Week 12 injury report

The full injury report will appear in Sunday's Virginian-Pilot, but here are a few highlights:

- Giants WR Plaxico Burress (hamstring) is questionable and will be a gametime decision for Sunday at Arizona. Because that's a 4 p.m. start, I'd sit him. Hamstrings are usually more serious injuries, and Burress hasn't been great when healthy lately anyway. RB Brandon Jacobs (knee) is probable and a safe start.

- Broncos RB Selvin Young (groin) is doubtful, making RB Peyton Hillis a good start against a woeful Raiders run defense.

- Eagles RB Brian Westbrook (knee, ankle) is questionable and will be a gametime decision against Baltimore. I sat him on my team against a tough Ravens run defense.

- Redskins RB Clinton Portis (knee) is questionable, but keeps insisting he'll play. Start him against a lousy Seahawks run defense.

- Saints RB Reggie Bush (knee) is questionable for Monday against Green Bay. If he plays he's a great fantasy option. The problem is he's a gametime decision, so I'd sit him another week. Whenever Bush returns, RB Deuce McAllister's value lowers dramatically.

The Fantasy Chatter column appears in Saturday's Pilot, but here are four more game previews:

Eagles at Ravens, 1 p.m. Sunday: For Philadelphia, sit RB Brian Westbrook. He has multiple injuries, hasn't looked sharp in recent weeks and faces the NFL's third-best run defense (79.6 ypg). Baltimore's pass defense is eighth (188.3), so the way to beat the Ravens is through the air. Start QB Donovan McNabb, who has two 330-yard games in the past three. WR Kevin Curtis, who has 16 catches for 172 yards and 1 TD the past three games, is a good No. 3 option in leagues that award for catches. Sit WR DeSean Jackson, who is losing catches to Curtis and has only 10 for 147 and 0 the past three games. For Baltimore, sit RB Willis McGahee. He averaged 2.0 ypc on nine carries last week, and faces the 11th-ranked run defense (98.7), which has allowed 5 rushing TDs all season. Start WR Derrick Mason as a No. 3. He has 19 catches for 259 yards and 1 TD the past three games. Sit QB Joe Flacco. He came down to earth last week against the Giants and faces another tough test from the 11th-ranked pass defense (194.0). 

Vikings at Jaguars, 1 p.m. Sunday: For Minnesota, sit QB Gus Frerotte. He has no 200-yard games the past three weeks and only 6 TDs to 4 INTs in that time. Still, start WR Bernard Berrian. He's been quiet the past two games and should bounce back against the 18th-ranked pass defense (215.0). TE Visanthe Shiancoe has also gone TD-less the past two games and is a good candidate to bounce back. Start and expect big things from RB Adrian Peterson against the 20th-ranked run defense (113.2). For Jacksonville, sit RB Fred Taylor against the second-ranked run defense (73.9). RB Maurice Jones-Drew is a safe start as a No. 3 or a No. 2 in leagues that award for catches, because he should grab a few out of the backfield against the 20th-ranked pass defense (222.8). Start QB David Garrard, who had six straight 200-yard games before facing the Titans last week. He's good for 200 yards and 2 TDs, so start WR Matt Jones, who should catch at least one of those scores. 

Raiders at Broncos, 4:05 p.m. Sunday: For Oakland, start no one. The Raiders have 21 total points the past three games, and seven of those came from a special teams TD. Denver is 29th against the pass (243.5) but held QB JaMarcus Russell to 180 yards in the teams' Week 1 matchup. For Denver, start RB Peyton Hillis. Oakland is 30th against the run (164.5). Oakland is 12th against the pass (194.7) but start QB Jay Cutler, who has three straight 210-yard games and 6 TDs in that time. Start WRs Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal, but expect more for Royal, because Raiders shutdown cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha is likely to be on Marshall. Also start the Denver defense. It allows 27.1 ppg, but Oakland's simply awful. The Raiders have allowed 32 sacks and committed 16 turnovers, so even if Denver allows 20 points it's bound to rack up fantasy points.

Panthers at Falcons, 4:15 p.m. Sunday: For Carolina, sit QB Jake Delhomme. He has 174 total yards and 2 TDs to 4 INTs the past two games, and while Atlanta is 22nd against the pass (226.4) it is much better at home. Still, WR Steve Smith, who is averaging five catches for 85 yards this season, is a good No. 2 or 3 in leagues that award for catches. Atlanta is also 22nd against the run (119.6) so start RB DeAngelo Williams, who has three straight 100-yard games and 4 TDs in that time. RB Jonathan Stewart, coming off a 130-yard game, is a safe No. 3 back. For Atlanta, start QB Matt Ryan as a low-tier starter. Carolina is fifth against the pass (185.4) and has allowed 8 passing TDs all season, but Ryan has five straight 220-yard games and 7 TDs to only 3 INTs in that time. Start WR Roddy White, who has 15 catches for 224 yards and 1 TD the past three games. WR Michael Jenkins, who has 11 catches for 124 yards the past two games, is a good No. 3 in leagues that award for catches. Start RB Michael Turner, who has 316 yards and 3 TDs the past three games. Carolina is 17th against the run (107.6) so Turner should take plenty of carries.

Sunday morning I'll finish up the game previews and provide whatever injury updates I can.      

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