Jene Bramel
Footballguy
Cleveland
Joe Haden is questionable with a thigh injury. He was limited in practice on Thursday and Friday, but the team sounds optimistic that he’ll play.
Baltimore
Jameel McClain rotated out of some subpackages with Ray Lewis back last week.
Denver
Brian Dawkins is questionable with a neck injury. He was limited in practice all week, but reports suggest he’s not much better than last week. Quinton Carter moved over to SS last week in Dawkins’ place, with Rahim Moore back in the lineup at FS. Von Miller rotated out of a few situational snaps, but not enough to be concerning. Unfortunately, his pass rush matchup may not be much better than last week.
Jacksonville
Dwight Lowery did not practice with a shoulder injury and is doubtful. Akwasi Owusu-Ansah played for Lowery last week and is likely to start this week. He was around the ball last week, but not a major factor.
Tennessee
Jordan Babineaux got the start last week, with Chris Hope playing only sparingly. Neither is on the injury report last week. It’s probably too risky to count on either as anything more than a marginal DB3. If you’re looking for a desperation DE upside play this week, Derrick Morgan or Dave Ball may fit the bill.
New England
Patrick Chung was back to limited practices this week and is again listed questionable. Reports seem very optimistic that he’ll return this week, but we’ve been down this road before. Even if he is active, there’s a decent chance he’ll be eased back in as a rotational body. If he’s not able to go, Matt Slater is also listed questionable. Sergio Brown played the bulk of the snaps at FS last week. Mark Anderson will see more snaps with Andre Carter out, and the Patriots may morph back to a 3-4 front on base downs more often.
NY Giants
Michael Boley and Justin Tuck are off the injury report. Boley looked good after returning to a full time role and the Jets matchup sets up well for him. Tuck might be playing with a sizable chip on his shoulder after Antrel Rolle’s postgame commentary last week but remains a big risk with his multiple nagging injuries.
Oakland
Michael Huff and John Henderson are out this week.
Kansas City
Jon McGraw will not play this week. Reshard Langford started last week, but there was a three way rotation with Travis Daniels and Sabby Piscitelli both seeing time around the box.
Philadelphia
There continues to be a five man linebacker rotation. The Dallas matchup may force Philadelphia into lots of nickel snaps if Felix Jones sits and the running game suffers or the Eagles get another early lead. That would make Casey Matthews an upside LB4 and make Jamar Chaney a very risky start. Asante Samuel will not play.
Dallas
DeMarcus Ware and Sean Lee continue to be limited by neck and wrist injuries, but will play.
San Diego
Travis Laboy is out this week; Antwan Barnes will again play a near full time role. Antonio Garay may miss the game with a toe injury, though he’s played through the injury in recent weeks. If he sits, Cam Thomas becomes a strong option in DT-required leagues.
Detroit
Chris Harris will replace Louis Delmas again this week. Nick Fairley and Corey Williams are both questionable, but Lawrence Jackson is probable to play and get back into the defensive line rotation. Kyle Vanden Bosch seems to be near fully healthy despite missing practice earlier in the week with a neck injury.
San Francisco
Patrick Willis is questionable after limited practices on Thursday and Friday. Willis described his chances as “hopeful” early in the week but he should still be considered a GTD. With Larry Grant playing well, the Niners could well decide to hold Willis out or rotate the two players and bring him back slowly.
St. Louis
James Hall will be back this week and Chris Long should be active again despite being listed questionable with his ongoing ankle issues. Justin King is questionable, but didn’t practice all week.
Pittsburgh
LaMarr Woodley was limited most of the week and is a GTD with his hamstring injury.
Tampa Bay
Michael Bennett and Geno Hayes are questionable but both fully practiced Friday and should be good to assume their usual roles. Aqib Talib is out and on IR.
Carolina
Charles Godfrey did not practice after struggling to get through last week’s game with his shoulder injury. He’s listed doubtful but unlikely to play. Jordan Senn got a vote of confidence from Ron Rivera this week and is locked in as an every-down OLB. Charles Johnson has been limited with a back injury off and on for the past month but practiced fully on Friday and is probable.
Chicago
Lance Briggs is questionable with an ankle injury. He didn’t practice until Friday and was limited. Local reports are scant. Consider him more likely to play than not, but watch the pregame warmup reports and inactives. Henry Melton is also questionable but practiced more than he did last week and has a chance to play.
Green Bay
Desmond Bishop increased his practice participation all week, is probable and all reports have him eager to let loose and play. There’s a chance he could rotate with DJ Smith and be eased back into his usual full time role, so proceed with a little caution.
New Orleans
Jon Vilma was able to rest during last week’s blowout in Minnesota and practiced a little more this week than last. He should be good to return to full time duty against Atlanta.
