Rams QB Sam Bradford (ankle) has officially been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Cowboys. QB A.J. Feeley will get the start. He hasn’t thrown a regular season pass since 2007 and isn’t a fantasy option. Bradford’s absence is a blow to all of St. Louis’ pass-catchers.
Texans QB Matt Schaub (shoulder, hip, chest) put in full practices on both Thursday and Friday and is probable for this weekend’s game against the Titans. He’s no worse now than he was for last weekend’s game against the Ravens. Schaub remains a low-end QB1 option.
Raiders QB Carson Palmer isn’t expected to start Sunday’s game against the Chiefs. The team hasn’t announced an official decision yet, but look for QB Kyle Boller to get the nod. HC Hue Jackson even hinted that multiple QBs (Boller, Palmer, and Terrelle Pryor) could see action. It’s obviously a situation to avoid in fantasy.
Seahawks QB Charlie Whitehurst will start Sunday’s game against the Browns. QB Tarvaris Jackson (pectoral) is listed as doubtful, so rookie QB Josh Portis is expected to serve as the backup.
After popping up on the injury report on Thursday as limited with a knee, Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall returned to a full practice on Friday. He’s listed as probable for this weekend’s game against the Cardinals. Go ahead and get Mendy in your starting lineup.
Chargers RB Ryan Mathews isn’t even listed on the team’s injury report. He’s over the minor calf injury he suffered 2 weeks ago and is a full-go for Sunday’s game against the Jets.
Lions RB Jahvid Best (concussion) has officially been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Falcons. RB Maurice Morris is expected to carry the load, with Keiland Williams serving as the #2 back.
Browns RB Peyton Hillis (hamstring) was unable to practice all week. The team hasn’t ruled him out — he’s listed as questionable — but Hillis seems unlikely to play against the Seahawks on Sunday. Even if he is active, his role would be limited. Montario Hardesty will serve as the lead back but is only a low-end RB2 option in a tough matchup.
Cowboys RB Felix Jones (ankle) is out for Sunday’s game against the Rams. HC Jason Garrett and owner Jerry Jones have both said that RBs DeMarco Murray and Tashard Choice will share backfield duties. Murray is the better bet for touches though. After Jones went down last weekend, Murray saw 12 touches, while Choice received 6. We’re expecting a similar split this Sunday.
Bucs RB LeGarrette Blount (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Bears. Tampa has a Week 8 bye and will hope to get Blount back the following week. In the meantime, RB Earnest Graham will get another start and is a good bet to approach 20 touches.
Dolphins RB Daniel Thomas (hamstring) is listed as probable for Sunday’s game against the Broncos. He put in a full practice on Friday — his first since way back in Week 3. He’s just about at 100% and is a strong RB2 option this weekend against Denver’s 23rd-ranked rush defense.
Colts RB Joseph Addai (hamstring) returned to a full practice on Friday. It comes out of nowhere after he missed practice entirely on both Wednesday and Thursday. But it sounds like he has a chance to play against the Saints this weekend if he works out well prior to the game. If Addai is active, we’d bet on the Colts going with a 3-headed attack with Addai, Delone Carter, and Donald Brown. It’s a situation to avoid, especially since it’s the Sunday nighter.
Chargers RB Mike Tolbert (concussion) has been medically-cleared and will be available for his normal duties in Sunday’s game against the Jets.
Dolphins RB Reggie Bush (neck, groin) is listed as probable for Sunday’s game against the Broncos. The neck injury was minor, and he’s been playing through the groin for a few weeks now. Expect Bush to see his usual 8-12 touches this weekend.
Redskins RB Tim Hightower (shoulder) put in a full week of practice and is listed as probable for Sunday’s game against the Panthers. He’s just about back to 100%, but we’re left to guess about his workload after he didn’t play a single snap last week. Hightower has an ultra-favorable matchup but is an extremely risky fantasy option.
Jets HC Rex Ryan announced that RB LaDainian Tomlinson will make a “ceremonial” start against his old team this Sunday. He’ll likely be in for the 1st play before giving way to RB Shonn Greene. The division of labor in New York’s backfield will be unchanged.
Texans WR Andre Johnson (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Titans. Jacoby Jones and Kevin Walter will continue to start out wide.
Chargers WR Vincent Jackson (hamstring) put in full practices on Thursday and Friday and is listed as probable for this weekend’s game against the Jets. His matchup with CB Darrelle Revis is a bigger concern than the hamstring. We’d start V-Jax this week, but keep expectations in check
After sitting out on Wednesday, Steelers WR Mike Wallace (hamstring) put in a limited practice on Thursday and a full practice Friday. He’s listed as probable for Sunday’s game against the Cardinals, and there’s been no indication that the hamstring is a concern. Get Wallace in your lineup for the plus matchup.
Dolphins WR Brandon Marshall (quad) is listed as probable for Sunday’s game against the Broncos. He was given the day off Wednesday but was never in danger of missing this game. B-Marsh will square off against former teammate Champ Bailey.
Falcons WR Julio Jones (hamstring) is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Lions after failing to practice all week. WR Harry Douglas will get another start in his place.
