IDP Injury Report: Week 13

The IDP injury report recounts the key defensive players in fantasy football who will be battling injuries in the upcoming week.

Calais Campbell, ARI (calf): After missing last week’s loss to the Rams, Calais Campbell may rejoin his team this Sunday despite being limited in practice all week. Versus a shoddy Jets offensive line, Campbell could be in for a nice fantasy performance should he take the field.

Bernard Pollard, BAL (chest): The hard-hitting safety missed Thursday’s practice, but returned to action on Friday. Despite having a “questionable” designation, Bernard Pollard is expected to play this Sunday versus the Steelers.

Mark Anderson, BUF (knee): Mark Anderson hasn’t played a snap for the Bills since Week 5, and it doesn’t seem like that will change this week. Anderson has, once again, missed practice this week and is listed as “doubtful.”

Charles Tillman, CHI (foot): Despite news emerging of a chipped bone in Charles Tillman’s foot, the playmaking cornerback is not expected to miss any time from it. Tillman missed practice on Wednesday as a precaution, but returned to action Thursday.

Lance Briggs, CHI (ankle): Like Tillman, Lance Briggs returned to practice Thursday after sitting out Wednesday with an ankle ailment. Briggs, who has missed just four games over the course of his 10-year career, is expected to play once again on Sunday.

Clay Matthews, GB (hamstring): The Packers defense has struggled to get any sort of pass rush in the absence of both Nick Perry and Clay Matthews. Perry is gone for the season, and it’s becoming more likely by the day that Matthews will miss his third consecutive game with a hamstring injury. Though he is listed as “questionable,” Matthews not practicing all week doesn’t bode well.

Rashean Mathis, JAC (groin): After returning to action last Sunday for the first time in five weeks, Mathis is expected to play once again despite being limited in Thursday’s practice with a groin injury.

Tamba Hali, KC (knee): There has been a lot to lament over this season if you’re a Chiefs fan, and this could be one more thing to add to that list. Tamba Hali hasn’t practiced all week, and at 1-10, there isn’t any incentive for the Chiefs to rush their premier pass-rusher onto the field. His status for Sunday remains a huge question mark, and his owners should seek alternatives.

Harrison Smith, MIN (concussion): Unlike the Chiefs, the Vikings are in a playoff hunt and need all hands on deck with a crucial game versus the Packers coming up. Rookie safety Harrison Smith will be needed to help counter Aaron Rodgers and company, and it looks that Smith will have a chance to play despite suffering a recent concussion. He returned to practice at a limited basis on Thursday, and is listed as questionable.

Chandler Jones, NE (knee): The Patriots were without Chandler Jones during their 49-19 demolition of the New York Jets on Thanksgiving, but their rookie pass-rusher had the benefit of a long week to rest after that game. Unfortunately, even with that week and Jones returning to practice on Thursday, it is unlikely for him to suit-up versus the Dolphins. It is unclear at this time when Jones will return.

Kenny Phillips, NYG (knee): Phillips tweaked his knee versus the Packers on Sunday night and was held out of all but Friday’s practice this week. That limitation is likely for precautionary reasons, as the Giants may need Phillips in order for them to use a few three-safety formations to counter the athleticism of Robert Griffin III on Monday night.

Troy Polamalu, PIT (calf): The Steelers are a team in need of good news, and they may have some. Troy Polamalu practiced in full this week and is in line to see his first action since Week 5. His playmaking ability is desperately needed for a team that is dangerously close to losing all hope of a division crown this season.

Eric Weddle, SD (head): Weddle was one of nine Chargers that were reported injured after Sunday’s slugfest versus the Ravens, but the freelancing safety is not expected to miss time. Weddle was cleared by a neurologist to resume practicing on Wednesday, and he is likely to remain in the Chargers starting lineup.

Robert Quinn, STL (concussion): Robert Quinn missed both Wednesday and Thursday’s practice while dealing with the lingering effects of a concussion, and his status remains in question. Quinn owners would be advised to explore alternatives in a crucial week for fantasy football.

Colin McCarthy, TEN (concussion): It has been a rough season for Colin McCarthy, who emerged down the stretch of the 2011 season as an IDP stud. After missing time with a high ankle sprain, McCarthy has been held out of practice this week after sustaining a concussion.

London Fletcher, WAS (ankle): It’s been a season which the savvy veteran has finally let his age show, but London Fletcher has shown he can still be a boon to fantasy teams in IDP leagues. Fletcher practiced at a limited basis on Friday, and will likely keep his 235 consecutive game streak intact Monday night. However, the capacity to which he will be on the field is a big mystery, and with the Redskins playing a late game, surer alternatives should be explored for Fletcher owners.