Jene Bramel
Footballguy
Going to be in and out most of Sunday morning. I'm anticipating being around to answer questions briefly early tomorrow morning and then back (hopefully) to update again with inactives and other late breaking news after 1130 ET.
Carolina
Jordan Senn started at WLB last week despite Omar Gaither returning to near full health and the active roster. That seems likely to continue this week, though Senn won’t play every down. Charles Godfrey continues to struggle with a shoulder injury and made it through only a limited practice on Friday. He’s questionable and likely more of a GTD than last week.
Cincinnati
Carlos Dunlap practiced this week and is probable. He’ll likely be limited to pass rushing snaps only, but there could be many of those against STL. He’s an extreme boom-bust pick this week. Michael Johnson seems to have gotten a second wind and should be a relatively safe upside bet against the Rams.
St. Louis
Chris Long and James Hall continue to fight off nagging injuries. Hall didn’t practice all week and is questionable. Long was limited on Friday after not practicing earlier in the week. He should be active this week, but is a risky play.
Detroit
Lawrence Jackson remains doubtful to play. Chis Houston is expected back from his knee injury this week, while Louis Delmas and Justin Durant are both questionable and a GTD. Bobby Carpenter filled in well for Durant last week, but don’t expect seven solos again this week should Durant sit.
Green Bay
Desmond Bishop is out again and there’s no guarantee he’ll be back next week either. AJ Hawk practiced all week and is probable. DJ Smith will start for Bishop but there are rumbles of uncertainty on how the Packers will approach the ILB rotation. The team suggested that Smith and Rob Francois have played well enough to earn more playing time even as the ILBs recover. It’s not clear exactly what that means. I expect to see Smith play every down (while Bishop is out) and Francois rotate in with Hawk, but it’s possible that Francois could start taking snaps from Smith, too. I think it’s safe to use Smith as a LB3 this week, but watch the pregame notes closely for suggestions of a rotation.
Kansas City
It’s unlikely that Jon McGraw plays this week with an ankle injury. Donald Washington has replaced him in the past and is a marginal DB3 option with some upside v GB.
Buffalo
The Bills used a lot of 4-3 last week, with Kelvin Sheppard in the middle and Bryan Scott at WLB in the base defense. Both Sheppard and Scott rotated out on some base downs though. I haven’t seen anything specific on whether the Bills plan to continue that this week, but Sheppard and Scott have lots of upside if the Bills stick with it.
New England
Patrick Chung is out again. Shalise Young and others speculated that Chung may have had a setback in last Friday’s practice and it’s not good news that he didn’t practice at all this week after being limited on the side in drills for the two weeks prior. The Pats have a long list of questionable players, but the rest of their defenders are expected to play.
Denver
Von Miller had no trouble playing through his thumb injury last week and is safe to use in all formats. Brian Dawkins was limited this week with a neck injury and likely rotates (at best) this week.
New Orleans
Jonathan Casillas is out, Jon Vilma has again been limited in practice and is back listed as questionable due to his ongoing knee issues. It’s worth watching this one closely as Vilma’s game day status has gone both ways with similar weekly practice and injury listings in earlier weeks this year. Jo-Lonn Dunbar would again replace Vilma and play every down, presumably. Scott Shanle has fully practiced and should see a heavier role this week than last.
Minnesota
It’s likely – given how the snap counts have split over the past month – that EJ Henderson plays in the nickel over his brother Erin this week. If there’s a change in plan, hopefully we’ll hear before game time tomorrow as there’s likely to be mostly subpackage snaps for Minnesota against New Orleans.
Philadelphia
The Eagles, if you missed this last week, are now rotating five linebackers in their base and subpackages. None are safe to use.
Seattle
Leroy Hill missed snaps in the second half last week with a stinger but looks safe to start this week.
Chicago
Henry Melton did not practice this week with a shin injury. He’s listed questionable, but an iffy GTD at best.
