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
Baltimore at Tampa Bay
Chris Canty is out today after wrist surgery last week. The Ravens are otherwise healthy. Lardarius Webb saw more rotational snaps this week and is off the injury report. With Asa Jackson struggling, Webb may be back in a full time role today.
Mason Foster returns this week and should be back in an every-down role. Danny Lansanah will keep the outside linebacker job; Dane Fletcher goes back to a reserve role. Major Wright starts for Tampa Bay again with Dashon Goldson out. Johnthan Banks is a game-time decision, but has only managed a limited Friday practice this week.
Carolina at Cincinnati
The Panthers are without corners Josh Norman and Bene' Benwikere today. Antoine Cason, Charles Godfrey and Melvin White should rotate and all see more than 40 snaps. Charles Johnson managed only a limited Friday practice and is struggling with a hip injury. Cincinnati is the worst matchup in the league for defensive linemen in big play leagues now, so avoid both Johnson and Mario Addison today.
Vontaze Burfict will play today after missing three weeks to recover from his latest concussion. He'll very likely be back in his every down role. The Bengals are otherwise healthy on defense and there are no expected depth chart changes.
Denver at New York Jets
Danny Trevathan played nearly every down last week after missing the opening snap. Brandon Marshall came off the sideline to join him in a 2-4-5 nickel look with Von Miller moving to the line as an outside linebacker. Expect that to continue today.
The Jets are mostly healthy. David Harris was limited with an AC sprain all week but is expected to play. Dee Milliner should continue to see his snap count increase. He practiced fully on Thursday and Friday.
Detroit at Minnesota
The Lions are healthy and have no expected depth chart changes. Tahir Whitehead, DeAndre Levy and Ezekiel Ansah are all strong starts. James Ihedigbo has had better numbers than expected behind a solid linebacker group.
Chad Greenway is likely out again, with Gerald Hodges replacing him in all packages. Hodges has been a disappointment in the box scores, but today's matchup is good enough to consider him a bye week flyer LB3. Harrison Smith had consecutive limited practices by the end of the week and could go today.
Green Bay at Miami
Datone Jones is questionable today. The Packers are otherwise healthy. No depth chart changes are expected, but I expect to begin seeing more of Ha Ha Clinton-Dix in the base defense this week. Jamari Lattimore remains the base only weak inside linebacker.
The Dolphins get Koa Misi back this week. I expect Jelani Jenkins to keep his every down role, with Misi and Philip Wheeler both seeing time in nickel packages. It's too risky a matchup to use Misi today. Reshad Jones is back on the active roster and expected to play heavily today.
Jacksonville at Tennessee
The Jaguars are healthy. Dwayne Gratz is back from a concussion and Paul Posluszny has played effectively through leg injuries. There are no expected changes to their defensive line rotation.
George Wilson will replace Bernard Pollard, who went on injured reserve with a torn Achilles this week. Wilson isn't the same player he was in Buffalo and will be a high variance DB3 at best. Expect Michael Griffin to see the bigger bump in numbers. Last week, Avery Williamson played two out of three series and was the dime linebacker on those series. When Williamson missed a series, Wesley Woodyard was the dime backer. It's tough to trust either player with this matchup, but lean narrowly to Williamson if your looking for LB3 value today.
New England at Buffalo
Last week, the Patriots used Jamie Collins in an every down role and he looks healthy despite still being listed questionable on the injury report. Though Chandler Jones is probable, he played only a situational linebacker role against Cincinnati. Even if that continues today, the matchup and favorable role make him a solid DL2+ start today. Get Jerod Mayo and Collins in your lineup; the Buffalo stat crew gives out solos and assists in bunches and is the most favorable crew in the league.
Lots of limited players in the back seven for Buffalo. Brandon Spikes and Nigel Bradham are both fighting injuries. Both are tentatively expected to play. If they start, Preston Brown likely goes back to a reserve role. Any or all of the four, including Keith Rivers, could see nickel snaps. If you plan to use any of them today, recognize the lower than usual floor despite the favorable home stat crew. Both Da'Norris Searcy and Aaron Williams are questionable, which likely means a three-headed safety rotation, too. Kyle Williams is expected back.
