Jene Bramel
Footballguy
Atlanta
Brent Grimes remains out. Mike Peterson should again replace Stephen Nicholas, who is doubtful with a quad injury. James Sanders has formally replaced William Moore at strong safety.
Carolina
Omar Gaither is off the injury report and should be back to a full time role with a very good matchup (ATL). Charles Godfrey missed practice Wednesday with a shoulder injury, but fully practiced on Friday and is probable.
Buffalo
George Wilson fully practiced Thursday and Friday and will be back this week. I expect him to play full time and he should be safe to use against SD. Jairus Byrd also practiced fully by the end of the week and is probable to play.
San Diego
Donald Butler was in a boot most of the week, but fully practiced on Friday. He’s listed questionable and is probably a GTD with a good chance of playing. However, Na’il Diggs practiced fully all week and probably returns as the Chargers’ nickel backer. Buffalo is a spread offense, which will likely skew the ILB snap count to Diggs over Butler. Shaun Phillips is listed questionable, but practiced fully Friday, too.
Chicago
Major Wright is out with a shoulder injury. Craig Steltz replaced him last week. Steltz isn’t a great player, but he’s been a sure tackler in the past and the Denver matchup is full of upside. Brian Urlacher and Charles Tillman are dinged, but practiced fully late in the week and will play.
Denver
Von Miller will return this week, wearing a club to protect his thumb. Although I still think it’s a possibility, there’s been nothing to suggest that Mario Haggan will platoon with Miller today from the locals in Denver.
Houston
Brian Cushing is struggling with multiple injuries, but will play this week.
Cincinnati
Carlos Dunlap didn’t practice this week and will not play. Unfortunately, with what could be two very nice matchups in Week 15 and 16, he doesn’t look close to returning. Nate Clements sounded optimistic about playing, but made it through only a limited practice on Friday this week. Rey Maualuga missed some snaps with minor injuries last week, including most of the second half nickel snaps. He’s not on the injury report this week, so that’s reason for concern. The Houston matchup is one of the best in the league, but I’d still be leery of using Maualuga as more than a boom-bust LB3.
Indianapolis
It didn’t look great for Pat Angerer earlier in the week, but he was fully practicing by the end of the week. He said he’s sore but will play. Ernie Sims is also likely to play after fully practicing by the end of the week. I thought AJ Edds, who is out with an ankle injury this week, wasn’t all that impressive filling in for Angerer last week. He should drop down your deep watch lists despite playing an every-down role in relief.
Baltimore
Ray Lewis is questionable, but didn’t practice all week and is unlikely to play.
Kansas City
Jovan Belcher is listed questionable, but fully practiced Friday and should be able to go. Jon McGraw is now off the injury report altogether and looked better last week than he has in two months.
NY Jets
David Harris continues to be limited by an ankle injury, but practiced fully and will play. Eric Smith is back to full time duty after rotating out at times in Week 12.
Minnesota
Erin Henderson is off the injury report and made it through the past two games without a setback of his hamstring strain. EJ Henderson has held up well despite multiple injuries, playing in the nickel over Erin for the past month. That’s likely to continue this week. Asher Allen practiced fully by the end of the week and should be back at one starting corner spot. Brian Robison has been cleared to play after last week’s concussion.
Detroit
Lawrence Jackson remains out. Louis Delmas and Chris Houston are both listed doubtful, but have MCL strains that will keep them out this week and possibly longer. Justin Durant is listed questionable with a hamstring injury, but didn’t practice all week and seems unlikely to play. That combination of factors has been good news for the upside of DeAndre Levy in the past. Ndamukong Suh continues to serve his suspension this week.
New England
Patrick Chung was again ruled out this week. There continues to be no explanation for his absence, which will now stretch to its fifth game. The Patriots, surprisingly, released Sterling Moore on Saturday, so the playing time will go to either Matt Slater, who played every down last week but has been limited by a shoulder injury in practice, and Sergio Brown. If he’s active, I’d bet on Slater to play. Kyle Arrington and Devin McCourty are both listed questionable, but are likely to play. Brandon Spikes remains out.
Washington
LaRon Landry is out with a groin injury. Mike Shanahan wasn’t very reassuring when asked if it could shut Landry down for the year. Reed Doughty got the call over DeJon Gomes last week and should be expected to again.
New Orleans
Jon Vilma was back last week, played every down and played better than he had all season. Jonathan Casillas is out this week, which could give Jo-Lonn Dunbar and Scott Shanle many more snaps.
Tennessee
Barrett Ruud is out and unlikely to regain his starting spot when he does return to full health. Jason McCourty didn’t practice all week after last week’s concussion and isn’t likely to play. Alterraun Verner was very productive as the starter last year and is a must pickup in CB-required leagues.
