Thu Dec 19 9:08am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
We had some more key players get hurt last week, coming at a really bad time for fantasy owners. Hopefully, the injuries don’t hurt you too badly for the Week 16 games. There are some positives this week, though, as a few players are set to return to the lineup this week. This could provide a boost for some fantasy teams.
Here is the latest. . . . .
David Njoku, TE, Browns. Njoku missed the game last week and is out of practice to start the week because of his hamstring injury. He was close to playing last week, so don’t rule him out yet for this week. He has a chance to practice some before the week is out. Keep an eye on the notes for the latest.
Drew Lock, QB, Giants. Lock is back at practice this week and ready to return to the starting lineup. He sat out last week because of elbow and heel injuries. Lock is fully expected to start Week 16, barring a late-week setback.
Younghoe Koo, K, Falcons. Koo has been placed on Injured Reserve because of an undisclosed injury. He apparently hurt himself during last week’s game and now will miss the rest of the regular season.
Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs. Mahomes suffered an ankle injury near the end of last week’s game. He was feared to have suffered a pretty serious injury but he got in a full practice Wednesday. He seems to have avoided the worst and has a good chance to start the game this weekend. If the Chiefs play it cautious with Mahomes, Carson Wentz gets the start but it sure looks like Mahomes doesn’t want to sit.
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Dolphins. Waddle was knocked from last week’s game because of a knee injury. He is out of practice to start this week and is being called day-to-day. We consider him pretty iffy to play right now, leaving the Dolphins thin at receiver with Odell Beckham getting released last week.
Sincere McCormick, RB, Raiders. McCormick got knocked from the game last week because of an ankle injury. He has already been placed on Injured Reserve, ending his season. Alexander Mattison and Ameer Abdullah should split the work at running back going forward for the Raiders.
Roschon Johnson, RB, Bears. Johnson had to miss the game last week because of a concussion but opened this week with a full practice. He should be ready to go this weekend, serving as the top backup for D’Andre Swift.
Tony Pollard, RB, Titans. Pollard played last week on his ankle injury but split more of the work with Tyjae Spears. Pollard did not practice last week and played, and is sitting out practice to start this week. Nothing is certain with Pollard’s status right now. We would consider him a little up in the air. He could end up being a game-time decision.
Aidan O’Connell, QB, Raiders. O’Connell sat out the game last week because of a knee injury. He is practicing this week and looking good to return from his injury. As long as he keeps practicing, look for O’Connell to return to the starting lineup Week 16.
Isaac Guerendo, RB, 49ers. Guerendo was able to play with his foot injury last week but apparently suffered a hamstring injury during the game. He is out of practice right now, so consider him questionable to play. We wouldn’t rule him out, but make sure he practices some before the week is over. If not, look for Guerendo to sit out Week 16.
George Pickens, WR, Steelers. Pickens has missed the last two games because of a hamstring injury. He is still not practicing just yet but is doing some work on the side. This is a positive development for Pickens. He still could play this week. We should know more before the week is out, so keep an eye on the player notes for the latest.
Kenneth Walker, RB, Seahawks. Walker is another player that has missed the last two weeks because of injury. He is dealing with a calf strain but the Seahawks are holding out hope for a return this week. He could return to practice before the week is out. If that happens, Walker should at least split the work with Zach Charbonnet in Week 16.
Jaleel McLaughlin, RB, Broncos. McLaughlin was knocked from last week’s game with a quad injury and has already been ruled out for Thursday’s game. He will miss, giving Javonte Williams most of the work at running back for the Broncos this week.
Zach Ertz, TE, Commanders. Ertz took a big hit last week and suffered a concussion. He is out of practice and will need to be cleared before their game this week. He is looking pretty iffy to play right now. We would get other options ready for Week 16.
Marquise Brown, WR, Chiefs. Brown seems set to finally make his season debut this week for the Chiefs. He has been out all season because of shoulder surgery. He is practicing in full and apparently looking really good. He should play Week 16 and could be a part of the Chiefs game plan.
