Every NFL team playing this Sunday is required to issue their final injury report on Friday. The pair of teams playing Monday night will issue their final injury report on Saturday. Here we will review all the fantasy-relevant players dealing with ailments and how to start planning accordingly. Keep in mind, however, that the inactive list isn't due until 90 minutes before kickoff. As you start to put the final touches on those lineups, have a fallback plan or two at the ready.

 

Injured Monday Night players

 

Eddie Lacy, RB, Packers - Ankle

After leaving Sunday night's game, Lacy sat out of practice on Thursday prior to getting on the field for some reps Friday. A likely limited Lacy is a dicey play for weekly managers and a non-starter in DFS. James Starks is a serious value play should Lacy be ruled out, even though the opposing Chiefs just shut down the Broncos run game last week. 

Davante Adams, WR, Packers - Ankle

Adams returned to the game after suffering his ankle injury and should be good to go. He's told the media that he's already back to running at full speed.

OUT

Drew Brees, QB, Saints - Shoulder

A bruised rotator cuff has Brees unable to put any juice on the ball. Without any arm strength or velocity owners need to find options at quarterback not only for this week, but likely the foreseeable future.

Jay Cutler, QB, Bears - Hamstring

The 0-2 Seahawks have their backs against the wall in the home opener, not a safe place to push Cutler into action.

Arian Foster, RB, Texans - Groin

Foster continues to put some work on the practice field, but he isn't ready to suit up for a game yet. Foster won't play until he feels fully recovered, which is what anxious fantasy owners should want as well.

Tevin Coleman, RB, Falcons - Ribs

The rookie was looking pretty good to start the season until a broken rib knocked him out of last week's game. Devonta Freeman is sort of interesting in PPR leagues over the next week or two with Coleman on the mend.

Dez Bryant, WR, Cowboys - Foot

The Cowboys put Tony Romo on IR-designated for return, so they are hoping Dez will be able to return first. His best case scenario is currently Week 7, which seems very optimistic.

Alshon Jeffery, WR, Bears - Hamstring

Breshad Perriman, WR, Ravens - Knee

Jerricho Cotchery, WR, Panthers - Ankle

Dwayne Allen, TE, Colts - Ankle

He's not the most efficient player, but Coby Fleener is a receiving tight end that the Colts used last year to take shots down the field. No Allen instantly puts Fleener into the streamer class of tight ends and a budget DFS play.

Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Buccaneers - Shoulder

ASJ got off to a hot start, but is now droppable facing a 4-6 week injury.

Julius Thomas, TE, Jaguars - Hand

Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Lions - Hamstring

Looking to score for a third straight game, Eric Ebron will contiune to see an increased number of snaps.

DOUBTFUL

Andre Ellington, RB, Cardinals - Knee

Ellington is unlikely to get the call as a game-time decision against the 49ers. As was the case last week, play Chris Johnson for the safety in volume, or take the big swing on a David Johnson splash play or two.

Reggie Bush, RB, 49ers - Calf

Denard Robinson, RB, Jaguars - Knee

PROBABLE (limited or no practice)

Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seahawks - Calf

Seattle will have Lynch test his calf on Saturday and again Sunday as part of a game-time decision. If Beastmode is no go, the committee facing a terrible Bears defense features veteran Fred Jackson and Thomas Rawls, an undrafted free agent that was impressive during the preseason.

Matt Forte, RB, Bears - Knee

Forte has been limited in practice, but should be fine to face the Seahawks. Without Cutler and Jeffery, Forte will see a ridiculous number of touches. He makes for a strong contrarian play on the road in Seattle, against a defense that isn't quite what it was the last two years.

Lamar Miller, RB, Dolphins - Ankle

Limited in practice, Miller is expected to play in a tough matchup against the Bills.

DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Texans - Concussion

Nuk had a full practice on Friday and is on track on play, barring a setback.

Brandin Cooks, WR, Saints - Ankle

Cook did not practice Wednesday or Thursday, but had a full practice on Friday. The injury to Brees is a major step back in the development of Cooks and as well as his immediate fantasy value.

Allen Hurns, WR, Jaguars - Thigh

Hurns s a deep sleeper against a soft Patriots defense that will be focused on stopping Allen Robinson. Playing from behind early, Blake Bortles will be throwing for much of the day.

