Chargers banged up but still flying high

San Diego wideout Malcolm Floyd (hamstring) has been limited in practice all week and is not expected to play to play a lot, if at all, in Week 12. Considering the Chargers have Vincent Jackson back this week, it's probably wise to sit Floyd until next week and see how he is being used.

Teammate Antonio Gates (foot) is not expected to play at tight end this week. His replacement, Randy McMichael (hamstring), will play but will not be 100 percent.

In case you missed it, San Diego receiver Patrick Crayton had surgery on his wrist Friday and is out indefinitely. The good news out of Chargers' camp is that Legedu Naanee (hamstring) is expected to play on a limited basis against the Colts this week.

 
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brandon Marshall (hamstring) has been ruled out for today's game against the Oakland Raiders.

If you own Jacksonville tight end Marcedes Lewis this may not be the best week to play him. Reports out of Jacksonville are that Lewis may have to stay in and block more as the Jaguars will have to play back-ups at both offensive tackle positions due to injury.


Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew (abdomen) may not be 100 percent but he is expected to play. Teammate Mike Sims-Walker (ankle) was limited in practice all week and will be a game-time decision.

Washington wide receiver Santana Moss (knee) is listed as questionable but is expected to play today against the Vikings. The same is not true for running back Ryan Torain who has been ruled out. That makes Keiland Williams the primary back against Minnesota.

Running backs Joseph Addai (neck) and Mike Hart (ankle) are not expected to play this weekend. Look for Donald Brown to once again carry the load.

Teammate Austin Collie (concussion) looks like a game-time decision for the Colts at wide receiver. If he doesn't play, Blair White should get a few more looks. Wideout Reggie Wayne (knee) practiced in full on Friday and should start today.

San Francisco tight end Vernon Davis (ankle) fully participated in practice on Friday and is expected to play in Week 12.

Seattle wideout Mike X. Williams (foot) did not participate in practice Friday and is listed as questionable for today's game. Expect him to be a game-time decision.

Veteran quarterback Jake Delhomme (ankle) is not on the injury report and will start today's game in place of Colt McCoy (ankle). McCoy could be Cleveland's No. 3 quarterback today.

Carolina running back Jonathan Stewart (concussion) practiced on Friday and is listed as probable for Week 12. Expect him to play. Teammate Jimmy Clausen (concussion) is expected to start at quarterback.

Kansas City wideout Dexter McCluster (ankle) is close to returning to the field after missing extended time due to injury. He will be a game-time decision today.

Rice will play for Vikes on Sunday

It's official: Minnesota wide receiver Sidney Rice (hip) has been activated from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list and will play Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. Teammate Percy Harvin (ankle) has also been cleared to play but Bernard Berrian (ankle will likely be a game-time decision.

 Detroit's Jahvid Best now has a shoulder issue to go along with his turf toe but should still play in Week 11. Expect his workload to be limited.

New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush (fibula) has been downgraded to a game-time decision this weekend. Bush was evaluated during a long workout Saturday. Teammates Pierre Thomas (RB) and Jeremy Shockey (TE) have already been ruled out for Sunday but running back Chris Ivory (shoulder)  is listed as probable and should play.

Houston wideouts Andre Johnson (ankle) and Kevin Walter (ankle) are both listed as probable and should play against the N.Y. Jets this weekend.

San Diego tight end Antonio Gates (foot) is questionable for Monday night's game against the Broncos. He will probably be a game-time decision.  The Chargers Malcolm Floyd (hamstring) had a minor setback in practice Thursday but the wide receiver is still expected to get in the game.The same can not be said for running back Ryan Mathews (ankle) who is considered doubtful for the game. That increases the value of Mike Tolbert for this week.

Philadelphia running back LeSean McCoy (shoulder) fully participated in practice Friday and is considered probable for Sunday.

Jacksonville wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Week 11. He was limited in practice on Friday.

Cincinnati running back Cedric Benson (foot) is questionable for Sunday but is expected to play.

At Washington, running back Ryan Torain (hamstring) has been ruled out but Clinton Portis (groin) is expected to play. Portis and Keiland Williams should bet the bulk of the carries.

Marshall pulls hammy in Week 11

Miami wide out Brandon Marshall suffered a right hamstring injury against the Chicago Bears in Week 11 on Thursday and had to leave the game. He sustained the injury just before halftime and had to be carted off the field.

Wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery of the New York Jest may have had a good game in Week 10 but it came at a cost. He suffered a groin injury during the game and is not expected to play this weekend.

