Welcome to Week 13! There are only two teams not playing in this first week of December: the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns. These are the final byes of the season as we approach the playoffs and teams battle for positioning. Thursday night saw the Dallas Cowboys visit the Minnesota Vikings, but the remaining 28 teams will take the field this weekend.

At this late date, it might be a shorter write-up if we just stuck to the players who are actually healthy. The question for fantasy owners in this crucial make-or-break week for the playoffs is whether the key players taking the field at less than 100 percent can still produce big numbers.

For those who might be new to this feature, injury reports provide some insight into a player's status. The NFL requires teams to submit practice injury reports several times a week, identifying the body part that is involved in the injury. This year, there has been a change in the language of injury reporting, per the league office. The most notable change is the removal of the "probable" designation. For more detailed information on the changes and what they mean, click here.

Early in the week, the practice injury reports indicate whether a player did not practice, was limited in practice or was a full participant in practice. On Fridays, all teams file a game status injury report assigning one of the following designations: questionable, doubtful or out. The designations listed here reflect the injury reports filed with the league office Friday evening. Teams playing Monday night do not have to issue their designations until Saturday. The explanation for each designation is as follows:

Out: This is the easy one: The guy is not playing this week.

Questionable (Q): This remains the most dreaded player designation. By definition it means a player is "uncertain to play." How uncertain is uncertain? There is no percentage or measurement scale, so this classification remains rather vague. Whether a player ends up active or inactive often comes down to a game-time decision based on how he feels on game-day morning or how he performs during warm-ups. Final inactives are due 90 minutes before kickoff.

Doubtful (D): The doubtful designation means a player is unlikely to play that week. Rarely does a player labeled as doubtful end up playing, unless he experiences a major turnaround before game time.

Each week in this Saturday feature, we run down a list of key fantasy players, by position, who appear in the Friday injury report, along with the injured body part as listed on the report, player status and any relevant developments or insight. The primary fantasy positions are covered (quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end).

This year, at the end of each positional section, there is a subgroup of players: "Players off game status injury report." The probable tag no longer exists, so players who would have been listed as probable in previous years are now simply removed from the report. This means there will be players who appear in the practice injury reports during the week but will not appear on the game-status report Friday, since they are presumed active for game day. They are included in this article so that fantasy owners can see where players who were on the practice injury report during the week have been upgraded in advance of the games.

At the end, key fantasy players listed Friday as "out" for the week's games will appear as a group.

Good luck in Week 13, everyone!

Quarterbacks

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers, hamstring, (Q): Rodgers was limping intermittently as the Monday night game progressed after he strained his hamstring in the third quarter. He was listed as a limited participant in practice, but it's worth noting the Packers only practiced Thursday, so the Wednesday and Friday designations are projections. Despite being listed as questionable, Rodgers expects to take the field, but his mobility is likely to be limited to some degree. We have seen a version of limited-mobility Rodgers just last year when he played through a calf strain, although he said the calf was more severe than his current issue. Still, ESPN's Bob Holtzman reports Rodgers once told him that he has had trouble with his leg muscles tightening up when playing in the cold; the weather in Green Bay is projected to be snowy and 36 degrees.

Tom Brady, New England Patriots, knee, (Q): Brady played through a thigh contusion last week despite some lingering swelling and stiffness. It may not have been his best performance, but whether that was entirely due to his knee is debatable. Even Brady noted he felt much improved this week, and he practiced twice on a limited basis (versus just once last week). He will be without his favorite tight end going forward, but that has never stopped Brady from being productive. Expect him to make his usual start at home as the Patriots host the Los Angeles Rams.

Players off game status injury report:

Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts, right shoulder/concussion: Luck sat out the Thanksgiving Day game because of a concussion, but his return to practice on a limited basis early in the week suggested he was making strides. The team's first official practice report was issued Thursday (since the Colts play Monday night), and he was a limited participant. On Friday, the team merely conducted a walk-through. By Saturday, Luck was fully participating and his removal from the game status injury report indicates he received final clearance to play. He is expected to start against the New York Jets on Monday.

Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars, right shoulder: Bortles has been on the injury report for two weeks now because of his shoulder, but full practice sessions and his removal from the game status injury report indicate he will play.

Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders, finger/right hand: Everyone saw the deformity in the pinkie finger of Carr's throwing hand last Sunday; everyone then saw him after the finger dislocation was reduced return to the game and lead his team to a victory. He didn't miss a beat in practice, although he wore a glove at the outset of the week. By Friday, he was down to just having the finger taped. A full participant all week, Carr is off the game status injury report heading into the matchup against the Buffalo Bills.

Tyrod Taylor, Buffalo Bills, groin: Taylor having a groin injury could normally be a concern for fantasy owners, as he provides so much value through his ground game. The good news is that he was a full participant in practice each day despite the ailment and was removed entirely from the game status injury report. It does not appear he will enter the game with any limitations; hopefully it won't be something he will aggravate in-game.

Ryan Fitzpatrick, New York Jets, knee: Fitzpatrick remains on the practice injury report, but he is expected to start again, as usual.

Running backs

Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints, toe, (Q): Last week we were monitoring Ingram's status as he was moving through the concussion protocol; now we just want to know how he's moving. Ingram appeared on the injury report with a toe ailment and did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday. He did return to a limited practice status on Friday. There was little information on Ingram's injury, but it's notable that he was not seen in a walking boot at all this week, and there was no report of injury immediately after last week's game. Still, toe injuries in a running back can be cause for concern, depending on severity. ESPN.com's Mike Triplett reports this toe injury is not as severe as previous episodes, according to Ingram. It sounds, however, as if a decision on his status will come down to how he feels at game time. The Saints haven't been afraid to utilize Tim Hightower, and they could lean on him even more heavily if Ingram is limited.

Theo Riddick, Detroit Lions, ankle, (Q): Riddick was limited in practice throughout the week and comes into the game as questionable. This has been the pattern for multiple weeks now, ever since Riddick returned from a two-week absence following the injury. He remains their go-to back when he is on the field, regardless of his designation.

Latavius Murray, Oakland Raiders, ankle, (Q): Murray is again listed as questionable this week with an ankle injury. Last week he carried the ball 19 (!) times, so it's not as if the team is reducing his workload because of an injury concern. He was a limited practice participant each day this week, and he is expected to be the majority ball carrier again in Week 13. As always with the late games, fantasy owners are advised to verify the status of players like Murray with a questionable designation.

Jacquizz Rodgers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, foot, (Q): Last week Rodgers was listed as questionable after getting his first practice reps since his foot injury but ended up being inactive. This week Rodgers increased his practice activity, fully participating each day. His questionable status feels much more like a probable designation, but even if he is active, Doug Martin is still expected to shoulder most of the workload for the Buccaneers.

Mike Gillislee, Buffalo Bills, hamstring, (Q): Gillislee sat out last week with a hamstring injury sustained in practice, but he has made progress this week. He was a limited participant in practice daily, and he is expected to be available. If he does play, it will be in a clear secondary role to LeSean McCoy, who is off the injury report this week after proving in Week 12 that his left thumb was not an issue.

Players off game status injury report:

Devontae Booker, Denver Broncos, ankle: Booker was a full participant throughout the week and has been removed from the game status injury report. There are no worries about his playing status Sunday in Jacksonville.

T.J. Yeldon, Jacksonville Jaguars, ankle: Yeldon was listed as questionable heading into last week's game due to an ankle sprain suffered in Week 11. He wasn't at 100 percent health, but he ended up in better shape than his teammate Chris Ivory, who injured his hamstring and is out this week. Yeldon had a day off Wednesday but returned to limited practice Thursday and repeated the effort Friday. His removal from the game status injury report indicates the team is more confident in his health this week than last. Still, coach Gus Bradley acknowledged Friday that Yeldon is not fully recovered, and his role for Sunday is unclear. He will likely yield some carries to Denard Robinson with Ivory sidelined.

Matt Forte, New York Jets, knee: Forte continues to make a weekly appearance on the injury report and continues to be removed from the game status injury report. Expect him to play as usual against the Colts on Monday night.

