Who's in and who's out of the early games in week 13

Sure, every week and every win is important, but when you've come to a win-and-in situation, it's common logic to think that these weeks are the most important -- until the fantasy playoffs. So keep checking back on this post with all of the latest injury news on players such as Adrian Peterson @AdrianPeterson, Percy Harvin @Percy_Harvin Brandon Marshall @BMarshall and Ryan Torain. Fantasy-relevant players who have already been ruled out include Mike Sims-Walker @MikeSimsWalker, Pierre Thomas, Vincent Jackson, Shaun Hill and Marion Barber. It's worth noting that Antonio Gates has NOT been ruled out for today, despite a report on the Chargers' official website stating the opposite. He will test his injured feet before San Diego faces Oakland. Adrian Peterson is active, but Percy Harvin is inactive. Those migraines have now caused him to miss a game in each of his first two NFL seasons. AD will still get a ton of work, even with a bad ankle. And then there's that Bills' run defense ... yeah, start Adrian Peterson. Brandon Marshall is inactive. He went through a couple of limited practices during the week, but reports stated that he never tested his injured hamstring at full speed. So Davone Bess and Brian Hartline are very solid PPR options against Cleveland. Dexter McCluster, who has been out since week seven with a high ankle sprain, will play this week and, according to 610 AM in Kansas City, he will start opposite of Dwayne Bowe against the Broncos. Don't too much weight on the starter tag; McCluster isn't worth a start unless your league counts return yardage. Ryan Torain is inactive for another game because of a hamstring injury. Keiland Williams and James Davis will get the majority of the work out of the Redskins' backfield versus the Giants. But as we learned yet again last week, you can never trust Mike Shanahan when it comes to RBs. Stay away. Santana Moss, however, is active for the Redskins despite hamstring and knee injuries. He's a decent start since Washington will probably be playing catch-up today against the Giants. But risk of re-injury is somewhat high. This deals with a later game, but according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen, Austin Collie will not play this afternoon against Dallas. He's still being bothered by concussion symptoms. Blair White is a good WR3 for another week as he is turning into one of Peyton Manning's favorite touchdown targets. Kerry Collins, as expected, will start for the Titans against the Jaguars today. Chris Simms is the team's No. 2 QB and Rusty Smith is No. 3. Expect rebound games from Chris Johnson and Nate Washington, but I'm benching Randy Moss until he actually does something. Anything! In other Titans news, Kenny Britt will not play for yet another week because of his hamstring injury. But he's getting closer to a return. Check back next week. Greg Jennings will start versus the 49ers today. He has a foot strain that he said is sore, but he's a must-start. Steve Smith and Hakeem Nicks are both out for the Giants. They both expect to play next week. Mario Manningham is a great start against the Redskins. Tight end Kevin Boss should also be productive for another week. Brian Westbrook is active for the 49ers. The vet had a big game off the bench Monday night versus Arizona. But the Packers are not the Cardinals. Plus, with Anthony Dixon taking away a good number of carries, including those at the goal line, I wouldn't consider Westbrook to be more than a flex play today. Jahvid Best will play for the Lions today, but he's not worth considering. Maurice Morris will get the majority of work against the Bears. The Lions really should just end Best's season. Jake Delhomme will start at QB for the Browns against the Dolphins. Colt McCoy is still out because of an ankle sprain. If anything, this further solidifies Miami's defense as a quality start for week 13. C.J. Spiller is active for the Bills, but that doesn't cause me to downgrade Fred Jackson. F-Jax has been too good lately for him to lose a meaningful number of carries to an unproductive and injured rookie. David Garrard will start for the Titans despite an injury to his left, non-throwing wrist. He is a great QB2 today.

Fantasy Analysis:

Dealing with the inactives: Mike Sims Walker's high ankle sprain has apparently taking a turn for the worse after he played last week. His absence means Mike Thomas and Marcedes Lewis are rather good plays against the Titans. Maybe Pierre Thomas comes back next week? We'll see. Until then, Chris Ivory is a decent flex start. Vincent Jackson hasn't been officially ruled out, but the early reports are his calf injury will force him to miss two games. Considering Patrick Crayton is also out, the burden falls upon some other dinged-up receivers: Malcom Floyd and Antonio Gates. Gates is a true game-time decision, but I think Floyd plays with his iffy hamstring and is worth a WR2 spot in deeper leagues. Shaun Hill is out for a while because of a broken finger on his throwing hand. Drew Stanton steps in today against the Bears. You've got to keep starting Calvin Johnson, but I think his value takes a hit with Stanton behind center. Marion Barber is also sidelined because of a calf injury. As a result, Felix Jones will get a lot of touches against the Colts. Considering how ugly their run defense is, Jones is a RB2 for me this week. Tashard Choice should get some work as well, but probably not enough to matter.

Source:
NFL.com