Posted by Andy Benoit

For the second time this season, Colts defensive captain Gary Brackett has been fined for a late hit. The NFL docked the portly but speedy middle linebacker $15,000 for his second half hit on Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell last Sunday.

Brackett’s first fine this season was a $10,000 ding for a hit on Michael Vick. "I'm a vicious player, man," Brackett told the Indianapolis Star, shaking his head in disbelief.

The hit on Campbell was not flagged.

"I don't know how you can get fined if you're not penalized," Brackett said. "The ref was right there, watching. Something has to change.
"(Offensive) linemen punch you, jump on your back, clip you and they get nothing. You touch a quarterback and you get fined."

The guy plays on Peyton Manning’s team…you’d think he’d understand the league’s willingness to protect the quarterback.

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Posted by Josh Katzowitz

First, those who ARE active: Chiefs WR Dexter McCluster (who will actually get the start opposite Dwayne Bowe), Colts RB Mike Hart, Colts LB Gary Brackett, Titans QB Kerry Collins (who is starting),

Now, those who are NOT active:

Mike Sims-Walker, WR, Jaguars: One week after suffering an ankle sprain, he was back last week, and though he was didn’t do much, he was still an integral part of the gameplan. But he re-aggravated his ankle and won’t play today. Kassim Osgood will start in his place.

Kendrick Lewis, CB, Chiefs: Kansas City has played exceptionally well with Lewis in the lineup (the Chiefs are 6-1 when he’s on the field). But he’s out today. So, that’s not good for Kansas City.

Kyle Vanden Bosch, DL, Bills: This is a big loss for Buffalo, especially since Vanden Bosch is one of the team’s best defensive players.

Brian Dawkins, CB, Broncos: He hurt himself last week, but his skills have noticeably declined this season. This might not be the worst thing in the world for Denver.

Brandon Marshall, WR, Dolphins: Limited in practice all week, many people thought Marshall would be healthy enough to play vs. the Raiders, especially since he said he was bouncing back quickly. Apparently, he's not. He's inactive, and that's a huge blow for Miami.

Kenny Britt, WR, Titans: Sounds like he's targeting next week as his return from a hamstring.

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Posted by Josh Katzowitz

Rams at Broncos

Denver LB D.J. Williams, who’s not had such a great past few weeks, is questionable to play with a concussion. Following his arrest on a DUI charge two weeks ago, he was knocked out of Monday’s game after a blow to the head. But he returned to practice two days later, so it looks like he’ll probably play. LB Robert Ayers is probable to play.

Three of the four St. Louis players on the injury list are probable. That leaves only WR Danario Alexander as questionable. Apparently, he had a great practice Wednesday, and it looks like he’s ready to make his first game appearance since Oct. 24.

Chargers at Colts

The biggest star for San Diego, TE Antonio Gates, is questionable with plantar fasciitis, but it seems highly unlikely he’ll play, because he’s still in a significant amount of pain. WR Malcom Floyd is questionable with a hamstring problem, but Chargers QB Philip Rivers will be happy to welcome back WR Vincent Jackson to the team. Also, WR Legedu Naanee, who hasn’t played since Oct. 3, is probable.

The Colts list seven players as questionable. Since TE Brody Eldridge, LB Gary Brackett and LB Clint Session didn’t practice all week, we’ll just assume those three won’t play.

49ers at Cardinals

K Joe Nedney is doubtful with a knee injury, and he’ll likely miss his second-straight game. San Francisco signed Shane Andrus to replace him Nov. 17, but since the 49ers were shut out last week, he wasn’t needed. It’s likely that won’t happen two games in a row.

For Arizona, DE Calais Campbell is questionable with a bad ankle, and he’ll be a gametime decision for Monday Night Football. Though LB Clark Haggans hasn’t played since Week 7 and is questionable, it sounds like he’ll be ready to play. As will RB LaRod Stephens-Howling, who also is questionable and very well could play.

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Posted by Andy Benoit

Colts @ Patriots

The Colts listed basically their entire roster as questionable this week, so who knows what the starting lineup will look like come kickoff. Generally, Indy’s rule is players who don’t practice don’t play. If that’s the case, then don’t expect to see running backs Joseph Addai (neck) and Mike Hart (ankle) or linebackers Gary Brackett (toe) and Clint Session (elbow). It looks like WR Austin Collie will return after his frightening concussion two weeks ago.

Patriots return star Brandon Tate missed the week with a sickness and is questionable. Guard Steve Neal was limited in practice with a shoulder. S Jarrad Page and RB Fred Taylor are both ostensibly closer to returning, though both remain questionable.

Giants @ Eagles

The Giants are without two of their three best offensive linemen: LT David Diehl (hip) and C Shaun O’Hara (foot). Diehl’s backup, Shawn Andrews, is once again battling back problems and is questionable. New York is also missing its steadiest offensive weapon, WR Steve Smith. This significantly alters Eli Manning’s approach to third down and the inside passing game.

Eagles DE Juqua Parker was limited in practice this week, but he’s the only player battling a significant injury. Sine there’s nothing left to talk about here, do we go ahead and take this opportunity to heap more praise on Michael Vick?