Oakland
Rolando McClain sat for all of one snap last week. Richard Seymour was able to practice for the first time in weeks and may be healthy enough to trust in DT-required leagues again.
Green Bay
Desmond Bishop is out this week. AJ Hawk is questionable, but the team is cautiously optimistic that he’ll be able to play. DJ Smith will again replace Bishop and remains a reasonable LB2/LB3 play. Charles Woodson has been cleared to play after last week’s concussion.
Philadelphia
The Eagles now have no every-down linebackers, after demoting Jamar Chaney in favor of Casey Matthews.
Miami
Yeremiah Bell looked much more mobile than expected on the field after last week’s report that his turf toe issues has worsened. He practiced fully Thursday and Friday and should be safe to play.
San Francisco
The Niners haven’t ruled out Patrick Willis, but his hamstring injury has the looks of a multi-week absence. Larry Grant will replace him. Grant played every down last week and looked better than he did in St. Louis as a role player. He has some upside against Arizona if he can continue his good play, but I expect Donte Whitner to be the biggest beneficiary.
Tampa Bay
Aqib Talib is out with a hamstring injury. Michael Bennett should be back this week, but Da’Quan Bowers has earned the starting job and significant rotational snaps. He’ll have some risk, but has big upside against Jacksonville.
Jacksonville
Aaron Kampman (now on IR) and Matt Roth are out again. Leger Douzable has been starting and playing nearly every down – and should continue to do so with John Chick also on IR this week. Douzable has DT eligibility on some league management sites and has put some pressure on opposing quarterbacks in the past two weeks.
NY Giants
Osi Umenyiora remains out. Mark Herzlich and Spencer Paysinger are also out. Kenny Phillips will be out at least this week with a knee sprain. Deon Grant played full time after Phillips left last week, but Tyler Sash could begin seeing more time this week. Chase Blackburn rotated in heavily last week and should do so again. Michael Boley and Mathias Kiwanuka both played rotational roles only last week, but should be back playing every down against Dallas.
Dallas
DeMarcus Ware was limited by a stinger last week, but is expected to play full time tonight.
St. Louis
Chris Long continues to miss practice with his ankle injury, but he’s played well in his usual number of snaps while battling the injury over the past month.
Seattle
David Hawthorne has been limited with a knee injury during the week, but he’s expected to play tomorrow.
Brent Grimes remains out. Mike Peterson should again replace Stephen Nicholas, who is doubtful with a quad injury. James Sanders has formally replaced William Moore at strong safety.
Carolina
Omar Gaither is off the injury report and should be back to a full time role with a very good matchup (ATL). Charles Godfrey missed practice Wednesday with a shoulder injury, but fully practiced on Friday and is probable.
Buffalo
George Wilson fully practiced Thursday and Friday and will be back this week. I expect him to play full time and he should be safe to use against SD. Jairus Byrd also practiced fully by the end of the week and is probable to play.
San Diego
Donald Butler was in a boot most of the week, but fully practiced on Friday. He’s listed questionable and is probably a GTD with a good chance of playing. However, Na’il Diggs practiced fully all week and probably returns as the Chargers’ nickel backer. Buffalo is a spread offense, which will likely skew the ILB snap count to Diggs over Butler. Shaun Phillips is listed questionable, but practiced fully Friday, too.
Chicago
Major Wright is out with a shoulder injury. Craig Steltz replaced him last week. Steltz isn’t a great player, but he’s been a sure tackler in the past and the Denver matchup is full of upside. Brian Urlacher and Charles Tillman are dinged, but practiced fully late in the week and will play.
Denver
Von Miller will return this week, wearing a club to protect his thumb. Although I still think it’s a possibility, there’s been nothing to suggest that Mario Haggan will platoon with Miller today from the locals in Denver.
Houston
Brian Cushing is struggling with multiple injuries, but will play this week.
Cincinnati
Carlos Dunlap didn’t practice this week and will not play. Unfortunately, with what could be two very nice matchups in Week 15 and 16, he doesn’t look close to returning. Nate Clements sounded optimistic about playing, but made it through only a limited practice on Friday this week. Rey Maualuga missed some snaps with minor injuries last week, including most of the second half nickel snaps. He’s not on the injury report this week, so that’s reason for concern. The Houston matchup is one of the best in the league, but I’d still be leery of using Maualuga as more than a boom-bust LB3.
Indianapolis
It didn’t look great for Pat Angerer earlier in the week, but he was fully practicing by the end of the week. He said he’s sore but will play. Ernie Sims is also likely to play after fully practicing by the end of the week. I thought AJ Edds, who is out with an ankle injury this week, wasn’t all that impressive filling in for Angerer last week. He should drop down your deep watch lists despite playing an every-down role in relief.