Tennessee
The Titans put Barrett Ruud on IR earlier in the week, removing all doubt that Colin McCarthy will remain the every down MLB for the rest of 2011 (and likely beyond). Gerald McRath won’t play this week, which could put Akeem Ayers back into a full time role. The Titans used more dime last week against the spread offense matchup, but the Chicago matchup looks better for a full time role for Ayers. Chris Hope is now the primary strong safety with Jordan Babineaux rotating in rarely.
Indianapolis
The knee issues that cost Pat Angerer most of Week 13 have apparently subsided as he’s no longer on the injury report. The Indy stat keeper is very heavy on assists, so there’s some risk using Angerer against what should be a solid matchup with TEN. A stat line that would be 7-2 anywhere else in the league could be a 2-6 in Indy.
Washington
LaRon Landry is on IR. The team has suggested that DeJon Gomes will be the full time SS and the expectation is that Reed Doughty will get the majority of time over OJ Atogwe at FS. But watch the news carefully as this situation has been in flux for weeks.
NY Giants
Osi Umenyiora is out at least another week. Justin Tuck now has a toe issue in addition to the neck/shoulder, groin and ankle problems that have plagued him all year. He’s questionable but will play. Michael Boley is off the injury report and should move back into a full time role after rotating since returning from the hamstring injury a couple of weeks ago. Kenny Phillips should be back this week, also.
Baltimore
Ray Lewis has been back at practice and should be ready to play this week. Jameel McClain could drop back into a rotational role and Dannell Ellerbee will again fall back into his usual reserve role. Haloti Ngata has been limited by a back injury all week and is questionable.
San Diego
Donald Butler and Takeo Spikes practiced only in a limited fashion on Friday. Both are questionable but expected to play. Na’il Diggs is healthy and likely to platoon with Butler again this week.
Pittsburgh
James Harrison is suspended. LaMarr Woodley should be back, but will likely rotate at times. Jason Worilds will start and play every down. Lawrence Timmons will see some OLB snaps when Woodley rotates out. Troy Polamalu missed practice this week with a hamstring injury but is listed probable and expected to play.
San Francisco
He has not been formally ruled out, but it’s highly likely that Patrick Willis misses this week’s game. Larry Grant would replace him again.
Carolina
Jordan Senn started at WLB last week despite Omar Gaither returning to near full health and the active roster. That seems likely to continue this week, though Senn won’t play every down. Charles Godfrey continues to struggle with a shoulder injury and made it through only a limited practice on Friday. He’s questionable and likely more of a GTD than last week.
Cincinnati
Carlos Dunlap practiced this week and is probable. He’ll likely be limited to pass rushing snaps only, but there could be many of those against STL. He’s an extreme boom-bust pick this week. Michael Johnson seems to have gotten a second wind and should be a relatively safe upside bet against the Rams.
St. Louis
Chris Long and James Hall continue to fight off nagging injuries. Hall didn’t practice all week and is questionable. Long was limited on Friday after not practicing earlier in the week. He should be active this week, but is a risky play.
Detroit
Lawrence Jackson remains doubtful to play. Chis Houston is expected back from his knee injury this week, while Louis Delmas and Justin Durant are both questionable and a GTD. Bobby Carpenter filled in well for Durant last week, but don’t expect seven solos again this week should Durant sit.
Green Bay
Desmond Bishop is out again and there’s no guarantee he’ll be back next week either. AJ Hawk practiced all week and is probable. DJ Smith will start for Bishop but there are rumbles of uncertainty on how the Packers will approach the ILB rotation. The team suggested that Smith and Rob Francois have played well enough to earn more playing time even as the ILBs recover. It’s not clear exactly what that means. I expect to see Smith play every down (while Bishop is out) and Francois rotate in with Hawk, but it’s possible that Francois could start taking snaps from Smith, too. I think it’s safe to use Smith as a LB3 this week, but watch the pregame notes closely for suggestions of a rotation.
Kansas City
It’s unlikely that Jon McGraw plays this week with an ankle injury. Donald Washington has replaced him in the past and is a marginal DB3 option with some upside v GB.
