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Giants QB Drew Lock to start Sunday vs. Colts

Tue Dec 24 1:29pm ET
Field Level Media

Quarterback Drew Lock will start for the New York Giants on Sunday against the visiting Indianapolis Colts, coach Brian Daboll confirmed Tuesday.

Lock's availability was uncertain after he injured his right shoulder during last weekend's 34-7 setback against the Atlanta Falcons.

Lock, 28, underwent an MRI on Monday and the tests showed no damage, Daboll said.

In six games (three starts) this season, Lock has an 0-3 record and has completed 52.7 percent of his passes for 624 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions.

The Giants (2-13) take a 10-game losing streak -- the longest in franchise history -- into the meeting with the Colts (7-8).

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Player Notes
Christian Watson Dec 24 12:30pm CT
Christian Watson

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur delivered some good news on wide receiver Christian Watson (knee) on Tuesday after he injured his knee in Monday's blowout victory over the New Orleans Saints. "We got good news on him. It's more just a bruise. It's when the guy fell on him on the sideline. Still gotta be able to function. We'll see how he practices this week & see where we're at," LaFleur said. Watson's status for the Week 17 divisional game against the Minnesota Vikings will be determined by his practice participation this week. The 25-year-old avoided a serious injury, though, which is a sigh of relief for the Packers for a player that has dealt with his fair share of injuries early in his career. In a crowded relief corps in Green Bay, Watson hasn't been a top-50 fantasy wideout with 29 receptions, 620 yards and only two touchdowns in 2024. If he plays on Sunday, he'll be a shaky WR4/flex in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Malik Nabers Dec 24 12:20pm CT
Malik Nabers

New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers (undisclosed) will not take part in the team's practice on Tuesday. The Giants are practicing on Tuesday this week and will be taking Wednesday off for Christmas. It's early in the week, so the Giants are likely just giving their star wideout some extra rest heading into a Week 17 tilt on Sunday versus the visiting Indianapolis Colts. The 21-year-old first-rounder has battled several lower-body injuries in recent weeks but hasn't missed any time, so we'd expect him to be good to play this weekend as the unquestioned top wideout for the G-Men. Despite the awful mess at quarterback for the Giants with Drew Lock still the starter, Nabers has seen 28 targets over the last two weeks and has caught 17 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown. For fantasy managers battling for a trophy this week, Nabers is a must-start in lineups.

From RotoBaller

Tyrone Tracy Jr. Dec 24 12:20pm CT
Tyrone Tracy Jr.

New York Giants rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (ankle) will not participate in Tuesday's practice. The Giants are holding a practice on Tuesday and taking Wednesday off for Christmas this week. It's early in the week, but Tracy's status is worth watching closely heading into a Week 17 matchup on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts after he aggravated his ankle injury in the Week 16 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. If the 25-year-old isn't able to play this Sunday, Devin Singletary would be in line for lead-back duties, giving him RB3/flex appeal against a Colts defense that has been gashed on the ground all year. Tracy had only 26 rushing yards on seven carries against Atlanta but salvaged his fantasy day with four catches for 43 yards and a touchdown through the air. He's shaping up as a risky RB3/flex in fantasy this week due to his injury and New York's lousy offense under quarterback Drew Lock.

From RotoBaller

Drew Lock Dec 24 12:00pm CT
Drew Lock

New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (shoulder) will start again in Week 17 against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, according to head coach Brian Daboll. Lock made the start in the blowout loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16, but his availability was in question for this week after he underwent an MRI exam on his right shoulder on Monday. Apparently everything checked out fine with Lock's throwing shoulder, so he'll make his fourth start of the year this weekend. The 28-year-old has not looked good at all in his three starts for the G-Men, completing 53.33% of his 120 pass attempts for 615 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions while also losing two fumbles. He has run for 117 yards and a touchdown on the ground, but nobody that advanced to a fantasy championship should be using Lock as a QB2 in superflex leagues.

From RotoBaller

Kyler Murray Dec 24 11:40am CT
Kyler Murray

Arizona Cardinals left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. (knee) and right tackle Jonah Williams (knee) have both already been ruled out for Saturday's Week 17 divisional clash against the Los Angeles Rams. Johnson will miss his second straight game, while Williams will sit out on Saturday night after injuring his knee in the overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 16. With the Cardinals being eliminated from playoff contention with their loss on Sunday, they don't have any incentive to put any injured players out on the field for the final two weeks of the regular season. Arizona missing both their left and right tackles against the Rams this weekend is bad news for their offense, and they could also be without lead running back James Conner (knee) as well. It should at least give fantasy managers pause when deciding to start quarterback Kyler Murray.

