IDP Injury Report: Week 14

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

Terrell Suggs, BAL (biceps): Although he practiced twice this week, Terrell Suggs will likely be a game-time decision on Sunday. Suggs is also feeling effects from his torn Achilles injury suffered in the offseason, and will now have to deal with a new injury on top of that. His pass-rush productivity has taken a hit this season due to his health, however, it is worth noting how Paul Kruger has exceled when Suggs is on the field.

William Moore, ATL (hamstring): After recording the highest individual fantasy point total of Week 13, William Moore has missed Wednesday and Thursday’s practice with a hamstring injury. He is listed as questionable for this week’s matchup versus the Panthers.

Asante Samuel, ATL (shoulder): Samuel sat-out the Falcons last contest, but their secondary still managed to pick-off five passes in his absence. This week, Samuel is playing things cautiously in hopes of playing this Sunday. He has missed both Wednesday and Thursday’s practices, and will be a game-time decision.

Dannell Ellerbe, BAL (ankle): Ellerbe has been a nice IDP option in place of the injured Ray Lewis, but that nice run came to a halt after sitting out last week’s game versus Pittsburgh. He has not practiced this week, and it’s unlikely he will play on Sunday versus the Redskins. A combination of Albert McClellan and Brendan Ayanbadejo will take Ellerbe’s spot should he not be able to start.

Brian Urlacher, CHI (hamstring): IDP owners with Brian Urlacher have been treated to several great games from him, but even more maddeningly low outputs from the former All-Pro vet. Now, they will need to explore a different option entirely, as Urlacher could miss as many as four weeks with a hamstring injury.

Tim Jennings, CHI (shoulder): Jennings’ presence was missed during the Bears’ overtime loss to the Seahawks last week, and it’s uncertain if he will be able to join his team. The NFL’s leader in interception is listed as questionable, but reports indicate that he is unlikely to play.

Charles Woodson, GB (shoulder): By now, Woodson owners have moved on and explored other options for their defensive back positions. However, it’s worth noting that the former IDP stud returned to practice this week and could return for his first action since Week 7.

Clay Matthews, GB (hamstring): Matthews was held out of Wednesday and Thursday’s practices, and the Packers aren’t optimistic about Matthews returning in time for this Sunday’s game versus the Lions. However, the odds of returning in time for Week 15 versus the Bears are improving.

Johnathan Joseph, HOU (hamstring): The top corner on the Texans depth chart was limited in practice this week, although he is expected to play this week versus the Patriots. Although, the recent signing of cornerback Stanford Routt indicates that the Texans have concerns over whether Joseph’s injury will allow him to handle a full workload down the remaining stretch of the season.

Antoine Bethea, IND (neck): Bethea has had a quiet season in comparison to his great fantasy output of 2011, and his numbers may be dealt another big blow. After sustaining a neck injury in practice this week, Bethea’s status for Sunday is very much in question.

Derrick Johnson, KC (hamstring): The Chiefs’ staple in IDP leagues across the circuit has been held out of Wednesday and Thursday’s practice, and has been dealing with a hamstring injury. At 2-10, the Chiefs do not have any reason to rush their star back into action.

Kenny Phillips, NYG (knee): After returning to action last week from a knee injury, Kenny Phillips has missed two practices this week due to the same ailment. It was imperative that the Giants have his athleticism on the field to match that of Robert Griffin III and the Redskins, but they may not force the issue with Stevie Brown performing just fine at Phillips’ old post.

Ryan Clark, PIT (hip): Clark has quietly emerged as a top-12 option at safety in IDP leagues, but was held out of Thursday’s practice with a hip injury. So far, there isn’t any indication that it will be enough to hold him out of Sunday’s juicy matchup versus the Chargers, and if it remains that way, then Clark will remain a solid fantasy option.

Brandon Browner, SEA (susp): Brandon Browner has been suspended for the final four games of the regular season for violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy.

Kam Chancellor, SEA (groin): The Seahawks could potentially take another hit to their dominant secondary with safety Kam Chancellor being held out of Thursday’s practice due to a groin injury. He is listed as questionable, but indications are that he will play Sunday barring a setback.

Colin McCarthy, TEN (concussion): After missing last week’s game to a concussion, Colin McCarthy returned to practice and is in line to play Sunday versus the Colts, and will give his owners a chance to salvage something from what has been an injury-riddled season for the second-year pro.

London Fletcher, WAS (ankle): Fletcher returned to practice on Friday at a limited basis, and will likely extend his consecutive games streak on Sunday versus the Ravens. He is listed as questionable.

DeAngelo Hall, WAS (ankle): Despite being limited and practice and sporting crutches earlier in the week, DeAngelo Hall is expected to start on Sunday.