Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee) was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's practice session, according to the team. Kincaid played in each of the past two games after dealing with knee and hamstring injuries in prior weeks, but he will begin this week with a DNP. The Bills could be managing his workload during the practice week to ensure he is ready to go on gameday. Fantasy managers will want to monitor his status in practice on Thursday and Friday in case he suffered a setback that would cause him to miss some time. Injuries seem to be a lingering issue for the 26-year-old tight end, as he played only 36% of the snaps in the Week 15 win against the New England Patriots, catching three of four targets for 34 yards. If Kincaid is unable to play on Sunday versus the Cleveland Browns, Dawson Knox would be in line for an expanded receiving role and could continue his recent stretch of production.

From RotoBaller

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (illness) was under the weather on Wednesday and did not practice, according to Clarence Hill Jr. of All City Dallas. Lamb isn't feeling well to begin the practice week, but he should be just fine for Sunday's Week 16 game against the visiting Los Angeles Chargers, where he'll remain a must-start fantasy football receiver. The 26-year-old four-time Pro Bowler hasn't been quite as good as teammate George Pickens in 2025, but he's been a top-10 fantasy wideout in terms of half-PPR points per game (14.7). In his 10 games played, Lamb has 63 receptions on 99 targets for 976 yards and three touchdowns. He's had over 100 receiving yards in each of the last three games and should reach the 1,000-yard mark for the fifth straight season.

From RotoBaller

Denver Broncos rookie running back R.J. Harvey (ribs) is participating in practice on Wednesday, according to Romi Bean of CBS Colorado. Harvey picked up a rib injury late in Denver's Week 15 win over the Green Bay Packers, but he seems to have avoided a major injury that would cost him any time. Head coach Sean Payton wasn't concerned with the injury, saying that "he's doing good" and should be good to go for Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Payton noted to himself after the Packers game to get Jaleel McLaughlin more touches to manage Harvey's workload, but it's promising news that the rookie won't miss any time. He's been one of the best running backs in fantasy football since taking over lead duties with J.K. Dobbins (foot) out for the year, ranking as the RB6 in PPR points per game over the past four games. Harvey will project favorably again in Week 16 versus the Jaguars.

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints rookie running back Devin Neal (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the New York Jets, according to Sara Palczewski of Louisiana First News. Neal left early during the Week 15 win over the Carolina Panthers due to a hamstring injury, and he'll be forced to miss at least one game. The rookie sixth-rounder had started three straight games for the Saints in place of an injured Alvin Kamara (knee, ankle) and totaled 32 yards and a touchdown on eight touches before exiting. With Kamara still not practicing on Wednesday, the Saints will rely on the duo of Audric Estime and Evan Hull to lead the backfield. Estime would be the preferred option in fantasy football, having totalled three carries for 11 yards and three catches (three targets) for 39 yards in Neal's absence last week, compared to Hull's four carries for 12 yards. Keep in mind, though, that rookie quarterback Tyler Shough could continue to take away valuable rushing attempts in this Saints offense.

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Devaughn Vele (shoulder) has officially been ruled out for Sunday's game against the New York Jets, Sara Palczewski of Louisiana First News reports. Vele has been considered week-to-week after suffering a shoulder injury in the fourth quarter of last week's win over the Carolina Panthers. He caught five of six targets for 69 yards up until that point. The 28-year-old reportedly avoided a major injury, but he could still end up missing the rest of the regular season with only three games remaining. Vele had been establishing a solid connection with rookie quarterback Tyler Shough, recording 16 catches for 202 yards and a touchdown over the past three games. His absence will lead to more opportunities for top wideout Chris Olave, in addition to Kevin Austin Jr. and Mason Tipton against the Jets in Week 16.

From RotoBaller

The Dallas Cowboys announced on Wednesday that they have opened the 21-day practice window for rookie running back Phil Mafah (shoulder). Mafah has missed his entire first season in the NFL so far due to a shoulder injury that landed him on Injured Reserve in August. The 23-year-old will return to practice this week, though, and he could be in play to join the Cowboys offense in the final three weeks of the season. The Clemson product would provide insurance in Dallas' backfield, but he probably wouldn't be anything more than the RB3 behind Javonte Williams and Malik Davis if he plays to close out the 2025 campaign. The Cowboys must officially activate Mafah from IR if they want him active this Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers. Mafah had 1,115 rushing yards, 103 receiving yards, and eight total touchdowns in his final year in college in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said that he plans to play quarterback Dak Prescott when asked if he would want to see backup quarterback Joe Milton III play if the Cowboys are eliminated from playoff contention. "I want to win, so the plan would be to play Dak," Schottenheimer said. It's not a surprising development to hear that Prescott will remain the starter for the final three games of the regular season, even with Dallas' playoff odds at less than 1%. The 32-year-old has put together one of the best seasons of his career, completing 68.4% of his passes for a league-leading 3,931 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions while adding 45 carries for 140 yards and two more scores on the ground. He remains a top-five QB option in fantasy for the Week 16 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.

