NOTE: This column is a living document and may 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.
EARLY GAMES
Atlanta at New Orleans
William Moore was limited in practice on Thursday and Friday. The Falcons haven't updated his status, but he looks more likely to play than not. Kemal Ishmael will still see lots of snaps today. How much will depend on whether Moore is ready to start and play full time. With luck, we'll get a note from the Atlanta beat on what the lineup card has to say when inactives are released.
There's been more rotation in the linebacker group for New Orleans lately, as they've begun using a dime package without Curtis Lofton. Those snaps are rare and I wouldn't fear using Lofton today. Kenny Vaccaro was back in the lineup full time last week after a first quarter injury to replacement Marcus Bell. I think we'll see Vaccaro back playing every down today, but I wouldn't trust him.
Baltimore at Houston
The Ravens have no expected depth chart changes today. It's a good spot to use Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil as high upside plays if you're an underdog in a sack-heavy scoring system.
Mike Mohammed will not play with a concussion today. That will put both Akeem Dent and Brian Cushing on the field more, but I don't think I'd trust either of them. Whitney Mercilus should return from a back injury that held him out last week.
Cleveland at Carolina
Karlos Dansby is recovering slowly from his knee injury and there was talk this week the Browns could shut him down. He's listed questionable. Craig Robertson remains a safe LB3 option, but be aware the Carolina stat crew is among the most assist-heavy crews in the league. Tashaun Gipson was placed on injured reserve this week with the knee injury that has kept him out of action this month. Jim Leonhard continues to be a solid DB3+ in his absence. Joe Haden is a game time decision with a shoulder injury.
The Panthers are healthy. Charles Johnson is on the opposite side of the line from Joe Thomas and is safe to use as a matchup play today. Thomas Davis has been fighting a nagging knee issue, but fully practiced this week.
Detroit at Chicago
Tahir Whitehead had a very productive week last week, but is still not playing every down. He's a risk today. Jay Cutler was to blame for many of the sacks allowed in Chicago, but the matchup remains favorable for Ezekiel Ansah and Ndumakong Suh.
It will again be Christian Jones and Jon Bostic as the every-down linebackers for the Bears today. It's a strong matchup for them. Jay Ratliff is questionable but likely to play. With Chris Conte out, Brock Vereen will see more snaps again. Vereen has been a centerfielder, however, with Ryan Mundy in the box on most plays.
Green Bay at Tampa Bay
The Packers moved Clay Matthews back outside full time last week. Sam Barrington and A.J. Hawk are the base inside linebackers, with Brad Jones playing in the dime defense. Barrington has been seeing the most snaps, but he's a risk today with the Buccaneers likely playing from behind early.
Bradley McDouglad probably earned the starting safety job anyway, but he's a lock to play every down today with Major Wright out with a rib injury. Mason Foster put in three consecutive limited practices this week. If Foster returns, I think Danny Lansanah moves outside and remains an every-down player. His expectation may drop to the LB2/LB3 range if he isn't playing inside, but he'll still be worth starting. I'll have more if the lineup card suggests differently.
Kansas City at Pittsburgh
There should be no changes to the Kansas City depth chart today. It's a good matchup for Josh Mauga, who fully practiced through an oblique injury this week. I'd also trust Justin Houston on the road.
Troy Polamalu and Ike Taylor are doubtful. Will Allen is likely to replace Polamalu again. There is some indication the Steelers play Ryan Shazier at inside linebacker more this week, but he's still unlikely to be an every down player.
Minnesota at Miami
Anthony Barr will have surgery on his knee and is done for the season. Gerald Hodges remains a strong LB3 with upside. Robert Blanton managed only a limited Friday practice this week and is questionable. Andrew Sendejo looks likely to play again this week.
Cameron Wake gets Matt Kalil at home today. That's as good a matchup as it gets. Jelani Jenkins and Koa Misi are both expected back this week. Jenkins is listed questionable, Misi probable. I'll have any surprises here as the inactives are released.
New England at New York Jets
Chandler Jones played on nearly every subpackage down last week and was moved around the formation. There's been no official report he'll be back in the starting lineup this week, but even a situational snap count should give him a high floor today. Dont'a Hightower and Rob Ninkovich are still on the injury report but played last week and should do so again today.
The Jets are likely leaning toward sitting Muhammad Wilkerson for the rest of the season. He's listed questionable again, but Rex Ryan didn't sound optimistic this week. Consider Sheldon Richardson the only safe option, though both David Harris and Demario Davis are risk-reward plays due to the matchup and favorable stat crew.
LATE GAMES
Buffalo at Oakland
Da'Norris Searcy and Duke Williams are both listed probable. Williams did not put in a full practice after last week's concussion. It looks like he'll return, but there's been no official report he's been cleared. Mario Williams and Jerry Hughes have their best matchup in weeks. Both are safe to use in lineups today.
Ray-Ray Armstrong will start at weak side linebacker. He played nearly every down this week. If you're in a bind in a very deep, tackle-heavy league, Armstrong makes for a desperation LB3/4. He's not a great option in other scenarios. D.J. Hayden has been fighting a back injury this week and was added to the Thursday injury report. The Raiders have multiple corners likely to miss today's game, which makes Hayden a little more likely to go.
Indianapolis at Dallas
Vontae Davis is questionable with a groin injury but the Colts are otherwise healthy. I expect no depth chart changes today.
The Cowboys rotated three linebackers against the speed offense of Philadelphia last week. I think we'll see some rotation today, but both Rolando McClain and Anthony Hitchens should be closer to full time players.
New York Giants at St. Louis
The Giants have no expected depth chart changes today. It's not a favorable matchup for Jason Pierre-Paul or Damontre Moore, but it's good enough to continue with both in your lineup.
The Rams are healthy and have no expected depth chart changes.
SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Seattle at Arizona
The Seahawks are healthy. Though they are away from their rough home stat crew, it's very possible the Seahawks will limit the Arizona offense enough to greatly limit their own tackle opportunity. I wouldn't shy away from starting your Seattle IDPs as you normally would, but you'll likely need them to put up a big play to hit their ceiling.
Calais Campbell returned to a full Friday practice and is safe to use today. Tyrann Mathieu will likely remain a subpackage only player today.
MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Denver at Cincinnati
The Broncos haven't tipped their hand at linebacker this week. I think we'll see more Steven Johnson than usual, but I think Todd Davis is your best bet to play every down in a Brandon Marshall like role. It's a risky play, but consider Davis if there are no other good options for you this week.
I did not expect Vinny Rey to return this week, but he never made the injury report. Emmanuel Lamur will be out, however. Rey's return means it's a big risk to trust Rey Maualuga. It was Rey and Taylor Mays who took nickel snaps after Lamur was injured last week and it's likely the Bengals will do the same Monday night. It's not a great spot for Carlos Dunlap, who will have to find a way to get to Peyton Manning.
Best of luck in your fantasy games this weekend. Reading the Defense returns on Tuesday. Follow me on Twitter @JeneBramel for breaking news and analysis during the games today.