The running back situation in New Orleans is fairly muddled at this point. Pierre Thomas (ankle) missed practice Thursday and probably won't play in Week 11. Reggie Bush, who has missed most of the season with a broken fibula, practiced on Thursday but was limited. He's probably a game-time decision. Chris Ivory (shoulder) was also limited in practice Thursday. It's probably best to stay away from all of them until next week.

Chicago Bears running back Cedric Benson (foot) was limited during Thursday's practice. If he can't go, Bernard Scott would replace him in the starting lineup.

The wide receivers in Indianapolis are starting to get a little healthier. Both Reggie Wayne (knee) and Austin Collie (concussion) practice fully on Thursday.

Pittsburgh Steelers wideout Hines Ward, who missed most of his Week 10 game after suffering a concussion, has been cleared to practice and participated fully on Thursday. Barring a setback he should start in Week 11.

The news is not so good for the Carolina running backs. DeAngelo Williams was put on injured reserve this week and Jonathan Stewart missed practice with a concussion. Mark Goodson, who ran for 100 yards last week, is the likely starter at this point.

The status of Minnesota wide receiver Sidney Rice (hip) is still up in the air. He says he wants to play this weekend, and has been cleared to do so by the medical staff, but also says he doesn't want to play until he is completely healthy. The Vikings have until Nov. 24 to add him to the active roster or he will have to sit out the entire season.

Fantasy owners may have heard this before but Arizona running back Beanie Wells (knee) says he is healthy for the first time this season and ready to finally show what he can do. Head coach Ken Wisenhunt said he doesn't know if Wells or Tim Hightower will start this week.

San Francisco placekicker Joe Nedney (knee) has been ruled out for Week 11. Shane Andrus has been signed to replace him.


San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates (foot, ankle) says his chances of playing against Denver in Week 11 are 50-50. With those kind of odds, it's safer to look elsewhere for a starting tight end. 

San Diego wide receiver Malcom Floyd (hamstring) fully participated in practice Thursday and is expected to play on Monday night. He last played in Week 6 against the St. Louis Rams.

Harvin, Rice could make impact for Vikings

Minnesota wide receiver Percy Harvin (ankle, migraine) has been upgraded from doubtful to questionable for Sunday's game against the Bears. He will probably be a game-time decision. Teammate Sidney Rice (hip) may make his 2010 debut this weekend but it's probably best for owners to keep him on their bench until he starts producing.


In case you missed it, Miami quarterback Chad Henne has been benched and will be replaced by veteran Chad Pennington. Pennington should only be used if you have no other options.

New York Giants wide receiver Steve Smith could be out for at least two games with a pectoral muscle injury. His absence increases the value of wideout Mario Manningham.

Baltimore tight end Todd Heap is quietly becoming fantasy relevant again. He had four catches for 58 yards and a touchdown Thursday night and seems to be developing a good rapport with quarterback Joe Flacco. He won't make anyone forget Antonio Gates, but should be considered a low-end fantasy starter.

The news is not nearly as good for teammate Derrick Mason. The veteran Ravens re-broke his surgically-repaired finger at the end of Thursday's game. It's not known how long the injury will keep Mason out of the lineup.

If you haven't already, it's time for owners of Arizona running back Beanie Wells to put him on the shelf. He's been hurt off and all year and, even when he plays, gets no production. Tim Hightower is the running back to have for the Cardinals.

Carolina officials say running back DeAngelo Williams (foot) is expected to return to the lineup in Week 11 against Baltimore. That's a tough match-up for Williams so you might want to keep him sidelined another week.

Houston wideout Andre Johnson (ankle) was limited in practice Friday and is considered questionable for this weekend. He is expected to play.

St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson (finger) practiced on a limited basis and has been listed as probable for Sunday. Teammate Kenneth Darby will go into the game on passing downs because Jackson is still not able to catch passes yet.

Detroit Lions quarterback Shaun Hill (forearm) has been officially listed as probable for Week 10. Teammate Matt Stafford (shoulder) has been ruled out.

Denver head coach Mike Shanahan is up to his usual tricks with the injury report. He's not saying if or how much running backs Ryan Torain (hamstring) or Clinton Portis (groin) will play this week. It's best to stay away from both of them.

Indianapolis Colts receiver Austin Collie (concussion) will not play in Week 10. Pierre Garcon and Reggie Wayne will be the primary wide receivers. Teammate Joseph Addai (neck), a running back, is listed as doubtful so Donald Brown should get the start.


Buffalo Bills wideout Roscoe Parrish was placed on injured reserve this week. That means more targets for both Steve Johnson and Lee Evans.

