Every NFL team playing Sunday is required to issue a final injury report on Friday. The pair of teams playing Monday night will issue their final report Saturday. Here we review all of the fantasy-relevant players dealing with ailments and how to plan accordingly. Keep in mind that the inactive list isn't due until 90 minutes before kickoff. As you start to put the final touches on those lineups, have a fallback plan or two at the ready in the event you will be dealing with an ailing player.
- The Panthers rested (among others) Jonathan Stewart, Greg Olsen, and Ted Ginn, Jr. on Wednesday. All three put in a full practice on both Thursday and Friday.
- The other item worth mentioning right at the top is the status of Brandin Cooks. On Wednesday, various media reports stated that Cooks likely suffered a concussion in practice. While he did experience a spell of dizziness, he passed all of the protocol tests and was promptly cleared. Cooks has scored a total of six touchdowns over his last five games despite the woes of Drew Brees, especially on the road.
MONDAY NIGHT
Rishard Matthews, WR, Dolphins - Ribs
It certainly looks like Matthews will miss his second consecutive game. His absence makes rookie DeVante Parker a viable option against a generous Giants pass defense.
QUESTIONABLE (SUNDAY)
Matt Schaub, QB, Ravens
Even though Schaub hasn't practiced all week, he has not been ruled out. If necessary, Jimmy Clausen would get the start against the Seahawks. It would mark the sixth time in NFL history that a quarterback faced a team twice as a starter on two different teams that season.
Ronnie Hillman and C.J. Anderson, RB, Broncos
Hillman (foot) was Out/Out/Limited this week in practice and has been named the starter against the Raiders. Anderson (ankle) was unable to practice all week. Juwan Thompson appears likely to serve as the backup.
Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions – Ankle
Megatron was Limited/Limited/Out this week on the practice reports. However, he's expected to be fine for Sunday, giving him 10 days since playing consecutive Thursday games.
Travis Benjamin, WR, Browns – Shoulder
Benjamin was Out/Limited/Limited this week in practice. If Benjamin is unable to go, the 49ers defense won't have to worry much about the deep ball.
Torrey Smith, WR, 49ers – Back, Toe
Rob Gronkowski, TE Patriots – Knee
He's questionable despite looking alright in limited practice, but it seems like no one in the media believes he will play. Obviously, Scott Chandler is worth rolling out again if Gronk can't go.
Gary Barnidge, TE, Browns – Ankle
Barnidge seems likely to play just days after signing a contract extension.
OUT
Andrew Luck, QB, Colts - Abdomen
Tony Romo, QB, Cowboys - Shoulder
Peyton Manning, QB, Broncos - Foot
Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seahawks - Abdomen
Carlos Hyde, RB, 49ers - Foot
Chris Thompson, RB, Redskins - Shoulder
Julian Edelman, WR, Patriots - Foot
Stevie Johnson, WR, Chargers - Groin
Kendall Wright, WR, Titans - Ribs
Expect Dorial Green-Beckham to see more snaps than the 59 percent he played last week.
Marquess Wilson, WR, Bears - Foot
Dontrelle Inman, WR, Chargers - Neck
Vance McDonald, TE, 49ers - Concussion
DOUBTFUL
Crockett Gillmore, TE, Ravens - Back
PROBABLE (limited practice)
Amari Cooper, WR, Raiders - Foot
Cooper didn't show up on the injury report until Thursday, which is always a concern. However, the issue seems minor and won't keep him from facing a tough Broncos defense.
Brandin Cooks, WR, Saints - Concussion
Willie Snead, WR, Saints - Calf
After sitting out last week against the Panthers, Snead was limited all of this week although is excepted to play against the Bucs.
Charles Clay, TE, Bills - Knee
PROBABLE (full practice)
Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, Jets - Thumb
Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers - Foot
Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Colts - Neck
Johnny Manziel, QB, Browns - Elbow
Sam Bradford, QB, Eagles - Shoulder
Case Keenum, QB, Rams - Concussion
Ryan Mathews, RB, Eagles - Concussion
Could Mathews be in line to take over as the starter? DeMarco Murray only played 23 percent of the offensive snaps last week.
Alfred Blue, RB, Texans - Back
Dexter McCluster, RB, Titans - Knee
Last week, Antonio Andrews played 54 percent of the offensive snaps while Davis Cobb saw a season-high 40 percent. Things only get murkier with McCluster's return.
Chris Polk, RB, Texans - Knee
Dez Bryant, WR, Cowboys - Foot
Brandon Marshall, WR, Jets - Ribs
Eric Decker, WR, Jets - Knee
Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Broncos - Ankle
Vincent Jackson, WR, Buccaneers - Knee
Anquan Boldin, WR, 49ers - Hamstring
Cecil Shorts, WR, Texans - Hamstring
Phillip Dorsett, WR, Colts - Ankle
The rookie speedster looks ready to return to play for the first time since Week 7.
Tyler Eifert, TE, Bengals - Neck
After missing one game, the Bengals touchdown machine will return to face the Steelers in what is shaping up to be an AFC North shootout.
Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs - Groin
Heath Miller, TE, Steelers - Rib
It looks like Miller, who had his best game of the season against the Bengals in Week 8, will return after sitting out Sunday night against the Colts. He had a full practice Friday after sitting out Wednesday and being limited Thursday.
Jacob Tamme, TE, Falcons - Shoulder
Zach Ertz, TE, Eagles - Hip