Broncos @ Chargers

The Chargers are getting starting receiver Malcom Floyd back from a hamstring injury, but No. 2 wideout Legedu Naanee will need at least another week. Antonio Gates is expected to miss another week with plantar fascia. Don’t count on RB Ryan Mathews (ankle) playing, either.

For the Broncos, WR Eddie Royal (hamstring) and CB Andre Goodman (hip) both missed practice. Royal is questionable; Goodman is out.

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Posted by Josh Katzowitz

First, the players who ARE active: Titans QB Vince Young (though he won't start; Kerry Collins will) Browns QB Seneca Wallace, Browns LB Marcus Benard, Texans WR Andre Johnson, Colts TE Jacob Tamme.

Now, the players who are NOT active:

Chris Crocker, Bengals, FS: This isn’t a big surprise, because Crocker has been dealing with a calf injury. But Crocker is a solid centerfielder, and Chinedum Ndukwe, who isn’t quite as good, will take his place in the starting lineup.

Jake Delhomme, Browns, QB: He still hasn’t completely recovered from his ankle injury, but it’s unclear whether the man who was the opening day starter would reclaim his role. Especially with the way Colt McCoy is playing. For the record, Seneca Wallace is active, but McCoy is starting.

Jason Allen, Texans, CB: There was talk that Allen, who was waived by the Dolphins earlier this week, could get some playing time this week for his new team in Houston. Apparently, that won’t happen.

Joseph Addai/Mike Hart, Colts, RBs: The top two Indianapolis backs are inactives. That means it's up to Donald Brown to jumpstart the Colts running attack.

Gary Brackett/Clint Session, Colts, LBs: Considering how many players Indianapolis will be missing, the Bengals might actually have a chance in this game.

Austin Collie, Colts, WR: I mean, seriously. How will the Bengals not win this game?

Owen Daniels, Texans, TE: We knew this already, but now it's clear Joel Dreessen will take his place in the starting lineup.

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Posted by Josh Katzowitz

Bengals at Colts

Combined, these two teams have a stunning 28 players on their injury lists.

For the Colts, RB Joseph Addai is doubtful with a neck, and though his replacement, Mike Hart, has performed well, he also is on the injury report – questionable with an ankle (he didn’t participate in practice at all this week). He probably won’t play either. Which means that Donald Brown likely will start and get some help from Javarris James.

Another potential problem for Indianapolis is that starting LBs Clint Session and Gary Brackett (toe) are listed as questionable. Session dislocated his elbow a couple weeks ago, but somehow he found a way to play through the rest of the game. Which was pretty amazing. Of course, he hasn’t been seen since, but still.

The Bengals secondary, meanwhile, won’t have much depth. Starting FS Chris Crocker is doubtful with a bad calf, and nickel back Morgan Trent (knee), who originally was listed as questionable, was downgraded today to out. QB Carson Palmer, who didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday, is listed as probable with a right shoulder injury.

Texans at Jaguars

Houston WR Andre Johnson, who was listed as questionable and who seems to be fighting injuries every week, apparently will start. Which is nice of him, one supposes. But TE Owen Daniels, battling a bad hamstring, will miss his second-straight game. To replace him, look for Joel Dreessen (five catches for 67 yards last week) to get the start.

For the Jaguars, losing DE Aaron Kampman, who tore his ACL, will give Jacksonville a big void on the defensive line, but other than him, Jacksonville should be relatively healthy. LB Daryl Smith, DE Jeremy Mincey, RB Greg Jones and DT Tyson Alualu are probable.

Vikings at Bears

Now that the Sidney Rice question has been answered – he’s still not recovered from hip surgery and will NOT be active Sunday – we can look to the other two Vikings WRs on the injury list. Namely Percy Harvin, who’s been bothered by migraine headaches this week, and Bernard Berrian, who has a groin issue. Both are listed as questionable. Will Brett Favre have anybody to whom he can throw?

The Vikings secondary doesn’t seem much healthier. CB Asher Allen and S Jamarca Sanford are doubtful, while CB Lito Sheppard (hamstring) and CB Frank Walker (hand) are probable.

Bears C Olin Kreutz is questionable to play with a bad hamstring. He didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday, but he’s expected to play anyway. And Chicago will need him. Minnesota recorded six sacks last week, and the Vikings will be looking to take down Favre as much as possible.

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Posted by Will Brinson

Linebacker Gary Brackett suffered a nasty little injury during the first quarter of Thursday's Packers - Colts preseason shootout when he banged his right hand against teammate Philip Wheeler's helmet.

Good news from Indy, though, as it appears Brackett will be just fine, according to Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star .

"No biggie,'' a source with knowledge of the injury told The Star , elaborating that Brackett almost certainly will be ready for the Colts' Sept. 12 regular-season opener at Houston.

Coach Jim Caldwell, when asked whether or not any of the injured players (Brackett, Joseph Addai, Tony Ugoh, Antonio Johnson and Jacob Lacey) would miss the season opener, said that "It's too early to make that assessment."

That's typical coach-speak, and given that Addai could have supposedly returned to the game despite his concussion and that Brackett's X-rays were negative, it seems that Colts' fans should be fairly optimistic heading towards the beginning of the regular season.

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