Pittsburgh at Cleveland
Ryan Shazier remains out. Sean Spence hasn't been great in the box score, but today might be a good spot to use him as a LB4 if you're in need of a bye week replacement. The Steelers are otherwise healthy.
Armonty Bryant has seen more snaps lately. Consider him in deeper leagues today. Joe Haden is considered a game time decision with a hip injury. Still no movement in the Chris Kirksey - Craig Robertson rotation. Expect them to split snaps again today.
LATE GAMES
Dallas at Seattle
Bruce Carter is out again today. Rolando McClain is questionable and is a game time decision. Local writers expect him to play but the Cowboys won't decide until pregame warmups. Anthony Hitchens will get a start at outside linebacker, but would move inside if McClain can't go.
Kam Chancellor sounded hopeful on Friday, but he's very much a game time decision with a foot injury. He could not practice this week and there are some local writers who see him on the doubtful side of questionable. The foot concern and an assist-happy home stat crew are hurting his upside in what could be a solid matchup. If you keep him in your lineup, have a hedge available.
Chicago at Atlanta
Lance Briggs and Shea McClellin have been ruled out. Jon Bostic is listed questionable with a back injury but hasn't practiced all week. D.J. Williams will be an every-down middle linebacker today. If Bostic is inactive, and it looks likely he will be, Christian Jones will get the start outside and likely play in the nickel next wto Williams. There's a chance we'll see the Bears use lots of dime snaps, but their secondary has been beat up. If Bostic can't go, Khaseem Greene may get a start. Jay Ratliff is expected back from a concussion today.
Kemal Ishmael is listed probable with an ankle injury and has an excellent matchup to continue his hot start in relief of William Moore. Prince Shembo was limited early this week with a knee injury but fully practiced Friday and should be good to play every down again today.
San Diego at Oakland
Manti Te'o is out, as is Shareece Wright. It was Kavell Conner starting last week, but Andrew Gachkar saw lots of playing time next to Donald Butler. It's a situation to avoid against a bad matchup today. Jason Verrett started last week. He'll be a strong play in future weeks opposite Brandon Flowers, but you should consider using him only if you're fishing for a big play against Derek Carr.
The Raiders expect to get Sio Moore back today. Nick Roach is on injured reserve, which leaves Miles Burris as your middle linebacker for the rest of the season. Moore carries some risk, but I think he's likely to play every down. It's a good matchup, so consider Moore a risk-reward LB3 today.
Washington at Arizona
Ryan Clark, Brian Orakpo and Perry Riley are questionable. Clark and Riley are unlikely to play, with Clark having a slightly better chance than Riley. Orakpo has been limited for weeks with ankle problems and will probably try to play again. Will Compton would start if Riley is inactive. He played every down last week after Riley left and should do so again, especially if Clark isn't available to give Washington enough defensive backs to consider a dime package.
Frostee Rucker replaces Calais Campbell. Kareem Martin played over 50 snaps on the line coming out of the Cardinals' Week 4 bye. There's not much upside in either end, but both are worth monitoring. Tyrann Mathieu is still not ready for more than situational duty. If he's not playing in the base defense soon, it may be time to move on this year.
SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
New York Giants at Philadelphia
Jon Beason is questionable, but tentatively expected back. He may try to play every down, but there's a risk of rotation or that Jameel McClain plays an every-down outside linebacker role. The speed offense matchup makes it a tough call. Beason may not be able to get off the field even if the Giants wish to rest him in some packages.
Mychal Kendricks is still out. DeMeco Ryans is questionable with a groin injury. Ryans could play tonight, but reports were mixed on whether he was more doubtful or more probable. It would be a mix of Emmanuel Acho, Casey Matthews and Marcus Smith inside if Kendricks and Ryans sit. Bump Malcolm Jenkins way up if it works out this way.
MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
San Francisco at St. Louis
Both the Niners and Rams are healthy and have no expected depth chart changes for Monday night.
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.
