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QB Teddy Bridgewater to unretire, rejoin Lions

Thu Dec 26 1:07pm ET
Field Level Media

Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is coming out of retirement to rejoin the Detroit Lions, NFL Network reported Thursday.

Bridgewater, 32, appeared in one game (three snaps) for the Lions last season. He announced his retirement in February and spent the 2024 season coaching his alma mater Miami Northwestern High School to a Class 3A Florida state championship.

A first-round pick by Minnesota in 2014 and a Pro Bowl selection with the Vikings in 2015, Bridgewater also played for the New Orleans Saints (2018-19), Carolina Panthers (2020), Denver Broncos (2021) and Miami Dolphins (2022) before joining the Lions in 2023.

Bridgewater owns a 33-32 record as a starting quarterback, completing 66.4 percent of his passes for 15,120 yards with 75 touchdowns and 47 interceptions in 79 games. He has also rushed for 844 yards and 11 scores.

He would provide experience and depth behind starter Jared Goff as the Lions (13-2) chase the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC playoffs. Hendon Hooker, a third-round pick in 2023, is Goff's current backup.

Detroit visits San Francisco (6-9) on Monday night before ending the regular season with an NFC North showdown against the Minnesota Vikings (13-2) in Week 18.

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Player Notes
J.K. Dobbins Dec 26 2:00pm CT
J.K. Dobbins

Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins (knee) is officially questionable to be activated from Injured Reserve and play against the New England Patriots on Saturday. The former Baltimore Ravens' second-round pick has missed the last four games after suffering a knee injury but could return to action after logging two limited practices on Tuesday and Wednesday. However, he did not practice on Thursday, so he might be on the wrong side of questionable for Week 17. Gus Edwards (ankle) won't play against the Patriots, so if Dobbins is also out, rookie Kimani Vidal and veteran Hassan Haskins will likely share touches. All Chargers' backs are risky fantasy options given all the uncertainty.

From RotoBaller

Xavier Legette Dec 26 2:00pm CT
Xavier Legette

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette (hip/wrist) was limited in Thursday's practice with hip and wrist injuries after logging a full practice on Wednesday. While his step down in participation is concerning, organizations often take it easy on banged-up players down the stretch. That said, fantasy managers should monitor his status throughout the week. Veteran wideout Adam Thielen (hamstring) was a limited participant in Thursday's session with a hamstring injury. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers present a top-10 matchup for fantasy wideouts, so the health of both pass-catchers will be important for fantasy football championship matchups. Legette has hauled in 41 receptions for 439 yards and four touchdowns in his rookie campaign.

From RotoBaller

Adam Thielen Dec 26 1:50pm CT
Adam Thielen

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen (illness) was added to Thursday's injury report as a limited participant in practice due to an illness. The 34-year-old has been productive over his last four games, catching 27 passes for 295 yards and two touchdowns. He has re-entered the fantasy radar as quarterback Bryce Young has shown signs of improvement, and the Week 17 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is favorable for wide receivers. Consider the veteran a WR3 option if he can play through the illness. If he's surprisingly out, rookie wide receiver Xavier Legette (hip) could enter the fantasy radar, assuming he's active after missing the last two games with a hip injury.

From RotoBaller

Gus Edwards Dec 26 1:50pm CT
Gus Edwards

Los Angeles Chargers running back Gus Edwards (ankle) did not practice on Thursday and has officially been ruled out of the game against the New England Patriots in Week 17. Edwards had his most productive game of the season last week against the Denver Broncos, posting 71 total yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, J.K. Dobbins (knee), who has missed the last four games on Injured Reserve, is listed as questionable for Saturday's AFC showdown. If Dobbins is activated, he should be considered a risky RB2 option for the fantasy football season finale. If Dobbins can't go, rookie Kimani Vidal and veteran Hassan Haskins will likely share touches in L.A.'s backfield.

From RotoBaller

Trey Benson Dec 26 1:40pm CT
Trey Benson

Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (ankle) is practicing for a third consecutive day on Thursday after missing last week's game against the Carolina Panthers due to an ankle injury. The rookie out of Florida State could be in line for more work if James Conner (knee) cannot play or is limited, but fantasy managers will have to see what their official game designations are later on Thursday and 90 minutes before kickoff on Saturday. The Rams present a neutral matchup for fantasy running backs, so if Benson earns a spot start, he should be considered an RB2 option for fantasy football championship matchups.

From RotoBaller

Shelby Harris Dec 26 1:30pm CT
Shelby Harris

The Cleveland Browns placed defensive tackle Shelby Harris (elbow) on Injured Reserve on Thursday, according to NFL.com. The 33-year-old's season is over after suffering an elbow injury. Harris totaled 37 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, two pass deflections, and 8.5 run stuffs in 14 games this season. With Harris sidelined, rookie Mike Hall Jr. should see more playing time as Cleveland closes the season against the New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens.

