Injury Wrap: What can Sanders and Brown do for you?

Week 8 is another tricky partial session for fantasy owners, given that all six resting clubs have winning records. There's a lot of firepower on the sidelines, and we'll have to dig deep with some starting calls. Let's give the injury report a thorough audit here; we'll start with the receivers, then hit all the other positions in this order: RB, QB, TE, non-skill guys.

• Hines Ward (ankle) didn't practice Friday and although he's listed as questionable, context clues point to him not playing against New England. Given that it's a late game, I don't see how you can risk anything with Ward in Week 8. Emanuel Sanders is in line to start if Ward doesn't play, but I like Antonio Brown a little more, no matter how he's classified on the depth chart. New England's pass defense has been horrendous, as you know.

• Andre Johnson (hamstring) has been ruled out for Week 8, and while it's a pain that he's not back, at least we have early closure on the injury. Owen Daniels is your best bet in the Houston passing game; if you have to gamble on one of their wideouts against the underrated Jaguars, I'd go Jacoby Jones over Kevin Walter.

• Malcom Floyd (hip) was at Friday's practice and our friend Michael Gehlken thinks Floyd will play at Kansas City on Monday, barring a setback.

• Percy Harvin (ribs) had limited practices Thursday and Friday and I'd do all you can to look away from him. The Vikings haven't really figured out how to best use Harvin, and he's clearly not healthy anyway. Michael Jenkins makes some sense as a Minnesota rental; while he doesn't have any special skills, Christian Ponder has been targeting him often the last two weeks.

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• Braylon Edwards (knee) did some work in practice this week and looks like a game-time decision against Cleveland. You should be able to find safer plays.

• Early Doucet (quadriceps) had a full practice Friday, though he remains questionable on the injury report. The only Arizona player I'm willing to run with this week is receiver Larry Fitzgerald.

• Donald Jones (ankle) is down for another week, which pushes David Nelson into flex value. Nelson has a significant height advantage over the Washington corners.

• With Santana Moss (hand) down 5-7 weeks, Jabar Gaffney becomes a viable fantasy play. Anthony Armstrong and Niles Paul will fight for the other reps.

• Lee Evans (ankle) isn't expected back anytime soon; he's definitely out for Week 8. Torrey Smith makes for an interesting play against a Cardinals secondary that's allowing all sorts of production (especially on the deep ball).

• Mohamed Massaquoi (post concussion) has been ruled out for the match at San Francisco. Greg Little is the only Cleveland wideout to consider in the first place.

• Danario Alexander (hamstring) is considered doubtful for the game against New Orleans. Your receiver play here is Brandon Lloyd, and maybe Greg Salas in desperate spots.

• Matthew Stafford (ankle) took all the Friday reps and although he's listed as questionable, it looks like he'll be starting at Denver.

• Tarvaris Jackson (pectoral) had a full practice Friday and looks likely to start against Cincinnati (Seahawks beat writer Liz Mathews expects Jackson to play). While Jackson is no great fantasy shakes, his presence has a trickle-down effect on the rest of the Seattle offense: you can feel better about Sidney Rice and Doug Baldwin.

• Sam Bradford (ankle) won't dress for the Week 8 game against the Saints. Given how Bradford has struggled in 2011 (much of it not his fault), A.J. Feeley isn't a gigantic drop down.

• Matt Hasselbeck (thumb), Cam Newton (illness), Tony Romo (ribs) and Matt Moore (ribs) are all probable on their respective injury reports, so deploy as usual.

• BenJarvus Green-Ellis (toe) had a week of partial practices and is listed as questionable for the 4 p.m. game at Pittsburgh. All logical signs point to the Law Firm playing, but you should have a late-game caddy available if at all possible.

• Daniel Thomas (hamstring) is questionable for yet another week. He had two days of limited work after sitting out Wednesday. Reggie Bush (neck) had a full day Friday. The Giants haven't been great against the run (4.5 YPC), though they might get Justin Tuck (neck/groin) back this week. Saturday PM Update: Thomas has been ruled out, which pushes the burden onto Bush and Lex Hilliard.

• Jahvid Best (post concussion) won't be available at Denver. Maurice Morris isn't a bad spot play, and Keiland Williams could get some work at the goal and in the fourth quarter (assuming Detroit is ahead).