Lamar Miller, Houston Texans, ankle/ribs: Initially there was some concern that Miller had aggravated his ankle sprain late in last week's game. But Miller maintained a similar practice schedule to last week -- limited daily -- and was also removed from the game status injury report. Expect him to play, as usual.

Wide receivers

Sammy Watkins, Buffalo Bills, foot, (Q): Watkins returned to action in Week 12 after a nine-week layoff from football. His action was limited, as expected, but he did end up with 80 yards on just three receptions, reminding fantasy owners what he brings to the mix. It was also expected that he might experience some postgame soreness in his left foot ... and he did, enough to keep him out of practice entirely on Wednesday. Watkins returned to limited practice Thursday, but it was the words of offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn that made fantasy owners nervous. After coach Rex Ryan had spoken to the media, informing them Watkins would play this week barring some sort of setback, Lynn sounded more apprehensive about what Watkins could actually do and for how long.

"Well, I mean the guy has a broken bone in his foot," Lynn told reporters. "I don't know if he's going to play one play or 20 plays." Lynn went on to say he wasn't sure if Watkins could get through the season without requiring another surgery. For those who might be wondering about the nature of Lynn's comments, there is no new fracture for Watkins. He is referring to the same injury for which Watkins underwent surgery earlier this year, the same one that forced him to go on injured reserve because of lingering discomfort. It is not unusual for these chronic stress injuries to remain problematic, even after there is significant visual evidence of healing, especially when the athlete subjects the area to repeated loads that stress the vulnerable area. And, sometimes, a secondary procedure is required so Lynn's comments are not outside the realm of possibility. It's also possible, however, that Watkins will manage his way through the end of the season and recover completely with rest after the season ends.

The question is whether he will be able to contribute at a level sufficient to keep him on the field for the remainder of this season. At this point, it is a balancing act for the Bills to try to allow him sufficient rest during the week that enables him to play Sunday. If Watkins does play, it becomes a matter of monitoring how his foot responds in-game to ultimately determine how many snaps he will take and how involved in the offense he can be. This is likely to continue through the remainder of the season.

Unfortunately for fantasy owners, it means rolling the dice a bit when it comes to Watkins. He is expected to play Sunday in Oakland after putting in consecutive limited-practice sessions Thursday and Friday; how much he plays remains to be seen. Given that he always has the potential to be a game-changer (and with fellow receiver Robert Woods sidelined and Marquise Goodwin listed as questionable with a wrist injury), it's hard not to roll those dice and hope for the best.

Julian Edelman, foot, and Chris Hogan, back, New England Patriots (Q): Edelman and Hogan have both been listed as questionable for multiple weeks. Edelman has yet to miss a game, and that should not change this week. Hogan sat out Week 11 but returned last week and was on the field for more than 90 percent of the Patriots' offensive snaps. That bodes well for his continued presence this week. The Rams visit the Patriots Sunday in an early game, so fantasy owners should verify the status of these two receivers before setting final lineups.

Michael Crabtree, Oakland Raiders, ankle, (Q): Crabtree remains on the injury report for the second week in a row because of his ankle. He played last week after being limited in practice daily and was on the field for 88 percent of the team's offensive snaps, leading the team in receptions while posting over 100 yards. It's pretty safe to say he isn't being held back because of the ankle. After another week of daily limited practices, Crabtree is expected to play against the Bills. It is a late game however (4:05 p.m. ET) so fantasy owners should verify his status before kickoff.

T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts, back, (Q): Hilton returned to practice Wednesday after sitting out the Colts' early practice this week with a back injury. On Thursday, the day of the team's first formal injury report, Hilton was listed as limited, but he upgraded to full on Friday and Saturday. Despite the questionable tag, he is expected to play Monday night against the Jets. Hilton is a player who has received a consistent target share even in weeks when he has been playing through injury. Naturally, there is always concern about an in-game setback, but given his practice sessions thus far, this doesn't feel any riskier than prior weeks. Fantasy owners should always have a backup plan given the game is Monday night, but the odds are in favor of Hilton suiting up as usual.

