Injury Wrap: Hakeem Nicks, game-time decision

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Every NFL club is in action in Week 10, but that doesn't mean every name player will be on the field. With the practice week in the books, let's take a long look at what's going on, who's in and who's out. We'll start with our featured news item, then work around the league in this order: running backs, quarterbacks, receivers, kickers, other positons. Ready, steady, go.

Hakeem Nicks (hamstring) had partial practices Thursday and Friday and looks like a game-time decision for Sunday's match in San Francisco. According to the New York Daily News, Nicks said he was working at "a little more than 50 percent" on Friday. "I'm being smart about it. I'm not running crazy. But at the same time, I'm testing it … to see where I'm at." The depth of your fantasy roster will determine how you approach Nicks this week.

Ahmad Bradshaw (foot) has been ruled out for Week 10, good news for Brandon Jacobs. Then again, Jacobs is up against the terrific 49ers rushing defense (3.5 YPC, no rushing touchdowns allowed), so it's hard to expect much.

Mark Ingram (heel) had a limited practice week but the Saints are listing him as probable, so he figures to go at Atlanta. It's not as optimistic for Christopher Ivory (hamstring, questionable).

• The Colts list Joseph Addai (hamstring) as questionable, though he missed the entire practice week. Looks like the Donald Brown and Delone Carter show against the Jags.

Beanie Wells (knee) was at Friday's practice and the Cardinals are listing him as probable.

Steven Jackson (foot) was at Friday's workout and is listed as probable. Deploy as usual.

• The Niners limited Frank Gore (ankle) this week but he's nonetheless probable for the game against the Giants. He was moving well at Friday's workout, according to the San Jose Mercury News.

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LeSean McCoy (shoulder) had a solid week and is considered probable for Week 10.

Willis McGahee (hand) is listed as probable and should be able to play through the discomfort at Kansas City.

• Despite a sore groin, Shonn Greene is listed as probable. He should start against the Patriots.

Jahvid Best (post concussion) is out for another week, which means Maurice Morris and Keiland Williams will lug the mail at Chicago. Kevin Smith might enter the fray in a week or two.

Ben Tate (foot/ankle) is a little nicked up but he's listed as probable. He was able to practice Friday, a good sign.

Tashard Choice (hamstring) has an outside chance to play at Miami. He's listed as questionable. You never say never when Shanahans are involved, I suppose.

Montario Hardesty (calf) and Peyton Hillis (hamstring/karma) are both out for Week 10, which means Chris Ogbonnaya will have to carry the load against St. Louis. Thomas Clayton is the fallback option.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis (toe) and Kevin Faulk (knee) are both questionable for another week. The Law Firm started last week, despite the same tag, while Faulk was a game-day scratch.

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Kevin Kolb (toe) wanted to go against his former Philadelphia mates, but it's unlikely. He missed the full practice week, and although he's listed as questionable, teams are reluctant to play a quarterback when he's unable to take reps in preparation. John Skelton was a mixed bag in Week 9; he made some good decisions and wasn't a complete zero, but he struggled with accuracy and pocket awareness (witness some of the wayward passes thrown to Larry Fitzgerald, or the two safeties St. Louis recorded). Skelton is also working behind what could be the worst pass-blocking unit in the league; it's going to be a good week to own the Philadelphia defense.

• The Rams are calling Sam Bradford (ankle) questionable, but he's been taking practice reps and should start at Cleveland.

• The following quarterbacks are all listed as probable and should start for their respective clubs: Matthew Stafford (finger/ankle), Matt Hasselbeck (knee), Tony Romo (ribs), Josh Freeman (thumb) and Tarvaris Jackson (pectoral).

Andre Johnson (hamstring) will not play at Tampa Bay, his sixth consecutive game missed. The Texans have their bye in Week 11, then play Jacksonville after that. Jacoby Jones and Kevin Walter (knee, probable) get extra reps with Johnson out, but they haven't done much with their opportunity so far.

Stevie Johnson (flu-like symptoms) was held out of Friday's practice, so check on him Sunday before you make a final commitment. He should be able to go, but just make sure you do your game-day diligence.

Julio Jones (hamstring) is listed as probable, so look for him to be fine against the Saints. He only took partial reps Friday, as a precaution.

Miles Austin (hamstring) is down for 2-4 weeks, which makes Laurent Robinson a dynamite play. Dallas hosts Buffalo on Sunday.

Lance Moore (hamstring) missed the last two days of work and is very questionable for Sunday's game against the Falcons. Perhaps Robert Meachem can help you as a deep-league flier, assuming Moore is a pre-game scratch on game day.

Nate Washington (hip) returned to Friday's work after resting earlier in the week. He's listed as questionable for the match at Carolina.

