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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 me at (@JeneBramel) and checking my timeline on Twitter on Sunday mornings.
I'll have more on the status of Latavius Murray and what his DNP on Friday may mean for his availability next week in tomorrow's Injury Rounds feature. Jordan Cameron has been ruled out despite a week of limited practice and it's very unlikely Charles Clay will be active on Monday night.
Odell Beckham (back - probable), Ryan Mathews (shoulder - probable), Shane Vereen (ankle - questionable) and Austin Seferian-Jenkins (back - questionable) all are expected to play today. I don't think there's any risk in using Beckham or Mathews as you normally would today. Vereen is subject to the whims of Bill Belichick's game plan and the game flow against Green Bay.
1130 ET: Austin Seferian-Jenkins is inactive.
Here are today's most critical injury situations and game time decisions.
arian foster | groin | probable
It's smart to be cautious when a player with a known history of aggravating muscle strains is returning to play with just one week of practice. It's a setup for another aggravation and coaches often limit the workload of these players. Earlier this season, Foster returned after missing a week with a hamstring strain and didn't look himself against Buffalo. That had me concerned for how Foster would look the following week despite consecutive limited practices and Foster's proclamations that he was near full strength.
Foster proved he was full strength and more, kicking off a four game run where he handled nearly 25 touches every week with four consecutive 100-yard rushing efforts and eight total touchdowns.
Though Foster has yet to return to live action, there's been only optimism from Houston this week. Foster had three consecutive limited practices, proclaimed himself healthy, and was said to look very good in practice all week. He's listed probable. There are reasons for concern today, but there are many signs Foster is much closer to the player who handled 25 touches for 170 yards and two touchdowns in Week 5 than the player who managed just 61 yards on 15 touches in Week 4.
Fantasy expectation: This is an instance where the upside involved well outweighs the risk. I'd use Foster in all fantasy situations today.
julius thomas | ankle | questionable
Thomas was listed as limited in practice on Thursday and Friday but did little on both days. John Fox said Thomas looked much better this Friday than he did last, but that doesn't necessarily mean he's any closer to playing tonight. It's fair to wonder about the severity of Thomas' injury and whether he in fact had just a minor low ankle sprain.
Fantasy expectation: I'm hoping to get an update on Thomas' condition in the pregame shows this morning. For now, unfortunately, it's very difficult to wait until tonight and hope Thomas is active -- and effective. Unless you have a very strong hedge (read: Travis Kelce), Thomas shouldn't be in your lineup today.
larry fitzgerald | knee | questionable
The Cardinals listed Fitzgerald as limited on Friday. According to multiple observers who saw the portion of practice open to the media, Fitzgerald was in sweats without a helmet jogging and catching a few passes. That's much closer to a DNP than a full workout. Fitzgerald was avaiable to reporters after practice, telling them it's "not his call" after first saying he was "highly likely" to play. He also talked about whether he could play with a brace saying, "it's not restrictive too much at all. It's just a little cumbersome..."
Methinks he doth protest too much.
Saying the decision was "not his call" and describing the brace as "not restrictive too much" and "just a little cumbersome" screams, "I'm frustrated as hell and I really want to play, but I know I'm not quite there yet."
Fitzgerald may be active today, but he's a longshot to be effective if he plays and is very unlikely to see his usual number of targets.
Fantasy expectation: I'd avoid Fitzgerald if he's active today.
roddy white | ankle | questionable
Mike Smith said he expected White to be available today despite not practicing all week with an ankle injury. Unless you've recently traded for White, you know the truth. White has told reporters and fans multiple times over the past two seasons to not expect him to be active or play effectively if he's not able to practice by the end of the week.
Fantasy expectation: Today may prove the exception to the Roddy Rule, but if Roddy doesn't practice he doesn't go in your fantasy lineup.
jordan reed | hamsting | questionable
Reed is listed questionable but fully practiced on Friday and is expected to be active today. There's no guarantee he can get through this game without a setback, however, and it seems unlikely he'll see more than 4-6 targets today. He's a risky fantasy option.
Fantasy expectation: The mid and back end TE1 tiers have been very disappointing over the past 4-6 weeks, but you should consider Reed as a desperation play only today.
Best of luck in your fantasy games this weekend. I'll be back on Monday morning to review all the Week 12 injuries in the Injury Rounds column. Follow me on Twitter @JeneBramel for breaking news and analysis during the games today.