From RotoBaller

Jaylen Waddle Dec 26 1:30pm CT
Jaylen Waddle

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (knee) is practicing on Thursday after missing Wednesday's session with a knee injury. The three-time 1,000-yard receiver missed last week's contest against the San Francisco 49ers, but his return to the practice field could mean he's trending toward facing the Cleveland Browns in Week 17. Waddle is having the least productive season of his young career, catching 54 passes for 700 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games. However, he always has spike-week upside, especially in favorable matchups. The Browns have allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers, so consider Waddle a boom-or-bust flex consideration if he plays on Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Zac Taylor Dec 26 1:20pm CT
Zac Taylor

Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. (leg) will play on Sunday against the Denver Broncos, according to head coach Zac Taylor. The former Pro Bowler has missed six of the last seven games due to a leg injury, but his return could provide a boost for the Bengals offense against a strong Denver stop unit. The Bengals are still narrowly alive in the AFC postseason race, so getting back any reinforcements is key.

From RotoBaller

Tony Pollard Dec 26 1:10pm CT
Tony Pollard

Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard (ankle) was not spotted at the open portion of Thursday's practice, according to team reporter Turron Davenport. Pollard has not taken part in practice often over the last few weeks yet has not missed a game this season. However, with sophomore running back Tyjae Spears finally healthy, he has eaten into Pollard's workload. Spears has logged 23 touches and scored four touchdowns in his last two games. That said, fantasy managers in deeper setups will likely have to start Pollard if he's active on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, so his status should continue to be monitored throughout the rest of the week.

From RotoBaller

Dorian Thompson-Robinson Dec 26 12:40pm CT
Dorian Thompson-Robinson

Cleveland Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (calf) will make his second straight start in Week 17 on Sunday against the visiting Miami Dolphins, according to offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey. Thompson-Robinson aggravated a calf injury in the Week 16 loss to the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals, but he's been able to practice on a limited basis so far this week and will be good to go this weekend. The 25-year-old took over for the benched Jameis Winston last week and struggled to move the football in his first start of the year despite facing a porous Bengals defense. DTR completed only 20 of his 34 pass attempts last Sunday for 157 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions. He also fumbled once. He'll have a tougher matchup this weekend against Miami and could be without tight end David Njoku (knee), who he targeted 10 times last week. DTR will be a desperation low-end QB2 in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Tyrone Tracy Jr. Dec 26 12:40pm CT
Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Updating a previous report, New York Giant rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (ankle) is not practicing on Thursday. Tracy also picked up a DNP on Wednesday's practice estimate, so he's firmly in danger of missing the Week 17 game this Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. Fantasy managers in a bind at RB or those who are in need of a flex play this weekend might want to consider picking up Devin Singletary if he's available on the waiver wire. If Tracy is ruled out for Sunday's game, Singletary's volume boost in the backfield would make him an intriguing flex option against a Colts defense that has been bad against the run in 2024. Tracy is probably going to need to practice in some fashion on Friday to avoid being ruled out entirely after aggravating an ankle injury in the team's Week 16 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Check back on his status on Friday.

From RotoBaller

David Njoku Dec 26 12:30pm CT
David Njoku

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (knee) was not seen at practice on Thursday during the portion open to the media. Njoku was also listed as a non-participant for Wednesday's practice estimation, putting his status firmly in question for the Week 17 contest against the visiting Miami Dolphins this Sunday. The 28-year-old will most likely have to practice in some fashion on Friday to have a chance of suiting up this weekend. Njoku missed the Week 15 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs due to a hamstring injury but returned in last week's loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and caught eight of 10 targets for 66 yards in quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson's (calf) first start of the year. Njoku will most certainly be on the TE1 radar in Week 17 if he can play. Jordan Akins would see an expanded role if Njoku is ruled out, but he wouldn't be worth streaming in fantasy championship matchups.

From RotoBaller

Xavier Legette Dec 26 12:30pm CT
Xavier Legette

Carolina Panthers rookie Xavier Legette (groin) is at practice on Thursday and has a chance at returning to play this Sunday against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 17. Legette was listed as a full practice participant on Wednesday, so the 23-year-old is certainly tracking towards making his return this weekend after missing last week's overtime win over the Arizona Cardinals. Head coach Dave Canales said early this week that Legette would need to make significant improvement in order to have a shot at playing in Week 17. It appears that Legette is making good progress, but it doesn't mean he won't carry an injury designation into Sunday's contest. And even if the rookie is able to get cleared to play against Tampa, it doesn't mean he'll have a significant role on offense behind veteran Adam Thielen. Legette hasn't scored since Nov. 3 and has exceeded 60 receiving yards only once in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Davante Adams Dec 26 12:20pm CT
Davante Adams

New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams (hip), who was listed as a non-participant for Tuesday's practice session, is back on the field during the early portion open to the media. It's unclear exactly if Adams was able to put in a full session, but the fact that he's back on the field at all suggests the Jets were just resting the veteran pass-catcher earlier in the week. The 32-year-old's Week 17 status is worth monitoring heading into Sunday's game against the division-rival Buffalo Bills. If Adams is active this weekend, he should be considered a must-start in fantasy lineups with championships on the line. In recent weeks, he's been the Jets' clear WR1 ahead of Garrett Wilson. Adams has scored in four straight games and has 30 receptions for 441 yards and five touchdowns on 48 targets in that span. Check back on Friday to see if he carries an injury designation into Sunday's game.