Joe Haden is questionable with a thigh injury. He was limited in practice on Thursday and Friday, but the team sounds optimistic that he’ll play.
Baltimore
Jameel McClain rotated out of some subpackages with Ray Lewis back last week.
Denver
Brian Dawkins is questionable with a neck injury. He was limited in practice all week, but reports suggest he’s not much better than last week. Quinton Carter moved over to SS last week in Dawkins’ place, with Rahim Moore back in the lineup at FS. Von Miller rotated out of a few situational snaps, but not enough to be concerning. Unfortunately, his pass rush matchup may not be much better than last week.
Jacksonville
Dwight Lowery did not practice with a shoulder injury and is doubtful. Akwasi Owusu-Ansah played for Lowery last week and is likely to start this week. He was around the ball last week, but not a major factor.
Tennessee
Jordan Babineaux got the start last week, with Chris Hope playing only sparingly. Neither is on the injury report last week. It’s probably too risky to count on either as anything more than a marginal DB3. If you’re looking for a desperation DE upside play this week, Derrick Morgan or Dave Ball may fit the bill.
New England
Patrick Chung was back to limited practices this week and is again listed questionable. Reports seem very optimistic that he’ll return this week, but we’ve been down this road before. Even if he is active, there’s a decent chance he’ll be eased back in as a rotational body. If he’s not able to go, Matt Slater is also listed questionable. Sergio Brown played the bulk of the snaps at FS last week. Mark Anderson will see more snaps with Andre Carter out, and the Patriots may morph back to a 3-4 front on base downs more often.
NY Giants
Michael Boley and Justin Tuck are off the injury report. Boley looked good after returning to a full time role and the Jets matchup sets up well for him. Tuck might be playing with a sizable chip on his shoulder after Antrel Rolle’s postgame commentary last week but remains a big risk with his multiple nagging injuries.
Oakland
Michael Huff and John Henderson are out this week.
Kansas City
Jon McGraw will not play this week. Reshard Langford started last week, but there was a three way rotation with Travis Daniels and Sabby Piscitelli both seeing time around the box.
Philadelphia
There continues to be a five man linebacker rotation. The Dallas matchup may force Philadelphia into lots of nickel snaps if Felix Jones sits and the running game suffers or the Eagles get another early lead. That would make Casey Matthews an upside LB4 and make Jamar Chaney a very risky start. Asante Samuel will not play.
Dallas
DeMarcus Ware and Sean Lee continue to be limited by neck and wrist injuries, but will play.
San Diego
Travis Laboy is out this week; Antwan Barnes will again play a near full time role. Antonio Garay may miss the game with a toe injury, though he’s played through the injury in recent weeks. If he sits, Cam Thomas becomes a strong option in DT-required leagues.
Detroit
Chris Harris will replace Louis Delmas again this week. Nick Fairley and Corey Williams are both questionable, but Lawrence Jackson is probable to play and get back into the defensive line rotation. Kyle Vanden Bosch seems to be near fully healthy despite missing practice earlier in the week with a neck injury.
San Francisco
Patrick Willis is questionable after limited practices on Thursday and Friday. Willis described his chances as “hopeful” early in the week but he should still be considered a GTD. With Larry Grant playing well, the Niners could well decide to hold Willis out or rotate the two players and bring him back slowly.
St. Louis
James Hall will be back this week and Chris Long should be active again despite being listed questionable with his ongoing ankle issues. Justin King is questionable, but didn’t practice all week.
Pittsburgh
LaMarr Woodley was limited most of the week and is a GTD with his hamstring injury.
Tampa Bay
Michael Bennett and Geno Hayes are questionable but both fully practiced Friday and should be good to assume their usual roles. Aqib Talib is out and on IR.
Carolina
Charles Godfrey did not practice after struggling to get through last week’s game with his shoulder injury. He’s listed doubtful but unlikely to play. Jordan Senn got a vote of confidence from Ron Rivera this week and is locked in as an every-down OLB. Charles Johnson has been limited with a back injury off and on for the past month but practiced fully on Friday and is probable.
Chicago
Lance Briggs is questionable with an ankle injury. He didn’t practice until Friday and was limited. Local reports are scant. Consider him more likely to play than not, but watch the pregame warmup reports and inactives. Henry Melton is also questionable but practiced more than he did last week and has a chance to play.
Green Bay
Desmond Bishop increased his practice participation all week, is probable and all reports have him eager to let loose and play. There’s a chance he could rotate with DJ Smith and be eased back into his usual full time role, so proceed with a little caution.
New Orleans
Jon Vilma was able to rest during last week’s blowout in Minnesota and practiced a little more this week than last. He should be good to return to full time duty against Atlanta.