Baltimore
Ray Lewis is questionable, but didn’t practice all week and is unlikely to play.
Kansas City
Jovan Belcher is listed questionable, but fully practiced Friday and should be able to go. Jon McGraw is now off the injury report altogether and looked better last week than he has in two months.
NY Jets
David Harris continues to be limited by an ankle injury, but practiced fully and will play. Eric Smith is back to full time duty after rotating out at times in Week 12.
Minnesota
Erin Henderson is off the injury report and made it through the past two games without a setback of his hamstring strain. EJ Henderson has held up well despite multiple injuries, playing in the nickel over Erin for the past month. That’s likely to continue this week. Asher Allen practiced fully by the end of the week and should be back at one starting corner spot. Brian Robison has been cleared to play after last week’s concussion.
Detroit
Lawrence Jackson remains out. Louis Delmas and Chris Houston are both listed doubtful, but have MCL strains that will keep them out this week and possibly longer. Justin Durant is listed questionable with a hamstring injury, but didn’t practice all week and seems unlikely to play. That combination of factors has been good news for the upside of DeAndre Levy in the past. Ndamukong Suh continues to serve his suspension this week.
New England
Patrick Chung was again ruled out this week. There continues to be no explanation for his absence, which will now stretch to its fifth game. The Patriots, surprisingly, released Sterling Moore on Saturday, so the playing time will go to either Matt Slater, who played every down last week but has been limited by a shoulder injury in practice, and Sergio Brown. If he’s active, I’d bet on Slater to play. Kyle Arrington and Devin McCourty are both listed questionable, but are likely to play. Brandon Spikes remains out.
Washington
LaRon Landry is out with a groin injury. Mike Shanahan wasn’t very reassuring when asked if it could shut Landry down for the year. Reed Doughty got the call over DeJon Gomes last week and should be expected to again.
New Orleans
Jon Vilma was back last week, played every down and played better than he had all season. Jonathan Casillas is out this week, which could give Jo-Lonn Dunbar and Scott Shanle many more snaps.
Tennessee
Barrett Ruud is out and unlikely to regain his starting spot when he does return to full health. Jason McCourty didn’t practice all week after last week’s concussion and isn’t likely to play. Alterraun Verner was very productive as the starter last year and is a must pickup in CB-required leagues.
Oakland
Rolando McClain sat for all of one snap last week. Richard Seymour was able to practice for the first time in weeks and may be healthy enough to trust in DT-required leagues again.
Green Bay
Desmond Bishop is out this week. AJ Hawk is questionable, but the team is cautiously optimistic that he’ll be able to play. DJ Smith will again replace Bishop and remains a reasonable LB2/LB3 play. Charles Woodson has been cleared to play after last week’s concussion.
Philadelphia
The Eagles now have no every-down linebackers, after demoting Jamar Chaney in favor of Casey Matthews.
Miami
Yeremiah Bell looked much more mobile than expected on the field after last week’s report that his turf toe issues has worsened. He practiced fully Thursday and Friday and should be safe to play.
San Francisco
The Niners haven’t ruled out Patrick Willis, but his hamstring injury has the looks of a multi-week absence. Larry Grant will replace him. Grant played every down last week and looked better than he did in St. Louis as a role player. He has some upside against Arizona if he can continue his good play, but I expect Donte Whitner to be the biggest beneficiary.
Tampa Bay
Aqib Talib is out with a hamstring injury. Michael Bennett should be back this week, but Da’Quan Bowers has earned the starting job and significant rotational snaps. He’ll have some risk, but has big upside against Jacksonville.
Jacksonville
Aaron Kampman (now on IR) and Matt Roth are out again. Leger Douzable has been starting and playing nearly every down – and should continue to do so with John Chick also on IR this week. Douzable has DT eligibility on some league management sites and has put some pressure on opposing quarterbacks in the past two weeks.
NY Giants
Osi Umenyiora remains out. Mark Herzlich and Spencer Paysinger are also out. Kenny Phillips will be out at least this week with a knee sprain. Deon Grant played full time after Phillips left last week, but Tyler Sash could begin seeing more time this week. Chase Blackburn rotated in heavily last week and should do so again. Michael Boley and Mathias Kiwanuka both played rotational roles only last week, but should be back playing every down against Dallas.
Dallas
DeMarcus Ware was limited by a stinger last week, but is expected to play full time tonight.
St. Louis
Chris Long continues to miss practice with his ankle injury, but he’s played well in his usual number of snaps while battling the injury over the past month.
Seattle
David Hawthorne has been limited with a knee injury during the week, but he’s expected to play tomorrow.
Rotation, probably leaning Hope more snaps.