Stephania Bell

  (11:17 AM)

Happy Friday and happy pre-Championship weekend! Nervous?

Chris (Ft Myers)

Do you think Dez Bryant's finger will be a problem against a weak Saints secondary?

Stephania Bell

  (11:19 AM)

Chris: Bryant showed me enough to feel comfortable playing him this week but he also had a few drops where it was clear the finger was affecting him. So will it be a problem? Maybe, at times. And always the chance he does something to make it feel worse during the game. But not enough to make me bench him.

Brandon Marshall Owners (Panic Level High)

Hamstring trouble? HELP!

Stephania Bell

  (11:20 AM)

Coach Lovie Smith said it was not serious, essentially quieted the panic. No reason right now to think it keeps him out.

Kevin (Houston)

Do you think Gronk is playing this weekend? Thanks.

Stephania Bell

  (11:21 AM)

Kevin: I do not. I think there's a chance, but I don't think the Patriots need him this week and giving him another week of healing time without contact is a bonus for him. Be sure to check the pregame but, I'd be surprised.

Shawn (Ashland, KY)

Is Lesean McCoy a safe enough play this week to consider putting him ahead of Deangelo Williams as a flex player?

Stephania Bell

  (11:22 AM)

Shawn: Yes. We know he's going to start. He'll be a bit deconditioned after not only the time off but the limited activity he was restricted to while recovering. We already know Bryce Brown rotates in. But I still like McCoy with chances to score.

Matt (DC)

Is Demarco Murray good to go?

Stephania Bell

  (11:23 AM)

Matt: Yes.

Chip (NC)

Hi Stephania- We talked Amendola on Tuesday. Now he is off the injury report! What does that even mean? How do you interpret that?

Stephania Bell

  (11:25 AM)

Chip: Well, it's obviously a good sign! I take it as he's not missing any reps in practice, there's no doubt he'll play but I don't fool myself into thinking he's suddenly 100%. Always the possibility he aggravates it but I'm not "sitting" him with that concern in mind. Think he's a good play this week.

Paul (Menifee, CA)

Is Torry Smith out this weekend? Would Bolden be a great WR 2 if Smith is out?

Stephania Bell

  (11:26 AM)

Paul: No word yet. He did return to practice but not yet cleared for contact. Not sure that will happen before the weekend. Boldin would be a good, not great, WR option.

Chad (Columbus)

Any concern that Roddy's knee could limit production again this week? Trying to decide between him, Decker, or Garcon in a PPR. Also, would the apparent good health of Amendola lead you to put him in your lineup over Shorts or Garcon in a PPR? Thanks for all you do and happy holidays!

Stephania Bell

  (11:29 AM)

Chad: Hard to know. He appeared to be limited at first last week and when they had enough of a cushion they just didn't need him much. He still played the majority of the offensive snaps so he wasn't totally out of it. Like him better this week than last (and he did get back in practice). But I probably go Garcon over him, especially with RG III back. And Amendola comes behind Garcon for me. And behind SHorts.

Jeremy (DC)

Hey Stephania! Thanks for the info all year. Debating between Decker and Roddy for PPR WR2. Gut says Decker especially after I listened to it and benched Roddy last week. Any reason you'd go with Roddy instead?

Stephania Bell

  (11:31 AM)

jeremy: As a follow to the last one. Again, bit of a tough call as White needs just one big play. I still give him the edge.

Shelly (Mechanicsville, VA)

How does Leshoure look for Saturday night?

Stephania Bell

  (11:31 AM)

Shelly: expect him to play

Stevan Ridley (New England)

Is there a cure for fumblitis? Also, is Brandon Boldin 100% healthy and ready to take carries away from other NE backs?

Stephania Bell

  (11:32 AM)

Might want to chat with your friend Bryce Brown. DOn't know if Bolden is 100% but he's ready to step in if needed.

Karen (Aptos)

Greetings from NorCal.. Better play this week - Graham or H.Miller? Is Graham's wrist injury enough to bench him? Happy Friday! AND THANKS for all that you do for us "geeks".

Stephania Bell

  (11:34 AM)

Karen: Thank you! And I love Aptos. Beautiful. This is really tough. Graham clearly not himself and you wonder if he's getting less targets lately from his QB b/c of the drops. But he's pushing through it and he's just too much of a threat for me to bench...unless I had Aaron Hernandez.

Dave (Hoboken, NJ)

Hey Stephania. Championship this week. What do you think of Bradshaw's health? Would you start Wilson at Flex over Blackmon, Fitz, Battle, and Ingram (Amendola and S.Smith are my WRS)? Happy Holidays!

Stephania Bell

  (11:37 AM)

Dave: THink Bradshaw will play...but then it's a medical decision so we may not know until the last minute. I would start Wilson over everyone there at flex b/c of his potential to score whether BRadshaw is in or not. (Can't believe what's happened to Fitz but...). Good luck...

John (PA)

Hi Stephania. SJax hasn't practiced for a couple of days - any reason I should be worried about his availability this week? Thanks.

Stephania Bell

  (11:37 AM)

John: B/c of illness but yesterday reportedly did some warmups then stayed to watch practice, so sounds like he's improving. We'll see what he does today.

Jay (VA)

Happy holidays! Since you're a huge 49er fan, thought you could help. Debating a DST, either Seattle, Miami (vs Buffalo), or Indy (@KC). Thoughts on score of Sea-SF game and if Seattle can get some turnovers?

