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Injury Wrap: Guessing game for Arian Foster, Marques Colston

Scott Pianowski
Fantasy analyst

The Texans and Saints have the big injury news of the week, so let's grab them first.

It's a messy backfield in Houston, with Arian Foster (hamstring) considered a game-time decision against Indianapolis. It's the Sunday night game, so fantasy owners probably will be flying blind on this situation. Ben Tate (ribs) is expected to be available, though he's not 100 percent either. Unless we discover new information on Foster between now and 1 pm ET on Sunday, I'd lean towards other options.

All signs point to Jimmy Graham (foot) playing at the Jets, though he's officially listed as questionable. Things are more dicey with Marques Colston (knee), who didn't practice Friday. Keep in mind Colston had a bad foot into the season, and he's been next to invisible of late. No way I'm risking a Week 9 fantasy game on Colston.

As for the rest of the league, here's the story in position-by-position detail:

Running Back

• Marshawn Lynch (knee) had a full workout Friday and is listed as probable for the home beatdown of Tampa Bay. Plug and play.

• Jamaal Charles (knee) is listed as probable, good news with Buffalo up on the schedule. Have a day, No. 25.

• Zac Stacy (ankle) did some work Friday, though he's still carrying the questionable tag for Week 9. At least the Rams have an early game, so we'll know in time Sunday. Daryl Richardson (foot) is also listed as questionable.

• Jonathan Stewart (ankles) is expected to dress for the Panthers, just to mess up their backfield for our purposes. I'm still ranking him below DeAngelo Williams (quad/probable) and Mike Tolbert for this week.

• It looks like DeMarco Murray (knee) will return against Minnesota. He's listed as probable.

• Both of Buffalo's main runners are listed as probable: C.J. Spiller (ankle) and Fred Jackson (knee). They'll get a stern test from the KC defense.

• Doug Martin (labrum) remains out indefinitely and will eventually need surgery for the problem. I'd bet against Martin playing again this year, albeit the Bucs keep saying there's a chance he returns.

Wide Receiver/Tight End

• Rob Gronkowski is listed as probable, despite a laundry list of injuries. If you own him, you're starting him.

• Roddy White (hamstring/ankle) did some work Friday and is a game-time decision for the Sunday affair against Carolina. I'd steer from White unless you're totally empty at the position.

• James Jones (knee) had a limited practice Friday, though he's still very iffy for Monday's game against Chicago. I'd try to find a safer option.

• Stevie Johnson (hip) is dinged up but the Bills don't seem too worried; he's listed as probable. His quarterback tie-in is the bigger issue here.

• Although Darrius Heyward-Bey is dealing with a sore hamstring, the Colts expect DHB to go Sunday night against Houston. Nonetheless, he's still listed as questionable. I'd rather go with T.Y. Hilton, if that option is available to you.

• Miles Austin (hamstring) is out indefinitely, if you need another reason to steer you to Terrance Williams.

• Percy Harvin (hip) has already been ruled out for Week 9. Careful with those long-term injury expectations, amigos. With Sidney Rice also done for the year, look into Golden Tate and Doug Baldwin.

• Dwayne Bowe is dealing with a sore groin but the Chiefs list him as probable for Week 9.

Quarterback

• Christian Ponder will start at Dallas, if you wanted to know.

• Thad Lewis is dealing with sore ribs and a case of the flu, which has him doubtful for Week 9. That means Jeff Tuel is probably the starting quarterback against the nasty Chiefs defense.