by Chris Mooney

Keep checking in for updates, but here are some things we’re hearing thus far:

12:35: Titan WR Brandon Jones is inactive, so don’t start him. Roydell Williams starts for him.

12:27: Ram S Corey Chavous is out, good news for TE Todd Heap.

12:24: We should note that Eagle S Brian Dawkins and CB Lito Sheppard are inactive, good news for the Jets.

12:21: Some other players on the injury report who are active and expected to play today: WR Joe Jurevicius, Drew Bennett (starts for Isaac Bruce), Laveranues Coles, Chad Pennington.

12:19: Ravens Todd Heap and Derrick Mason are active and announced as starters.

12:18: Raven QB Steve McNair is active, but the team is expected to start backup Kyle Boller today.

12:15: Brown RB Jamal Lewis, as expected, is inactive. Jason Wright starts for him.

12:12: As expected, the Eagles will get RB Brian Westbrook and TE L.J. Smith back this week.

12:11: Redskin WR Antwaan Randle El is actually active, and expected to start. He must feel good to play, but keep in mind he’s been limited all week and it’s a tough matchup. WR Santana Moss is also active.

12:09: Bear WR Bernard Berrian is active, as are Lance Briggs, Charles Tillman, Tommie Harris, Brian Urlacher, and John Tait.

12:06: Texan RB Ron Dayne is inactive. RB Sam Gado will be the backup to Ahman Green today.

12:00: Jag RB Fred Taylor is active and in the starting lineup. He’s probably not 100%, but he’s going to be out there.

11:49: Bengal RB Rudi Johnson is active and should play. RB Kenny Watson has been announced as the starter.

Raven QB Steve McNair (back) missed practice again on Friday because of a stiff back and is a game time decision. QB Kyle Boller would start if McNair can’t go, and that looks like it’s a possibility given how McNair’s situation has gotten worse late in the week.
Panther QB David Carr (back) returned to practice on Friday, but he was then downgraded to questionable over the weekend. He’s now a game time decision. If he’s out, we could actually see veteran Vinny Testaverde, who split reps in practice with undrafted rookie Matt Moore.
Jaguar RB Fred Taylor (groin) was limited in practice Friday and is listed as questionable still on the final injury report. He’s been expected to play all along, but it would be best to confirm he’s active before starting him because he’s now a game time decision.
Bengal RB Rudi Johnson (hamstring) will likely be active and will play, barring a pre-game setback. Officially, he’s a game time decision. If he plays, he will give way to backup Kenny Watson at times.
Brown RB Jamal Lewis (foot) is expected to miss today’s game, so look for backup Jason Wright to start against Miami. RB Jerome Harrison should be activated today and used as the 3rd down back at times.
Patriot RB Laurence Maroney (groin) is officially a game time decision yet again. According to an unnamed source quoted in today’s Boston Herald, Maroney will not play. We’d give that report credence, but you never truly know with the Patriots. But if you have to make a decision by 1pm (they play late, of course), it would be best to assume he will not play.
Raider RB LaMont Jordan (back) is officially considered a game-time decision, but he’s listed as doubtful, so there’s no way you can start him without officially knowing he’s active for the game, an even then he’s risky. If Jordan is out, RB Justin Fargas will likely carry a heavier load than Dominic Rhodes, who will take his first snap of the season today.
Cardinal WR Anquan Boldin (hip) missed practice again Friday and is doubtful and unlikely to play today. Backup WR Bryant Johnson is likely to start for Boldin again.
Ram WR Isaac Bruce (hamstring) is out for today’s and will be replace again by WR Drew Bennett (thigh).
Redskin WR Antwaan Randle El (hamstring) missed practice again Friday and said he will test the injury this morning before deciding if he can play. We wouldn’t be too optimistic, but we’ll see. WR James Thrash started in Moss’s place last week, and would likely see increased playing time, along with Keenan McCardell, if Randle El can’t play.
Seahawk TE Marcus Pollard (leg) did limited practicing Friday, so backup Will Heller might start for him.