With six more teams on bye this week (Tennessee, St. Louis, San Francisco, Jacksonville, Washington and Denver), replacements for fantasy rosters continue to be scarce. Injuries continue to deplete the depth of the San Diego Chargers and the Indianapolis Colts, along with that of many fantasy owners.

Perhaps more than in any other week to date there are numerous key fantasy players listed as "Doubtful," technically meaning they have a less than 25 percent chance to play. Typically players listed as doubtful sit out on game day, but at least one member of this group says he's not out of the running yet.

So who can be counted on in Week 9? Here's how things are shaping up after the final practice reports of the week.

Quarterbacks

Brett Favre, Minnesota Vikings, (Q): Last week, Favre's status was very much up in the air after he was found to have two fractures in his left ankle. This week it's only eight stitches in his chin. While he's listed on the injury report with three ailing body parts (foot, ankle, chin -- the elbow is not listed), this week Favre's status, while officially questionable, is not really in question.

Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles, (P): Vick has practiced all week and is set to start as the Eagles' quarterback Sunday. The big unknown is how he and his damaged rib cartilage will hold up to contact. We will soon find out.

Bruce Gradkowski, Oakland Raiders, (P): Although Gradkowski is listed as probable, Jason Campbell has already been announced as the starter for the Raiders this week. Gradkowski's shoulder does seem to be improving though, as he was able to do some limited practice work and he will be available as the backup.

Running backs

DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers, (D): A foot sprain kept Williams out in Week 8 and kept him from practice this week as well. Williams has already indicated that he's targeting Week 10 for a return.

Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints, (D): It never really seemed as if Bush would be ready to go for this week's contest and the doubtful tag simply confirmed our suspicions. Bush did return to practice for limited work Thursday and Friday but is still working his way back toward football shape. The Saints have a bye in Week 10 so look for him to return in Week 11.

Chris "Beanie" Wells, Arizona Cardinals, (Q): Wells apparently suffered an allergic reaction to an injection of a joint lubricant according to Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic, causing his previously scoped right knee to become swollen. While reactions of this type are rare, when they do happen they usually require a few days to clear, typically without any lingering effects. Wells was limited in practice each day but according to Somers did more work Friday and pronounced himself ready to play. It sounds as if he will suit up against the Minnesota Vikings.

Joseph Addai, (D) and Mike Hart, (Q), Indianapolis Colts: Addai is still bothered by the neck injury that caused him to miss Week 8. After not practicing all week he is not expected to play. Hart injured his ankle in Week 8 and underwent an MRI on Tuesday. The results of that MRI were not shared but the fact he was unable to practice all week does not bode well for his chances to play Sunday. Notably off the injury report is Donald Brown, who is expected to start for the Colts at running back in Week 9. It is not clear how much playing time Brown may yield to Javarris James, but if Brown falters, James may get his opportunities.

Kevin Smith, (Q) and Jahvid Best, (P), Detroit Lions: Smith looked the best he has all season last week, but it took a bit of a toll on his knee. Although it's simply been described as "soreness," it is the same knee on which Smith had ACL reconstruction last year. While not unusual, it is worth keeping an eye on. Smith was out of practice Thursday but was able to do some limited work Friday.

Meanwhile Best is improving as far as his injured toes go and continues to fully practice. He says he has been feeling better of late, although his productivity has not climbed back to where it was when he began the season. Best may get more touches against the New York Jets if Smith is limited or out.

Felix Jones, Dallas Cowboys, (P): Jones is officially listed on the injury report because of his ankle, although there were also reports of a bruised forearm. After being given Wednesday off, Jones was a full participant in both Thursday and Friday practices and is expected to play Sunday night.

Wide receivers

Malcom Floyd, (D), Legedu Naanee, (D), San Diego Chargers: For the Chargers, things seem to have gone from bad to worse. Last week Craig "Buster" Davis was listed in this group but he's now on injured reserve. Floyd and Naanee have not made enough progress with their respective hamstring injuries to budge from doubtful status. Neither is expected to suit up for the team this week. The Chargers are hopeful that their Week 10 bye can help them get back on track.

Percy Harvin, Minnesota Vikings, (Q): Harvin sprained his left ankle in Week 8 and although he managed to finish the game, he was limping badly afterward. The ankle has bothered him throughout the week to the extent that he could not practice Wednesday or Thursday and did very little Friday. Harvin has a history of showing up on Sundays and it appears he will try to do so again. After all, the team's receiving options decreased this week with the loss of Randy Moss, and Sidney Rice is not quite ready for his season debut. Unfortunately, Harvin's ankle may not cooperate much. Given that he is still so limited by the injury, Harvin, if he plays, could have trouble being effective on the field.

DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles, (P): Jackson has been a full participant in practice all week as he looks to make his return from a concussion suffered in Week 6. Barring any late setbacks, Jackson will be back on the field Sunday with Michael Vick throwing to him.

Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions, (P): Johnson is still dealing with soreness in the shoulder he injured before the Lions' bye but it hasn't kept him out of practice. Johnson will play as usual this week.

Deion Branch, New England Patriots, (Q): Branch is again listed as questionable this week because of his hamstring. He had a similar status last week and ended up playing but he was held to a single catch. This week Branch did limited work in practice each day and is expected to play, but until we see proof on the field we won't know that this injury is truly behind him.

Mike Williams, Seattle Seahawks, (P): Williams was held out of practice Wednesday and Thursday with a knee bruise but was back in full practice Friday and is expected to play. It's worth noting that quarterback Matt Hasselbeck will be out with a concussion so it will be Charlie Whitehurst's charge to get Williams the ball.

