Here are some guys that are hurting or sitting —
Pierre Thomas: He had a setback with his left ankle, which is the one that kept him out much of the season. After last week it looked like PT was back on track, but it’s time to put him back on the rack. He’s officially listed as questionable, but I wouldn’t use him even if he plays. If he is out on Sunday this really gives Chris Ivory a boost who has been practicing all week.
Matt Forte: The odds are against the Bears having anything to play for by the time they face the Packers and even though Lovie Smith is saying the starters will play, many of the backups are getting work in practice. Unless the Falcons and Saints lose at 1pm, I wouldn’t feel comfortable starting any Bears.
Tom Brady: He should play most of the game. If they get up big they’ll sit starters, but getting up big means fantasy points.
Matthew Hasselbeck: They are in a must win game so it looks like he will at least try to play. If he can go the whole game it does help Mike Williams and Ben Obomanu.
Malcom Floyd: He practiced in full on Friday and looks healthy enough to go. He is a free agent after the season so will want to finish as strongly as possible. He is at risk to tweak something so be careful, but he does have some upside.
Knowshon Moreno: He is listed as questionable and it’s hard to know exactly where he is health wise, so it wouldn’t be wise to put much trust in him.
Deion Branch: He is listed as questionable so there is a good chance he will be limited or sit to rest up for the playoffs. Taylor Price would probably take his place, but would be too risky to play this season. Price is someone to keep your eye on in dynasty though.
Marques Colston: He had his knee scoped and is listed as questionable. If the Saints were in a win or stay home game, I could see him going, but it looks like he will sit out. If he does, Robert Meachem and Lance Moore would see an uptick in looks.
Andre Johnson: He is going to have ankle surgery and is out this week. Jacoby Jones played well with AJ out last week so I would give him another shot this week.
Darren McFadden: Turf toe has been the demise of many a running back and it looks like Run DMC has caught the horrible affliction. He looks like he will play, but expect Michael Bush to get a bump in carries. I would steer clear unless you are desperate.
Ryan Fitzpatrick: After a nice stretch Fitz has fallen back down to earth and now hasn’t practiced at all this week. Brian Brohm would get the start if Fitzy doesn’t go.
David Garrard: He is done for with a bum finger and Trent Edwards will get the start. This isn’t good news for the wide receivers. I do think Rashad Jennings, yes, that jackhole, should see plenty of check downs from the check down king.
Michael Vick: Kevin Kolb will get the start to give Vick a rest from getting sacked repeatedly. Kolb is good enough to put up decent numbers against the Cowboys poor pass defense even with many of the starters relaxing on the sidelines. Really, if you are contemplating starting an Eagle 1st teamer, don’t.
Desean Jackson: He is listed as questionable and most likely won’t play with Jason Avant taking his spot. Avant makes a decent flex option this week.
Maurice Jones Drew: He is out and will most likely have knee surgery. Rashad Jennings gets another shot to redeem himself.
Mark Sanchez: He’s hurting with a bum shoulder and can’t be counted on this week, which makes the Jets receivers fairly unusable. Who knows what the Jets will do as far as resting their players. I would be careful starting any of them.
Aaron Hernandez: He didn’t practice on Friday and it looks like he will sit. The Patriots will play their starters for the most part because that’s what they do, so Rob Gronkowski becomes a nice start once again.
Calvin Johnson: He hasn’t practiced and is questionable. It will probably come down to how he feels in warmups. If he does go, it would be hard not to give him a shot and if he doesn’t go, I like Nate Burleson.
Peyton Hillis: He didn’t practice this week and if he does play he gets the Steelers tough run defense.
David Buehler: The Cowboys signed Kris Brown to beat up David Buehler. Who knows for sure how this breaks down this week so I would just stay away from Buehler.
LaDainian Tomlinson: It looks like he might sit out this week and be replaced by Joe McKnight. Rex Ryan says McKnight will get a lot of work. The Bills pretty much suck at stopping the run so he could possibly do something. He’s very risky, but you might be into that kind of thing.
