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David Wilson and Doug Martin were -- as expected -- placed on injured reserve this week. This morning, it's being reported that Arian Foster -- as I feared on Friday as more concerning news continued to leak on his back injury -- will need surgery and be placed on injured reserve shortly. I'll have more on the long term prospects for all three backs in tomorrow's injury rounds.
NOTE: This column is a living document and will 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.
dez bryant | back | probable
There were conflicting reports on Bryant's back condition this week. After midweek reports raised a concern about a possible herniated disc, the Cowboys and multiple local sources reported that Bryant had a negative MRI and was dealing with spasms only. The number of episodes of spasms over the past two seasons makes me wonder whether or not the team's denial is accurate. But Dez has been adamant that he'll play this week and is listed probable.
Fantasy recommendation: Spasms have rarely limited him on gameday, but this is a fickle injury. And unfortunately, Dallas doesn't play until tonight. I believe he's safe to play and the matchup is well worth the risk, but I'd get a hedge on the roster just in case he stiffens up during warmups.
1015 ET: Ed Werder reports this morning that Bryant had an epidural injection this week. That confirms to me that Bryant is dealing with more than back spasms. Epidural injections are a frequent treatment for disc-related issues or nerve-related symptoms due to bone spurs, etc. When successful, they relieve symptoms and allow players to play effectively. But they don't resolve the underlying issue and can't be repeated frequently or often. Bottom line: Most indications are that Bryant is good to go tonight, but the next weeks and months are less predictable. Much more on Bryant in tomorrow's injury rounds.
jimmy graham | foot / elbow | questionable
The elbow is likely a non-issue for Graham. There are still good reasons to be concerned about his foot condition, but Graham has proven over the past two weeks that he'll be able to play effectively through the pain. He was back at practice after taking Wednesday off and there were no locker room concerns of a setback.
Fantasy recommendation: Graham should be in your lineup today.
roddy white | hamstring / ankle | questionable
White says he's ready to play. I'm much more confident he'll be active this week than last after a full week of limited practices. However, no one in the Atlanta locker room, including White, seems confident that he's ready to make a major contribution. He's also still at risk of an aggravation of his hamstring strain and we've already seen the Falcons start White but dramatically limit his route tree. Add that to a very tough matchup against Richard Sherman and the Seattle secondary and it's a recipe for statistical disaster.
Fantasy recommendation: Sit White and hope he proves that he's ready to rejoin your lineup in Week 11 fully healthy.
ben tate | ribs | probable
Tate look limited at times during his 22 carries last week. But he did not appear to suffer an obvious setback against Indianapolis. Now three weeks removed from the hit that damaged four of his ribs, Tate will still be sore but should be improved enough to have more confidence running the ball. There will continue to be a risk that another direct hit could cost him snaps and series of play, but the combination of time, painkillers and kevlar should allow him to be productive this week. And the loss of Foster means he'll play unless he suffers an in-game setback.
Fantasy recommendation: Tate should be considered a RB2+ today.
victor cruz | neck | probable
Tuesday's report that the Giants were backing off Cruz' practice participation concerned me that there may be lingering symptoms of the stinger that had limited Cruz last week. But his practice participation through Friday strongly suggests that the team was being cautious and making sure Cruz had full strength and range of motion in his neck. His full Friday practice and probable designation is a strong sign he's ready to go.
Fantasy recommendation: There's a little risk with Cruz today, but he should be safe to use as you normally would.
marques colston | knee | questionable
There has been very little reported about Colston over the past two weeks. We don't know any specifics on his knee injury, why he was unable to play last week or how confident he is after three limited practices. I believe, based on his appearance at practice on Friday, that Colston will be active tonight. And the matchup against the Dallas secondary is enticing. But there's no guarantee Colston is active, will take his usual snaps or show any more effectiveness gaining separation than he did in the weeks before the flare.
Fantasy recommendation: Consider Colston a desperation WR3 this week. If you think he's a better risk than I do, have a hedge around in case he's again inactive.
julius thomas | ankle | probable
Thomas told our Cecil Lammey that he considers himself a game-time decision. But there's reason for more confidence than that. Reports through the bye week were positive that his MRI showed only a low grade low ankle sprain. His practice participation this week -- limited, limited, full -- is reassuring. And there were no reports of a setback on Friday. I expect Thomas to play today.
Fantasy recommendation: The Broncos are flush with offensive weapons and there's a small risk of an in-game setback. Thomas is a boom-bust TE1 play.
trent richardson | ankle | questionable
The Colts were tight-lipped about Richardson's injury this week, but a full Friday practice and a full post-practice locker room interview means Richardson is a near-lock to be active and start today. But that doesn't mean he's healthy enough to be productive. Richardson has struggled since joining the Colts and the St. Louis front has played well against the run at times.
Fantasy recommendation: Richardson is at risk of ineffectiveness, shared carries or an in-game aggravation. He's no more than a boom-bust RB2 / flex option today.
jay cutler | groin | probable
Cutler fully practiced Thursday and Friday and had no increased soreness after returning to football-related activity on back-to-back days. Cutler soundly beat the conservative return to play estimates, so there's some reason for concern here. However, Cutler is a pocket passer and doesn't need to be as mobile as a skill position player or defender. He's at higher risk of inaccuracy after his weeks off than he is of sustaining an in-game setback.
Fantasy recommendation: Cutler is trustworthy in 2 QB leagues only in his first week back.
gio bernard | ribs | questionable
jermaine gresham | groin | questionable
The Bengals rarely release specific information on their injured players. But their injury report code is generally straightforward. If you practice on Friday, you have a strong chance to play and are often trusted to assume your usual workload. If you don't practice on Friday, it's very likely you'll be inactive on Sunday. That means that Bernard, who was limited all week and confidently assumed by team sources to be okay early in the week, will play his usual committee role. It also means that there's very little chance Gresham, who didn't practice Thursday or Friday, will be active today.
Fantasy recommendation: Use Bernard as you normally would, barring a surprise report during pregame warmups.
Best of luck in your fantasy games this weekend. I'll be back on Monday morning to review all the Week 10 injuries in the Injury Rounds column. Follow me on Twitter @JeneBramel for breaking news and analysis during the games today.
