Sunday Fantasy Update

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Whether your star running back is on a bye or your No. 1 quarterback's best receiver is on the injury report, timely and accurate inactive information can mean the difference between victory and defeat. ESPN fantasy expert Tristan H. Cockcroft will keep you posted with the latest inactives and fantasy implications leading up to kickoff.

Check this page regularly for updates.
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Moderator
  (12:28 AM)


Week 17 updates will begin at approximately 11:30 a.m. ET

Tristan H. Cockcroft
  (11:38 AM)


(11:37 a.m. ET) The Rock Hill Herald reports Vinny Testaverde is inactive and the third quarterback for the Panthers in Week 17. Matt Moore will start with David Carr his backup, but with Testaverde set to retire after the game, he'll almost assuredly see a few snaps. But you knew already you didn't want any of these guys, right? (We hope you did.)

Tristan H. Cockcroft
  (11:40 AM)


(11:40 a.m. ET) The Browns' Week 17 inactives, according to their official website, didn't include either Joe Jurevicius (knee) or Kellen Winslow (knee). Winslow is a must-start, but Jurevicius doesn't get enough key catches to warrant much fantasy attention.

Tristan H. Cockcroft
  (11:46 AM)


(11:45 a.m. ET) It's official; the Cincinnati Enquirer reports Rudi Johnson (hamstring) is inactive for the Bengals in Week 17. That's great news for the owners of Kenny Watson, who can use him with confidence as a No. 2 running back facing a tremendous matchup. Also, T.J. Houshmandzadeh (ankle) is active as expected, so continue to regard him as a must-start.

Tristan H. Cockcroft
  (11:49 AM)


(11:48 a.m. ET) The 49ers' inactives, according to their official website, include both Trent Dilfer (concussion) and Shaun Hill (back). That forces Chris Weinke into the starting quarterback role, with Drew Olson his backup. Obviously, you don't want Weinke on a fantasy team, nor should you expect much from his receivers, favorable matchup on paper or not.

Tristan H. Cockcroft
  (11:51 AM)


(11:50 a.m. ET) ESPN's John Clayton reports Quinn Gray will start at quarterback for the Jaguars in Week 17. David Garrard is not inactive, but clearly, the Jaguars are giving him some rest before their first-round road playoff game. Gray shouldn't be counted on as anything more than a desperation No. 2 in two-quarterback leagues, but expect him to get the bulk of the snaps.

Tristan H. Cockcroft
  (11:52 AM)


(11:51 a.m. ET) More interesting Jaguars news: ESPN's John Clayton reports both Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew are inactive for Week 17. Like with David Garrard, the team's top two running backs will rest in Week 17, meaning LaBrandon Toefield could be an interesting sleeper from your flex spot. He should get a big boost in carries, with Greg Jones perhaps getting some goal-line looks. Dennis Northcutt is also inactive and resting.

Tristan H. Cockcroft
  (11:55 AM)


(11:54 a.m. ET) ESPN's Bob Holtzman reports Marvin Harrison (knee) will play in Week 17, and "should be 100 percent" for the playoffs. Harrison will start, though it'd be silly to expect him to play a full slate of snaps. After so much time off, fantasy owners must look at him as a very risky play, especially as anything more than a No. 3/4 option.

Tristan H. Cockcroft
  (11:57 AM)


(11:56 a.m. ET) ESPN's John Clayton reports Matt Schaub (shoulder) is inactive for the Texans in Week 17. That makes Sage Rosenfels a better fantasy option, more in two-quarterback leagues and mostly because the Jaguars are resting their regulars. Also, Ron Dayne (ankle) and Andre Johnson (knee) are active. Look at Dayne as a flex option, while Johnson is a must-start.

Tristan H. Cockcroft
  (11:59 AM)


(11:58 a.m. ET) ESPN's John Clayton reports Greg Jennings (ankle), Donald Driver and Donald Lee are inactive for the Packers in Week 17. So there you go, your official sign that the Packers are treating the week as a rest period. James Jones' value gets a bump with him likely starting, and Ruvell Martin becomes a sleeper with the likelihood he'll see more targets. Still, expect Brett Favre to get an early hook, meaning Packers players aren't as strong fantasy plays as you'd think, even facing the brutal Detroit defense.

Tristan H. Cockcroft
  (12:01 PM)


(12:00 p.m. ET) The Lions' Week 17 inactives, according to ESPN's John Clayton, include both Tatum Bell (foot) and Kevin Jones (knee). It's interesting to see Bell on the shelf, though that only benefits T.J. Duckett. Consider him a No. 2/flex option in a week where so many regulars on playoff teams will rest.