Vikings WR Percy Harvin (ribs) was able to put in limited practices on Thursday and Friday and is listed as probable for this weekend’s game against the Packers. He’ll play, but his snaps will likely be limited. Of course, Harvin played just 44% of Minnesota’s offensive snaps last week but still managed to haul in 7 balls for 78 yards. The reduced playing time trims his upside, but Harvin can still be used as a low-end WR2.
Texans WR Jacoby Jones was added to the injury report on Friday as limited with a groin injury. He’s listed as probable, and the fact that he was able to put in a limited practice is a good sign that the injury isn’t serious. We’re not lowering him in our Week 7 Rankings. Just check back on Sunday morning to make sure he’s active.
Ravens WR Lee Evans (ankle) is still out. Torrey Smith will get another start on Monday against the Jaguars.
Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas (Achilles, finger) practiced all week and is listed as probable for Sunday’s game against the Dolphins. He’ll play a limited number of snaps and shouldn’t be in fantasy lineups.
Broncos WR Eddie Royal (groin) put in a full week of practice and will play against the Dolphins on Sunday. He’ll start opposite WR Eric Decker but isn’t a recommended fantasy option in his first action since Week 2.
Bears WR Devin Hester (chest) practiced in full on both Thursday and Friday and is listed as probable for this weekend’s game against the Bucs. He’ll start but is still just a desperation fantasy option.
Bears WR Earl Bennett (chest) put in a full week of practice and is listed as probable for Sunday’s game against the Bucs. However, team insiders expect Bennett to be held out. Chicago has a Week 8 bye, so it sounds like they’ll give him a couple more weeks to get completely healthy. Look for WR Dane Sanzenbacher to get another game as the slot receiver.
Seahawks WR Mike Williams (concussion) put in a full week of practice and is listed as probable for Sunday’s game against the Browns. He’ll move back into the starting lineup, kicking WR Ben Obomanu down the depth chart.
As expected, Chargers TE Antonio Gates (foot) returned to practice on Friday. He’s listed as questionable, but all signs point to him playing against the Jets on Sunday. It’s an early game, so we’ll know his status by noon ET. HC Norv Turner has confirmed that Gates’ snaps will be limited, but he’s still a quality fantasy play. Gates comes in as our 4th-ranked TE this week.
After sitting out on Thursday with ankle soreness, Saints TE Jimmy Graham returned to a limited practice on Friday. He’s listed as probable and will play against the Colts on Sunday night. Graham remains a must-start.
Panthers TE Greg Olsen (turf toe) put in full practices on Thursday and Friday and is listed as probable for Sunday’s game against the Redskins. He’ll be a full-go and is a solid fantasy play.
Redskins TE Chris Cooley (finger) is out for Sunday’s game against the Panthers. It’ll mean a few extra targets for TE Fred Davis.
Cardinals TE Todd Heap (hamstring) was unable to practice all week. He’s listed as questionable but isn’t expected to play against the Steelers on Sunday. Jeff King and Rob Housler will split TE duties, but neither guy should be in fantasy lineups.
Lions TE Tony Scheffler (concussion) put in limited practices on Thursday and Friday and is listed as probable for Sunday’s game against the Falcons. He’ll return to his usual bit role. Scheff isn’t a fantasy option and hardly impacts TE Brandon Pettigrew’s stock.
Seahawks TE Zach Miller (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Browns. Despite the Week 6 bye, he still hasn’t been able to pass his baseline tests. Miller isn’t worth a roster spot in fantasy leagues.
Raiders K Sebastian Janikowksi (hamstring) injured his hamstring on Thursday and was unable to practice on Friday. He’s listed as questionable but isn’t expected to play against the Chiefs this weekend. Oakland will sign a replacement today.
Steelers NT Casey Hampton (shoulder) and backup NT Chris Hoke (neck) will both miss Sunday’s game against the Cardinals. It’ll force undrafted free-agent Steve McLendon into the starting lineup. It’s a big-time matchup upgrade for RB Beanie Wells.
Dallas OLB DeMarcus Ware is expected to play Sunday despite being limited in practice all week. He experienced back spasms in the Week 6 loss to the Patriots and was given extra rest during the week, but Ware is listed as questionable. As long as he’s active, Ware’s matchup makes him well worth any risk.
Raiders MLB Rolando McClain is questionable for Sunday after missing practice all week. HC Hue Jackson conceded Friday that McClain is worse off than he was last week, when he was also questionable with the ankle sprain. McClain played in Week 6 and may still play this weekend. The team plans to be cautious, though, and McClain is not certain to go. Even if he starts, there’s no guarantee he’ll finish. IDP owners should choose a safer LB. Darryl Blackstock would get the start if McClain is out.
Browns CB Joe Haden (knee) returned to practice on Friday and worked with the 1st-team defense. He’s listed as questionable and will be a game-time decision, but we’re expecting him to play against the Seahawks. It’s a big blow to WR Sidney Rice’s Week 7 outlook.
Vikings CB Antoine Winfield (neck) won’t play against the Packers this Sunday. Minnesota has no chance of slowing down Aaron Rodgers and Co.
Washington FS O.J. Atogwe missed practice all week because of what’s been reported as a sore knee. He says he hopes to play Sunday, but it’ll come down to a game-time decision.
Steelers S Troy Polamalu (concussion) has been medically-cleared and will play against the Cardinals on Sunday. The Steelers D is an elite fantasy play in the plus matchup.