Emmanuel Sanders (knee) is already ruled out for the showdown at Cincinnati, all the more reason to keep rolling with Antonio Brown. Hines Ward (post-concussion symptoms) practiced Friday and is listed as probable. Ward might start ahead of Brown, but follow the stats and the targets on this one: Brown is a far safer fantasy play.

Mohamed Massaquoi (post concussion) is down for another week, which means the surging Joshua Cribbs (two scores in two games) is worth a deep-league gamble.

Lee Evans (ankle) is listed as doubtful; look for him to be a game-day scratch at Seattle. Torrey Smith has been up-and-down as a rookie; you saw it last week, when he dropped a late pass in the Pittsburgh end zone, then followed it up with the dramatic game-winning catch.

Plaxico Burress (back) returned to work Friday and the Jets can't be too concerned, given that they're listing him as probable.

• The Niners took it easy with Michael Crabtree (foot) and Braylon Edwards (knee) this week, but they're both considered probable for the home game against New York.

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Danario Alexander (hamstring) won't play at Cleveland and Greg Salas (leg) is out for the season. Brandon Gibson gets the push forward with these guys out, and Mark Clayton looms as a Hail Mary play, finally off the PUP list.

Wes Welker (rib) is listed as probable for the critical game in the Meadowlands. Barring a late setback or some Bill Belichick smokescreen, Welker should start and be at full-throttle.

Devin Hester (ankle) missed the full practice week and is too risky to trust against Detroit. Hopefully you snatched Earl Bennett earlier this week.

• Tampa Bay's Mike Williams (thigh) was at Friday's workout and should go against the Texans. He's listed as probable.

Fred Davis (ankle) worked Friday and is listed as probable. Use him at Miami.

Brandon Pettigrew (elbow) is listed as probable and you'll want to try him against a Bears defense that struggles in tight-end coverage.

Tony Gonzalez (back) is a little nicked up but he worked Friday nonetheless. He's probable. I can't imagine him sitting against New Orleans.

Dallas Clark (leg) is out indefinitely, which means Jacob Tamme is back in the starting lineup.

Jermaine Gresham (hamstring) had a limited week and is no sure thing to play against the Steelers. He's listed as questionable. Donald Lee will start if Gresham can't go.

Jared Cook (knee) was at Friday's practice and should play at Carolina, though he's listed as questionable.

Todd Heap (hamstring) is listed as questionable, not that you'd ever want to roll with him in a week without bye teams.

Lance Kendricks (foot) has been ruled out for the game at Cleveland.

Jason Hanson (knee) is listed as probable, so get a status check on him Sunday.

Rian Lindell (shoulder) will miss at least a month. Dave Rayner was signed this week to replace him.

Phil Dawson (illness) worked Friday and is considered probable, not that anyone wants to ride shotgun with the Cleveland offense.

• Jets center Nick Mangold (ankle) has been practicing and is probable for the Sunday nighter.

• Packers left tackle Chad Clifton (knee) is out again. Aaron Rodgers will figure it out.

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• Underrated Texans guard Eric Winston (shoulder) was limited this week and is listed as questionable, though he should play at Tampa. The club also expects tackle Duane Brown (shoulder) and guard Wade Smith (ankle) to play; they're probable.

• Bears lineman Julius Peppers (knee) worked Friday and is probable. Go chase Stafford around.

• Giants end Osi Umenyiora (knee) is probable for the showdown at San Francisco.

• Cardinals linebacker Joey Porter (knee) won't play, and he might be at the end of the line. Sam Acho is the fill-in.

• Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee (wrist) is a game-time decision.

• Niners linebacker Navorro Bowman (shoulder) took it easy during Friday's session but he's listed as probable.

• Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo (knee) should go at New York. He's listed as probable.

• Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (knee) should go again, though he's been limited in practice.

• Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley (hamstring) won't play at Cincinnati, but James Farrior (calf) and James Harrison (toe) are both listed as probable.

• Browns safety T.J. Ward (foot/finger) is listed as doubtful, a key loss for the Browns. He's one of the team's better run-stoppers.

• Eagles corner Asante Samuel (groin) was at Friday's practice and is listed as probable.

• Cowboys corner Mike Jenkins (hamstring) is out for another week.

• Patriots safety Patrick Chung (foot) is listed as questionable and will come down to a game-night decision.

• Texans corner Johnathan Joseph (hamstring) is considered probable and was able to practice Friday.

• Vikings corner Antoine Winfield (neck) was at Friday's practice and should start Monday in Green Bay.

• Dolphins corner Vontae Davis (hamstring) worked this week and is listed as probable.

• Ravens safety Ed Reed (shoulder) was at Friday's work and is considered probable for Week 10.

• Steelers safety Troy Polamalu (rib) had a decent Friday practice and he's probable for the critical game in Cincinnati.

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Images courtesy of US Presswire
 
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