Steve Breaston and Early Doucet, Arizona Cardinals, (P): The reps for Breaston and Doucet continue to be controlled in practice but their probable designation shows that they are expected to play.

Andre Johnson, Houston Texans (P): Johnson will play. The unknown is if and when the ankle will bother him. Johnson is likely to be bothered by this ankle intermittently and to varying degrees throughout the season. Every time he lands awkwardly, catches it in the turf or cuts hard it's an opportunity for a setback. But he'll be out there. Given his productivity so far, it's hard to do anything but start him if he's on your fantasy team.

Austin Collie, Indianapolis Colts, (Q): Collie has made remarkable progress following surgery to reattach a ligament in his thumb. Most notably he was in practice each day this week -- with full practices both Thursday and Friday -- catching balls while wearing gloves. The protective wrap on his hand is not preventing him from doing anything that would hinder his performance and he's expected to return to the field Sunday. It's hard to know just how much the Colts will use Collie in his return, but we know that Peyton Manning looks for him when he's on the field.

Apparently Collie's return comes just in time, as Anthony Gonzalez has suffered yet another injury that has now resulted in him landing on injured reserve for a second straight year. Gonzalez suffered a knee injury in Monday night's game (ESPN's John Clayton is reporting that he injured his PCL) and after not practicing at all this week, the move was made.

Wide receivers Pierre Garcon and Reggie Wayne are both off the injury report this week and are expected to play as usual.

Tight ends

Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers, (D): On Thursday we outlined in detail the agonizing nature of Gates' injury and the problems it will pose for him trying to function at his position. As of Friday, Gates had not been able to practice and the team listed him as doubtful, a sure sign that he sits out Week 9 … or is it?

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, no player listed as doubtful in a given week this season has gone on to play in that week's game. So reason would suggest that it would be the same for Gates. After all, he now has two injured feet, the most recent injury being so painful it required him to use a scooter early in the week to avoid putting weight on it. He has not practiced. In fact, Gates' primary activity of late has been receiving treatment.

But Gates also has not missed a game due to injury. They may not all have been pretty, but somehow Gates has consistently found ways to get on the field and make plays. Right now the Chargers are so decimated by injury at wide receiver that Gates might represent the only familiar face among quarterback Philip Rivers' possible targets.

So what is a fantasy owner to do? For his part, Gates, who traveled with the team to Houston, tweeted Friday night that he's not sure if he's playing or not and he's "taking it one day at a time." Gates is expected to test his feet in the pregame warm-ups to see if he feels that he can play. So far Gates has managed to be productive despite his physical limitations. The difference this week is that he has a new condition (torn plantar fascia) on top of his already problematic left toe and ankle. Most people experience pain and have difficulty walking after this injury, let alone running.

As we know, most people are not Gates. His mobility in pregame warm-ups Sunday will be telling, and this situation truly will come down to the wire. It is hard to imagine Gates being able to perform given his latest setback and it would seem more likely that he rests. But we can't count him out just yet.

Zach Miller, Oakland Raiders (D): Miller is another tight end dealing with an injury to the arch of his foot. In his case, doubtful is almost certain to mean sitting out in Week 9. Miller was ineffective last week when he tried to play through the injury and he has been unable to practice this week. Prepare for a substitution.

Owen Daniels, Houston Texans, (Q): Daniels reportedly aggravated the hamstring injury that cropped up a few weeks ago and it kept him out of practice all week. Nonetheless, Daniels still hopes to play Sunday, according to the Texans' official website. Daniels acknowledged "the explosiveness is not there," and that just might be enough to keep him sidelined. James Casey will play at tight end for Houston if Daniels is unable to go.

Andrew Quarless, Green Bay Packers, (Q): It's tough to stay healthy as a tight end in Green Bay. Jermichael Finley's season ended prematurely as the result of a knee injury. Now Quarless has a shoulder injury that might keep him out of Sunday night's game. Quarless did not practice Wednesday but returned to limited work Thursday. After hoping to return to full practice Thursday, Quarless could not go at all, casting some doubt as to his availability for Sunday. The Packers play Sunday night, so fantasy owners need to have a backup plan ready.

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.

Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seattle Seahawks: Hasselbeck will be out after suffering a concussion in Week 8.

Pierre Thomas, RB, New Orleans Saints: Thomas continues to be restricted by his problematic ankle.

Fred Taylor, RB, New England Patriots: Out. Not really much else to report.

Chaz Schilens, WR, Oakland Raiders: This week we learned that Schilens' surgery may have been a little more extensive than was initially indicated, which may help explain his extended absence.

Louis Murphy, WR, Oakland Raiders: Murphy is still recovering from his chest contusion.

Donald Driver, WR, Green Bay Packers: Driver takes Week 9 off to rest his injured quadriceps muscle.

Anthony Gonzalez, WR, Indianapolis Colts: Gonzalez has suffered yet another injury that has now resulted in him landing on injured reserve for a second straight year.

Golden Tate, WR, Seattle Seahawks: Just in case you were thinking about him as an option, don't. He's out with an ankle injury.

Nate Kaeding, K, San Diego Chargers: The groin injury is still an issue so Kaeding remains out this week.

See you at the injury chats (Tuesday and Friday 3-4 p.m.). Be sure to check out "Fantasy Football Now" on Sunday on ESPN2 from 11:30 a.m. to noon, switching to ESPNEWS from noon-1 p.m. ET for last-minute inactives, rankings, injury impact and more!