin Hickman a deep, deep sleeper as well.
Brandon Spikes is still on the injury report with a knee issue, but it’s apparently not serious enough to keep him from playing. He’s been a near every-down player over the past couple of games. Consider Patrick Chung more questionable than Steve Gregory or Dont’a Hightower. Aqib Talib is now active and will likely start opposite Kyle Arrington. Devin McCourty should play safety full time. If Gregory and Chung are both active, we may well see a pass-run rotation.
Tim Dobbins was limited all week with a shoulder injury. He may be on the probable side of a game-time decision, but it’s not a lock that he’ll play in the majority of nickel packages over Bradie James if he’s dinged. Darryl Sharpton was activated this weekend and could be in the mix as well.
Tyvon Branch is questionable with a neck injury and was limited in practice on Friday. Beat writers are concerned that he’ll miss this week’s game. Mike Mitchell would replace him and would be worthy considering as an upside DB2/DB3. Richard Seymour is still out with hamstring and knee problems.
Elvis Dumervil was limited in practice on Friday. His shoulder injury reportedly isn’t as bad as originally feared and he’s expected to play. He may not see his usual amount (90%) of snaps this week, however. Consider him a situational pass rusher only. Robert Ayers probably sees the bulk of base defensive time with Dumervil limited. DJ Williams looks likely to be activated and play a rotational role today. I think, as does Cecil Lammey, that we’re most likely to see Williams at MLB in the base defense when he’s ready. Williams doesn’t like playing there, however, and some in the local Denver media have suggested that the Broncos could use a 3-4 as a way to keep both Williams and Wes Woodyard on the field and happy. I’m skeptical. We’ll know more after this week.
Jimmy Smith will remain out after abdominal surgery last week. Pernell McPhee is also likely out. Haloti Ngata is probable and should see near full playing time after riding a stationary bike only last week.
Ryan Clark will play this week. Troy Polamalu is still out.
Sean Weatherspoon is still not practicing and looks more doubtful than questionable though the team continues to refuse to rule him out. Akeem Dent would continue playing every down if Weatherspoon cannot play. John Abraham is also questionable but is likely to play. With Ray Edwards out, Cliff Matthews and Lawrence Sidbury could see more rotational snaps spelling Kroy Biermann.
Reggie Nelson is likely out this week again. Chris Crocker replaced him last week. Vontaze Burfict missed practice early in the week, but fully practiced on Friday and will play. Nate Clements likely returns to the lineup at safety.
Joe Haden strained an oblique muscle in practice this week. He’s listed questionable, but that’s a tough injury to play through. Don’t be surprised if he’s inactive today or leaves the game early if he tries to play.
Dan Connor should return to the Dallas ILB rotation today, but nobody in that rotation is a good bet for fantasy value.
Clay Matthews and Charles Woodson are out for Green Bay. Erik Walden is already playing full time with Nick Perry out, Dezman Moses likely sees the bulk of playing time on the other side now. There’s a chance that Dom Capers chooses to use both Brad Jones and AJ Hawk in his subpackages with Matthews out, but Hawk is still a risky play.
Amari Spievey (now on IR) and Louis Delmas are likely out again, with Ricardo Silva and Erik Coleman continuing to start. Cliff Avril looks likely to play.
Pat Angerer and Kavell Conner barely played last week with the Colts in their subpackages most of the day. That’s likely to be the case again against New England, as Angerer still doesn’t look ready for a nickel role. Moise Fokou likely gets lots of snaps this week, with Justin Hickman a deep, deep sleeper as well.
Brandon Spikes is still on the injury report with a knee issue, but it’s apparently not serious enough to keep him from playing. He’s been a near every-down player over the past couple of games. Consider Patrick Chung more questionable than Steve Gregory or Dont’a Hightower. Aqib Talib is now active and will likely start opposite Kyle Arrington. Devin McCourty should play safety full time. If Gregory and Chung are both active, we may well see a pass-run rotation.
Tim Dobbins was limited all week with a shoulder injury. He may be on the probable side of a game-time decision, but it’s not a lock that he’ll play in the majority of nickel packages over Bradie James if he’s dinged. Darryl Sharpton was activated this weekend and could be in the mix as well.
Tyvon Branch is questionable with a neck injury and was limited in practice on Friday. Beat writers are concerned that he’ll miss this week’s game. Mike Mitchell would replace him and would be worthy considering as an upside DB2/DB3. Richard Seymour is still out with hamstring and knee problems.
Elvis Dumervil was limited in practice on Friday. His shoulder injury reportedly isn’t as bad as originally feared and he’s expected to play. He may not see his usual amount (90%) of snaps this week, however. Consider him a situational pass rusher only. Robert Ayers probably sees the bulk of base defensive time with Dumervil limited. DJ Williams looks likely to be activated and play a rotational role today. I think, as does Cecil Lammey, that we’re most likely to see Williams at MLB in the base defense when he’s ready. Williams doesn’t like playing there, however, and some in the local Denver media have suggested that the Broncos could use a 3-4 as a way to keep both Williams and Wes Woodyard on the field and happy. I’m skeptical. We’ll know more after this week.
Jimmy Smith will remain out after abdominal surgery last week. Pernell McPhee is also likely out. Haloti Ngata is probable and should see near full playing time after riding a stationary bike only last week.
Ryan Clark will play this week. Troy Polamalu is still out.