Buffalo
The Bills used a lot of 4-3 last week, with Kelvin Sheppard in the middle and Bryan Scott at WLB in the base defense. Both Sheppard and Scott rotated out on some base downs though. I haven’t seen anything specific on whether the Bills plan to continue that this week, but Sheppard and Scott have lots of upside if the Bills stick with it.
New England
Patrick Chung is out again. Shalise Young and others speculated that Chung may have had a setback in last Friday’s practice and it’s not good news that he didn’t practice at all this week after being limited on the side in drills for the two weeks prior. The Pats have a long list of questionable players, but the rest of their defenders are expected to play.
Denver
Von Miller had no trouble playing through his thumb injury last week and is safe to use in all formats. Brian Dawkins was limited this week with a neck injury and likely rotates (at best) this week.
New Orleans
Jonathan Casillas is out, Jon Vilma has again been limited in practice and is back listed as questionable due to his ongoing knee issues. It’s worth watching this one closely as Vilma’s game day status has gone both ways with similar weekly practice and injury listings in earlier weeks this year. Jo-Lonn Dunbar would again replace Vilma and play every down, presumably. Scott Shanle has fully practiced and should see a heavier role this week than last.
Minnesota
It’s likely – given how the snap counts have split over the past month – that EJ Henderson plays in the nickel over his brother Erin this week. If there’s a change in plan, hopefully we’ll hear before game time tomorrow as there’s likely to be mostly subpackage snaps for Minnesota against New Orleans.
Philadelphia
The Eagles, if you missed this last week, are now rotating five linebackers in their base and subpackages. None are safe to use.
Seattle
Leroy Hill missed snaps in the second half last week with a stinger but looks safe to start this week.
Chicago
Henry Melton did not practice this week with a shin injury. He’s listed questionable, but an iffy GTD at best.
Tennessee
The Titans put Barrett Ruud on IR earlier in the week, removing all doubt that Colin McCarthy will remain the every down MLB for the rest of 2011 (and likely beyond). Gerald McRath won’t play this week, which could put Akeem Ayers back into a full time role. The Titans used more dime last week against the spread offense matchup, but the Chicago matchup looks better for a full time role for Ayers. Chris Hope is now the primary strong safety with Jordan Babineaux rotating in rarely.
Indianapolis
The knee issues that cost Pat Angerer most of Week 13 have apparently subsided as he’s no longer on the injury report. The Indy stat keeper is very heavy on assists, so there’s some risk using Angerer against what should be a solid matchup with TEN. A stat line that would be 7-2 anywhere else in the league could be a 2-6 in Indy.
Washington
LaRon Landry is on IR. The team has suggested that DeJon Gomes will be the full time SS and the expectation is that Reed Doughty will get the majority of time over OJ Atogwe at FS. But watch the news carefully as this situation has been in flux for weeks.
NY Giants
Osi Umenyiora is out at least another week. Justin Tuck now has a toe issue in addition to the neck/shoulder, groin and ankle problems that have plagued him all year. He’s questionable but will play. Michael Boley is off the injury report and should move back into a full time role after rotating since returning from the hamstring injury a couple of weeks ago. Kenny Phillips should be back this week, also.
Baltimore
Ray Lewis has been back at practice and should be ready to play this week. Jameel McClain could drop back into a rotational role and Dannell Ellerbee will again fall back into his usual reserve role. Haloti Ngata has been limited by a back injury all week and is questionable.
San Diego
Donald Butler and Takeo Spikes practiced only in a limited fashion on Friday. Both are questionable but expected to play. Na’il Diggs is healthy and likely to platoon with Butler again this week.
Pittsburgh
James Harrison is suspended. LaMarr Woodley should be back, but will likely rotate at times. Jason Worilds will start and play every down. Lawrence Timmons will see some OLB snaps when Woodley rotates out. Troy Polamalu missed practice this week with a hamstring injury but is listed probable and expected to play.
San Francisco
He has not been formally ruled out, but it’s highly likely that Patrick Willis misses this week’s game. Larry Grant would replace him again.
