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.
pEyton manning | ankle | probable
Manning will be limited by a high ankle sprain tonight. It is an injury Manning has been dealing with for weeks and it's yet to significantly impact his play. There's a little more reason for concern today, however. Last week's aggravation may make it more difficult for him to move in the pocket and drive the ball downfield. That's a bigger issue given the elite Kansas City pass rush. If the Chiefs successfully compress the field, Manning's numbers will suffer.
Fantasy recommendation: I won't recommend benching Manning today, but his ceiling-floor is much lower than usual today. Consider him a mid-QB1.
roddy white | shoulder | probable
White looked close to full strength last week. His ankle and hamstring injuries are no longer listed on the injury report. And he practiced fully on Friday, something he said would be a strong indication he would be a major part of the team's game plan. There will be a risk of an in-game setback, but I think White is ready to get as many targets as the game flow can give him.
Fantasy recommendation: White is a higher variance play, but I believe he is a trustworthy WR2 today.
jimmy graham | foot / elbow | probable
Last week's low snap count is a concern, but it's a known issue. Graham continues to cash in enough opportunities on the weeks where the Saints limit his snaps. I continue to believe that Graham's foot makes him snap-to-snap and series-to-series, but he continues to move well when he's out there. The Niners back seven will present a tougher challenge today. So there's more than the usual amount of variance given the unknown snap count.
Fantasy recommendation: Start Graham as you normally would. The gap is narrower today, but the reward continues to be higher than the risk.
percy harvin | hip | probable
Ian Rapoport is on record that Harvin will see only 10-15 snaps today. That feels like a floor expectation to me, though I wouldn't expect the ceiling to be much higher than 20-25 snaps. Harvin progressed through the final stages of rehab and return to practice over the past two weeks without issue and will have two weeks to recover from any soreness today. While he's likely to be used in high leverage situations, his limited snap count will affect his upside much more than it has Jimmy Graham. Put him in the C.J. Spiller area of that continuum.
Fantasy recommendation: Harvin is a boom-bust flex play.
vernon davis | questionable | concussion
As of Friday afternoon, all indications were that Davis will be cleared to play today. He was cleared for a contact drill on Friday and allowed to talk to the media. Both are strongly positive signs. There were no reports that Davis was not on the team flight to New Orleans and multiple reports this morning say the Niners are expecting Davis to play. To me, that means he's been cleared by an independent neurologist and will dress unless he had symptoms after the team flight.
Fantasy recommendation: Keep Davis in your lineup. If you're nervous about the small chance he'll be downgraded today, get a late game hedge ready.
tony gonzalez | toe | questionable
Gonzalez is a game time decision after a very limited week of practice. We'll know by 1130 ET whether he's active. If he is active, the Buccaneers present a tougher matchup than you might think. Gonzalez is likely to be used only in critical down and distance situations and in the redzone. Bracket coverage with a mix of Lavonte David, Mark Barron and DaShon Goldson is possible and likely to be effective.
Fantasy recommendation: Look for other options even if Gonzalez is active.
shane vereen | wrist | PUP
The Patriots have until Monday to activate Vereen and, as of this morning, are expected to do so. Vereen should be in fine cardiovascular condition and has not had any re-conditioning injuries in practice. Whether he's fully in shape for contact isn't fully known. Neither is whether the Patriots will ease him back into action or limit his reps by game plan.
Fantasy recommendation: Consider Vereen a viable flex play, with anything from 5-20 touches possible.
Best of luck in your fantasy games this weekend. I'll be back on Monday morning to review all the Week 11 injuries in the Injury Rounds column. Follow me on Twitter @JeneBramel for breaking news and analysis during the games today.
