Busted, Bruised & Broken, Week 15

By David Kaye, Fantasy Football Insiders

AFC Injury Report
Miami Dolphins Pro Bowl defensive end Jason Taylor (ankle) is probable for Sunday’s game against the Ravens.

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Marcus Stroud (sprained right ankle) is questionable for Sunday’s showdown at Pittsburgh. Stroud has been inactive for four games this season.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison (knee) is questionable for this weekend’s contest at Oakland. Harrison has not played since the Colts’ week seven victory over the Jaguars.

Running back Kenton Keith (sprained thumb) is probable for Sunday’s game, while safety Antoine Bethea (sprained knee) is questionable.

Houston Texans running back Ron Dayne (ankle) is questionable for Saturday night’s game against the Broncos.

Running back Ahman Green (knee) has been placed on injured reserve and will miss the remainder of the season. Green, who signed a four-year, $23 million contract with the Texans in the off season, has been a complete disappointment for a franchise that has consistently lacked a stabilizing force in the backfield.

San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (left knee) is probable for this weekend’s game against the struggling Lions, while defensive stalwart Shawne Merriman (left knee) is probable.

Fullback Lorenzo Neal (broken right fibula) was carted off the field during Sunday’s win over Tennessee and his status for this week’s game is still uncertain.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez (sprained ankle) is questionable for Sunday‘s game against the Titans.

NFC Injury Report
Philadelphia Eagles tight end L. J. Smith (knee) is questionable for this weekend‘s game divisional match-up against the 11-2 Cowboys.

Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell (dislocated left patella) will be out indefinitely after suffering the debilitating injury during last Thursday’s victory over the woeful Bears.

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Erasmus James (ACL) has been placed on injured reserve and will miss the remainder of the season.

Chicago Bears quarterback Rex Grossman (sprained left MCL) is expected to miss the remainder of the season, but will not need surgery on his injured left knee.

Buccaneers quarterback Jeff Garcia (back contusion) has missed the previous two games, but it does look likely that he’ll receive the starting nod this week.

Wide receiver Ike Hilliard (back) is questionable for Sunday’s game against Atlanta.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner (elbow, ribs, knee) is probable for Sunday’s game at New Orleans.

San Francisco 49’ers quarterback Trent Dilfer (concussion) is questionable for this weekend’s game against the Bengals.

Saturday Evening Update

Fantasy Football Insiders

Marvin Harrison will be out for the eighth time in nine games when Indianapolis plays the Ravens on Sunday.

Reggie Bush had been listed as questionable after an MRI this week indicated a partially torn left knee ligament. While confirming he is out for tomorrow’s game, the team Saturday did not comment about Bush's prospects for the rest of the season. With Bush out, Jamaal Branch, Aaron Stecker and rookie Pierre Thomas will be the running back. Thomas returned to practice Friday following a kidney bruise.

Ram QB Marc Bulger (concussion) suffered a setback in his recovery from a concussion, meaning it's possible that third-string QB Brock Berlin could start on Sunday against Cincinnati, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Coach Scott Linehan said that the decision on a starter is likely to be made late Saturday. Bulger passed a neurological exam Tuesday and was cleared to practice, which he did with no apparent problems on Wednesday and Thursday, but he began feeling poorly during meetings Thursday afternoon, Linehan said. Bulger took had limited practice time on Friday. Backup Gus Ferotte (shoulder) is out at least this week, so Berlin, who has never attempted a pass in a regular-season game, might end up starting. The team also signed 35-year-old veteran Todd Bouman as a backup. It does not look good for Bulger, which is horrible news for the Ram WRs.

Cardinal WR Anquan Boldin (dislocated toe) and WR Larry Fitzgerald (groin) are both looking like game-time decisions on Sunday, the Arizona Republic reports. Fitzgerald ran some routes in practice Friday but Boldin sat out for the third straight day. Boldin said he has never played without practicing, but he said he would play on Sunday if a special shoe insert can minimize the pain in his toe. If he can’t play, WR Bryant Johnson would start. If Fitzgerald can't play, either Johnson or backups Sean Morey and Jerheme Urban (heel) would be forced to start.

Jet WR Laveranues Coles (ankle) was limited in practice again Friday and is questionable for Sunday and could come down to a game-time decision, the Bergen Record reports. WR Jerricho Cotchery (finger) missed practice again Friday and is doubtful to play. WR Brad Smith (back) and WR Justin McCarins would both see increased action with Cotchery out. As for Coles, his past history and the fact that he practiced earlier in the week should indicate that he will play.

Steeler WR Santonio Holmes (ankle) practiced fully again Friday and is not on the official injury report, so he is expected to return to the starting lineup on Sunday unless he has a setback, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. If not, Nate Washington would start again.

Dolphin RB Jesse Chatman (ankle) took limited practice Friday, giving him a chance to play, and is questionable for Sunday’s game. He’s expected to be a game time decision. RB Sam Gado worked with the first team Thursday and would start if Chatman can't play, the Miami Herald reports, and rookie Lorenzo Booker would likely see action in passing situations. RB Patrick Cobbs could also get some carries if Chatman is out.

Packer QB Brett Favre (elbow/shoulder) "threw the ball well (Friday)" in practice, according to coach Mike McCarthy, and will start as planned against Oakland. He’s listed as probable. Backup Aaron Rodgers (hamstring) could miss 1-2 weeks, and the team re-signed QB Craig Nall last week to handle the #2 role.

Buc QB Jeff Garcia (back) did not participate in Friday's practice as a precaution but is getting better and still has a chance to play on Sunday, coach Jon Gruden said. It is likely to come down to a game-time decision and Garcia is listed as questionable. Luke McCown would get another start if Garcia can't play. Garcia, for what it’s worth, says he’s ready to go.