Fantasy Football Injury News and Player Notes 11-28-12
                           

Quarterbacks

*-San Francisco named Colin Kaepernick as their starting QB for week 13. Alex Smith will be the backup. It will be interesting to see if the 49ers are willing to stay with Kaepernick after he has his first bad game but for now, Smith is nothing more than the mediocre handcuff to Kaepernick.

*-Ben Roethlisberger practiced in limited fashion today, but how much he actually practiced is unknown. Battling to recover from a shoulder and serious ribs injury, Roethlisberger will need to get thru practices all this week for him to be even be Questionable and considered a game time decision. I wouldn't bet against Big Ben starting this week, but the odds say Charlie Batch will likely be the guy.

*-Michael Vick was unable to practice today and appears very unlikely to return from his concussion this week. Even if cleared, there's a good chance he wouldn't start this week anyway.

*-Brandon Weeden has been cleared to practice despite suffering a concussion week 12. Barring any setbacks between now and Sunday he should be able to start for Cleveland. 


Running Backs

*-Matt Forte was able to put in a limited practice today and reports say he looked okay. He may end up being listed as Questionable for week 13, but barring any setbacks on his ankle he should be okay to start.

*-Mikel Leshoure was held out of practice today with an ankle injury. It's unknown how severe it is or whether this was just a precautionary day of rest. We should know more tomorrow but if Leshoure were to be unable to play this week expect a lot of Joique Bell with Kevin Smith also being in the mix.

*-Darren McFadden was able to put in a limited practice today. This is a step in the right direction for him being active this week but he needs to continue putting in practices before I'd trust him to suit up this week for sure. His backup, Mike Goodson also was able to put in a limited practice and could be available this week as well.

*-DeMarco Murray put in a limited practice today and like with McFadden, will need to do it more than once before I'm ready to trust him as a fantasy option this week. Murray's backup, Felix Jones, was held out of practice because of knee soreness.

*-Sounds like Mike Tomlin is serious about Jonathan Dwyer being his primary RB going forward. While there's always uncertainty with a situation like this, Dwyer is expected to be the lead RB for the Steelers going forward.

*-Jonathan Stewart didn't practice today and his status for week 13 is sounding unlikely because of his ankle injury. DeAngelo Williams would be the shaky starter if Stewart can't play.

*-No practice for LeSean McCoy today and he is not expected to play this week as he is still having issues stemming from his week 11 concussion. Expect Bryce Brown to be the featured RB for the Eagles again week 13.

*-Beanie Wells was limited in practice because of a knee issue but he's fully expected to be fine for week 13.

*-While Rashad Jennings is going to likely start this week for Jacksonville, the Jags say they will run a committee approach. I know Jennings has been pedestrian at best, but it's doubtful they're going to get much out of Montell Owens and Jordan Todman. Even with the great matchup this week against Buffalo, Jennings makes a risky fantasy play.

*-Ben Tate practiced in full today and barring any setbacks during the week he should be able to finally return as Arian Foster's top backup week 13. That pushes Justin Forsett back into obscurity.


Wide Receivers

*-Danny Amendola didn't practice today because of his foot injury. It's believed the Rams are just being very careful with him. Amendola did play week 12 despite not practicing at all last week and could very easily do so again this week.

*-Percy Harvin practiced in limited fashion today. It's the first time Harvin has been on the practice field in a while and while this is a step in the right direction for him, it's not a guarantee he'll be able to play this week. Right now, consider Harvin questionable and a high risk fantasy consideration week 13.

*-Miles Austin practiced in limited fashion today and this is a good sign that he'll be able to play this week thru a hip injury suffered Thanksgiving. But considering his up and down performances, I'd like to see him be a full participant before trusting him a fantasy consideration this week despite a great matchup.

*-Greg Jennings practiced in full today and is fully on track to return and play week 13 for the Packers. His return shouldn't hurt the fantasy values of Jordy Nelson or Randall Cobb much, but it could really put a crimp in James Jones'.

*-Titus Young returned to the Lions today. His status for week 13 is in question after he was held out week 12 as a disciplinary action by the team, but at least it appears the two sides are moving forward. At best, he'd be the Lions #3 WR this week, if he's even active.

*-Andrew Hawkins was able to practice for the Bengals today in limited fashion for the first time since injuring his knee a couple of weeks ago. But with the emergence of Mohamed Sanu as a near legitimate weapon opposite A.J. Green, it's unclear if Hawkins will be able to reclaim any fantasy value as a playmaking #3 WR.

*-Jason Avant practiced in full for the Eagles and appears to be ready to return from his hamstring injury. With DeSean Jackson out Avant or Damaris Johnson will start opposite Jeremy Maclin.

*-Julian Edelman was cleared for practices and got in a limited session today. While it's a positive sign for his potential availability week 13, it's still unknown if he's been cleared to return to game action or not. Edelman suffered a concussion Thanksgiving night.

*-Dexter McCluster was unable to practice today. It's believed McCluster has a concussion and he stands a good chance of being inactive this week.

*-Amongst WR's who were either limited or did not practice today but are fully expected to be fine for week 13, the list includes Detroit's Calvin Johnson (thumb), Houston's Andre Johnson (groin), Baltimore's Torrey Smith (thigh), the Patriots Wes Welker (ankle) and Brandon Lloyd (knee), the Jets Jeremy Kerley (heel/hamstring), Arizona's Andre Roberts (ankle), Buffalo's Donald Jones (calf), and Denver's Brandon Stokley (wrist/hip)


Tight Ends

*-Aaron Hernandez was limited in practice but is fully expected to be okay to start this week. He's still recovering from his ankle injury but played thru it last week and will do so again this week.

*-Kyle Rudolph reportedly has been cleared to return from his concussion, but he was held out of practice today because of a shoulder injury. Didn't know anything about the shoulder until today and would have to consider Rudolph questionable for week 13 right now. Hopefully, we know more tomorrow.

*-Owen Daniels was limited in practice with a back issue but he is fully expected to be fine for week 13.

*-Kellen Davis missed practice because of an ankle injury. It's unknown if it is serious enough to put his week 13 status in doubt or not, but Davis shouldn't be the TE that makes or breaks your fantasy starting lineup. If he is, you are likely in trouble. 


Kickers

*-David Akers is considered questionable for week 13 because of an undisclosed injury. The 49ers brought in a couple of kickers Tuesday and there's a chance Akers could miss this week. Given his poor performance so far this season (19-27 on FGA's) you may want to consider replacing Akers with an available kicker on your free agent wire.