Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith becomes a risky TE1 with Tua Tagovailoa (hip) listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns. Since Week 11, Smith has averaged a stellar 19.8 PPR points per game. Over this span he has tallied 75.8 yards and 7.2 receptions per game. However, Smith could be due for a drop in production, especially if his QB1 cannot suit up. During Weeks 3 through 5, where Tagovailoa did not play, Smith averaged a mere 26.7 yards and 2.3 receptions per game. While fantasy managers in deeper formats may not have an alternative, he should be faded in DFS formats given the uncertainty under center. The entire Miami offense could struggle in this contest which will greatly limit his overall ceiling. He is a low-end TE1 with risk.

From RotoBaller

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is not expected to play against the Denver Broncos in Week 18, according to Peter Schrager of FOX Sports. The Chiefs have already locked up the No. 1 seed in the AFC and presumably don't want to risk injury for Mahomes and some of their other key starters. The 29-year-old has led the Chiefs to a phenomenal 15-1 record, completing 67.5 percent of his passes for 3,928 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. If Mahomes is confirmed as inactive next week, 2024 will go down as the first time since his rookie year that he finished with fewer than 4,000 passing yards. Carson Wentz is expected to start at quarterback for the Chiefs next weekend, but Schrager also expects that Chris Oladokun will be promoted from the practice squad to play some snaps.

From RotoBaller

The Kansas City Chiefs are expected to rest Patrick Mahomes and start Carson Wentz at quarterback during Week 18 against the Denver Broncos, according to Peter Schrager of FOX Sports. Schrager also expects that the Chiefs will promote third-year quarterback Chris Oladokun from the practice squad to play some snaps. Wentz may generate some appeal in two-quarterback leagues given the Chiefs' potent offense, but his value will be limited if he doesn't play the whole game. Meanwhile, although it will be good for the Chiefs to see what they have in Oladokun, a South Dakota State product, he has no NFL playing experience and won't get a full game's worth of reps. He can be avoided in all fantasy and gambling settings.

From RotoBaller

The Cleveland Browns could pursue veteran quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers or Kirk Cousins for the 2025 season, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Cleveland recently restructured Deshaun Watson's contract to presumably keep him on the team next season, but the team's desire to bring in quarterback competition has been well-documented. Both Rodgers and Cousins, who seem likely to be on new teams next season, are strong candidates to push for the starting job over Watson in Cleveland. Rodgers has come on strong with nine passing touchdowns over his last five games, but there has been plenty of speculation that he and the Jets are headed for a divorce. Meanwhile, Cousins was benched in the midst of his first season with the Falcons after tossing seven interceptions in a three-game span.

From RotoBaller

Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn (hip) has officially been ruled out in Week 17 versus the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, while outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (knee, elbow) is active despite being listed as questionable. The Panthers defense will also be without linebacker Josey Jewell (concussion, quadriceps), who was ruled out on Friday. Defensive end A'Shawn Robinson (knee, illness) and outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum (knee, shoulder), who were both listed as questionable, are active. Horn, 25, was considered doubtful to play this weekend, so his absence from the lineup on Sunday shouldn't be a surprise after getting hurt in last week's overtime win over the Arizona Cardinals. With Horn out against Tampa, look for Caleb Farley to serve as Carolina's No. 2 corner.

From RotoBaller

Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Xavier Legette (hip, wrist) is officially active on Sunday as the team takes on the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 17. Legette did not play in last Sunday night's loss to the Dallas Cowboys, but he made good progress during the week in practice and will return to the field this weekend. The 23-year-old will be a poor flex option for fantasy managers with everything on the line in Week 17 in Carolina's low-volume passing attack. Veteran Adam Thielen should continue to command most of quarterback Bryce Young's targets, and he'll be fighting for snaps alongside fellow rookie Jalen Coker and David Moore. The 32nd overall pick in this year's draft does have four touchdowns in his first NFL season, but he hasn't scored since Nov. 3 and has gone over 60 receiving yards just once in his 14 games played.

From RotoBaller

With Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (calf, knee) out for the final two games of the season, Raheem Blackshear will make the start in the backfield in Week 17 on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders. ESPN's David Newton also suspects that Mike Boone, who was added to the 53-man active roster from the practice squad, will get a fair share of carries also. The Panthers are expected to give both Blackshear and Boone some touches as they play out the string in 2024. Neither back will be all that attractive for fantasy managers trying to win a championship in the final couple of weeks, but Blackshear should be the preferred flex dart throw in DFS contests in a plus matchup. The 26-year-old excelled as a pass-catcher out of the backfield in college and should have slightly more upside in PPR leagues, but he's averaged just 3.4 yards a carry on 40 rushing attempts in his three NFL seasons.

From RotoBaller

Indianapolis Colts tight end Mo Alie-Cox (toe) is officially active for Sunday's Week 17 contest against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He had been listed as questionable but was trending in the right direction after logging a full practice on Friday. The 31-year-old has appeared in 15 games this season, catching just 12 passes for 147 yards and one touchdown. He remains off the fantasy radar given his reduced role in a tight end room that also features Drew Ogletree and Kylen Granson.

From RotoBaller

New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers (toe) is officially active for the Week 17 clash against the visiting Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Nabers missed a couple days of practice this week and was listed as questionable on the final injury report, but he was ultimately expected to play. The first-rounder out of LSU has dealt with a handful of nagging injuries in his first year in the NFL but has only missed two games due to a concussion. He will suit up on Sunday in a pretty good matchup, and even though quarterback Drew Lock is one of the worst starters in the league, Nabers needs to remain locked into all fantasy starting lineups. He has had double-digit targets in each of the last four games and has been a top-15 pass-catcher all year long. Nabers is second in the NFL in targets (154), behind only Ja'Marr Chase, who played on Saturday.