Tristan H. Cockcroft
  (12:02 PM)


(12:02 p.m. ET) The Bears' Week 17 inactives, according to their official website, did not include either Bernard Berrian (knee) or Muhsin Muhammad (ankle). Berrian is worth a whirl, even with a shaky quarterback throwing him the ball, because the matchup is indeed favorable. Only dig deep to Muhammad as a No. 3/4 in a desperate circumstance.

Tristan H. Cockcroft
  (12:03 PM)


(12:03 p.m. ET) The Saints' Week 17 inactives, according to their opponent, the Bears', official website, included Reggie Bush (knee) but not Aaron Stecker (toe). Stecker might give up a handful of touches to Pierre Thomas to keep him fresh, but he's still worth No. 2/flex consideration. It helps his cause that Bush is out.

Tristan H. Cockcroft
  (12:09 PM)


(12:07 p.m. ET) The Buccaneers' official website reports that Week 17 will be a rest week for many of the team's starters. Jeff Garcia (No. 3 quarterback), Joey Galloway, Earnest Graham (ankle) and Ike Hilliard (knee) are all inactive. Luke McCown will start at quarterback, and actually isn't a terrible No. 2 fantasy option. Michael Pittman will start at running back and warrants flex consideration. Michael Bennett and Kenneth Darby could see some carries, though, limiting Pittman from higher status. Michael Clayton will start at receiver, though you shouldn't dig so deep as to use him.

Tristan H. Cockcroft
  (12:10 PM)


(12:10 p.m. ET) ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports Brett Favre will start for the Packers in Week 17, but shouldn't see more than a series or two. Ryan Grant will also start but be limited. If you have stronger options playing full games, now is the time to use them.

Tristan H. Cockcroft
  (12:11 PM)


(12:10 p.m. ET) ESPN's John Clayton reports Brian Westbrook (knee) is active for the Eagles in Week 17. No shock, but that's confirmation that Westbrook remains a must-start.

Tristan H. Cockcroft
  (12:17 PM)


(12:17 p.m. ET) The Seahawks' Week 17 inactives, according to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, included Deion Branch (calf), but not Shaun Alexander (wrist). Alexander isn't a bad flex option facing the Falcons, though the way he has run all year, that's about the most he should be considered. D.J. Hackett will start, and should get enough targets to warrant No. 3 receiver consideration.

Tristan H. Cockcroft
  (12:20 PM)


(12:20 p.m. ET) ESPN's Ed Werder reports that Cowboys coach Wade Phillips has told his team's starters he wants to get them their individual records and then get them out of the game. That might mean no more than a quarter for guys like Tony Romo, Jason Witten and Marion Barber, so take it into account when making your lineup decisions.

AJ Mass
  (3:10 PM)


The Chiefs website does not list any notable inactives except perhaps RB Gilbert Harris who may have receive some carries in spelling Kolby Smith. Those carries will likely go now to Jackie Battle, as limited as they are. Larry Johnson and Eddie Kennison were placed on IR earlier in the week, and their seasons are officially over.

AJ Mass
  (3:22 PM)


According to the Baltimore Ravens website, their inactives for Week 17 are numerous, including Kyle Boller, Willis McGahee, Mike Anderson, Ray Lewis, Daniel Wilcox, Demetrius Williams and Quinn Sypniewski. The litany of tight end woes means a possible sleeper candidate would be Lee Vickers, who will start. Musa Smith should get the bulk of the RB action.

AJ Mass
  (3:23 PM)


According to their opponents' website, the Steelers will have Ben Roethlisberger and Hines Ward inactive. Charlie Batch and Nate Washington will take their places, and against a depleted Ravens defense, they may be worth a look.

AJ Mass
  (3:30 PM)


According to the Denver Broncos official website, Mike Bell, Daniel Graham and Brandon Stokley are all listed as inactive. Tony Scheffler was a good play anyway, but this confirms his role as Denver's top TE option.

AJ Mass
  (3:32 PM)


According to their opponents' website, the Vikings have declared Sidney Rice as inactive. That's one less target for Tarvaris Jackson to be unable to find downfield as the Vikings attempt to make the playoffs.

AJ Mass
  (3:36 PM)


According to the Raiders website, neither they nor the Chargers have any notable inactives. It still remains to be seen however at what point the Chargers decide to rest their key players, such as LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates, should they even decide to do so at all.

AJ Mass
  (3:39 PM)


The Cardinals website does not list Anquan Boldin or Larry Fitzgerald as inactive. This is good news as Kurt Warner should have total freedom in finding his star receivers downfield again and again.

AJ Mass
  (3:43 PM)


Jason Campbell is officially out of today's Washington-Dallas affair, according to the Redskins' official website. Not surprising as Todd Collins was expected to play, but this could boil over into a full-scale QB controversy next week, should Collins lead Washington into the playoffs.

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