Sunday Fantasy Update

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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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ESPN Fantasy
  (10:35 AM)


Welcome to Week 17's Sunday fantasy inactives blog! Tristan H. Cockcroft will pass along this week's pregame news. Check for updates beginning a little after 11 a.m.

ESPN Fantasy
  (11:19 AM)


ESPN's John Clayton reports that Bernard Berrian (ankle) is "100 percent ready to go" for Week 17. He'll start and be facing a Giants defense with no motivation to play regulars, though having Tarvaris Jackson throwing him the football instead of Gus Frerotte keeps him from being a top-tier play. (11:18 a.m. ET)

ESPN Fantasy
  (11:23 AM)


ESPN's John Clayton reports that Brandon Jacobs (knee) is unlikely to play in Week 17. Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw should share the rushing chores, though neither is expected to be used a great deal and the matchup is a poor one. Danny Ware might even get some work. (11:21 a.m. ET)

ESPN Fantasy
  (11:26 AM)


Wind is expected to be a huge issue in Buffalo today, affecting the Patriots-Bills game. According to the National Weather Service, a west wind between 31-36 mph is expected, with gusts as high as 55 mph. That might wreak havoc on both teams' passing games as well as any kicking opportunities, something to keep in mind if you were relying on Matt Cassel, his receivers, Rian Lindell or Stephen Gostkowski. (11:25 a.m. ET)

ESPN Fantasy
  (11:36 AM)


Both T.J. Houshmandzadeh (back) and Chad Johnson (hamstring) are inactive for the Bengals, according to their official Web site. Chris Henry will start in Johnson's place as expected; the team will have to use either Andre Caldwell or Glenn Holt in Houshmandzadeh's spot. Since the passing targets might be fewer and more divided up, none of the replacements warrant fantasy consideration. Jerome Simpson should see some work too. (11:35 a.m. ET)

ESPN Fantasy
  (11:42 AM)


Pierre Thomas (wrist) and Jeremy Shockey (ankle) are inactive for the Saints, according to their official Web site. Deuce McAllister and Mike Bell might be forced to share the rushing chores, not that either is a recommended fantasy choice, especially not with the single-season passing yards record within Drew Brees' sight. Billy Miller will start at tight end and is worth a look in deeper leagues. (11:41 a.m. ET)

ESPN Fantasy
  (11:44 AM)


Both Jeff King (knee) and Muhsin Muhammad (foot) are active for the Panthers, according to the Web site of their opponent, the Saints. Muhammad has value as a No. 3/4 receiver in deeper leagues. Other Panthers news: D.J. Hackett is active this week; Dwayne Jarrett is inactive. Hackett reclaims his No. 3 receiver role, but has no fantasy value. (11:43 a.m. ET)

ESPN Fantasy
  (11:49 AM)


Giants official inactives, from the Minneapolis Star Tribune: Brandon Jacobs (knee), as expected; also CB Aaron Ross (concussion), LB Gerris Wilkinson (knee), Kevin Boss (ankle) and Lawrence Tynes. This is a meaningless game to the Giants, who might also hook DE Justin Tuck (leg), DT Fred Robbins (shoulder) and Eli Manning early. Load up on Vikings, and avoid Giants if you have viable alternatives. (11:48 a.m. ET)

ESPN Fantasy
  (11:50 AM)


Michael Matthews is the Giants' starting tight end in Week 17, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. He's not a recommended fantasy choice. (11:49 a.m. ET)

ESPN Fantasy
  (11:52 AM)


Gus Frerotte (back), Bernard Berrian (ankle) and DE Jared Allen (knee) are active for the Vikings, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. As reported earlier, Tarvaris Jackson is the team's starting quarterback; Frerotte will merely back him up. (11:51 a.m. ET)

ESPN Fantasy
  (11:57 AM)


Daunte Culpepper (shoulder) and Rudi Johnson are inactive for the Lions, according to their official Web site. Kevin Smith (ankle) and Calvin Johnson (knee) are active and well worth using in fantasy leagues, as the team attempts to avoid an 0-16 season. Dan Orlovsky will start at quarterback; don't bother with him though. (11:56 a.m. ET)

ESPN Fantasy
  (11:58 AM)


Brandon Jackson (wrist) is inactive for the Packers, according to the Web site of their opponent, the Lions. Ryan Grant's matchup couldn't look any better than it does now. CB Charles Woodson (toe) is active. (11:57 a.m. ET)

ESPN Fantasy
  (12:01 PM)