Jordan Matthews, Philadelphia Eagles, ankle, (Q): Hmmm. Matthews' injury was worrisome Monday night when it forced him out of the game (twice), eventually to the point where he could not return. But coach Doug Pederson sounded confident as early as Tuesday that Matthews would be able to play in Week 13. A day off Wednesday came as no surprise, and Matthews' return to limited practice Thursday suggested things were going the right direction. On Friday, however, Matthews was absent, ultimately being listed on the game status injury report as questionable. It appears a final decision as to his status won't come until pregame, but with that much uncertainty, fantasy owners are probably better off finding a healthier option.

Marvin Jones, Detroit Lions, thigh, (Q): Jones appeared on the injury report with a thigh injury, and as is typical of the Lions, there have been very few details with regard to his injury. He did not miss any practice sessions but was limited daily. Jones has had other injuries this season (hamstring, foot) but has not missed any games. However, his production has been inconsistent. It's worth noting the Lions did sign wide receiver T.J. Jones from the practice squad, which could signal Marvin Jones being inactive. Fantasy owners who are considering using Jones should double check his status before kickoff.

Tyrell Williams, San Diego Chargers, shoulder, (Q): Williams is attempting to play through a labral tear in his right shoulder, something he did once before while in college (he underwent surgery in the offseason following his senior year). One of the challenges with labral tears for a receiver can be the ability to get the arm overhead because of a blockage of motion or pain, or both. Williams only practiced one day (Friday), wearing a brace on his injured shoulder, but he told Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune that he felt good and that the brace did not feel too restrictive. It appears Williams expects to play and doesn't plan on being limited, but this is a late game against the Buccaneers. Fantasy owners are advised to verify his status and have a backup plan handy.

DeVante Parker, Miami Dolphins, back, (Q): Parker's back injury kept him out of practice all week, and his status heading into Sunday's game against the Ravens is very much in question. Coach Adam Gase noted that Parker worked hard to try to get healthy enough to play Sunday, but it was unclear whether that would be enough to give him the green light. On Friday, Parker was limited to riding the stationary bike and doing some light running in the portion of practice open to the media. This could be a true game-time decision, but the Dolphins appear to be preparing to be without Parker.

Eddie Royal, Chicago Bears, toe, (Q): Royal remains listed as questionable because of his toe. He played last week ... for 12 offensive snaps. He is not yet healthy, and there is no more Jay Cutler. This is not a good option for fantasy owners.

Players off game status injury report:

Brandon Marshall, foot /knee, New York Jets: Marshall was listed as a nonparticipant both Thursday and Friday of this week as he managed some leg soreness. After a full participation in Saturday's practice, Marshall is ready to face the Colts on Monday night.

Kelvin Benjamin, Carolina Panthers, shoulder: Benjamin injured his shoulder in Week 11 but has played since. Still, his absence from Wednesday's practice made some fantasy owners nervous. He returned to limited work Thursday and a full practice Friday. He is off the game status injury report and is expected to play Sunday night against the Seattle Seahawks.

DeSean Jackson, Washington Redskins, shoulder: Jackson has been on the injury report for several weeks because of his rotator cuff but appears to be making progress. A full participant in practice throughout the week, Jackson is off the game status injury report heading into Sunday's contest against the Arizona Cardinals.

Emmanuel Sanders, Denver Broncos, thumb: Sanders is listed on the practice injury report because of his thumb, but it didn't force him to miss any practice reps. His removal from the game status injury report should instill confidence in his availability.

Will Fuller V, Houston Texans, knee: Fuller increased his practice level this week to full participation daily. He has already played through this knee issue, and his ramped-up activity indicates improvement. He is expected to play as usual.

Tight ends

Martellus Bennett, ankle/shoulder, New England Patriots, (Q): Lather, rinse, repeat. He appears on the injury report weekly and is routinely listed as questionable. With teammate Rob Gronkowski not only out this week but now placed on injured reserve, Bennett is likely to see even more targets come his way. He is expected to play Sunday when the Rams come to town.

