Patriots LB Jamie Collins plans to play against the Eagles this Sunday, according to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe. Collins missed the past 4 games with a still-unspecified illness, but he did return to practice Friday before the Denver trip. It's not clear how big a role he'll take on right away -- and we're talking about the Patriots, so it probably won't be clear before Sunday afternoon's kickoff. That adds risk to Collins' IDP profile. But he's a top-10 fantasy LB when playing full time. So he'll make sense at least in LB3 range, unless we do hear some specifics on his role in the meantime.

Updating a previous item: The Patriots have officially ruled WR Danny Amendola (knee) out for Sunday night's game against the Broncos. He didn't even travel with the team. WR Keshawn Martin did travel despite his own "questionable" tag for a hamstring injury. We'll see if he plays. Otherwise, Brandon LaFell and Chris Harper are New England's only healthy wideouts. On the other side of the ball, the Pats also ruled out LB Jamie Collins after he didn't travel. He had been listed as doubtful.

Patriots OLB Jamie Collins is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Broncos as he continues to deal with the effects of a virus. He did, at least, return to practice Friday for the 1st time in 3 weeks. We'll see if that points toward a Week 13 return.

The Patriots had a walkthrough practice Wednesday, and LB Jamie Collins didn't even participate in that, according to the Boston Herald. That doesn't bode well for a potential Week 12 return. We'll see where things go from here.

The Patriots have ruled OLB Jamie Collins out for the 3rd straight game because of the virus that has kept him out of practice for more than 2 weeks. That keeps LB Jonathan Freeny starting and LB Dont'a Hightower the team's top IDP option at the position.

Patriots OLB Jamie Collins remained out because of his illness as his team started its practice week Thursday. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported last week that a virus has kept Collins from eating and left him weak. We'll see if he can progress enough this week to return for Monday night's rematch with the Bills.

The Patriots have ruled OLB Jamie Collins out for Sunday's game against the Giants with the same illness that kept him out last week. Jonathan Freeny played more with Collins out, but the playing time figures to get spread around the LB corps. Dont'a Hightower remains the best IDP option among Patriots LBs.

Patriots LB Jamie Collins missed practice Wednesday because of the illness that cost him Sunday's game against Washington. Given that he plays for New England, we probably won't get any further details beyond Collins' practice participation the next 2 days. We'll see if he's back for Sunday's matchup with the Giants. Meanwhile, DE Jabaal Sheard did return for a limited practice after missing the past 3 games with an ankle sprain.

The Patriots have ruled out OLB Jamie Collins for today's game against Washington because of an illness. Make sure he's out of your IDP lineup. Collins' absence could help Washington TE Jordan Reed find a bit more space over the middle and down the seam in a game where his team will need to throw the ball a lot.

The Patriots added LB Jamie Collins to the injury report Saturday, listing him as questionable for Sunday's game against Washington because of an illness. We'll check on his status Sunday morning for IDP lineups.

Patriots LB Dont'a Hightower could be in danger of missing the start of the 2015 NFL season. The Boston Herald reports that he's expected to need 6-7 months to return from recent shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum, an injury he played through in the Super Bowl (among other games). We'll certainly keep an eye on Hightower's status this summer, but the recovery period obviously threatens his IDP value heading into next season. At the same time, it should increase Jerod Mayo's fantasy upside in his own return from the patellar tendon tear that ended his 2014 season early. The combo of both LB injury situations only solidifies LB Jamie Collins' top-10 status for IDP leagues. The injuries at LB and loss of both starting CBs could hurt the fantasy value of the Patriots' team D.

Patriots LB Dont'a Hightower (shoulder) is inactive for today's meaningless finale against the Bills. LB Jamie Collins is active despite entering the weekend as questionable, but playing any Patriot today with carry risk in your fantasy football lineup.

Patriots LB Dont'a Hightower is active for tonight's clash with the Jets after missing the past 2 games with a knee injury.  He put in more practice time this week and seemed to be building toward a return.  We'll be interested to see what Hightower's role looks like in the wake of MLB Jerod Mayo's season-ending injury.  It would be safer to wait a week before putting Hightower back into IDP lineups, though.  Patriots LB Jamie Collins and DE Chandler Jones are also active against the Jets despite carrying "questionable" tags into Thursday night.  Each had played through his injury previously, though, and was expected to go.  Jones and Collins each look like fine IDP options for your Week 7 lineup -- especially Jones, who put up big numbers in each meeting with the Jets last year.

The Patriots have once again listed DE Chandler Jones (shoulder), LB Jamie Collins (thigh) and LB Dont'a Hightower (knee) as questionable heading into Thursday night's meeting with the Jets.  Jones has yet to miss a game with his injury and is a virtual lock to play after increasing his playing time last week over Week 5.  Collins has played the past 4 games after sitting out Week 2.  Hightower missed the past 2 games but hopes to play Thursday night after putting in limited workouts this week.  He'll make for a risky fantasy option before proving he's all the way back.

Patriots LB Dont'a Hightower is inactive for Sunday's visit to Buffalo.  He tested out his injured knee with a brace in pregame warm-ups but apparently wasn't ready to go.  It's the 2nd straight game he'll miss.  Teammate LB Jamie Collins, on the other hand -- also listed as questionable -- will start as expected.  He's fine to use in your IDP lineups.

Patriots LB Dont'a Hightower (knee) is inactive for tonight's game against the Bengals.  LB Jamie Collins (thigh) is active.

The Patriots list DE Chandler Jones (shoulder), LB Dont'a Hightower (knee) and Jamie Collins (thigh) as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals.  All 3 put in only limited practices this week.  But all 3 also played in Week 4 and have showed no signs of their ailments being significant.  We expect all 3 to play, but the questionable tags mean you'll need to check their status Sunday morning as you set your lineup.

Patriots LB Jamie Collins is active for today's game against the Raiders.  He missed Week 2 with a thigh injury but carries loads of upside as an IDP starter against Oakland.  Unless you're otherwise stacked, go ahead and start him.