The NFL has suspended Raiders LB Vontaze Burfict for the rest of the season for his headshot on Colts TE Jack Doyle Sunday. Burfict has a history of league suspensions for similar offenses, which explains the unprecedented length of this ban. Burfict has 3 days to appeal it, so we'll see whether it changes. Either way, Tahir Whitehead has been the more reliable Oakland LB for playing time and tackles and should be owned in most IDP leagues of at least moderate depth.

The Raiders have signed LB Tahir Whitehead. The former Lion could play the middle or weak side in an Oakland defense that should sport a 4-3 base. Whitehead delivered solid tackle numbers over the past 2 years in Detroit. He figures to make sense as an LB3 in IDP drafts, but we'll see how the rest of the Raiders LB corps shapes up.

Lions MLB Jarrad Davis returned to practice Wednesday after missing Week 3 with a concussion. That indicates we can expect him to return for Sunday's game against the Vikings. When both were healthy for the Week 1 win over the Cardinals, Davis played 100% of the defensive snaps, while OLB Tahir Whitehead played just 68% (51 of 75). So Davis' return adds risk to Whitehead for IDP owners who might have used Whitehead when he filled in for Davis last week.

Lions MLB Jarrad Davis left Monday night's win over the Giants with a concussion. The shorter turnaround for Week 3 makes it likely that he'll miss at least 1 game. Detroit shifted Tahir Whitehead over to the middle after Davis left and inserted rookie Jalen Reeves-Maybin on the weak side. Whitehead would be a solid IDP option against the Falcons in Week 3 if Davis remains out.

Lions LB Tahir Whitehead left Friday night's game with a knee injury. The Lions have yet to announce an official diagnosis, but Whitehead has since tweeted that "all is well." This doesn't seem like a situation that should affect his IDP outlook.

The Lions plan to play 1st-round LB Jarrad Davis in the middle "we hope for many years to come," GM Bob Quinn told the Detroit Free Press. But Davis will have to compete with others in the corps before settling into his spot. "He's a guy that we feel that can play mike (middle) and will (weak-side) so we’re going to put him in the mix with all the guys we have on the roster and just kind of figure out what’s the best way to use him," Quinn said. "But he definitely has position flexibility." Davis should quickly emerge as the top player in the group, however, and lock down a starting job either on the middle or the weak side. Meanwhile, Tahir Whitehead is no lock to remain in the lineup after a breakthrough fantasy season in 2016, which particularly found him struggling in coverage. Free-agent addition Paul Worrilow will also compete, along with 4th-round rookie Jalen Reeves-Maybin. Quinn said the team likes Reeves-Maybin on the weak side. The whole competition will be interesting to watch for IDP owners.

Lions DE Ezekiel Ansah (ankle), OLB DeAndre Levy (knee) and MLB Tahir Whitehead (knee) are active for today's game against the Bears. It'll be just Levy's 2nd appearance this season, and he's not expected to play a full role. Whitehead returns after missing last week. His tackle upside makes him worth any added durability risk for IDP lineups. Ansah has been playing through "questionable" tags for weeks.

Lions DE Ezekiel Ansah (ankle), OLB DeAndre Levy (knee) and MLB Tahir Whitehead (knee) are all questionable for Sunday's game against the Bears. Ansah has been playing through his issue for weeks since missing time for it and should play. Multiple reports say Levy appears likely to play, though probably in a part-time role. Whitehead we'll keep an eye on. He put in limited practices all week after doing so last week as well, when he missed the game.

The Lions have downgraded MLB Tahir Whitehead (knee) to out for Sunday's game at New Orleans. It's a bit surprising given that Whitehead managed limited practices all week. Josh Bynes is expected to start in his place, with Detroit also expected to continue missing OLB DeAndre Levy (knee, questionable).

Lions DE Ezekiel Ansah (ankle), MLB Tahir Whitehead (knee) and OLB DeAndre Levy (knee) are all questionable for Sunday's game in New Orleans. Ansah is expected to play, according to the Detroit Free Press, and has been playing through the issue for a while. Whitehead put in limited workouts all week, so we'll check on his status Sunday. Levy's expected to sit again, according to the Free Press.

Lions DE Ezekiel Ansah (ankle) and MLB Tahir Whitehead (abdomen) are active for today's game against Washington. Both entered the weekend questionable but should be find to use as you normally would. Ansah checks in lower in our DL rankings than usual, however, given his more limited role and productivity in last week's return from a high ankle sprain.

Lions MLB Tahir Whitehead is questionable for Sunday's game against Washington after apparently suffering an abdominal injury in practice this week. Detroit added him to the injury report as a limited participant Thursday and Friday. We'll check on his status Sunday morning, but have a replacement in mind or available if you plan on starting Whitehead in your IDP lineup.

Lions OLB DeAndre Levy is inactive for today's game against the Titans with a quad injury. His absence raises the tackle ceiling for MLB Tahir Whitehead.

Lions LB DeAndre Levy will likely miss Sunday's game against the Titans because of a quad injury. He's officially doubtful after sitting out practice all week. It's a particularly disappointing (early) development for a player who missed basically all of last season with a hip injury. Levy's absence can only help the tackle upside of MLB Tahir Whitehead, while it hurts the Lions D overall.

Lions MLB Stephen Tulloch suffered an ACL tear while celebrating a sack in Week 3. OLB DeAndre Levy moved over from his weak-side spot to play the middle in that game, but Tulloch's job will belong to 3rd-year LB Tahir Whitehead going forward.  The job presents obvious tackle upside, especially behind a talented D-line.  But Whitehead has seen very limited playing time to date and tallied just 19 total tackles before this season.  He's worth a speculative add in deep IDP leagues, but most fantasy folks can wait and see what he does in his 1st start.