NOTE: This column is a living document and may be updated throughout the morning. Major changes to the content will be in red. Check back often for additions as gameday inactives are announced and lineup / depth chart changes are reported. I'll also be retweeting those reports with quick bits of analysis, so make sure you're following @JeneBramel and checking my timeline on Twitter.
EARLY GAMES
Arizona at New York Giants
John Abraham left the team with concussion-like symptoms this week and will not play. Sam Acho and Matt Shaughnessy will be near full time outside linebackers, with Alex Okafor out with a thigh injury. Frostee Rucker is also out. Tyrann Mathieu fully practiced all week and is expected to play. It's unlikely Mathieu will be used on every down initially. He may take snaps away from Rashad Johnson on base downs, but it's possible he'll see time in subpackages only for now.
Jon Beason came out of last week's game with some soreness in his foot and missed Thursday's practice. He's probable and will play but likely isn't ready to return to an every down role yet.
Atlanta at Cincinnati
The Falcons are healthy. Prince Shembo saw a handful of snaps for Joplo Bartu and likely will again against Cincinnati. That's a slight downgrade for Bartu, but he's still a reasonable LB3 today.
Vontaze Burfict fully practiced on Friday ahead of his visit to the independent neurologist. It's very unlikely the Bengals would have allowed Burfict to practice if they were worried about his gaining clearance for contact. It's not yet confirmed but barring a late change in symptoms, he will start today. Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap both missed practice time but fully practiced on Friday and are listed probable.
Dallas at Tennessee
Anthony Hitchens replaces the injured Justin Durant at weak side linebacker and will reportedly also replace Bruce Carter in some nickel situations. Rod Marinelli said Rolando McClain was ready to play in subpackages early this week, so look for him to play nearly every down today.
Zaviar Gooden will replace Zach Brown at inside linebacker. Gooden did not play every down last week. The Titans chose to use George Wilson in subpackages instead. Until it's clear that he'll have a larger role, Gooden isn't a trustworthy fantasy option. It's possible that happens this week, with Wilson fighting a minor foot issue, but there's been no specific report yet. Light at depth, there have been hints that the Titans are working Quentin Groves at inside linebacker.
Detroit at Carolina
James Ihedigbo is doubtful and likely won't play again this week. The Lions are otherwise healthy and set in their defensive rotations.
Carolina is fully healthy. Roman Harper played only in base situations last week. Harper suggested his decrease in playing time was due to conditioning issues, but Ron Rivera told the media he liked Charles Godfrey in the nickel packages and was inclined to continue the rotation. The Lions offense currently resembles the New Orleans scheme. Expect many more nickel snaps than base snaps and avoid Harper today.
1130 ET: Greg Hardy a surprise inactive this morning. Mario Addison will start in his place.
Jacksonville at Washington
Johnathan Cyprien is out this week while recovering from a concussion. Gus Bradley hinted that Cyprien had a setback in the middle phases of the protocol. That may put also him at risk of missing Week 3. Josh Evans will start in Cyprien's place.
Brian Orakpo is playing through an ankle injury. He'll likely dress but may be limited again. Consider him a risky LB3, even in big play leagues, against a decent matchup.
Miami at Buffalo
The Dolphins will be without Koa Misi and Dannell Ellerbe. Philip Wheeler was rumored to be out earlier this week, but went through two limited practices this week and is listed probable. Expect Miami to start Jason Trusnik at middle linebacker and Jelani Jenkins at weak side linebacker. It's not clear what the Dolphins will do in subpackages. I think we'll see Jenkins play every down and Trusnik see more snaps than the injured Wheeler. Reshad Jones and Dion Jordan could see their suspensions ended next week, but both remain out currently.
Keith Rivers is out with a groin injury for at least two weeks. Preston Brown will move over to replace him, with Nigel Bradham returning from his suspension to resume his every-down role at weak side linebacker. Brandon Spikes is not on the injury report this week. His knee may be healthy enough to allow him to get back into his nickel role. Be careful before using either Spikes or Brown. Aaron Williams is likely to return from last week's concussion, and Stephon Gilmore is also probable to return.
New England at Minnesota
Jamie Collins has been ruled out with a thigh injury he suffered on Thursday. That's bad news for Collins owners, but it likely means the Patriots will be forced to move Dont'a Hightower into Collins' role. And that means the Patriots will use Chandler Jones in a more friendly OLB / DE role. Look for Dominique Easley to potentially see some defensive end snaps if the Patriots choose to stick with the 3-4. Patrick Chung started last week and played many more snaps than Duron Harmon.