• Mark Ingram (heel) is off the board for Week 8, which could mean more work for Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles against that awful St. Louis front seven. Beware that Christopher Ivory might also enter the rotation, and you know Sean Payton — he loves to give Jed Collins some goal-line looks now and again, just to mess with us.

• Marshawn Lynch (back) had a full practice Thursday and Friday and is listed as probable. Last week's surprising scratch makes you wary, but it looks like Lynch will go against Cincinnati.

• It's going to be a game-time decision for Beanie Wells (knee) at Baltimore. I can't imagine a happy ending for Wells, no matter if he plays or not. Alfonso Smith and LaRod Stephens-Howling are the fallback options if you're absolutely stuck in the backfield, but I have nothing optimistic to say on either player. I'll be surprised if this game isn't a cakewalk for the Ravens.

• Peyton Hillis (hamstring) looks like a long shot at best for Sunday's game against the Niners, though he hasn't been ruled out yet. Figure on Montario Hardesty to duplicate last week's effort: a ton of volume, nothing special on a per-play basis. Maybe he'll come through for you if the Browns find themselves at the goal line.

• Joseph Addai (hamstring) surprised everyone with a full practice Friday, not that I'd want my Week 8 status resting on Addai's shoulders. But if he dresses, it makes us less interested in Delone Carter and Donald Brown. If I had to use one guy here, Carter is the pick.

• Mike Tolbert (hamstring/hand) didn't work Friday and looks unlikely to play at Kansas City. That means more work, in theory, for Ryan Mathews (thumb, probable), and maybe some scraps for Jacob Hester (probable, foot).

• Tashard Choice (hamstring) didn't practice Friday and Felix Jones (ankle) is out, which means the Cowboys will once again roll with DeMarco Murray and Phillip Tanner in the backfield against Philadelphia.

• With Willis McGahee (hand) out of the way for at least one week, Knowshon Moreno and Lance Ball get the work against Detroit. The Lions have been surprisingly weak against the run, handing out five yards per attempt.

• Cedric Benson (suspension) is finally set to take his week off, which means Bernard Scott gets a look for the Bengals. Be aware of two caveats here: Seattle has the best run-stopping unit in the league (3.1 YPC), and the Bengals also want to give some work to Brian Leonard and Cedric Peerman.

• Brandon Jacobs (knee) had a limited Friday but the Giants nonetheless list him as probable. He should play against Miami.

• Adrian Peterson (ankle) is listed as probable, so go ahead and dial him up at Carolina.

• Antonio Gates (foot) took Friday off but he's expected to play Monday against the Chiefs. I'd use him.

• Jermaine Gresham (hamstring) missed some Friday reps, but he's probable for Week 8. He's a reasonable play at Seattle.

• Visanthe Shiancoe (foot) missed some Friday reps but is expected to see his normal work against the Panthers.

• Chris Cooley (knee/hand) is out for the season, just another reason to buy in on Fred Davis.

• Benjamin Watson (post concussion) had a limited Friday after missing the two previous practice days. He's too risky to use at San Francisco. If you're in a pinch at tight end, consider Evan Moore.

• Redskins left tackle Trent Williams (high ankle sprain) is out, which will make things a little tricky for the Washington offense. Mind you, Buffalo has no pass rush to speak of (four sacks, last in the league).

• The Eagles expect both of their offensive tackles (Jason Peters and Todd Herremans) to play in the showdown against Dallas.

• Miami guard Richie Incognito (ankle) should be able to start Sunday. I just like saying "Richie Incognito."

• Broncos defensive end Elvis Dumervil (ankle) is a game-time decision.

• Philadelphia defensive end Trent Cole (calf) is expected to return. He's probable.

• Steelers linebacker James Harrison (eye) remains out.

• Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo (knee) did a little work Friday and has a shot at the Pittsburgh game.

• Redskins linebacker London Fletcher (hamstring) is listed as questionable but should go against the Bills in Toronto.

• Cleveland cover ace Joe Haden (knee) took some Friday reps and should play at San Francisco, though he's listed as questionable.

• Vikings corner Antoine Winfield (neck) has a chance to go at Carolina. Officially, his status is questionable.

• Miami corner Vontae Davis (hamstring) has been ruled out, something the Giants will appreciate.

• Ravens safety Ed Reed (neck) is listed as probable and should be ready to haunt the Cardinals.

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