The conservative recovery timetable for Joseph Addai when he injured his left shoulder Oct. 17 was six weeks. Now here we are on Christmas, nearly nine weeks later, and it appears Addai will make his long-awaited return to the field. He's listed as questionable on the Colts' official injury report, but he told beat reporters during the week that he felt good and showed it by practicing in full Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Addai ran for a season-high 128 yards when he last played. But in that week six game against Washington, he suffered nerve damage in the shoulder and has been on the shelf since. Indianapolis visits the Oakland Raiders on Sunday.

Fantasy Analysis:

You would have to be mighty, mighty desperate to use Addai this week. The matchup is favorable since the Raiders have been absolutely throttled by the Jags' and Dolphins' rushing attacks lately. They allow the eighth-most fantasy points to running backs. But there's no clue as to how much work Addai will get in his first week back. While Mike Hart has been ruled out because of a bum ankle, Addai will probably have to share the Indy backfield with Donald Brown , Dominic Rhodes and Javarris James . Addai is merely a flex play in very deep leagues.