LenDale White (illness) is active for the Titans, according to the team's official Web site, though it's unclear how much he'll play in a meaningless game. Justin Gage is inactive, presumably to give him some rest, as are DT Albert Haynesworth (knee) and DE Kyle Vanden Bosch (groin). Titans players are risky plays because of the rest factor; try to do better if you can. (12:00 p.m. ET)

ESPN Fantasy
  (12:03 PM)


Dominic Rhodes (chest), S Bob Sanders (knee), DE Dwight Freeney and DE Robert Mathis are inactive for the Colts, according to the Web site of their opponent, the Titans. The Colts will presumably rest a slew of regulars in this meaningless game on both sides, so try to find more productive regulars from other teams if you can. (12:02 p.m. ET)

ESPN Fantasy
  (12:07 PM)


Marshawn Lynch (shoulder) is inactive for the Bills, according to their official Web site. Fred Jackson will get the start and actually be flex-spot worthy in spite of the unfavorable matchup; winds are swirling in Buffalo right now and there might be a ton of running in this game. Others Bills news: Roscoe Parrish (knee), CB Jabari Greer (knee) and LB Teddy Lehman (groin) are inactive. (12:06 p.m. ET)

ESPN Fantasy
  (12:09 PM)


BenJarvus Green-Ellis is inactive for the Patriots, according to the Web site of their opponent, the Bills. Sammy Morris, LaMont Jordan and Kevin Faulk will share the rushing chores again, and it's a great matchup for all three in a game where both teams might have to run for most of the day; winds are swirling in Buffalo. Other Patriots news: CB Ellis Hobbs (shoulder) and T Matt Light (shoulder) are active. (12:09 p.m. ET)

ESPN Fantasy
  (12:11 PM)


To IDP owners: CB Charles Tillman (ankle) is active for the Bears, according to their official Web site. (12:10 p.m. ET)

ESPN Fantasy
  (12:14 PM)


Darnell Dinkins (ribs) and Kellen Winslow (ankle) are inactive for the Browns, according to their official Web site. Martin Rucker will start at tight end, but he's not a recommended fantasy choice even facing an unmotivated Steelers defense. Other Browns news: FB Lawrence Vickers (back), Joshua Cribbs (ankle) and Donte' Stallworth (neck) are active. (12:13 p.m. ET)

ESPN Fantasy
  (12:15 PM)


Ben Roethlisberger (ankle) is active for the Steelers, according to their official Web site. He might not play more than a few series, though, so don't bother using him in Week 17. (12:14 p.m. ET)

ESPN Fantasy
  (12:17 PM)


CB Nnamdi Asomugha (neck) is inactive for the Raiders, according to the Web site of their opponent, the Buccaneers. That significantly boosts the matchups of all members of the Buccaneers' passing game, as the rest of the Oakland pass defense is awful. Antonio Bryant benefits especially. (12:17 p.m. ET)

ESPN Fantasy
  (12:19 PM)


Justin Fargas (neck) and Darren McFadden (ankle) are active for the Raiders, according to the Web site of their opponent, the Buccaneers. Neither makes for more than a flex option accounting for the road game with an unfavorable matchup. Ronald Curry (toe) is also inactive, thrusting Chaz Schilens into the starting lineup opposite from Johnnie Lee Higgins. Neither is a great fantasy choice. (12:18 p.m. ET)

ESPN Fantasy
  (12:20 PM)


Jeff Garcia (calf) is active for the Buccaneers, according to their official Web site. With Nnamdi Asomugha out for the Raiders, Garcia's matchup experiences a huge boost; take a look if you need a fill-in quarterback. (12:19 p.m. ET)

ESPN Fantasy
  (12:21 PM)


Steven Jackson (hamstring) is active for the Rams, according to their official Web site. He's a solid No. 2 running back accounting for the favorable matchup. (12:20 p.m. ET)

ESPN Fantasy
  (12:23 PM)


The Falcons have Harry Douglas (toe), Brian Finneran (calf) and Michael Jenkins (shoulder) all active, according to the team's official Web site. If you're in a desperate spot, know that the matchup is a favorable one for a team that has plenty of motivation. (12:23 p.m. ET)

ESPN Fantasy
  (12:25 PM)


Cedric Benson (ankle) is active for the Bengals, according to their official Web site. Chris Perry (ankle) and Kenny Watson (hamstring) are inactive, allowing James Johnson to stand in as Benson's primary backup. Make no mistake; Benson is a strong fantasy option for this matchup. (12:24 p.m. ET)