From RotoBaller

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (chest, shoulder), who returned to a limited practice on Wednesday, said he should be able to play in Week 16 on Saturday night in the divisional rematch against the hosting Chicago Bears, per Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. "It's feeling pretty good for everything considered, so I think it'll be alright for the game. We're at the point in the season where you gotta fight through some stuff, so should be good," Watson said. The 26-year-old landed hard on a play in the second half in Sunday's loss to the Denver Broncos and was sent to the hospital after the game as a precaution. Doctors ruled out a major injury, thankfully, and now it looks like Watson will have a good chance to play this weekend after returning to practice on Wednesday. He has been quarterback Jordan Love's go-to receiver in the eight games he's played in 2025, and he had 89 receiving yards and two TDs two weeks ago against Chicago. If Watson is active, he should be considered a WR2 in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said on Sirius XM NFL Radio on Wednesday that there's "a good chance" that quarterback Geno Smith (shoulder, back) returns to start this Sunday against the Houston Texans in Week 16, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Smith suffered a right-shoulder injury in the Week 14 loss to the Denver Broncos and did not play in Sunday's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Backup Kenny Pickett couldn't lead the Raiders to any points, and thus the 35-year-old Smith will get his starting gig back this weekend in an extremely difficult matchup on the road against the Texans, who have the best defense in the NFL. It's good news for the Raiders' offensive skill players, but for fantasy football, Smith will be a low-end QB2, at best, in superflex leagues in Week 16 if he returns. Smith has led one of the worst offenses in the league in 2025 in his first year in Vegas, throwing for 2,648 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions in his 13 starts.UPDATE: Smith returned to Wednesday's practice.

From RotoBaller

New York Jets rookie tight end Mason Taylor (neck) has been ruled out for a second straight game for Week 16 action against the hosting New Orleans Saints, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN. Taylor suffered a neck injury in the Week 14 loss to the Miami Dolphins, when he had five catches for 51 yards. The 21-year-old's next chance to play will come in a Week 17 divisional contest against the visiting New England Patriots. Jeremy Ruckert, who just signed a two-year, $10 million extension with the Jets on Wednesday, will make a second straight start for Gang Green as their top pass-catching TE against the Saints in the Big Easy. Ruckert caught both his targets for 13 yards in last week's loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Fantasy managers should be able to find much better streaming options at the position. Taylor has averaged 5.0 half-PPR fantasy points per game in 13 contests in 2025, making him the TE35.

From RotoBaller

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (stinger) is back at practice on Wednesday after he was listed as a non-participant due to a stinger on Tuesday, according to Cayden Steele of NJ Advance Media. Barkley suffered a stinger in Sunday's blowout win over the Las Vegas Raiders, but his return to practice on Wednesday bodes well for his chances of playing on Saturday versus the division-rival Washington Commanders. Although the 28-year-old wasn't quite as good as he was in the Monday night overtime loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 14, he scored a rushing touchdown for the second straight week and had 20-plus carries for the fifth time in 2025. Barkley has had 20-plus rushing attempts in four of six games since the team's bye, as the Eagles make a point to involve last year's leading rusher more to spark their struggling offense. As long as Barkley is active in Week 16, which he should be, he will be a must-start in all fantasy football lineups against a poor Washington defense.

From RotoBaller

Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift (groin) was listed as a limited participant in the team's practice on Wednesday due to a groin injury, per Scott Bair of Marquee Sports Network. Swift wasn't listed on the first injury report of the week on Tuesday, so it's possible he tweaked his groin in Wednesday's practice. It's also possible that the Bears are just giving the 26-year-old lead back a little extra rest late in the season on a short week (Chicago faces the division-rival Green Bay Packers on Saturday night). We'll keep a close eye on Swift's status going into the weekend, but as of right now, fantasy managers shouldn't have too much concern that he'll be inactive in Week 16. If Swift's injury is serious enough to sideline him this weekend, though, rookie Kyle Monangai would be a must-start, plug-and-play RB in fantasy football in what is the semifinals in most leagues. Despite Monangai stealing more work in the second half, Swift remains the Bears' RB1. He has 935 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 191 carries this year, adding 254 receiving yards and another score.

