Jene Bramel
Footballguy
Buffalo
Nick Barnett is questionable after limited practices Thursday and Friday with an ankle injury but is expected to play. Difficult to say what direction the Bills would go without him, as Kelvin Sheppard has seen more playing time than Kirk Morrison recently and none have been part of the subpackages. Kyle Williams was limited Friday only this week. He’s calling himself a GTD but seems very unlikely to play.
NY Giants
Justin Tuck is out this week. The Giants will continue to use a rotation of Osi Umenyiora, Jason Pierre-Paul and Dave Tollefson. Nickel backer Jacquian Williams has essentially been an every-down linebacker in recent weeks, and that shouldn’t change over the next few weeks given the Giants’ schedule.
Carolina
Omar Gaither is out. No word on whether Thomas Williams has gotten back into the good graces of the coaches to be active and a threat to Jason Williams in nickel packages today. Jason is probably a reasonable LB3/LB4 start if you can assume some risk.
Atlanta
John Abraham was a GTD last week and didn’t play. He made it through only a limited practice on Friday and is again a GTD this week. William Moore increased his participation all week and is probable.
Cleveland
Joe Haden is questionable but has still yet to practice and isn’t likely to play.
Oakland
The Raiders traded for Aaron Curry this week and plan to start him at WLB over Quintin Groves. They’d been playing primarily dime packages through five weeks, so it’s unlikely that Curry will be an every-down linebacker and it’s 50-50 that he’ll be active after just a couple of days with the team. Rolando McClain is listed questionable but made it through two limited practices and is expected to play. Darryl Blackstock will start if McClain can’t go and possibly play every down. Matt Shaughnessy is still out.
New England
Jerod Mayo began working in practice this week but likely won’t be back until after next week’s bye. The Pats used lots of 4-2-5 and 3-3-5 nickel packages with two ILBs last week, keeping both Gary Guyton and Brandon Spikes on the field every down.
Houston
Brooks Reed replaced Mario Williams as the ROLB and played every down last week and that’s expected to continue. It should be interesting to see if the Texans make any changes to their subpackages if they aren’t able to generate a consistent pass rush and if that means more snaps for DeMeco Ryans. Don’t count on that yet, however.
Baltimore
Tom Zbikowski is out, but Bernard Pollard was already likely to see lots of snaps. It’s a very good matchup (Foster/Daniels) for a SS if Pollard remains available on your waiver wire.
Indianapolis
The Colts had Ernie Sims in over Kavell Conner in nickel packages last week and that’ll likely continue against Cincinnati. Jerraud Powers is likely out with a hamstring injury.
Cincinnati
Rey Maualuga sprained his ankle in practice Thursday and is expected to miss the next couple of weeks. Dan Skuta replaces him in the middle. He’s taken a few snaps there this year, including a nickel snap or two. Brandon Johnson is still on the roster, but it wouldn’t surprise to see Skuta play every down. Skuta isn’t a dynamic, sideline-to-sideline player but he’s a consistent in the box tackler.
Jacksonville
On Wednesday, it looked like we could see some value for Clint Session finally, with Daryl Smith in doubt with a concussion. But Session is out with an elbow problem and Smith has been cleared to play. Aaron Kampman is expected back this week and will get a third of the snaps or so according to the pre-game plan. The Jags had Kampman and Mincey as the starters in practice, but Matt Roth should see plenty of snaps, too.
Pittsburgh
The Steelers used a dime package as their primary subpackage against Tennessee. They may not need to do as much of that against Jacksonville, but it’s notable for the number of garbage-time tackles it afforded James Farrior and the few snaps it allowed Larry Foote. The Steelers may again struggle with the run with Casey Hampton and Aaron Smith out.
New Orleans
Martez Wilson could be back this week. He looked to have earned a starting spot and a larger role just before getting injured, so his snap count and progression is worth watching to see if a Saints’ outside linebacker can finally emerge as a reasonable fantasy option.
Tampa Bay
Gerald McCoy is out. Mason Foster is questionable with an ankle injury but fully practiced on Friday and seems likely to play. He continues to be a work in progress, however, and may not be a great bet against the New Orleans spread. Tanard Jackson is back and expected to rotate at FS today before likely taking over full time in the next week or two.
Philadelphia
Trent Cole is out this week, but getting closer. Juqua Parker is probable, but didn’t look very comfortable for most of last week. It’s still Nate Allen at one safety position but Kurt Coleman looks likely to start over Jarrad Page at the other, with Jaiquawn Jarrett on the verge of getting snaps, too.
Detroit
Justin Durant remains out with a concussion. Amari Spievey has missed the past couple of games with a hamstring problem and was limited most of the week.
Minnesota
Antoine Winfield is doubtful after not practicing all week. The Vikings didn’t change their approach last week and likely won’t this week against Chicago. Chad Greenway played a little better, but his numbers remain at risk of inconsistency. EJ Henderson continues to be limited in practice and may continue to rest in passing situations.
Chicago
Julius Peppers isn’t expected to play tonight. The Bears are likely to bump Henry Melton to DE, where he’s played in the past, and use Amobi Okoye in an expanded role inside. This week, Chris Conte and Major Wright got the last two chairs during the musical safety competition.
