Fantasy Football Player News and Injury Notes 11-15-12


Bye weeks: Minnesota, NY Giants, Seattle, Tennessee


Quarterbacks

*-The Eagles continue to refuse to officially rule Michael Vick OUT for week 11 despite it being a given that he is not going to play because of his concussion. Expect Nick Foles to start in his place.

*-Jay Cutler didn't practice today because of his concussion and he is not expected to start Monday night. There's a chance he does, but I'm not counting on it and tentatively expect Jason Campbell to be the Bears starting QB for this one game.

*-Alex Smith was limited in practice today and while he hasn't been officially cleared for game action after suffering a concussion week 10, it's certainly looking like he will be able to start for the 49ers Monday night.


Running Backs

*-Ryan Mathews didn't practice again today because of a neck injury. This makes two days in a row Mathews has missed and unless he can return to at least a limited practice tomorrow, I'd be dubious about him being in a starting fantasy lineup this week.

*-Rashard Mendenhall practiced in full again today and he is expected to start week 11 for the Steelers. Expect Mendenhall to be the primary RB this week and for Isaac Redman and Jonathan Dwyer to have reduced roles. As long as Mendenhall holds up in practice again tomorrow, he can be considered as a RB2 or 3 this week with a strong matchup against a suspect Ravens run defense.

*-Darren Sproles practiced again today and is on pace to be able to play this week. How the carries will be split up between Sproles, Pierre Thomas, Mark Ingram, and Chris Ivory is completely unknown. It's likely one of them will be inactive but again, best guess as to which one.

*-Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson both missed practice again today. They're not going to play this week.

*-After practicing in full yesterday, Donald Brown was held out today. No telling if this was just rest, or if he suffered any type of setback in his knee. I expect it was rest as he practiced in full yesterday.

*-Michael Turner was limited again today with a groin issue, but it's still believed to be minor and nothing that will prevent him from starting week 11.


Wide Receivers

*-Pierre Garcon made it thru another limited practice today and it's starting to look like he will try to play this week for the first time in weeks because of his foot injury. Be careful trusting him to make it thru an entire game though.

*-Julio Jones was again held out of practice today, but I am still pretty sure he is going to play this week despite an ankle injury. Even if he's just out there as a decoy.

*-Darrius Heyward-Bey didn't practice today. DHB was unable to finish yesterday's practice because of a hamstring issue and this is not a good sign. Be sure to check the team by team news and notes I post on Saturday's in my blog for an update on whether he will be able to play this week or not.

*-Chicago's Alshon Jeffery return to a limited practice today and there's a chance he may be able to play Monday night. But since it's not a sure thing, I would think it wisest to leave him on the bench this week. Between that, the poor matchup, and the fact the Bears don't play until Monday night make it easy to make Jeffery prove he's fully recovered from his hand injury before putting him in a starting lineup.

*-Amongst WR's who were either limited or held out of practice today but are fully expected still to be fine for week 11, these include Green Bay's Jordy Nelson, Kansas City's Dwayne Bowe, Detroit's Calvin Johnson and Titus Young, Baltimore's Torrey Smith, and New England's Wes Welker and Brandon Lloyd.


Tight Ends

*-Both Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez were limited in practice today. As long as both are able to practice some again tomorrow, I'd say both are definitely going to play this week.

*-Tony Gonzalez's shoulder injury that made him limited yesterday is minor as he put in a full practice today. Start Gonzo as you normally would.

*-Owen Daniels was limited again today in practice with his back/hip injury. It's looking like he'll be fine to consider this weekend.