From RotoBaller

Jared Goff Dec 26 12:10pm CT
Jared Goff

Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is coming out of retirement and is expected to sign with the Detroit Lions, according to sources. Bridgewater will return to Detroit after serving as Jared Goff's backup last season. The 32-year-old veteran signal-caller only appeared in one game in 2023 and didn't attempt a single pass. The year before with the Miami Dolphins, he went 49-for-79 for 683 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions in five games (two starts). Bridgewater will most likely join the Lions' practice squad initially but could eventually join the 53-man active roster alongside Hendon Hooker as insurance behind Goff for the postseason. Given the time that Bridgewater has been away from the game the past year, we'd be surprised if he'd suddenly become the QB2 for Detroit when postseason action begins.

From RotoBaller

Tyrone Tracy Jr. Dec 26 12:10pm CT
Tyrone Tracy Jr.

New York Giants rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (ankle) is set to practice in some capacity on Thursday after he was estimated as a non-participant on Wednesday's practice report. Head coach Brian Daboll said on Monday that Tracy aggravated an ankle injury in the Week 16 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The 25-year-old played 63 percent of the offensive snaps in the game, which was around his normal workload. Tracy's status for the Week 17 contest against the visiting Indianapolis Colts is in question, but the fact that he's returning to practice on Thursday is a good sign. However, if he doesn't practice in full by Friday, he could carry a questionable designation into Sunday's game. Tracy is an RB3/flex, at best, for fantasy managers given the Giants' poor offense. If Tracy is inactive against Indy, backup Devin Singletary would handle the lead-back role for the G-Men.

From RotoBaller

Anthony Richardson Dec 26 12:00pm CT
Anthony Richardson

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (back, foot) is missing his second straight practice of the week on Thursday and was not seen stretching with the other QBs. Richardson still has one more day to get back on the practice field on Friday, but two DNPs to open the week put him at risk of not being available to play this Sunday in a great matchup against the two-win New York Giants. If the 22-year-old second-year signal-caller is not able to gain clearance to play this weekend, veteran Joe Flacco would once again step in to lead the Colts' offense. Richardson's accuracy issues are well-documented at this point in his second NFL season, but he does offer clear QB1 potential in Week 17 if he's active against the Giants because of his rushing abilities. Fantasy managers will want to check back on his status on Friday. If Flacco ends up starting on Sunday, he'll be a low-end QB2 in superflex leagues.

From RotoBaller

Malik Nabers Dec 26 12:00pm CT
Malik Nabers

New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers (toe) is missing another practice on Thursday, according to head coach Brian Daboll. "See where we're at (Friday)," Daboll said. Nabers isn't officially ruled out for Week 17 on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, but two DNPs to open the week isn't a good sign. Nabers will need to get back onto the practice field on Friday to avoid being ruled out this weekend. The 21-year-old missed two games earlier in his rookie campaign due to a concussion but has played through several other minor injuries. We'd be a bit surprised if this toe injury keeps him out against the Colts, but fantasy managers will need to keep a close eye on Nabers' status going into the weekend. Even with quarterback Drew Lock now running the offense, Nabers has remained a strong WR1 for fantasy managers. Wan'Dale Robinson would be the team's WR1 if Nabers ends up being ruled out.

From RotoBaller

James Conner Dec 26 11:30am CT
James Conner

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (knee) has been making "good" progress since suffering a knee injury in last week's overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers, according to head coach Jonathan Gannon. However, Gannon said he's unsure if he'll know the statuses of both Conner and rookie Trey Benson (ankle) by Thursday or if they'll be game-time decisions for Saturday night's divisional clash against the Los Angeles Rams. Both Conner and Benson have been limited in practice on Tuesday and Wednesday, which is a good sign, but with the Cardinals eliminated from postseason contention, they may choose to play it on the safe side and either hold them both out or keep them limited if they suit up on Sunday. Conner should serve as Arizona's lead back if he's active in Week 17, but right now he should be considered more of a shaky RB3/flex for fantasy lineups.

From RotoBaller

Dorian Thompson-Robinson Dec 26 11:20am CT
Dorian Thompson-Robinson

Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey said on Thursday that the offense is preparing for their Week 17 game on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins as if quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (calf) will start. Thompson-Robinson was estimated as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice. Jameis Winston (shoulder) was inactive for last week's loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, so the Browns would be down to Bailey Zappe as their starter if both Thompson-Robinson and Winston were unavailable this week. It sounds like Thompson-Robinson will be good to go in Week 17, although he won't be much of a fantasy option outside of deep superflex leagues after struggling by going 20-for-34 for 157 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions against a suspect Bengals defense last weekend. At best, DTR is a low-end QB2 option for those desperate in two-QB formats.

From RotoBaller