Nick Barnett is questionable after limited practices Thursday and Friday with an ankle injury but is expected to play. Difficult to say what direction the Bills would go without him, as Kelvin Sheppard has seen more playing time than Kirk Morrison recently and none have been part of the subpackages. Kyle Williams was limited Friday only this week. He’s calling himself a GTD but seems very unlikely to play.
NY Giants
Justin Tuck is out this week. The Giants will continue to use a rotation of Osi Umenyiora, Jason Pierre-Paul and Dave Tollefson. Nickel backer Jacquian Williams has essentially been an every-down linebacker in recent weeks, and that shouldn’t change over the next few weeks given the Giants’ schedule.
Carolina
Omar Gaither is out. No word on whether Thomas Williams has gotten back into the good graces of the coaches to be active and a threat to Jason Williams in nickel packages today. Jason is probably a reasonable LB3/LB4 start if you can assume some risk.
Atlanta
John Abraham was a GTD last week and didn’t play. He made it through only a limited practice on Friday and is again a GTD this week. William Moore increased his participation all week and is probable.
Cleveland
Joe Haden is questionable but has still yet to practice and isn’t likely to play.
Oakland
The Raiders traded for Aaron Curry this week and plan to start him at WLB over Quintin Groves. They’d been playing primarily dime packages through five weeks, so it’s unlikely that Curry will be an every-down linebacker and it’s 50-50 that he’ll be active after just a couple of days with the team. Rolando McClain is listed questionable but made it through two limited practices and is expected to play. Darryl Blackstock will start if McClain can’t go and possibly play every down. Matt Shaughnessy is still out.
New England
Jerod Mayo began working in practice this week but likely won’t be back until after next week’s bye. The Pats used lots of 4-2-5 and 3-3-5 nickel packages with two ILBs last week, keeping both Gary Guyton and Brandon Spikes on the field every down.
Houston
Brooks Reed replaced Mario Williams as the ROLB and played every down last week and that’s expected to continue. It should be interesting to see if the Texans make any changes to their subpackages if they aren’t able to generate a consistent pass rush and if that means more snaps for DeMeco Ryans. Don’t count on that yet, however.
Baltimore
Tom Zbikowski is out, but Bernard Pollard was already likely to see lots of snaps. It’s a very good matchup (Foster/Daniels) for a SS if Pollard remains available on your waiver wire.
Indianapolis
The Colts had Ernie Sims in over Kavell Conner in nickel packages last week and that’ll likely continue against Cincinnati. Jerraud Powers is likely out with a hamstring injury.
Cincinnati
Rey Maualuga sprained his ankle in practice Thursday and is expected to miss the next couple of weeks. Dan Skuta replaces him in the middle. He’s taken a few snaps there this year, including a nickel snap or two. Brandon Johnson is still on the roster, but it wouldn’t surprise to see Skuta play every down. Skuta isn’t a dynamic, sideline-to-sideline player but he’s a consistent in the box tackler.
Jacksonville
On Wednesday, it looked like we could see some value for Clint Session finally, with Daryl Smith in doubt with a concussion. But Session is out with an elbow problem and Smith has been cleared to play. Aaron Kampman is expected back this week and will get a third of the snaps or so according to the pre-game plan. The Jags had Kampman and Mincey as the starters in practice, but Matt Roth should see plenty of snaps, too.
Pittsburgh
The Steelers used a dime package as their primary subpackage against Tennessee. They may not need to do as much of that against Jacksonville, but it’s notable for the number of garbage-time tackles it afforded James Farrior and the few snaps it allowed Larry Foote. The Steelers may again struggle with the run with Casey Hampton and Aaron Smith out.
New Orleans
Martez Wilson could be back this week. He looked to have earned a starting spot and a larger role just before getting injured, so his snap count and progression is worth watching to see if a Saints’ outside linebacker can finally emerge as a reasonable fantasy option.
Tampa Bay
Gerald McCoy is out. Mason Foster is questionable with an ankle injury but fully practiced on Friday and seems likely to play. He continues to be a work in progress, however, and may not be a great bet against the New Orleans spread. Tanard Jackson is back and expected to rotate at FS today before likely taking over full time in the next week or two.
Philadelphia
Trent Cole is out this week, but getting closer. Juqua Parker is probable, but didn’t look very comfortable for most of last week. It’s still Nate Allen at one safety position but Kurt Coleman looks likely to start over Jarrad Page at the other, with Jaiquawn Jarrett on the verge of getting snaps, too.
Detroit
Justin Durant remains out with a concussion. Amari Spievey has missed the past couple of games with a hamstring problem and was limited most of the week.
Minnesota
Antoine Winfield is doubtful after not practicing all week. The Vikings didn’t change their approach last week and likely won’t this week against Chicago. Chad Greenway played a little better, but his numbers remain at risk of inconsistency. EJ Henderson continues to be limited in practice and may continue to rest in passing situations.
Chicago
Julius Peppers isn’t expected to play tonight. The Bears are likely to bump Henry Melton to DE, where he’s played in the past, and use Amobi Okoye in an expanded role inside. This week, Chris Conte and Major Wright got the last two chairs during the musical safety competition.
