Last-minute injury report, Week 11

By Daniel McQuade, Special to SI.com

Rookie Michael Crabtree is the 49ers' leader in receiving targets (8 per game).

Here are the up-to-the-minute updates for Week 11's crucial slate of games.

Pittsburgh at Kansas City, 1 p.m.

UPDATE: Steelers defensive end Travis Kirschke and Chiefs lineback Mike Vrabel are inactive.

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Bad news for owners of the Steelers defense: Troy Polamalu is out of this week's game with a knee injury. He could miss the following week's game against the Ravens, as well. Tyrone Carter will start at safety for him. Defensive end Travis Kirschke is also out with a calf injury.

Be sure to get Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe out of your fantasy lineup, as he was suspended four games for failing a drug test. He'll be back in Week 15, against Cleveland. The Chiefs could also be down a few players on the defensive side, with linebackers Mike Vrabel and Justin Rogers listed as doubtful and David Herron listed as questionable.

Indianapolis at Baltimore, 1 p.m.

UPDATE: Wide receiver Pierre Garcon is active for the Colts. He's an option only in deep leagues.

UPDATE: Both tight end Todd Heap and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata will start for the Ravens today.

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The Colts have their usual injured corps: Wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez, cornerback Kelvin Hayden, kicker Adam Vinatieri. For those in individual defensive player leagues, defensive end Dwight Freeney and cornerback Antoine Bethea both said they'll play despite being listed as questionable. Wide receiver Pierre Garcon is also listed as questionable but practiced fully on Friday and is likely to play. Matt Stover will continue to kick for Indianapolis.

Linebacker Terrell Suggs is out with a knee injury after being injured Monday night by a Brady Quinn block. Rookie Paul Kruger could replace him, but he struggled Monday against Cleveland and isn't a palatable fantasy option. Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata is still dealing with an ankle injury but said he'll play. Ravens tight end Todd Heap didn't practice Friday and is listed as questionable; he'll be a game-time decision. L.J. Smith would start in his place if he can't go.

San Francisco at Green Bay, 1 p.m.

49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree is on the injury report with a knee injury, but he says it's just "a little bruise." He'll play. The only real question mark for San Francisco is Takeo Spikes, who didn't practice all week and is listed as questionable.

Aaron Rodgers, who led the Packers to a surprise win over the Cowboys last week, could be running from defensive lineman even more this week: Tackle Allen Barbre is listed as doubtful, while Scott Wells (who should start at center this week) missed some practices with post-concussion symptoms. Backup running back Ahman Green is listed as questionable with a groin injury

Buffalo at Jacksonville, 1 p.m.

Upgrade Maurice Jones-Drew! The Bills are thin on defense, as they'll be missing defensive tackle Marcus Stroud, along with cornerback Ashton Youboty. Linebacker Keith Ellison was placed on injured reserve Friday, while cornerback Terrence McGee is listed as questionable and probably won't play.

The Jaguars could be missing three defensive starters. Cornerback Rashean Mathis has already been ruled out of Sunday's game with a groin injury, while linebacker Justin Durant is listed as doubtful and safety Gerald Alexander is listed as questionable. Alexander did practice all week.

Atlanta at N.Y. Giants, 1 p.m.

UPDATE: Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce is inactive today; Chase Blackburn will start in his place.

UPDATE: Michael Turner will not start today; Jason Snelling will get the starting nod for the Falcons. He's worth a flier if he's still available in your league. Wide receiver Roddy White will also start for Atlanta.

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Falcons running back Michael Turner will probably miss Sunday's game against the Giants; he's listed as doubtful. If he doesn't go, Jason Snelling will take his place in the lineup. He's worth taking a flier on, but check Sunday to see if Turner is out. Jerious Norwood, who has missed four straight games, could also get some carries if he plays. He's listed as questionable. Roddy White also has the questionable tag, but -- like last week -- he's likely to play.

Despite their four-game skid, the Giants are relatively healthy after the bye week. Cornerback Aaron Ross should finally return from injury and help shore up New York's leaky secondary.

New Orleans at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.

UPDATE: As expected, Antonio Bryant is active today and will start for the Buccaneers. If you're stuck, Bryant isn't a bad option at wide receiver.

UPDATE: Saints free safety Darren Sharper is active today and will start; he's safe to use in IDP leagues.

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Saints running back Reggie Bush and defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis didn't make the trip to Tampa and will both miss Sunday's game. Cornerbacks Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter, and wide receiver Lance Moore had already been ruled out of Sunday's game. Upgrade the Saints' wide receiving corps in Bush's absence.

Antonio Bryant should finally return to the field Sunday against the Saints; he's listed as probable after missing the past two weeks. Cornerback Elbert Mack is listed as questionable for the Buccaneers.

Cleveland at Detroit, 1 p.m.

UPDATE: Josh Cribbs is active today for Cleveland; he's obviously a nice start if you're in a league that awards points for return yards.

UPDATE: Jamal Lewis is active today for the Browns. For those in deep leagues, backup running back Jerome Harrison is inactive today. Running back Chris Jennings will back up Lewis.

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Despite being taken off on cart with a neck injury on Monday against the Ravens, wide receiver Josh Cribbs says he will play Sunday against the Lions. He's listed as questionable, as is running back Jamal Lewis. Check to see Sunday if Cribbs and Lewis are active before using either of them.

Calvin Johnson is healthy enough that he's been moved up to probable on the injury list, so owners can probably stop worrying about him. The only other significant Lions injuries are on the defensive side, with linebacker Zack Follett and defensive end Dewayne White listed as questionable and linebacker Ernie Sims out with a hamstring injury.

Washington at Dallas, 1 p.m.

UPDATE: Just to note: Ladell Betts is active and starting this week for the Redskins. The Dallas rushing defense is strong against the run, but he did have 114 yards in his first start last week.

UPDATE: Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth will not start today.

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Clinton Portis remains out after suffering a concussion against the Falcons two weeks ago; after predictions of splitting carries, Ladell Betts rushed 26 times for 114 yards and a score. Rock Cartwright only had nine attempts. Betts is probably a good sleeper at running back. Tight end Fred Davis, who had 4 catches for 50 yards in Washington's upset win last week, will continue to fill in for the injured Chris Cooley. Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth is listed as questionable and is a game-time decision.

The Cowboys, missing only one player last week, will be without free safety Ken Hamlin on Sunday. He'll be replaced by Alan Ball. The Cowboys will have almost everyone else available on Sunday; Marion Barber is in a cast but that only affects his pass blocking, Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said.