Last-minute injury report, NFL Week 5
UPDATE:Cedric Bensonwill start today for the Bengals. Still, he's not a great play against the Ravens' run defense.
UPDATE: The Ravens' offensive line will be missing Jared Gaither today, he's inactive. Rookie Michael Oher will start.
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Bengals running back Cedric Benson missed practice earlier in the week with a hip injury, but he practiced fully on Friday and is expected to play. He's been quite the surprise this year, but the tough Ravens' run defense make him a risky play. Safety Roy Williams and linebacker Rey Maualuga are both probable for Cincy.
Derrick Mason -- who was listed as questionable last week but caught 7 passes for 88 yards and a score last week in a loss to New England -- is listed as probable this week and was limited in practice on Friday after missing it the day before. He'll likely play, but check in the morning to make sure. Offensive tackle Jared Gaither missed practice Thursday and Friday; he's a game-time decision.
UPDATE: Jamal Lewis is active today against the Bills. Jerome Harrison, however, will still get a significant amount of touches and remains the better play.
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Browns running back Jamal Lewis is once again listed as questionable; if he can't go, Jerome Harrison (121 yards last week) will get the start. With Braylon Edwards traded to the Jets, the Browns could rely on the running game more in the coming weeks. Kicker Phil Dawson is doubtful for today's game, not that many fantasy teams have him stashed away, anyway. Linebacker D'Qwell Jacksonis also listed as doubtful for today's game.
Buffalo's defense continues to be banged up: Linebacker Paul Posluszny and safeties Bryan Scott and Donte Whitner are all out. Everybody's relatively healthy on the offensive side, although the Bills have only averaged 18.5 points a game so far this season.
UPDATE: Running back Jonathan Stewart is active today for Carolina and will back up DeAngelo Williams.
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The Redskins are relatively healthy; punter Hunter Smith is out of today's game with a groin injury. (Yes, there are fantasy leagues with punters.) Defensive tackle Anthony Montgomerywill be inactive again this week; fellow DT Cornelius Griffin is listed as questionable.
Running back Jonathan Stewart is listed as questionable for today's game. He was limited in practice all week dur to an injury to his left Achilles. Kickoff returner Mike Goodson is out with a concuession. On the defensive side, linebacker Na'il Diggs is listed as probable with a rib injury.
UPDATE: Rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford is out of today's game; Daunte Culpepper will start in his place. For the Steelers, Troy Polamalu and Willie Parker are both out of today's game.
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Willie Parker is out for the second straight week with a toe injury; if by some miracle Rashard Mendenhall is available in your league, pick him up now. He rushed for 165 yards and two scores against the Chargers last week; while he probably won't get 29 carries every week, he has good matchups against the Lions this week and the Browns next week. Safety Troy Polamalu, out since spraining his knee in the opener, practiced all week and wants to play. He's listed as doubtful; make sure he's active if you're planning on starting him in a league with individual defensive players.
Calvin Johnson was limited in practice Friday but is listed as probable; he'll probably play. Rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford was also limited in practice on Friday and, too, is doubtful. It'll be a Jim Schwartzgame-time decision on whether Stafford or veteran Daunte Culpepper lines up under center.
UPDATE: They didn't make the trip, so it was obvious, but here you go anyway: Roy Williams and Felix Jones are inactive today. Marion Barber starts at running back with Tashard Choice also getting reps, and Miles Austin starts in place of Williams.
UPDATE: Dwayne Bowe is active today for Kansas City and appears to be a safe play, while Bobby Engram is inactive. Mark Bradley will get more looks with Engram out.
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Both Felix Jones and Roy Williamsdidn't make the trip to Kansas City for the Cowboys. As with last week, Marion Barber (listed as probable) will start in the backfield with some reps going to Tashard Choice. Against Kansas City, either is a decent play. At the WR spot, Miles Austin will start in place of the injured Williams; he's worthy of a spot start for fantasy squads looking for a receiver.
The Chiefs are incredibly healthy, with no starting skill players listed on the injury report. Rookie defensive end Alex Magee missed practice on Friday with an illness.
UPDATE: It's official: Eli Manning will start in today's game against the Raiders. The Raiders' weakness is their run defense, so Manning isn't the best play today.
UPDATE: Tight end Kevin Boss is inactive today for the Giants.
UPDATE: All signs point to Eli Manning starting today for the Giants despite the foot injury he suffered last week. If you have to make a decision now, he's probably safe to have in your lineup.
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Raiders running back Darren McFadden is out of today's game with a knee injury; Michael Bush will start in his place with Justin Fargas as the backup. Tight end Zach Miller was limited in practice all week after suffering a concussion against the Giants, but he'll likely play today.
