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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.
There are not many game time decisions today. The two most concerning situations earlier this week included Arian Foster (who won't play today) and Brandon Marshall (who practiced on both Thursday and Friday and looks ready to overcome his Gumby-like ankle injury mechanism). Also, though he's listed questionable, I don't expect Reggie Bush to be active today.
Today's primary injury questions involve a long list of running backs who have recovered from injury but whose workload is unknown. Still, I'll start today's expectation list with Marshall.
brandon marshall | ankle | probable
Marshall's injury mechanism was ugly last week. This is not a low ankle sprain, but Marshall's practice participation on Thursday and Friday argues strongly that his injury is low grade, whether it be a high ankle sprain or contusion. Marshall has been adamant all week he'll play through the injury and the practice participation and probable tag are more reassuring than any other week he's been on the injury report this year.
Fantasy expectation: There's a risk of an in-game aggravation and a lower than usual floor here, but Marshall should be safe to use as a WR2 with upside today.
injury concern minimal | workload is the question
These five running backs are all healthy enough to take full workloads. As we go further down the list, the concern heightens and the fantasy expectation becomes more about projecting the game script than any other factor.
marshawn lynch | calf | questionable
Lynch is listed questionable, which naturally breeds some worry as Lynch has been a very late scratch due to injury (though usually back spasms) in the past. Pete Carroll said Lynch was banged up but going to play after a solid Friday practice.
Fantasy expectation: I don't see any reason for concern with Lynch, but the early afternoon start gives you a chance to watch pregame warmups for more details. For now, there's no reason not to use Lynch as you normally would.
mark ingram | shoulder | probable
Ingram has been limited in practice for three weeks now but the Saints have yet to limit his workload during games with this injury. With Pierre Thomas and Khiry Robinson still out and Ingram listed probable after practicing Friday, there's little concern for Ingram this week.
Fantasy expectation: The home matchup against a beat up and struggling Cincinnati front is very favorable. Ingram should be in your lineup today.
ryan mathews | knee | probable
Mathews is one of the two toughest calls on the board today, particularly for those crafting daily fantasy lineups. The game script should be very strong for Mathews -- home against the Raiders, two recent weeks of struggle for Branden Oliver -- but there's no guarantee Mathews will be deemed healthy enough by the coaching staff to see a 80-20 base offensive snap split or stay in the game for the all-important grind down the clock carries should the Chargers get ahead. The good news is Mathews has had multiple weeks of reconditioning work and a full week of practice and prep this week. Re-injury and conditioning should be a minor concern only today.
Fantasy expectation: If you believe Mathews will get 20+ touches today and will not be eased back in any way, he's arguably a RB1 today. There's a RB2- floor here if he rotates early, then rests should the Chargers get a big lead.
rashad jennings | knee | probable
Like Mathews, Jennings has had multiple weeks of reconditioning and a full week of practice. Like Mathews, Jennings' coach has hedged a bit when asked if his running back was ready for his pre-injury workload. Like Mathews, Jennings has a home matchup with a potentially positive game script.
Fantasy expectation: I think Jennings is ready for 20 touches. Whether he'll get them will entirely depend on how his first series and carries go. I'd tentatively handicap him as a high end RB2 with some upside.
montee ball | groin | probable
Unlike Fred Jackson, who pushed through a limited week of practice to return at the absolute limit of optimism, Ball took two weeks to recondition and had a full week of practice this week. So, there's only minimal concern for an aggravation or conditioning issue today. Ball's upside is limited by the presence of C.J. Anderson, however, and the usual threat of a pass-heavy game plan.
Fantasy expectation: There are too many variables to trust Ball as more than a flex play today.
delanie walker | concussion | questionable
Walker was back to a limited practice on Saturday and Ken Whisenhunt told reporters he'd have to pass one more test to play Monday night. That test is likely an examination by an independent neurologist. If the Titans feel good enough about Walker's status to send him to the independent neurologist, it's likely Walker will be cleared to play. However, Whisenhunt wasn't specific about the test needed and Walker does not play until Monday night. So, barring a Sunday AM update, Walker status is still unknown.
Fantasy expectation: If you can hedge Walker with Heath Miller, he's safe to leave in your lineup. If you have no other options, I think there's a 75% chance Walker plays Monday night. But only leave him in your lineup if you're comfortable with the risk of a zero.
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.