From RotoBaller

Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (foot) missed another practice on Wednesday, according to Scott Bair of the Marquee Sports Network. Odunze also missed Tuesday's session and looks to be on track to miss a third straight game due to a stress fracture in his foot. Head coach Ben Johnson hinted earlier this week that the 23-year-old second-year pass-catcher could be shut down in the final three weeks of the regular season so that the team can have him closer to full strength for the playoffs. After a strong start to the season, Odunze has been a disappointment to fantasy managers in the second half, and he's likely to be ruled out for Saturday's divisional tilt against the Green Bay Packers unless he returns to practice on Thursday. Rookie Luther Burden III (ankle) has yet to practice this week, either, so Olamide Zaccheaus and Devin Duvernay, in addition to rookie tight end Colston Loveland, could be in for bigger roles this weekend behind DJ Moore if both Odunze and Burden cannot play.

From RotoBaller

Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III (ankle) is missing a second straight day of practice this week on Wednesday due to an ankle injury, according to Marquee Sports Network's Scott Bair. The Bears could be short-handed on offense at the receiver position on Saturday night against the division-rival Green Bay Packers, as Rome Odunze (foot) has yet to practice this week after missing the last two games with a stress fracture in his foot. In the last two contests with Odunze on the sideline, the 22-year-old Burden has capitalized for his fantasy managers with 10 catches for 151 yards on 13 targets. However, unless he practices on Thursday, Burden could miss this weekend's game in the Windy City. If both Burden and Odunze are inactive, DJ Moore, Olamide Zaccheaus, and Devin Duvernay would operate in three-receiver sets. Rookie tight end Colston Loveland would be on the TE1 map with more targets coming his way as well.

From RotoBaller

Chicago Bears WR Luther Burden III (ankle), WR Rome Odunze (foot), and LB Amen Ogbongbemiga (hamstring) did not practice on Wednesday, Dec. 17. LB Tremaine Edmunds (groin), TE Cole Kmet (ankle, knee), and RB D'Andre Swift (groin) were limited in practice on Wednesday. QB Tyson Bagent (illness), DL Andrew Billings (illness), and RB Travis Homer (ankle) practiced in full on Wednesday.

From TheHuddle

Las Vegas Raiders QB Geno Smith (hand) could start Week 16, according to head coach Pete Carroll

Fantasy Spin: Smith has missed some time with a hand injury, and the Raiders' offense has come to a standstill as a result. His return is more good news for Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty than it is for him. He can be avoided in fantasy lineups if he plays.

From TheHuddle

Carolina Panthers OT Ikem Ekwonu (knee), G Damien Lewis (illness), WR Tetairoa McMillan (foot, ankle), and DL Tershawn Wharton (hamstring) did not practice on Wednesday, Dec. 17. CB Jaycee Horn (rest) and OL Taylor Moton (back) were limited in practice on Wednesday. WR David Moore (elbow) and LB Trevin Wallace (shoulder) practiced in full on Wednesday.

From TheHuddle

Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (illness) did not practice on Wednesday, Dec. 17.

Fantasy Spin: Jackson was kept home on Wednesday due to illness; nothing should linger into Week 16. He can be in your lineups for your fantasy playoffs.

From TheHuddle

New York Jets rookie quarterback Brady Cook has been named the starter for the team's Week 16 matchup with the Saints. Head coach Aaron Glenn made the announcement on Wednesday, adding that either Tyrod Taylor (groin) or Justin Fields (knee) will back him up. This marks Cook's second consecutive start after coming on early in relief of an injured Taylor in a Week 14 loss to the Dolphins, and then making his first career start in a Week 15 loss to the Jaguars. Through almost two full games, he has yet to top 180 passing yards while completing 57.1% of his passes with one touchdown to five interceptions. In the 48-20 loss to Jacksonville, running back Breece Hall was held to 23 yards on 12 carries, and against an underrated New Orleans defense on Sunday, all Jets offensive players will again face a severely limited fantasy ceiling.

From RotoBaller

Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (knee) was placed on the Reserve/Injured list Wednesday, Dec. 17.

Fantasy Spin: Gardner Minshew will take over the starting job for the rest of the season. He has had success in past seasons and can be a possible option in some two-quarterback leagues this week.

From TheHuddle