Jene Bramel
Footballguy
Putting this up a little early this weekend as I’ll have very limited availability this weekend to contribute to the thread. Thanks to everyone who can help out by posting breaking news and the inactives on Sunday AM. The best place to find reports on pregame workouts, inactives and starting lineup changes before and as they’re posted here will be Sigmund Bloom’s Twitter feed of all the beat writer tweets, which can be found here with or without a Twitter account.
Best of luck to everyone this weekend.
Arizona
Gerald Hayes was benched last week for Daryl Washington, then made inactive due to lack of special teams contribution. Washington is likely to start again this week. The Cardinals continue to use Paris Lenon in the dime packages, but it’s worth watching that situation closely, too.
Carolina
Jordan Senn replaced Jason Williams, who is now on IR with a torn ACL, last week. Nic Harris, who’s been out with a concussion, and Senn (ankle) are both probable after practicing fully Friday. Harris got the first shot at the job after Dan Connor’s injury and may be back in the lineup this week. Whoever starts won’t be playing in the nickel and could see few snaps against Arizona. Watch the pregame notes for the starter if you’re desperate in deeper leagues, but avoid otherwise. Chris Gamble is probable to play and looked likely to return as the starter, but was scaled back to a limited practice Friday with ankle and hamstring injuries. Everette Brown is now on IR and Greg Hardy’s minor injury might give near full time snaps to Tyler Brayton.
Atlanta
Curtis Lofton remains limited with a knee injury, but practiced fully on Friday and looks likely to play. Stephen Nicholas missed practice early in the week, but is probable with a knee problem. He will likely continue to rotate with Sean Weatherspoon.
Seattle
Nothing of note here.
Buffalo
Nothing of note here.
Miami
Neither Karlos Dansby nor Channing Crowder are on this week’s injury report. Dansby rotated out of a series or two early last week, then played nearly every down through the final three quarters. Tim Dobbins played just a handful of snaps in rotation for both. With Dansby looking healthy after last week’s extensive play, he’s likely to be back in a full time role this week.
Cleveland
Scott Fujita is doubtful again this week. Sheldon Brown is questionable with a shoulder injury.
Cincinnati
Chinedum Ndukwe and Tom Nelson went to IR this week, leaving Roy Williams, Reggie Nelson and now Marvin White as the top safeties. Williams may be forced into a near every down role and has nice upside against Cleveland. Michael Johnson played every down last week and Carlos Dunlap saw about 50% of the snaps last week.
Denver
Robert Ayers is back in a full time role with Mario Haggan back inside. Jason Hunter rotates out in some packages. Brian Dawkins is out this week, while both David Bruton and Darcel McBath are listed questionable. Both were limited and it’s unclear who will play and get the start at safety.
Oakland
Rolando McClain is again questionable this week after not practicing with his ongoing foot issue. He played in Week 13, but sat in Week 14 with the same practice participation. He worked very little on Friday and the beat writers aren’t speculating on his status. Consider him a GTD again.
Detroit
Cliff Avril is questionable and limited all week with a rib injury. Consider him a GTD, with Turk McBride (limited with an ankle) and Lawrence Jackson seeing plenty of time against a weaker than average Tampa Bay pass rush matchup.
Tampa Bay
Quincy Black and Gerald McCoy went to IR this week. Adam Heyward and Dakoda Watson will compete for snaps for Black.
Houston
Mario Williams went on IR with a sports hernia this week. Tim Jamison and Mark Anderson should see more snaps this week. Kareem Jackson and Jason Allen continue to rotate at one corner spot. Kevin Bentley continues to play every down at MLB.
Tennessee
Dave Ball went on IR this week. The DE rotation will continue, but be split three ways among Jason Babin, William Hayes and Jacob Ford. Tony Brown also went on IR, which should mean more snaps for Jason Jones. Jason McCourty could again see lots of snaps as the nickel corner this week.
Jacksonville
Justin Durant and Courtney Greene are out this week. Kirk Morrison should play every down, taking Durant’s nickel snaps. Sean Considine again replaces Greene.