From RotoBaller

Alec Pierce Dec 24 11:30am CT
Alec Pierce

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (concussion) is still in the league's concussion protocol but is advancing well. Pierce suffered a concussion in the Week 15 loss to the Denver Broncos and was unable to play in the Week 16 win over the Tennessee Titans this past Sunday. The 24-year-old is recovering, but he'll need to gain clearance from an independent neurologist later this week to have a shot at returning to action for the Week 17 game this Sunday at the New York Giants. The matchup against the two-win Giants is a great one for the Colts offense this weekend, but Pierce would be a pretty shaky WR4/5 for fantasy managers in a low-volume passing attack if he's cleared to play. Quarterback Anthony Richardson only attempted 11 passes in the win over the Titans. When active, Pierce is Indy's WR3 behind Josh Downs and Michael Pittman Jr.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Whitehead Dec 24 11:30am CT
Jordan Whitehead

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers designated safety Jordan Whitehead (pectoral) to return from Injured Reserve on Tuesday by opening his 21-day practice window. Whitehead is now eligible to return to practice with the team this week, but it doesn't guarantee that he'll come off IR to play in Week 17 on Sunday against the division-rival Carolina Panthers. The 27-year-old was put on IR in late November due to a ruptured pectoral muscle, but he's nearing a return and would give the Bucs secondary a needed boost as they try to win the NFC South division in the final two weeks of the regular season. Whitehead started the team's first 11 games before getting injured, recording 76 tackles (47 solo) and three pass breakups in his return to Tampa in 2024. The Bucs defense is ranked as a top-10 defensive unit for their matchup against Carolina in Week 17.

From RotoBaller

James Conner Dec 24 11:20am CT
James Conner

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (knee) is in wait-and-see mode for the team's upcoming Week 17 game against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams on Saturday night. Conner injured his knee in the overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 16, but not before putting up strong numbers with 19 touches for 166 scrimmage yards and a touchdown. The Cardinals were eliminated from postseason contention with their loss on Sunday, which means the Cardinals aren't going to rush the 29-year-old back this weekend if he's not ready. Conner's status will likely depend on how much he can do in practice this week. Trey Benson (ankle) missed the Week 16 game and Emari Demercado (back) is on Injured Reserve, so if Conner is ruled out, the Cardinals could be down to DeeJay Dallas and Michael Carter in their backfield against LA on Saturday.

From RotoBaller

Christian Watson Dec 24 11:20am CT
Christian Watson

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (knee) said he's "hoping for the best" regarding the knee injury he suffered in the Monday night blowout win over the New Orleans Saints. Watson was injured early in the first half when a defender fell on him at the end of a run. He returned to the game in the first half but eventually was seen being looked at by the medical staff on the sideline and didn't return to action in the second half. Watson is getting his knee examined on Tuesday, putting his status up in the air for Sunday's Week 17 contest against the division-rival Minnesota Vikings. The 25-year-old didn't catch his only target and rushed two times for 23 yards in Monday's game. Already a shaky touchdown-dependent WR4/flex in a crowded wideout room in Green Bay, fantasy managers in championship matchups shouldn't be planning on using a banged-up Watson this week.

From RotoBaller

Russell Wilson Dec 24 11:10am CT
Russell Wilson

Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (calf) is listed as questionable for the team's Week 17 game on Wednesday on Christmas Day versus the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jones didn't practice on Sunday or Monday after straining his calf in Saturday's win over the Houston Texans in Week 16. On a short week, the 30-year-old defensive stalwart might not be able to go, so fantasy managers in IDP formats need to have a backup on hand in case the Chiefs rule him out on Christmas morning. Jones being absent this week would be good news for quarterback Russell Wilson and the Steelers offense as they look to get things turned around after a disappointing Week 16 loss to the division-rival Baltimore Ravens. If Jones plays, he could be subject to a limited snap count as well, making him even more risky as a starting option in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Aaron Rodgers Dec 24 11:10am CT
Aaron Rodgers

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (knee) is uncertain to play in Week 17 against the division-rival Buffalo Bills on Sunday due to a knee injury he suffered in the Week 16 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich said he's betting on Rodgers to play, but he's not committing to it early in the week. With the Jets already eliminated from playoff contention, Rodgers isn't going to take any chances with his health in a meaningless game for the team. If he is ruled out for Sunday's game, journeyman QB Tyrod Taylor would make his first start of the year for Gang Green, which would be a downgrade for receivers Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson in fantasy. We'll have a better idea of the 41-year-old's status for Week 17 once the team resumes practicing on Wednesday. The future Hall of Famer has been better of late, but he's no more than a QB2 in fantasy if he plays.

From RotoBaller

John Metchie III Dec 24 9:10am CT
John Metchie III

Houston Texans wide receiver John Metchie III (shoulder) appears ready to return to the lineup on Christmas Day against the Baltimore Ravens, and with ample opportunity within the Texans' offense. Wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) joined Stefon Diggs (knee) on injured reserve, opening the way for other receivers behind top target Nico Collins. However, starting Metchie, even against a Ravens defense in the bottom five against fantasy receivers, is a massive risk for managers in fantasy Super Bowls this week. In addition to rostering receiver Robert Woods, Houston added Diontae Johnson off waivers on Monday. Replacing Dell might be a committee approach.