Eli Manning, who injured his foot in last week's win over the Chiefs, is listed as questionable and is a game-time decision. If he can't go, backup David Carr will be under center. Kevin Boss is listed as doubtful and is likely out todaywith an ankle sprain. He'll be replaced by Darcy Johnson. On the defensive side, cornerback Aaron Ross is out again with a hamstring injury, while Justin Tuck is listed as probable with a shoulder injury.
UPDATE: Antonio Bryant is active today for Tampa Bay.
UPDATE: Earnest Graham is inactive today for the Bucs; Derrick Ward is active. Cadillac Williams will get the majority of the carries with Ward backing him up.
UPDATE:Kevin Curtis is inactive today against Tampa Bay; rookie wide receiver Jeremy Maclin will start in his place.
UPDATE: As expected, Donovan McNabb is active and will start against Tampa Bay today. Kevin Kolb and Michael Vick are also both active for today's game.
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Buccaneers offensive coordinator Greg Olsonsaid this week he wants to "become more committed to Cadillac Williams as a full-time guy." Williams is the only Bucs running back not on the injury list; Earnest Graham is listed as questionable and Derrick Ward is probable. Both, though, are likely to play. Also questionable for today's game is wide receiver Antonio Bryant. He, too, is probably closer to probable than questionable.
The Eagles get their big offensive weapons back this week after the bye. Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook will start. Wide receiver Kevin Curtis is listed as questionable with a knee injury.
UPDATE: Rams' quarterback Marc Bulger is active today against the Vikings, but Kyle Boller gets the starting nod.
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Brett Favre is once again on the injury report, listed as probable, and once again he'll play. (Fun fact: There's actually a "Favre" tab on the Minneapolis Star-Tribune's Vikings page.) Rookie tackle Phil Loadholtis listed as questionable; Pro Bowl guard Steve Hutchinson is listed as probable and it's a "virtual certainty" he'll play.
Rams' Quarterback Marc Bulgeris almost certainly out for today's game; he's listed as questionable, as is wide receiver Donnie Avery. Avery is much more likely to play on today.
Kicker Jason Elam is listed as probable with a left hamstring injury; he'll play, although the Falcons have only attempted three field goals all season.
Frank Gore is still out with a foot injury; Glen Coffee will get the starting nod again. He rushed for 74 yards and caught 4 passes for 32 yards last week against the Rams. While rookie wide receiver Michael Crabtree finally signed with the 49ers, he won't play until October 25. On the defensive side, cornerback Allen Rossum, linebacker Manny Lawson and linebacker Patrick Willis are all listed as probable.
Defensive end Mario Williams missed practice early in the week and was limited on Friday. He's never missed a start and is expected to play. Backup wide receiver Andre Davis was limited in practice all week and is listed as doubtful for today's game. If he's starting on your fantasy team, you might as well pack it in.
Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner is listed as probable with a right shoulder injury but practiced fully; he'll play. Steve Breaston was limited in practice all week and is listed as questionable. On the defensive side, cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is listed as questionable.
Fred Taylor, the top man in the New England running back rotation, is out after having ankle surgery last week. Laurence Maroney is likely to be the top back for New England with Taylor out. Tom Brady is listed as probable with a right shoulder injury; he'll play.
Broncos running back Correll Buckhalter is out with an ankle injury. This is a major upgrade for owners of rookie running back Knowshon Moreno; he'll make his first NFL start today. On the defensive side, linebacker Spencer Larsen is out and safety Brian Dawkins is listed as questionable.
The Jaguars have no offensive skill position players listed on the injury report; this week the players wished Fred Taylor a speedy recovery. On the defensive side, the Jags are missing a couple guys: safety Sean Considine, tackle Greg Peterson, linebacker Adam Seward and cornerback Scott Starks are all out.
The Seahawks are hobbled: Offensive tackles Walter Jones and Sean Locklear, offensive guard Rob Sims and linebacker LeRoy Hill are all out. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, out the last two weeks with a rib injury, is listed as probable. He's expected to start today.
UPDATE: Despite a hand injury, Joseph Addai is expected to play tonight against the Titans.
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Joseph Addaihurt his hand in Wednesday's practice and is listed as questionable. He's expected to play. Safety Bob Sanders is getting closer to returning to the field, as he's listed as doubtful for the first time all year.
Safety Vincent Fuller is out for the Titans; cornerback Cortland Finnegan, who didn't play last week, is listed as questionable for tonight's game. Wide receiver Nate Washington suffered a concussion in last week's game against the Jaguars but has passed baseline tests and is likely to play.
Monday Jets' wide receiver Jerricho Cotcherymissed practice Friday and Saturday and is listed as questionable. If he can't go, Brad Smith will start alongside Braylon Edwards, acquired last week from the Browns. On the defensive side, the Jets' backfield is still banged up, with Donald Strickland listed as out and Lito Sheppard likely to miss tomorrow's game as well.
For the Dolphins, linebacker Joey Porter was limited in practice on Saturday and is listed as questionable.