Indianapolis
Clint Session is back on the practice field, but has been limited and isn’t yet expected to return. Pat Angerer should continue to play SLB, but he hasn’t been in the nickel in two weeks and gave a series or two to Phillip Wheeler last week. Tyjuan Hagler will be the nickel backer, with Kavell Connor playing base WLB. Kelvin Hayden is questionable but is expected to play by local writers.
Kansas City
Nothing of note here.
St. Louis
Ron Bartell should be back in rotation this week. No other injuries of note.
New Orleans
Nothing of note here.
Baltimore
Nothing of note here.
New York Jets
Eric Smith is out with a concussion this week. Dwight Lowery will take his place as an every-down safety.
Pittsburgh
Troy Polamalu is doubtful to play with an Achilles’ strain, which reportedly could keep him out for the rest of the regular season. Ryan Clark moved to SS in practice, with Ryan Mundy taking over at FS.
Philadelphia
Stewart Bradley is out for the regular season with a dislocated elbow. Jamar Chaney replaced him last week and played every down. Chaney will be tested this week but has good upside against the Giants. Asante Samuel is expected back.
New York Giants
Michael Boley is questionable after being limited with a shoulder injury. He said that he was fine and expected to play.
Washington
LaRon Landry is now on IR, leaving Reed Doughty as the clear every down SS.
Dallas
Sean Lee was back in a minor rotation last week, filling in for just a handful of snaps for both Bradie James and Keith Brooking, who looks to be mostly recovered from his foot problem.
Green Bay
Cullen Jenkins is out indefinitely with a calf injury. Frank Zombo is doubtful. Atari Bigby was practicing this week fully and could begin to rotate in for Charlie Peprah.
New England
Devin McCourty is listed questionable but seemed optimistic about playing through a rib injury this week. Patrick Chung played nearly every down last week, while Brandon Meriweather missed many snaps. It’s impossible to guess how the Patriots will defend Green Bay, but Chung remains a risky, but high upside DB3.
Chicago
Nothing of note here.
Minnesota
Ray Edwards was limited Thursday and Friday, but hopeful to play. Consider him a GTD. He’s got nice upside if you can wait on him until Monday night.
Best of luck to everyone this weekend.
Arizona
Gerald Hayes was benched last week for Daryl Washington, then made inactive due to lack of special teams contribution. Washington is likely to start again this week. The Cardinals continue to use Paris Lenon in the dime packages, but it’s worth watching that situation closely, too.
Carolina
Jordan Senn replaced Jason Williams, who is now on IR with a torn ACL, last week. Nic Harris, who’s been out with a concussion, and Senn (ankle) are both probable after practicing fully Friday. Harris got the first shot at the job after Dan Connor’s injury and may be back in the lineup this week. Whoever starts won’t be playing in the nickel and could see few snaps against Arizona. Watch the pregame notes for the starter if you’re desperate in deeper leagues, but avoid otherwise. Chris Gamble is probable to play and looked likely to return as the starter, but was scaled back to a limited practice Friday with ankle and hamstring injuries. Everette Brown is now on IR and Greg Hardy’s minor injury might give near full time snaps to Tyler Brayton.
Atlanta
Curtis Lofton remains limited with a knee injury, but practiced fully on Friday and looks likely to play. Stephen Nicholas missed practice early in the week, but is probable with a knee problem. He will likely continue to rotate with Sean Weatherspoon.
Seattle
Nothing of note here.
Buffalo
Nothing of note here.
Miami
Neither Karlos Dansby nor Channing Crowder are on this week’s injury report. Dansby rotated out of a series or two early last week, then played nearly every down through the final three quarters. Tim Dobbins played just a handful of snaps in rotation for both. With Dansby looking healthy after last week’s extensive play, he’s likely to be back in a full time role this week.
Cleveland
Scott Fujita is doubtful again this week. Sheldon Brown is questionable with a shoulder injury.