Julius Thomas, Jacksonville Jaguars, back, (D): Thomas missed the Week 12 game with a back injury then sat out practice every day this week. Despite the opportunity to face his former team when the Broncos come to town, the doubtful tag hints at Thomas missing another game.

Charles Clay, Buffalo Bills, knee, (Q): Clay has been managing a knee injury throughout much of the season, but he has yet to miss a game. He was given a rest day Wednesday but returned to limited practices both Thursday and Friday. Clay is expected to play Sunday, but his production has been very limited over the last six weeks.

NOTE: On Saturday, the Bills announced that Clay did not make the trip to Oakland with the team as he stayed behind for the birth of his child. His status remains questionable.

Players off game status injury report:

Jimmy Graham, Seattle Seahawks, knee: Graham's pattern remains the same; no practice on Wednesday followed by full sessions Thursday and Friday. He is again expected to play.

C.J. Fiedorowicz, Houston Texans, shoulder: This is an identical report to last week's for Fiedorowicz, who was listed as a limited participant Wednesday and Thursday because of his shoulder. On Friday, he upgraded to full participation and is now off the injury report.

Players already ruled out

This space is intended for a list of key players, not including those who have been moved to injured reserve status, who are officially listed as "out" for the upcoming game.

Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots, back: Gronkowski underwent surgery Friday to address a herniated disk in his back. On Saturday, the Patriots placed him on injured reserve, ending his 2016 season.

A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals, hamstring: Green suffered a significant hamstring injury in Week 11, which he revealed to be a Grade 2 tear this week. And while it wasn't torn off the bone, it was still serious enough to result in a multiple-week absence. For his part, Green says he is moving better now and expects he'll come back before the end of the season. He knows, however, that he should not rush his return.

Jordan Reed, Washington Redskins, shoulder: Despite his heroic finish to Washington's Thanksgiving game after suffering a Grade 3 separated AC joint, Reed had too much pain and not enough mobility to give it a go this week.

C.J. Prosise, shoulder, Seattle Seahawks: Prosise is still recovering from a fractured scapula and will miss another week.

Chris Ivory, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars, hamstring: Ivory injured his hamstring in Week 12 and was not healthy enough to participate in any practice sessions this week. Yeldon, despite his balky ankle, leads the Jaguars' backfield this week.

Allen Hurns, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars, hamstring: Hurns was injured in the fourth quarter on his sole catch in Week 12. After not practicing all week, he will sit this one out.

Ryan Mathews, RB, Philadelphia Eagles, knee: Mathews suffered an MCL injury in Week 11, and despite the Eagles' repeated stance that Mathews is day-to-day, he has yet to see the practice field. He has been again ruled out in advance of the game.

Jeremy Maclin, WR, Kansas City Chiefs, groin: After missing three straight games, Maclin returned to practice for the first time on Wednesday. A limited participant throughout the week, Maclin appeared to have a chance to play when he was listed as questionable on the Friday game status injury report. There couldn't have been too much confidence there, however, as he did not travel with the team to Atlanta and was downgraded to out on Saturday.

Trevor Siemian, Denver Broncos, foot: Siemian has a foot sprain that will sideline him this week. He spent the better part of the week in a walking boot and was unable to do enough when testing it Friday to convince the medical staff he should play. He has been fit with an orthotic device for his cleats, but that won't matter for this week. Paxton Lynch is expected to start in his place.

Robert Woods, Buffalo Bills, knee: Woods remains out with a knee injury, but he is off crutches and told reporters this week he hopes to return before the end of the season.

DeAngelo Williams, Pittsburgh Steelers, knee: Williams has not yet returned to practice since undergoing knee surgery and remains inactive this week.

Darrius Heyward-Bey, Pittsburgh Steelers, foot: Heyward-Bey was still not able to practice at all this week due to his injured foot and has already been ruled out for Sunday. This will be his fourth consecutive missed game.

Be sure to check out Fantasy Football Now, Sundays on ESPN2 at 11:00 a.m. ET for last-minute inactives, rankings, injury impact and more!