Stephania Bell

  (11:39 AM)

Jay: Same to you! Very tough for me b/c I want the Seattle D to have a less-than-average day against my Niners. Won't give you a score but it would not surprise me if Seattle gets a turnover or two. Still think Niners will score on them. Gore ran for over 100 yards last time they played (granted, that was in SF). Probably still go with Seattle.

Greg (Fantasy Super Bowl)

Is Big Ben still nagging from his injury? He looks like his throwing mechanics may be a bit off.. Is that rust or lingering effects from the injury?

Stephania Bell

  (11:41 AM)

Greg: I'm sure he still has pain...or discomfort. And the thing that strikes me is how much he's getting hit during the games. As the game wears on, the more contact he absorbs, the worse it is. Imagine he will play better this week but he will have pain until the season ends.

rhonda (ann arbor)

StephaniaMade it to championship game with RG3 and Gronk on my bench. Assuming RG3 plays and Gronk doesn't do you like Gresham or Pitta in the TE spot?

Stephania Bell

  (11:42 AM)

Rhonda: Congratulations! And, impressive. I like Gresham. But it's very, very close.

Nick (SF (Bay Area))

Hey Stephania! Having a problem trusting Eli lately, Is Kaepernick too risky of a replacement for him this week? Thanks!

Stephania Bell

  (11:43 AM)

Nick: I get that. But Eli has a better matchup against the Saints this week. I probably give the edge to Kap but think Eli bounces back to some degree this week.

Tyler (Baltimore)

Deciding on the coin flip of Jets D or Chargers D. Does the Mathews injury swing the advantage to the Jets D?

Stephania Bell

  (11:44 AM)

Tyler. I think I would take the Jets D anyway.

Andrew(MPLS) [via mobile]

I need some great advice. Pick 3 of these WR; Wayne, Wallace, Crabtree, Heyward-Bay and/or Maclin. Thanks!!!

Stephania Bell

  (11:45 AM)

Andrew: Glad you said "great" advice or it would have been less than... I like Wayne, Crabtree, Wallace.

Stephania Bell

  (11:46 AM)

And yes, Eli is facing the Ravens. Just keeping you on your toes...

Stephania Bell

  (11:46 AM)

I still like him against the weakened Ravens D...

reese1120 (michigan)

with pettigrew out and the probability of detroit having to come from behind...gresham, bennett or scheffler?

Stephania Bell

  (11:47 AM)

Reese: I still like Gresham but Scheffler definitely bumps up a little if Pettigrew definitely out (which I think he will be).

Tom (49er Heaven)

Hi Stephania, any word on Justin Smith? Will he be available for the SF Defence?

Stephania Bell

  (11:50 AM)

Tom: It's not clear. Sounds like his status is questionable as of now and we should know more after today's practice. It does change the Niners pass rush -just look at what happened after he left the game last week -- but I wouldn't write them off.

Mike (Green Bay)

Randall Cobb's shoulder is nothing to worry about, right?

Stephania Bell

  (11:52 AM)

Mike: I think his shoulder will be fine. This is the time of the year when teams limit their players in practice to help ensure they're ready to go on Sunday. Think that's what the Packers are doing here, especially with Jordy Nelson looking as if he'll miss another with the hamstring.

Jordan Bos [via mobile]

Any word on Alex green? Safe to say he's out and should i look at either Justin Blackmon or Jackie battle at flex in deep league? Little concerned with Talib on Blackmon

Stephania Bell

  (11:54 AM)

Jordan: Not official but not practicing yet post-concussion makes his chances look slim. I probably go with Battle...but I don't feel great about it.

Tyler (Mansfield)

Justin Blackmon hands down

Stephania Bell

  (11:55 AM)

Tyler disagrees. Which is fine.

Mindy (TX)

Ms Bell - would you use Nicks over James Jones this week?

Stephania Bell

  (11:57 AM)

Mindy: (So polite). I (sigh) would not. It's just become hard to trust Nicks and I was a defender of his for much of the season. I thought he was going to trend upward as the season went on. Here's what I think happened. The foot did improve but the knee injury compromised him to a degree he could never get right. I will not be surprised if we hear about a knee procedure post-season. So I go with Jones.

Tyler (Mansfield)

Lol well all the chats I attend and all I get is a comment I posted. Thans for a great year(sarcasm)

Stephania Bell

  (11:58 AM)

Send a question - we'll answer it. And no one made you attend...

The Elves (North pole)

Merry christmas stephania! 1 BB question for you concerning injury to G.Davis of magic! Said to be 4-6 weeks out but have you heard anything new on Big baby?

Stephania Bell

  (12:00 PM)

Yielding to a hoops question...have only heard it's a sprained shoulder with no specifics, yet they say 4-6 weeks. Makes me wonder if he subluxed his shoulder (where it slips quickly in the joint but does not dislocate) and that's part of the reason for the lengthy time frame

Please!!! (Illinois)

Good morning Stephaniaa?¦.Ia??m in an IDP league. Could you shed some light on the injuries to Bernard Pollard and William Moore. Any chance they play? Thanks!!

Stephania Bell

  (12:02 PM)

Pollard has not practiced - not looking good. And Moore still struggling with the hamstring. Not sure we see him either.

Tyler (Mansfield)

Andrew Luck or Colin Kaepernick? who has more safety? who has more upside? and who do you think I should start? And I know no one told me I have to attend but I enjoy fantasy football and love your injury insight

Stephania Bell

  (12:04 PM)

Luck safer I think in matchup at Chiefs. Of course, I think Kap has the upside. And that's who I start.

Stephania Bell

  (12:05 PM)

Good luck this weekend!! ANd merry Xmas everyone!