Cincinnati
Chinedum Ndukwe and Tom Nelson went to IR this week, leaving Roy Williams, Reggie Nelson and now Marvin White as the top safeties. Williams may be forced into a near every down role and has nice upside against Cleveland. Michael Johnson played every down last week and Carlos Dunlap saw about 50% of the snaps last week.
Denver
Robert Ayers is back in a full time role with Mario Haggan back inside. Jason Hunter rotates out in some packages. Brian Dawkins is out this week, while both David Bruton and Darcel McBath are listed questionable. Both were limited and it’s unclear who will play and get the start at safety.
Oakland
Rolando McClain is again questionable this week after not practicing with his ongoing foot issue. He played in Week 13, but sat in Week 14 with the same practice participation. He worked very little on Friday and the beat writers aren’t speculating on his status. Consider him a GTD again.
Detroit
Cliff Avril is questionable and limited all week with a rib injury. Consider him a GTD, with Turk McBride (limited with an ankle) and Lawrence Jackson seeing plenty of time against a weaker than average Tampa Bay pass rush matchup.
Tampa Bay
Quincy Black and Gerald McCoy went to IR this week. Adam Heyward and Dakoda Watson will compete for snaps for Black.
Houston
Mario Williams went on IR with a sports hernia this week. Tim Jamison and Mark Anderson should see more snaps this week. Kareem Jackson and Jason Allen continue to rotate at one corner spot. Kevin Bentley continues to play every down at MLB.
Tennessee
Dave Ball went on IR this week. The DE rotation will continue, but be split three ways among Jason Babin, William Hayes and Jacob Ford. Tony Brown also went on IR, which should mean more snaps for Jason Jones. Jason McCourty could again see lots of snaps as the nickel corner this week.
Jacksonville
Justin Durant and Courtney Greene are out this week. Kirk Morrison should play every down, taking Durant’s nickel snaps. Sean Considine again replaces Greene.
Indianapolis
Clint Session is back on the practice field, but has been limited and isn’t yet expected to return. Pat Angerer should continue to play SLB, but he hasn’t been in the nickel in two weeks and gave a series or two to Phillip Wheeler last week. Tyjuan Hagler will be the nickel backer, with Kavell Connor playing base WLB. Kelvin Hayden is questionable but is expected to play by local writers.
Kansas City
Nothing of note here.
St. Louis
Ron Bartell should be back in rotation this week. No other injuries of note.
New Orleans
Nothing of note here.
Baltimore
Nothing of note here.
New York Jets
Eric Smith is out with a concussion this week. Dwight Lowery will take his place as an every-down safety.
Pittsburgh
Troy Polamalu is doubtful to play with an Achilles’ strain, which reportedly could keep him out for the rest of the regular season. Ryan Clark moved to SS in practice, with Ryan Mundy taking over at FS.
Philadelphia
Stewart Bradley is out for the regular season with a dislocated elbow. Jamar Chaney replaced him last week and played every down. Chaney will be tested this week but has good upside against the Giants. Asante Samuel is expected back.
New York Giants
Michael Boley is questionable after being limited with a shoulder injury. He said that he was fine and expected to play.
Washington
LaRon Landry is now on IR, leaving Reed Doughty as the clear every down SS.
Dallas
Sean Lee was back in a minor rotation last week, filling in for just a handful of snaps for both Bradie James and Keith Brooking, who looks to be mostly recovered from his foot problem.
Green Bay
Cullen Jenkins is out indefinitely with a calf injury. Frank Zombo is doubtful. Atari Bigby was practicing this week fully and could begin to rotate in for Charlie Peprah.
New England
Devin McCourty is listed questionable but seemed optimistic about playing through a rib injury this week. Patrick Chung played nearly every down last week, while Brandon Meriweather missed many snaps. It’s impossible to guess how the Patriots will defend Green Bay, but Chung remains a risky, but high upside DB3.
Chicago
Nothing of note here.
Minnesota
Ray Edwards was limited Thursday and Friday, but hopeful to play. Consider him a GTD. He’s got nice upside if you can wait on him until Monday night.