Eddie Royal, WR, Bears - Back

More targets for Royal without Jeffery, but it's against the Seahawks.

Markus Wheaton, WR, Steelers - Chest

Wheaton was back to practice on Friday and quickly running out of time to take advantage of Martavis Bryant's suspension.

Marquess Wilson, WR, Bears - Shoulder

If Cutler couldn't get Wilson more involved, I don't think Jimmy Clausen can either.

Jordan Cameron, TE, Dolphins - Groin

Cameron has been solid through two games and expected to play against the Bills this week.

PROBABLE (full practice)

Ryan Tannehill, QB, Dolphins - Ankle

Matthew Stafford, QB, Lions - Ribs

Tyrod Taylor, QB, Bills - Chest

One concern here is a battered Stafford being unable to finish the game, or getting pulled should the score get out of hand against a nasty Broncos defense. Oh, and Week 4 is a trip to Seattle. Yikes.

C.J. Anderson, RB, Broncos - Ankle

LeSean McCoy, RB, Bills - Hamstring

Carlos Hyde, RB, 49ers - Quadricep

Toby Gerhart, RB, Jaguars - Abdomen

Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers - Hamstring

After playing just 40 of the 66 snaps the Bucs saw on offense in Week 2, Evans will not have any restrictions facing the Texans on the road this Sunday. Last week, Houston gave up touchdowns to lowly Panthers wide receivers Philly Brown and Ted Ginn. Start Evans with full confidence.

Percy Harvin, WR, Bills - Hip

Marqise Lee, WR, Jaguars - Hamstring

Delanie Walker, TE, Titans - Hand

After missing one game, Walker looks ready to return in time for a great matchup against the Colts.

Dan Carpenter, K, Bills - Abdomen

QUESTIONABLE

DeMarco Murray, RB, Eagles - Hamstring

Murray tweaked his hammy earlier in practice this week, but returned on Friday. The matchup against the Jets is a brutal one, especially with the massive rut the Eagles offense has been stuck in.

Todd Gurley, RB, Rams - Knee

Gurley is ready to play, it's up to the team to activate him. The rookie split reps all week with the starters and will likely share carries with Tre Mason, before Benny Cunningham comes in on third down and passing situations. As much as Gurley owners are itching to get him into their lineup, it make take a game or two to see the rookie earn a heavy workload.

Jonathan Stewart, RB, Panthers - Knee

After missing practice on Wednesday, Stewart was limited on Thursday and Friday. He'll likely play this week against a very exploitable Saints defense.

Chris Ivory, RB, Jets - Quadricep, Groin

Ivory is a game-time decision after a limited practice on Friday. On Monday night against the Colts, Bilal Powell ended up playing more snaps than Ivory and may have some sneaky PPR upside against the Eagles.

Lorenzo Taliaferro, RB, Ravens - Foot

The snap count between Taliaferro and Forsett is starting to narrow. And if the Ravens continue to use shotgun frequently, Taliaferro is a better fit than Justin Forsett based on his college playing experience. That said, Taliaferro wasn't practicing on Wednesday or Thursday before seeing the field some on Friday.

Eric Decker, WR, Jets - Knee

No practice for Decker this week, so you'll need to wait for a game-time decision. It's a great matchup against the Eagles, too. Brandon Marshall will be a targets monster if Decker is indeed out.

Ladarius Green, TE, Chargers - Concussion

Green has already suffered two concussions this season and now has three over the last nine months. Antonio Gates will be back in Week 5, likely as the starter whether or not Green is able to play by then.

SUSPENDED

Returning this week: Le'Veon Bell, RB, Steelers

Eligible to return Week 5: Martavis Bryant, WR, Steelers; Antonio Gates, TE, Chargers

IR-Designated for return

Tony Romo, QB, Cowboys - Collarbone

David Cobb, RB, Titans - Calf

Jay Ajayi, RB, Dolphins - Ribs

Rashad Greene, WR, Jaguars - Thumb

Physically unable to perform (PUP list)

Stevan Ridley, RB, Jets - Knee

Brandon LaFell, WR, Patrots - Foot

Kevin White, WR, Bears - Shin