ESPN Stephania Bell Blog

This is another tough week for fantasy owners when it comes to finding replacements for one of the many players who are on byes. Six teams are off again this week and there continue to be more players impacted by injury as the season progresses.

As a reminder, each Friday teams are required to report injury designations for all players appearing on the injury report in anticipation of player status for the upcoming weekend. It's always easier when you know in advance that a player is not going to play. To help you out with that, key fantasy players listed Friday as "Out" for this week's games appear as a group at the end of the blog. But as is often the case, some of the most notable fantasy players' availability remains undecided heading into game time. That said, we take a look here at what we know about injuries heading into Week 7.

Notably, the players for Cincinnati, Kansas City, New England, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay and Washington all have byes this week and are omitted from this report.

Good luck in Week 8, everyone! May your players stay healthy and win for you.

Quarterbacks
Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions, (Q): The good news is that Stafford was a regular in practice throughout the week. The bad news is that he will be a game-time decision. The clues are there, though, that he will play. Stafford, reportedly recovering from a patellar subluxation (kneecap slipping out of place, then back in) was not able to put together consecutive practice days a couple of weeks ago because of recurrent swelling in the knee. Following the bye week, he practiced four days in a row with no apparent setbacks. Coach Jim Schwartz had indicated previously that Stafford needed to demonstrate adequate mobility to protect himself and make plays. While he is not likely to be fully recovered in terms of strength, Stafford has probably shown enough to prove that he can handle the job, especially since Schwartz said Friday he expects Stafford to play. He did not commit to Stafford starting the game, but it seems as if that's the direction they're headed. Check status updates before the game on this one.

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers, (P): Rodgers continues to have some discomfort in his foot, but did you really think it would be enough to keep him out of this one? Exactly. As if there were any concern, he did put in a full practice Friday. Game on.

Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle Seahawks, (P): Hasselbeck was a little sore after the last game he played (Week 6) when he was continually harassed by the Arizona Cardinals' defense. Luckily he had the bye week to rest up. Hasselbeck is still healing from his rib injury but he'll be leading his team on the field when they visit the Dallas Cowboys.

Derek Anderson, Cleveland Browns, (P): Anderson appeared on the practice injury report with a hip ailment but practiced fully throughout the week and will play.

Running backs
Marion Barber, Dallas Cowboys, (P): Barber is the only member of the Dallas backfield who remains on the injury report -- and it's not because of his quadriceps strain. Barber's fractured left thumb is still on the mend but that hasn't kept him from full practices all week. Time only helps him get his burst and explosiveness back. Teammate Felix Jones appeared to emerge from Week 7 unscathed and saw a decent amount of touches. The Cowboys have enough confidence in his knee that they plan to use him on kick returns, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Hmmm. Seems a bit risky, but then again, he's been hurt frequently doing less. Last week Tashard Choice did nothing, despite team owner Jerry Jones' assertions that he would, in fact, do more. It's a tricky mix, but it does seem that the clear No. 1 is indeed Barber.

Ahmad Bradshaw, New York Giants, (P): Bradshaw has been following a familiar pattern with rest during the week, followed by playing without limitation Sunday. This week, the story took a slightly different turn when Bradshaw sought a second opinion on his ailing foot from noted foot and ankle specialist Dr. Robert Anderson. I detailed the specifics of Bradshaw's injury Thursday. The important fact heading into Sunday is that Bradshaw was back doing limited work Friday, is listed as probable and will play this Sunday, just as he always has, when the Giants travel to Philadelphia.

Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles, (Q): On Thursday, I outlined the considerations for return to play surrounding Westbrook after the concussion he sustained Monday night. Westbrook, not surprisingly, did not practice the entire week, but coach Andy Reid left the door open for him to be available Sunday if he demonstrated adequate recovery. That being said, it does not appear likely that Westbrook will play, and even if he does suit up, LeSean McCoy may get the bulk of the work.

Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers, (Q): Stewart has also developed a routine of resting early in the week to avoid overloading his Achilles. He did not practice Wednesday, as has become his norm, but practiced fully Thursday. Despite the questionable tag, he is expected to play Sunday.

Donald Brown, Indianapolis Colts, (D): Brown is not expected to be on the field for the Colts on Sunday as he recovers from a shoulder injury sustained in Week 7. Brown did not practice all week, and Chad Simpson and Mike Hart are expected to take his place in the lineup this week.

Wide receivers
Andre Johnson, Houston Texans, (P): Who would have thought that after spitting up blood on the field last Sunday that Johnson would enter Week 8 as probable? Andre Johnson, that's who. Johnson has been saying since doing some light running Wednesday that his breathing felt normal despite the lung contusion and that he expected to be able to play. After putting in a full practice Friday, it appears he will be lining up for the Texans on Sunday, barring a setback. Naturally, the goal is to avoid getting hit in the same area. To that end, Johnson will wear a padded extension to his shoulder pads for additional chest protection, according to the Houston Chronicle. Fantasy owners have to love the rapid return of Johnson in a thin week for substitutes.

Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions, (Q): Johnson, like his quarterback, will be a game-time decision Sunday, but coach Jim Schwartz indicated that he expects Johnson will play. Whether Johnson will really be true to form is another matter. He only practiced on a limited basis Thursday and Friday after not practicing Wednesday. Although there were no further reports of him limping with the knee injury, making it through a game and playing at a competitive level are different than running routes and catching passes in practice. The Lions have not divulged the nature of Johnson's injury, but it was enough to sideline him in Week 6, and even after the Week 7 bye, he was not practicing at full speed. He clearly provides the best deep threat for the Lions and there's no doubt he faces a nice matchup against St. Louis, but fantasy owners will need to weigh the potential reward against the risk that he might not last the entire game, if indeed he plays.

Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts, (Q): Despite the questionable tag, it seems as if the Colts will have Wayne on the field this weekend after he put in a full practice Friday. Wayne, who has been slowed by a groin injury this week, did not practice at all before Friday. The team was likely giving him the opportunity to recover as much as possible before testing the injury. That said, he may not be quite at full speed Sunday, and with a fresh muscle strain, the possibility for a setback always exists. Nonetheless, his presence on the field gives Peyton Manning yet another weapon. Fantasy owners should be sure to check pregame inactives, just in case.

Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals, (Q): Boldin played on a recently sprained ankle last week and it was clearly bothering him by the time the second half rolled around. This week, Boldin was able to practice daily and appears to be ahead of where he was last week. If he could play then, you have to believe he'll play now, barring a Sunday morning setback. Expect teammate Steve Breaston to continue to contribute as the third receiver.

Steve Breaston, Arizona Cardinals, (P): See Boldin note above. Breaston has been playing weekly despite conservative practice during the week to protect his knee. Now that his designation has been upgraded to probable for the past two weeks, fantasy owners know they can expect him on the field.

Donnie Avery, St. Louis Rams, (P): Avery has been a regular fixture on the injury report with injuries from top to bottom, including a foot fracture, a bruised hip, bruised ribs and now a shoulder ailment. Avery was limited in Friday's practice but his probable designation indicates he plans to be on the field to face the Detroit Lions.

Mario Manningham, New York Giants, (Q): Late-week injury alert here. Manningham injured his shoulder in Thursday's practice and did not show up on the injury report until Friday, when he did not participate in practice at all. The team's designation suggests his status will be determined at game time, but Manningham indicated he thinks he'll be able to go. Luckily for fantasy owners this is an early game and it warrants checking to be sure he's available.

Percy Harvin, Minnesota Vikings, (Q): Harvin's shoulder has been the question mark for the past couple of weeks, but he has managed to get on the field each time. He was back on the injury report Thursday, this time due to illness. Harvin, who did not practice either Thursday or Friday, has a history of migraines which have kept him out of practice before. No word as to whether the migraines were the culprit this week, but once again his status is iffy heading into Sunday. If past experience is an indicator, he'll be out there, but there's no way to call this one with any certainty in advance.

Bernard Berrian, Minnesota Vikings, (Q): Berrian was limited in practice late in the week as a result of a hamstring strain. Just like Harvin, he will be a game-time decision, but fantasy owners should know by now that Brett Favre seems to look for Sidney Rice first, and he's healthy.

Jerricho Cotchery, David Clowney and Brad Smith, New York Jets, (Q): Three of four members of the Jets' receiving corps are listed as questionable, but the odds seem to be that all will be available. Cotchery has missed time with a hamstring strain but has been running well in practice this week. Smith's injury is on the other side of his thigh (quadriceps) but he too has been back in limited work this week. Clowney, who injured his ankle last week, has also been able to put in some practice time. The most plausible scenario is that Cotchery starts opposite Braylon Edwards against the Miami Dolphins.

DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia Eagles, (P): There's really not much to worry about here, with both players listed as probable and both practicing fully by the end of the week. The challenge for fantasy owners will be figuring out who Donovan McNabb is going to target more this week.

Out: This space is intended for a list of key fantasy players, not including those who have been moved to injured reserve status, who are officially listed as "Out" for the upcoming game.

Trent Edwards, QB, Buffalo Bills: The concussion is going to keep Edwards sidelined again this week and Ryan Fitzpatrick gets another start. The Bills have a bye in Week 9, and it will be interesting to see who starts in Week 10.

Darren McFadden, RB, Oakland Raiders: McFadden is still on the mend from knee surgery, and the team has not yet indicated when he might return to practice.

Anthony Gonzalez, WR, Indianapolis Colts: Right now the team is just hoping to get Gonzalez back to practice soon. Returning to play still seems a way away.

Muhsin Muhammad, WR, Carolina Panthers: Muhammad is dealing with a knee injury that kept him out of practice all week and will keep him off the field Sunday.

Dante Rosario, TE, Carolina Panthers: Rosario will not be a receiving option for Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme as he sits this week out with a knee injury.

Jordy Nelson, WR, Green Bay Packers: Nelson has a sprained knee that is likely to keep him out for a couple of weeks. James Jones is the No. 3 receiver behind Donald Driver and Greg Jennings.

Rashean Mathis, CB, Jacksonville Jaguars: Jacksonville's secondary loses Mathis to a finger injury as the team faces the Tennessee Titans this week.

Antoine Winfield, CB, Minnesota Vikings: Winfield suffered a foot injury in Week 6 that caused him to miss Week 7 and keeps him out again for the long-awaited matchup against the Packers. Original reports had him projected to be out for four to six weeks, although Winfield declared himself day-to-day. The Vikings have a bye next week, so the best-case scenario has him returning in Week 10.

See you at the injury chats (Tuesday 11 a.m. ET to noon, Friday 11 a.m. to noon. and Sunday pregame, 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.). Be sure to check out Fantasy Football Now on Sundays at ESPN.com and on ESPN2 from 11:30 a.m. to kickoff for last-minute inactives, rankings and more!