ESPN Fantasy
  (12:37 PM)


Chris Johnson is inactive for the Titans, according to their official Web site. As reported earlier, LenDale White is active, but it's unclear how much he'll play. Quinton Ganther might see a healthy amount of work, but it's smarter to just avoid this entire backfield. (12:27 p.m. ET)

ESPN Fantasy
  (3:31 PM)


Laveranues Coles is active as expected for the Jets. The only notable inactives are Mike Nugent and Bubba Franks, but Jay Feely has been the team's kicker all season anyway, and Franks is no longer a key option. (3:30 p.m. ET)

ESPN Fantasy
  (3:32 PM)


Frank Gore (ankle) is active for the Niners and will start. However, his workload might be reduced somewhat, with DeShaun Foster grabbing some carries. Gore is probably a good start, but Foster is not. (3:32 p.m. ET)

ESPN Fantasy
  (3:35 PM)


Derrick Mason (shoulder) is active for the Ravens even though he didn't practice all week. He still probably deserves a start in standard three-starting-receiver leagues. Ray Rice (shin), however, is inactive, leaving the running back workload to Le'Ron McClain and Willis McGahee (in that order). The Ravens have no other notable inactives. (3:34 p.m. ET)

ESPN Fantasy
  (3:37 PM)


Kevin Curtis (calf) is active and will start Sunday for the Eagles. So will Brian Dawkins, and reserve receiver Hank Baskett is active too. L.J. Smith is really the only fantasy-notable inactive for the Eagles, unless you include Lorenzo Booker, and you shouldn't. (3:37 p.m. ET)

ESPN Fantasy
  (3:39 PM)


Maurice Jones-Drew (knee) is active as expected for the Jagaurs. Also active is about every key option on a hungry Ravens defense, so MJD still will have his work cut out for him on the road in Week 17. (3:39 p.m. ET)

ESPN Fantasy
  (3:40 PM)


Cornerback Will Allen and linebacker Channing Crowder are both active as expected for the Dolphins for their key matchup versus the Jets. They should bolster the Dolphins' defense. The only notable inactive for the Fins is Ernest Wilford. (3:40 p.m. ET)

ESPN Fantasy
  (3:42 PM)


Marion Barber, Jason Witten and Tony Romo are all active Sunday for their NFC East showdown at Philadelphia. Witten and Romo should get plenty of work, and you should start them if you normally do. However, Barber likely will split time with Tashard Choice, which might put him below the start-worthy level if you have running back depth. (3:42 p.m. ET)

ESPN Fantasy
  (3:43 PM)


Seneca Wallace will start at quarterback once again for the Seahawks in Week 17. Matt Hasselbeck is the only notable inactive for the team. (3:43 p.m. ET)

ESPN Fantasy
  (3:45 PM)


Anquan Boldin is listed as inactive for the Cardinals, elevating Steve Breaston to starting status again and giving Jerheme Urban value as a No. 3. Travis LaBoy is the only other notable inactive for the Cardinals, although he's hardly a top option. More like a pass-rushing specialist. The Cardinals have all other key options healthy for a game they will go all out to win. (3:44 p.m. ET)

ESPN Fantasy
  (3:48 PM)


The Redskins had a number of game-time decisions heading into play Sunday, and it appears all of them will play. Tackling machine London Fletcher (foot) will be starting at linebacker despite sitting out practice most of the week, and right tackle Jon Jansen (knee) and defensive tackle Kedric Golston (ankle) are also active. The only notable inactive for the Skins is Malcolm Kelly. (3:48 p.m. ET)

ESPN Fantasy
  (7:34 PM)


Most of the Broncos' significant names on the injury report are active for Week 17, according to the team's official Web site. That includes Brandon Marshall (hip), Eddie Royal (thumb) and Brandon Stokley (foot), as well as LB D.J. Williams (knee), CB Champ Bailey (groin) and Daniel Graham (ankle). This is a favorable matchup for offense on either side, so load up if you've been waiting on any of these guys. (7:33 p.m. ET)

ESPN Fantasy
  (7:36 PM)


Malcom Floyd (lung) is the only significant inactive for the Chargers, according to their official Web site. With him absent, both Vincent Jackson and Chris Chambers should do much of the work against a poor Denver pass defense. Other Chargers news: Jacob Hester will start at fullback over Mike Tolbert, though both are active. Neither is fantasy-relevant. (7:35 p.m. ET)

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