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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 Dallas
Tony Jefferson fully participated in practice Friday and has been cleared to play today. Tyrann Mathieu and Deone Bucannon remain subpackage players, making their snap expectation difficult to figure in most weeks. With the Cowboys possibly going run heavy with Tony Romo injured, we may see relatively less of both Mathieu and Bucannon today.
Kyle Wilbur is expected to start for Justin Durant, with Rolando McClain and Bruce Carter playing every-down roles. Watch Anthony Hitchens' snap count, however. Rookie DeMarcus Lawrence has been activated and will have a rotational role today. He's a longshot to have consistent value, but I'll review his snaps closely in this week's RTD.
Jacksonville at Cincinnati
J.T. Thomas started and played every down at middle linebacker last week. That tells you what the coaches think of Geno Hayes. The clock may now be ticking on Telvin Smith Sr taking over as an every-down backer, especially with Jacksonville all but out of playoff contention. Dwayne Gratz was limited this week with a groin injury, but listed probable.
With Vontaze Burfict out, we'll see Vinny Rey at middle linebacker and a rotation of Jayson DiManche and Marquis Flowers at one outside linebacker position. Emmanuel Lamur and Rey will be the every-down players. Last week's explosion of assists, with very few solos, may be a one week anomaly for the Cincinnati home stat crew or it may be a return to the painful 2011 and 2012 seasons. Lower your expectations for Lamur and Rey unless you get equal points for solos and assists. The matchup is unfavorable, too.
New York Jets at Kansas City
The Jets are healthy with no expected depth chart changes.
Eric Berry is probable to return this week. He may not play his usual full complement of snaps, though, and is a risky start today.
Philadelphia at Houston
I expect to see Mychal Kendricks back in an every-down role today. In a very favorable matchup, Kendricks should be back in all lineups today. Nate Allen fully practiced on Friday and is expected to play with a hamstring injury.
Brian Cushing was back to practice and could have a limited role this week. He's still considered questionable and a game time decision. Jadeveon Clowney didn't practice Friday after experiencing soreness in his knee and fighting through an illness. He may sit this week. Whitney Mercilus and Brooks Reed are both probable.
San Diego at Miami
Jason Verrett is out with a shoulder injury and sounds likely to choose surgery soon. Brandon Flowers is cleared to play. He and Shareece Wright are the starting corners. Jahleel Addae didn't practice with a concussion this week and is listed doubtful. Jeremiah Attaochu could be back after two late week limited practices.
Dion Jordan played 30 snaps as a situational rusher last week. His snap count isn't likely to increase today and the Chargers are a relatively unfavorable matchup for pass rushers. Koa Misi could be back today. Jason Trusnik will start for him if not. Jelani Jenkins is locked into an every down role.
Tampa Bay at Cleveland
Major Wright is expected to start at safety for the departed Mark Barron. He's a decent DB3 with upside today. Watch for Bradley McDougald to start getting safety snaps, though. Michael Johnson should play with a hand injury. His matchup on the road against Joe Thomas is not favorable, though.
The Browns are mostly healthy (Phil Taylor is still out with a knee injury) and have no expected depth chart changes today.
Washington at Minnesota
There was talk Will Compton would see snaps ahead of Perry Riley last week, but the rotation never materialized. It was Riley playing nearly every down and I expect he'll do so again today. Ryan Clark has pectoral and ankle injuries and struggles to tackle but is listed probable. I'd avoid him for the rest of the season, even when Washington is playing at home.
Sharrif Floyd has been playing effectively through a shoulder injury and was able to fully practice Friday. It's a great matchup for him today. You might also consider Brian Robison if you're desperate for a play in sack-heavy scoring leagues.
LATE GAMES
Denver at New England
The Broncos benched Corey Nelson last week, choosing to use a dime package briefly before giving Nate Irving more snaps in the 2-4-5 later in the game. It's still not clear if the Broncos have settled on a stable nickel look, so be careful before trusting Irving against the Patriots.
Last week, New England rotated Dont'a Hightower inside and outside, but he and Rob Ninkovich were the lone every-down linebackers. That's likely to continue today and if Denver uses a lot of multi-wide receiver sets, he could see most of his time as a pass rusher today. Deontae Skinner played inside on some of those snaps. It's difficult to handicap the snap count for Jamie Collins, who was taken off the field in some coverage situations last week. He's more risky than usual today. Dominique Easley is fighting soreness in his knee, but could get 40-50 snaps as a defensive end today and is worth considering in DT-required leagues.
Oakland at Seattle
Justin Tuck continues to be limited by a knee injury and will play only a minor role again today. Khalil Mack, Sio Moore and Miles Burris are efffectively playing every down, especially with Tuck limited. Brandion Ross was the full time safety next to Charles Woodson last week. The linebackers are all solid fantasy options today, though Seattle's stat crew leans heavily toward assist-assist plays rather than solos.
Seattle remains without Bobby Wagner and Malcolm Smith was unable to practice with a groin injury. The Seahawks plan to move K.J. Wright back outside, with Brock Coyle starting at middle linebacker. There's a good chance we'll see Kevin Pierre-Louis with Wright in nickel situations. Kam Chancellor now has a groin injury with his nagging ankle issue. With the unfavorable home stat crew and the poor matchup, use another option at safety today if you have one.
St. Louis at San Francisco
Aaron Donald is questionable after managing only a limited Friday practice this week. There's been little from the Rams about his condition. I tentatively expect him to play, but he's likely a game time decision. Janoris Jenkins did not practice this week and may not play but the Rams expect to get Trumaine Johnson back for the first time this year.
Reports have Patrick Willis unsure about his status today, but leaning optimistic. If you've got a hedge to use should he be inactive, go ahead and risk him in your lineup today. If he sits, Chris Borland gets another shot at impressing the coaches in an every-down role.
SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Baltimore at Pittsburgh
Jimmy Smith is out with a midfoot sprain. Expect the Steelers to pick on Dominique Franks, who is a high variance, high upside start in CB-required leagues. The Ravens are otherwise healthy. Matt Elam played every down after Smith left last week, and I expect all four safeties to see more playing time, with Terrence Brooks possibly seeing time in the slot again.
Ryan Shazier and Vince Williams rotated last week in Shazier's first game back from injury. Mike Tomlin suggested Shazier was on a snap count but that Williams (and Sean Spence) had earned more playing time. It's difficult to reconcile those statements, as I think Shazier and Lawrence Timmons will play every down today. Keep an eye on the rotation just in case, but I'm comfortable with Timmons and Shazier as LB3++ plays tonight.
MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Indianapolis at New York Giants
Arthur Jones is out again with his high ankle sprain, as is Erik Walden with a quad strain. Walden's injury will stress the pass rush and blitz packages the Colts have been using. We could see more rush opportunities for D'Qwell Jackson tomorrow. Victor Butler could see the bulk of Walden's snaps in rotation. Vontae Davis is good to go.
There are hints we may see Devon Kennard take some snaps at middle linebacker in some situations soon. It's possible the Giants took a long look at flipping Kennard and Jameel McClain during the bye week. For now, Jameel McClain is expected to remain inside, but I'll watch this one closely tomorrow. Cullen Jenkins is out. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is questionable and unlikely to see his usual number of snaps. Jason Pierre-Paul was added to the injury report on Saturday with a shoulder problem, but is expected to play.
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.
