The injury list is getting shorter. In part because some players are moved to the I.R., this week it was S Atari Bigby, and are now done for the year. But all of them have to be hurting with something or another. I'm wondering if NT Ryan Pickett and LB A.J. Hawk have been playing with injuries all season, but it's never quite enough to get them listed on the injury report. S Nick Collins is knocked out seemingly in every game for a few plays, but he is rarely listed on the injury report. But then CB Charles Woodson is listed on it every week and he never misses a game.

The good news is that S Aaron Rouse is healthy enough to start at safety. Although he's been healthy and playing in the last couple games, it's his first start in a while. That means Woodson can move back to corner. His position change must have played some part in the miscommunication over the last three games (Carolina, Houston, Jacksonville).

Clifton, Jackson, Woodson, and Harris are certain to play, barring some change over the weekend. Giacomini is never active while Harrell is never healthy, so neither player would make a difference. Humphrey seems to have fallen behind rookie TE Jermichael Finley to 3rd TE, so he doesn't play a major role either. I really hope FB Korey Hall makes it back. He really seems to make a major difference in the running game. That analysis might be worthy of a seperate post.