From RotoBaller

Van Jefferson Dec 24 9:00am CT
Van Jefferson

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson is off the fantasy radar when the Steelers take on Kansas City on Christmas Day. The veteran has played more than 70% of the Steelers' snaps the past three weeks, but that seems likely to change with top receiver George Pickens (hamstring) likely to return to the lineup. The Chiefs' defense ranks in the middle of the pack against fantasy receivers, but it's difficult to see Jefferson getting enough action in a run-loving Pittsburgh offense when competing for targets with Pickens, receiver Calvin Austin III, and tight end Pat Freiermuth.

From RotoBaller

Greg Joseph Dec 24 8:50am CT
Greg Joseph

The New York Jets signed kicker Greg Joseph to their practice squad, according to Joseph's agent, Brett Tessler. The veteran is now on his fifth team of the season after spending training camp with Green Bay, briefly signing with Detroit's practice squad, and then having stints with the New York Giants and Washington Commanders. Jets kicker Anders Carlson had a brutal showing on Sunday against the L.A. Rams, missing an extra point and a 49-yarder that would have cut the lead to one score in the fourth quarter. Joseph is unlikely to hold any fantasy value, however, even if he unseats Carlson for the starting job prior to a Week 17 game at Buffalo.

From RotoBaller

Kevin Austin Jr. Dec 24 8:50am CT
Kevin Austin Jr.

New Orleans Saints receiver Kevin Austin Jr. earned another four targets Monday at Green Bay, but turned them into just one catch for 17 yards on which he fumbled, but saw the ball go out of bounds. The third-year player has drawn at least three targets in four straight games, but is playing more mostly due to injuries, including to top receiver Chris Olave (concussion). New Orleans, playing behind backup quarterback Spencer Rattler, looked hapless in the 34-0 defeat to the Packers and became the first team in the league to be shut out this year. Austin is off the fantasy radar prior to a Week 17 game against Las Vegas.

From RotoBaller

Dante Pettis Dec 24 8:40am CT
Dante Pettis

Dante Pettis of the New Orleans Saints earned seven targets on Monday at Green Bay, but finished with only two catches for 31 yards. The barren New Orleans offense was down to starting quarterback Spencer Rattler, who completed only half of his 30 passing attempts for 153 yards and an interception in a blowout 34-0 defeat. The Saints have ample opportunity for Pettis to play a high volume of snaps, but they have so few weapons at this stage of the season that starting anyone on this offense is likely a no-go. New Orleans will continue playing out the string in Week 17 against Las Vegas.

From RotoBaller

Jamaal Williams Dec 24 8:30am CT
Jamaal Williams

New Orleans Saints running back Jamaal Williams was a non-factor with just three carries for eight yards and no targets in a 34-0 defeat at Green Bay. The veteran drew fewer carries than fellow running backs Kendre Miller and Jordan Mims, and backup quarterback Spencer Rattler carried five times as the depleted Saints offense struggled to muster anything in a forgettable outing. Even without starting running Alvin Kamara (groin), Williams was not fantasy relevant. The former 1,000-yard rusher can safely be left on waivers as the Saints prepare for Las Vegas in Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Brandon McManus Dec 24 8:20am CT
Brandon McManus

Green Bay Packers kicker Brandon McManus converted every opportunity on Monday in a 34-0 win against the New Orleans Saints, connecting on both field goals and all four extra points. The veteran kicker hit field goals of 55 and 46 yards in the second half, adding a boost for managers who started him in the fantasy playoffs. McManus, who was released by Washington earlier this year after a lawsuit alleging sexual assault was brought against him, has latched on in Green Bay during the second half of the season. He'll continue being attached to a capable offense as the playoff-bound Packers take on Minnesota in Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Spencer Rattler Dec 24 2:50am CT
Spencer Rattler

New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler went 15-for-30 for 153 passing yards and added 28 yards on five rushes in Monday's 34-0 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Rattler also threw an interception and lost a fumble in the defeat, which had the dubious distinction of being the NFL's first shutout of the 2024 season. Additionally, the Saints never reached the red zone and the drives that brought them the closest were halted by Rattler's turnovers. Through four starts and five total appearances, the rookie has gone 84-for-150 for 859 passing yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. In postgame comments, interim head coach Darren Rizzi said that the team would evaluate Derek Carr's (hand) progress on Thursday. With the Saints officially out of the playoff hunt it isn't out of the question for Rattler to remain the starter in order to gain more experience at the pro level. Even if New Orleans gives him another chance, he doesn't belong on fantasy rosters in Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Kendre Miller Dec 24 2:50am CT
Kendre Miller

Those hoping that New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller would be the late-season add that would propel fantasy teams to the championship round of the fantasy playoffs were sorely disappointed on Monday night. Miller handled eight carriers and gained just 15 rushing yards in the 35-0 loss to the Green Bay Packers. He also caught both of his targets for 16 receiving yards. After taking over the Saints' backfield following Alvin Kamara's (groin) early departure last week, Miller finished with fewer snaps than fellow backup Jordan Mims. In postgame comments, interim head coach Darren Rizzi alluded to having a plan to use Miller that went out the window after falling in an early hole which forced New Orleans into playing catchup. Kamara's status for Week 17 is unknown at this point but if he misses another game then Miller should have an easier time against the Las Vegas Raiders.

From RotoBaller