Week 9 post-game injury update

Here's a quick update of injuries sustained in Sunday's games:

Kickers Stephen Gostokowski of the New England Patriots and Jason Hanson of the Detroit Lions both had to leave their games on Week 9. Gostkowski has a thigh injury and Hanson injured his knee. Their status for Week 10 is unknown.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Austin Collie sustained a concussion and could not continue playing Sunday. His status will be updated during the week.

Atlanta wideout Roddy White hurt his knee Sunday and had to leave the game, but he said he expects to play in Week 10.

New York Giants receiver Hakeem Nicks rolled his ankle in Week 9. Head coach Tom Coughlin said Nicks should be able to play this weekend.

Carolina running back Jonathan Stewart suffered a head injury Sunday and left the game. His status for Week 10 is unknown.

San Diego running back Ryan Mathews hurt his ankle Sunday. The severity of the injury has not been released.

New Orleans running back Chris Ivory said he sprained and separated the A/C joint in h is left shoulder during the game. His status for Week 10 is unknown.

Detroit Lions quarterback Matt Stafford injured his throwing shoulder during Sunday's game and could not continue. It is the same shoulder he hurt earlier in the season. His status for Week 10 is up in the air.

Carolina quarterback Matt Moore also suffered a shoulder injury in Week 9. It is not known if he will be able to play this weekend.

Gonzalez's bad season gets worse

Both Joseph Addai and Mike Hart have been ruled out for Week 9 as running backs for the Indianapolis Colts. That makes Donald Brown a decent play but he hasn't done much with the opportunities he's had already.

 The Colts have placed wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez (knee) on injured reserve ending a season in which he barely played. Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie should still be the team's top wideouts this week.

If you're desperate for wide receiving help this weekend, you might want to look at the Vikings' Bernard Berrian and Greg Camarillo. With Moss gone and Harvin listed as questionable, Berian and Camarillo could become big parts of the offense.

Seattle receiver Mike X. Williams has a bruised knee but is expected to play and start against the Giants this weekend. Unless you have few other options, he should probably be kept on your bench until his health improves.

Oakland tight end Zach Miller (foot) did not practice Friday and is listed as doubtful for Week 9. He is not expected to play.

New Orleans running back Pierre Thomas (ankle) will not play this weekend. Reggie Bush (fibula) is doubtful which means Chris Ivory should get the start.

Key players could be sitting in Week 9

Some big names could be sidelined by injuries this week, starting with San Diego tight end Antonio Gates. The veteran Gates has been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis in his right foot and could be out for an extended period of time. His threshold of pain will likely determine if he can play at all over the next few weeks.

Gates' teammates Malcolm Floyd and Legedu Nanee both have hamstring injuries and both are considered doubtful for Sunday.


Carolina running back DeAngelo Williams (foot) has been ruled out for Week 9. He is hoping to be back the following weekend.

Tennessee wideout Kenny Britt is expected to miss six to eight weeks with a hamstring injury. That may be the reason the Titans put in a waiver claim for Randy Moss this week. Tennessee has a bye this weekend.

As of now, Philadelphia wide receiver DeSean Jackson (concussion) has been cleared to play in Week 9. Barring a setback the Eagles expect him to start. His teammate, quarterback Michael Vick (rib), is expected to resume his starting role this weekend.

There is still no definitive word on the status of Minnesota wide receiver Percy Harvin for this weekend. He suffered an ankle injury in last week's game is currently listed as questionable for Week 9.

Baltimore wide receiver Derrick Mason (ankle) and tight end Todd Heap (back, head) both practiced fully on Wednesday and should be able to play this weekend.

Driver relegated to back seat for Week 9

The Green Bay Packers will be without the services of wide receiver Donald Driver this weekend. In a radio interview on Tuesday is said he does not plan to play.

Tennessee wideout Kenny Britt is expected to miss a significant amount of time with his hamstring injury. Head coach Jeff Fisher would not predict how much time but said the injury was not season-ending.

Indianapolis running back Mike Hart injured his left ankle in the fourth quarter of Monday's game and was unable to finish the contest. He has undergone an MRI and the results should be known later this week.

Teammate Jacob Tamme, a starter at tight end now that Dallas Clark (wrist) is out for the season, had six catches for 64 yards and a touchdown on Monday. He could be a decent back-up and spot starter the rest of the way.

Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck suffered a slight concussion in the team's Week 8 game and had to be replaced in the final series. Hasselbeck said he expects to play in Week 9.

The Randy Moss waiver wire sweepstakes is underway. His value for the rest of the season rests heavily upon which team decides to pick him up.