It's crunch time, folks. Fantasy playoffs are under way and every player on your team matters. No one wants to start a guy who underdelivers this week, nor do fantasy owners want to see their bench outscore their starters. Naturally the injury report is a huge variable in influencing who we start and who we sit, so here's who concerns us heading into Week 14:

Quarterbacks

Brett Favre, Minnesota Vikings, (Q): Favre did some light tossing Friday but nothing too strenuous on his recently sprained sternoclavicular (SC) joint. On Tuesday we outlined the injury and while it is no doubt still very painful, Favre could receive an injection before the game which could help make the difference in whether he is able to perform. The key will be how he looks in warm-ups and whether he can make all the throws necessary to function. This will definitely be a game-time decision.

Matt Cassel, Kansas City Chiefs, (D): On Thursday we outlined the numerous factors that could go into a decision about Cassel's playing status. The team has given us a big clue, however, that Cassel will sit out by labeling him as doubtful. It would not be altogether surprising for Cassel to make the trip with the team and maybe even serve as an emergency backup. But in all likelihood, Cassel will not take the field and Brodie Croyle, who practiced with the first team all week, is expected to start.

Running backs

Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings, (Q): The ankle he sprained in Week 12 sure performed for him in Week 13. Peterson took limited reps Wednesday and Thursday but was a full participant Friday and is expected to play.

Ahmad Bradshaw, New York Giants, (P): Bradshaw got Wednesday off to rest a sore wrist but practiced fully the rest of the week. As the probable tag indicates, he is expected to play.

Ryan Torain, Washington Redskins, (Q): Torain looks as if he'll be making it back to the lineup after missing four games with his hamstring injury. He practiced fully Thursday and Friday after limited work Wednesday. Despite being listed as questionable, Torain is expected to play although coach Mike Shanahan has already expressed concern about overusing him out of the gate. Expect a rotation of some type between Torain, Keiland Williams and James Davis.

Pierre Thomas, New Orleans Saints, (Q): This will be the first time Thomas has seen competition since injuring his ankle in Week 3. He has missed nine games as a result of his injury and many fantasy owners gave up hope a long time ago. If you're one of the loyal Thomas owners who has him stashed on the bench, you probably want to keep him there his first game back. Everyone will want to see how Thomas performs in his first game back in over two months and the Saints are not likely to take many carries away from Chris Ivory. The Saints' matchups over the next two weeks aren't ideal, but Thomas could have flex value, especially if Ivory or Bush should go down with an injury.

Jahvid Best, Detroit Lions, (P): Best is coming off his best performance of the last two months, but can fantasy owners count on him for the playoffs? That is the question. Unfortunately, we've already seen Best look improved from his turf toe only to suffer a setback and it could happen again. The condition is not likely to really resolve until well after the season. Best is still getting a day off in practice (Wednesday) and then doing only limited work Thursday and Friday. So while his performance from Week 13 is encouraging, owners should hope for a repeat but not necessarily expect it.

Brian Westbrook, San Francisco 49ers, (P): People get nervous when they see the veteran running back's name on the injury report but Westbrook missed practice Wednesday and Thursday for non-injury related reasons. He was a full participant Friday and is expected to play in this important divisional matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.

Wide receivers

Brandon Marshall, Miami Dolphins, (Q): Marshall himself acknowledged the extra rest he got by sitting out Week 13 helped his hamstring and he sounds more assured of making a return this week. According to the Palm Beach Post, Marshall said, "There definitely was some soreness in there and the three or four days extra to rest was a big difference." Marshall has continued his daily limited practice work and, presuming no setback, is expected to play against the New York Jets.

Percy Harvin, Minnesota Vikings, (D): Harvin missed last week's contest because of a migraine and is still dealing with the same issue. The fact that this has been such a lingering episode has to be of more concern. The doubtful tag tells us even the Vikings don't expect Harvin to be ready to play. Fantasy owners should plan accordingly and seek a replacement. Teammate Sidney Rice, listed as probable, is fully expected to play and will likely see more targets with Harvin out.

Hakeem Nicks and Steve Smith, New York Giants, (Q): Nicks is recovering nicely from his fasciotomy to address compartment syndrome in his lower leg. He has practiced daily on a limited basis and the only issue that remains is clearance from the medical staff. While Nicks may not see his usual number of snaps, he has missed only two games, says he feels great and should look like his usual self. Smith is still recovering from his partially torn pectoral muscle but also expects to make a return this week. According to the Newark Star-Ledger, Smith will wear a shoulder harness which restricts motion of the arm. By limiting the range of motion, the pectoral muscle is prevented from overstretching (remember, Smith originally hurt the muscle in practice when extending for a catch) but should not prevent him from being completely effective. Other receivers have worn similar harnesses and performed well, including the Baltimore Ravens' Derrick Mason just last season. It's not clear how much playing time Smith will see either and it could be dependent on how he fares in the game.

Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions, (P): Johnson was limited in practice this week because of a groin injury but is in no danger of sitting this game out. Expect him to play as usual.

Mike Williams and Ben Obomanu, Seattle Seahawks, (Q): Williams' left lower leg is making it tough for him to run. A foot injury followed by an ankle sprain kept him out of practice all week. In fact, Williams was running more last week in advance of Sunday's game than this week. According to the Seattle Times, coach Pete Carroll acknowledged, "We have to plan like he's not there." Meanwhile, Obomanu suffered a deep laceration to his right hand that resulted in numerous stitches. As a result he has not practiced all week but Carroll thinks Obomanu has a better chance of seeing the field Sunday. The concern would be whether the stitches will hold when Obomanu tries to catch the ball and Carroll told the Times the medical staff has been experimenting with protective devices. Both players will be game-time decisions with Obomanu appearing to have the better chance of seeing the field.

Mike Sims-Walker, Jacksonville Jaguars, (P): Sims-Walker sprained his ankle in Week 10 and sat out Week 11. In a somewhat surprising move Sims-Walker was activated for Week 12 but was limited. Sims-Walker was then out in Week 13. It appears Sims-Walker is in line to see action again this week given the probable tag but it's hard to know just what to expect. Mike Thomas still seems to be the top target in Jacksonville.

Santana Moss, Washington Redskins, (Q): Moss is again listed as questionable but is expected to play after practicing fully each day. Expect him on the field to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Terrell Owens, Cincinnati Bengals, (P): Owens was on the injury report because of his knee but he's not going to miss any game action. Owens was back in full practice Thursday and Friday and will be out there again Sunday.

Mike Williams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, (P): Williams' knee gave fantasy owners a bit of a scare when it got him on the injury report for sitting out Thursday's practice. The team indicated Williams was getting some much needed rest for a sore knee and when he returned to practice Friday everyone breathed a little easier. He is expected to play against the Washington Redskins.

Andre Johnson, Houston Texans, (?): Johnson's status is not reported yet as his team does not play until Monday night, but there seems to be little doubt he will be on the field. Johnson did not practice the bulk of this week, giving him a nice extended rest since last Thursday's contest. He was back Friday doing limited work. Expect to see him Monday against the Baltimore Ravens.

Tight ends

Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers, (Q): Earlier this week Gates said he would play Sunday, citing the importance of the divisional matchup. By Friday he sounded less certain, telling the San Diego Union-Tribune, "I don't know. I couldn't go today." Gates has been fighting through the torn plantar fascia injury on the field the past two weeks and something tells me he will again come Sunday. Gates remains a game-time decision and it is a late game, so fantasy owners should have insurance, but knowing Gates he will try to find a way.

Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta Falcons, (P): As we indicated Thursday, Gonzalez expects to play in this game and the probable tag supports that. Don't expect the recently sprained ankle to get in his way.

Zach Miller, Oakland Raiders, (P): The fact that Miller is probable indicates the Raiders expect him to play this week, but Miller has struggled since he tore his plantar fascia and has been relegated to a somewhat different role. This may be what we see the remainder of the season so fantasy owners should be cautious not to expect too much from Miller.

Owen Daniels, Houston Texans, (?): Daniels does not have a status designation yet since his team does not play until Monday night, but coach Gary Kubiak told us over a week ago that this was the game where Daniels would return. After putting in full practice every day with the team this week, it looks like we should believe him but fantasy owners should be cautious here. Daniels has had only one strong game this season where he looked like his pre-ACL-reconstruction self. Then he suffered the hamstring injury and hasn't been the same since. It might be worth watching how he fares against the Ravens and hanging onto him for possible use in the next round of the playoffs.

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.

Heath Miller, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers: Miller is out with a concussion suffered in Week 13.

Marion Barber, RB, Dallas Cowboys: Barber is still nursing his strained calf and will sit out again in Week 14.

Patrick Crayton, WR, San Diego Chargers: Crayton dislocated his wrist in Week 11, underwent surgery to repair it and is still recovering. It does sound as if the Chargers think there is a possibility he could return before the season is over. Fantasy owners who still have Crayton on their rosters may want to hang onto him just in case one of the Chargers' other receivers goes down. After all, it has been a receiver injury carousel in San Diego.

Joe Nedney, K, San Francisco 49ers: Nedney remains out with a right knee injury and at this point fantasy owners should replace him on their rosters.

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!