From RotoBaller

Indianapolis Colts linebacker E.J. Speed (knee) and left guard Quenton Nelson (ankle) are active for Sunday's Week 17 contest against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Both players had been listed as questionable. Speed has been one of the top IDP contributors this season, registering 129 tackles and one interception. Meanwhile, Nelson has long been an anchor within the Colts' offensive line, and he's only missed a few snaps in 2024. This Sunday, he'll be tasked with protecting quarterback Joe Flacco after Anthony Richardson (back, foot) was ruled out.

From RotoBaller

Dallas Cowboys wide receivers Jalen Tolbert (finger) and Jalen Brooks (knee) are both active on Sunday to face the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles in Week 17 after coming into the contest listed as questionable. Tolbert suffered a finger injury in last week's win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday night and was limited in practice all week. The 25-year-old will not only play against Philly, but he should have an expanded role in the passing attack with top wideout CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) shut down for the final two games of the 2024 season. Despite the expected increase in volume, Tolbert should still be considered a low-upside WR4/flex option for fantasy managers in deeper leagues against an Eagles secondary that has been stingy against receivers in 2024. Brooks should also have a bigger role for Dallas, but he's even riskier for fantasy purposes.

From RotoBaller

Tennessee Titans WR Tyler Boyd (foot) is officially active for the Week 17 game.

Fantasy Spin: Boyd should see a few targets during the game but has not been a big factor in the passing game this season. Fantasy players should have better options available and can avoid Boyd.

From TheHuddle

New Orleans Saints WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (chest) is active for Week 17's game versus the Las Vegas Raiders.

Fantasy Spin: Valdes-Scantling had been listed as questionable on the injury report after participating in all three of the Saints' practice sessions during the week on a limited basis. However, he is not a recommended fantasy option in any format as long as Spencer Rattler is the team's starting quarterback.

From TheHuddle

New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams (hip) is officially active for Sunday's Week 17 contest against the Buffalo Bills. He had been listed as questionable after logging a limited practice on Friday. The veteran receiver has been dominant lately, catching 39 passes for 441 yards and five touchdowns over his last four games. He is the overall WR1 in half-PPR leagues during that span, ranking a couple points ahead of Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase. Adams should continue to be treated as a high-end WR1 option against the Bills on Sunday. He's especially intriguing given speculation that Aaron Rodgers may target Adams for his 500th career passing touchdown.

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (chest) is officially active for Sunday's contest against the visiting Las Vegas Raiders in Week 17. Valdes-Scantling was listed as questionable on the final injury report on Friday, but he will suit up and could lead the team in targets in a plus matchup with Chris Olave (concussion) staying on Injured Reserve for another week. With MVS active, rookie Mason Tipton will be a healthy scratch. The 30-year-old Valdes-Scantling was not active in the loss to the Green Bay Packers last Monday night. He had a stretch from Weeks 10-13 where he caught seven passes for 232 yards and four touchdowns on 10 targets, but that was never really sustainable for fantasy managers, especially after quarterback Derek Carr broke his hand and gave way to rookie Spencer Rattler. MVS is a boom/bust, desperation flex play in Week 17 in fantasy lineups.

From RotoBaller

New York Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein (left knee) and cornerback Sauce Gardner (hamstring) are both active for Sunday's Week 17 contest against the Buffalo Bills. Both players had been listed as questionable. Zuerlein returned from injured reserve this week and is set to handle kicking duties for the first time in more than two months. He'll look to improve upon a season stat line that includes a woeful 9-for-15 success rate on field goals. Meanwhile, Gardner's presence will be key as the Jets look to slow down the Bills' dominant offense. He has 46 tackles, one sack, and just one interception through 14 contests this season.

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints running back Jordan Mims is a healthy scratch for the Week 17 contest against the visiting Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday in New Orleans, even with Alvin Kamara (groin) missing another game. Mims, for lack of better options in the Saints' depleted offense, led the team with five receptions on eight targets for only 16 yards in the Monday night loss to the Green Bay Packers. He added four carries for only 16 yards. The 25-year-old has been used sparingly in his second year in the NFL, carrying the ball only 18 times for 58 yards (3.2 yards per tote) while catching nine of 15 targets for 58 yards in his 10 games played. With Mims inactive, the Saints will roll with second-year back Kendre Miller as their starter in the backfield, with veteran Jamaal Williams backing him up.

From RotoBaller

New York Jets edge rusher Haason Reddick (neck) and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (hamstring) are active for Week 17 against the Buffalo Bills. Both players had been listed as questionable. Reddick has been highly disappointing in his first season with the Jets, registering just nine tackles and half a sack through eight games since returning from his holdout. Williams, on the other hand, has been much more productive, anchoring the Jets' defensive line with 35 tackles and six sacks through 14 contests. All in all, the Jets will benefit from having a healthy group of defensive reinforcements available against Buffalo this weekend.

From RotoBaller

The New Orleans Saints have declared DT John Ridgeway, RB Alvin Kamara, LB Anfernee Orji, RB Jordan Mims, QB Derek Carr, DT Khristian Boyd and WR Mason Tipton inactive for Week 17.

From TheHuddle

The New York Giants have declared C John Michael Schmitz, DT Cory Durden, QB Tim Boyle, CB Greg Stroman, WR Dee Williams and LB Micah McFadden inactive for Week 17.

From TheHuddle