Sharrif Floyd looked very good last week, but suffered a shoulder injury that limited him to only a Friday limited practice this week. Zimmer said there was a good chance Floyd (and Xavier Rhodes, also listed questionable) will play today. If you're hoping to use Floyd, make sure he's active first.
New Orleans at Cleveland
David Hawthorne and Junior Galette played every down after seeing rotational snaps in the preseason. Both are healthy and should continue the higher usage.
Chris Kirksey played nearly every down over Craig Robertson last week despite not starting. He seemed to have a larger role in subpackages, which would bode well for him this week. Mike Pettine didn't drop any hints about Kirksey's prospective usage today. Barkevious Mingo had only a limited Friday practice and Pettine would only say he was hopeful. Expect Mingo to see fewer snaps, with Jabaal Sheard's usage moving up, even if he goes. The Saints are generally a poor pass rush matchup, so Mingo belongs on the bench even in big play leagues.
LATE GAMES
Houston at Oakland
Jadeveon Clowney is out. Whitney Mercilus moves into near-every-down duty today. Brian Cushing is currently being rotated out in passing situations. Mike Mohammed and D.J. Swearinger Sr are your nickel linebackers and should continue to be this week. The Texans stated plan is to manage his reps in the first month.
Nick Roach didn't do much in practice this week and is questionable to play. He's yet to get over a concussion suffered weeks ago. Miles Burris will start and play every down. Sio Moore will play every down, too, while the Raiders continue to ease rookie Khalil Mack into his eventual full time role.
Kansas City at Denver
Josh Mauga is starting while Joe Mays recovers from wrist surgery. Mauga played every down after Derrick Johnson's injury last week. However, James-Michael Johnson, Derrick Johnson's replacement, looked better in subpackages in camp and has a chance to stick In Derrick's spot after Mays returns. I expect the Chiefs to try JMJ in the nickel role next to Eric Berry soon. Both Mauga and JMJ are risky starts against a Denver offense that will use spread sets frequently. Call Mauga a risk-reward LB3 and JMJ a boom-bust LB4.
Danny Trevathan remains out. Brandon Marshall continues to play every down in his absence. The Broncos are otherwise healthy and comfortable with their current depth chart.
New York Jets at Green Bay
The Jets get Dee Milliner back today but he'll see spot duty only. That leaves Antonio Allen at corner for another week. New York is otherwise healthy and should have no surprises on their game day depth chart.
Brad Jones is out for Green Bay today. Jamari Lattimore will start in his place. It's a big opportunity for Lattimore. If he can defend the run better than Jones, Lattimore may earn a permanent starting role. It's not clear whether Lattimore or A.J. Hawk will start in the dime package. The Jets don't force many subpackage snaps, but if the Packers get a lead at home, it could be meaningful.
Seattle at San Diego
The Seahwaks are healthy and there will be no changes to their game day depth chart.
Melvin Ingram III is battling a hamstring strain and is questionable. If he's out, Jeremiah Attaochu will see more snaps. Attaochu was productive in Week 1, but Russell Wilson can be a tough sack. Brandon Flowers did not practice on Friday after a groin injury in practice on Thursday. Jason Verrett is in line for more duty today.
St. Louis at Tampa Bay
Lamarcus Joyner did not practice Thursday or Friday with a back injury. He's questionable but looks unlikely to play. There's no viable fantasy replacement on the Rams' roster. William Hayes will see an increased snap count with Chris Long out for at least eight weeks. Hayes has had strong stretches of fantasy production in the past and will benefit from a stronger group of linemates than he's had previously.
Adrian Clayborn was placed on IR this week. Michael Johnson is out with an ankle injury. Lovie Smith suggested that the Bucs will use a heavy defensive end rotation today. Will Gholston and Da'Quan Bowers would be the preferred starters, but both are recovering from injuries. Neither are trustworthy lineup options.
SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Chicago at San Francisco
The Bears are healthy and no depth chart changes are expected.
Michael Wilhoite played every down next to Patrick Willis last week and should do so again. Chris Culliver was limited this week as he recovers from last week's concussion.
MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Philadelphia at Indianapolis
The Eagles are healthy. Nate Allen started over Earl Wolff last week and is expected to remain the starter.
Jerrell Freeman is out this week. Josh McNary will start in his place. McNary has flashed athleticism and cover skills in a reserve role and can be expected to play every down. Henoc Muamba may see a handful of snaps, but didn't take many first team reps in practice this week. Arthur Jones was limited in practice this week and is questionable. If you're looking for CB upside and a Monday night sweat, Greg Toler has a great matchup this week. Vontae Davis has continued his physical play and is also a strong option.
Best of luck in your fantasy games this weekend. Reading the Defense returns on Tuesday. Follow me on Twitter @JeneBramel for breaking news and analysis during the games today.
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