Zach Charbonnet, RB, Seahawks. Charbonnet apparently was banged up during last week’s game, suffering some type of oblique injury. He did not practice Wednesday, which is a little concerning. We wouldn’t hit the panic button just yet, but make sure he gets in some sort of practice before the week is out. As long as that happens, he should play.
Xavier Legette, WR, Panthers. Legette got knocked out of the Week 15 game because of a hip injury. He is out of practice right now and not looking great to play this week. We would expect to miss the game, barring some big turnaround before the week is out.
Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at [email protected]. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.
Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane carried the ball 17 times for 120 yards and a touchdown and added six catches on seven targets for 70 yards in their 29-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers. This is further evidence that he is a weekly surefire RB1 with his best-rushing production of the season and scoring his fifth touchdown in the last five games. This is the sixth game in a row where Achane has eclipsed 14 PPR fantasy points. The 23-year-old was able to carry the offense on a day when moving the ball through the air was hard to come by. With Miami needing to win the next two games to have a shot at the playoffs, Achane will almost certainly be a big part of the game plan. Miami will travel to take on the Cleveland Browns in Week 17.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts caught one of two targets for seven yards in Sunday's 34-7 blowout win over the Giants. A week after catching four passes, Pitts faded into the background once again, now with one catch or less in five of the last seven games. Michael Penix Jr. targeted eight different receivers in this one, but the bulk of it was focused on the three main pass catchers Drake London, Darnell Mooney, and Ray-Ray McCloud III. If you were a Pitts manager and survived this performance, congratulations. Next Sunday brings a matchup versus Washington who has been good against tight ends this season, so the 24-year-old will be a roll of the dice again for any manager interested in deploying him.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey delivered a fantastic performance for fantasy managers looking to advance through their playoffs during the 26-24 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The K3 on the season finished four-for-four on field goals while making both of his extra points. He made two 58-yarders, a 53, and a 49-yarder to accrue his ninth double-digit fantasy outing. This was also his second performance of 20 or more fantasy points. He'll go into a Week 17 matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles trying to overtake Ka'imi Fairbairn and Chris Boswell.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith caught all six of his targets for 62 yards in the 29-17 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 16. Smith was again as solid as he has been since Tua Tagovailoa returned in Week 8. This is the tenth time he has seen six or more targets and the sixth time he has cracked 60 receiving yards in a game this season. The only downside in this game was his two-game touchdown streak being snapped. With Miami still fighting to make the playoffs, the last two remaining games will be meaningful, and Smith should be a heavy part of the game plan. He will travel to take on the Cleveland Browns in Week 17.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert grabbed his sixth touchdown of the season in the team's surprising win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. The 25-year-old registered two catches for 20 yards and a score on three targets which was just enough to make him a WR3 before the Monday Night game kicks off. This was the second consecutive game that Tolbert found the end zone as well. He'll try to keep this streak alive against a tougher defense in the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 17.
From RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray performed well on the ground in the 36-30 overtime loss to the Panthers, adding a 20-yard touchdown run. Murray's official stat line was 20-of-32 for 202 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, including 63 yards rushing and another touchdown. Unfortunately, Murray turned the ball over again, making a questionable throw in a crucial moment that was intercepted. The Cardinals' passing attack has struggled since the bye week, and the Cardinals are eliminated from playoff contention. Heading into next week, the Cardinals may be without running back James Conner (knee) and could be forced to rely more on Murray's legs to create in the running game. Murray will be on the lower end of quarterback rankings for championship week, though his rushing ability will keep him in the conversation when the Cardinals take on the Rams.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker wasn't much of a contributor in the team's win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. He posted two receptions for 41 yards on four targets and received one carry which went eight yards in the wrong direction. Unfortunately, Aidan O'Connell threw a lot of short passes that went to Brock Bowers and Ameer Abdullah more often than Tucker and Jakobi Meyers. This marks Tucker's third week in a row as a WR58 or worse in half-PPR formats. He'll try to bounce back against the New Orleans Saints in Week 17.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks posted an efficient day on low volume in the 26-24 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The veteran caught all three of his targets for 48 yards but was unable to get into the end zone. The good news was that he hit his highest yardage mark of the season, but 48 yards for a season-high isn't going to be a fantasy league winner. Cooks remains a very risky boom or bust option, especially with Cooper Rush behind center. The Cowboys take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 17 presenting a tougher task for Cooks to score.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell put his game-managing hat on and led the team to a 19-14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. The former fourth-round pick registered 257 yards with no touchdowns or turnovers on 24-for-38 throwing and seven carries for 12 yards. While his performance wasn't spectacular, especially in fantasy football, he managed the offense enough for the team's third win. His fantasy ceiling is very limited, but he'll look to grab another win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 17.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers couldn't get much of a rhythm going despite getting the 19-14 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. He finished with two catches for 41 yards on five targets and no touchdowns. This was his lowest yardage total since Week 11 and his fewest receptions in any game this season. In fact, this was his worst weekly finish of the year as the WR56 in half-PPR formats. He'll try to right the ship for fantasy managers in Week 17 against the New Orleans Saints.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush had one of his strongest performances of the season on Sunday night in the win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Rush completed 26-of-35 passes for 292 yards and a touchdown, leaning on star receiver CeeDee Lamb for big plays in the narrow victory. The 31-year-old has a tough matchup against Philadelphia on tap for Week 17.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison had four catches for 39 yards in an overtime loss to Carolina. Dynasty Analysis: Harrison was supposed to be the next big thing at the position, but he's honestly been outplayed by both Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr for most of the season. While his 51/726/7 season thus far has been fine, he's shown little to make us really believe he can be the next Justin Jefferson or Ja'Marr Chase, despite playing with better quarterbacks than both Nabers and Thomas (at least most of the season). Harrison's dynasty value is going to start slipping unless we see some dominant performances.
Dynasty | Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr had nine catches for 132 yards and a touchdown in a loss against the Raiders. Dynasty Analysis: Now armed with 49 targets the past four games and a 73/1,088/9 line as a rookie, Thomas has simply solidified his status as a top-ten dynasty wide receiver. When you consider he's spent the year on a team in turmoil and without Trevor Lawrence for a big chunk of the season, this is even more impressive. As Michael Jordan would say, "The ceiling is the roof," for this young receiver.
Dynasty | Raiders tight end Brock Bowers had 11 catches for 99 yards in a win against Jacksonville. Dynasty Analysis: Bowers now has 101 catches for 1,067 yards and four touchdowns on the season, becoming the first rookie tight end with 1,000 receiving yards since Kyle Pitts (remember him). Before that, the last to achieve the feat was Mike Ditka about 1,000 years ago. Bowers has solidified his status as the TE1 in dynasty leagues and at this point, it's not really that close.
Dynasty | Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr completed 18-of-27 passes for 202 yards with no touchdowns and an interception in a win against the Giants. Dynasty Analysis: Penix's interception was far from his fault as a red zone pass to Kyle Pitts bounced right off his hands and into the arms of the defense. Penix moved the offense effectively and didn't look rattled at all. While this was the Giants defense that doesn't exactly resemble the '85 Bears, Penix gave the Falcons more than Kirk Cousins has for most of the year. His dynasty value is on the rise.
Dynasty | Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs had 109 rushing yards and a touchdown in a win against Chicago. Dynasty Analysis: With David Montgomery out this week, Gibbs took on the role of featured back and flourished. He even added four catches and 45 yards on the day. As long as Montgomery is sidelined, Gibbs belongs locked into playoff lineups. This late season surge will also likely stop any kind of value drop he incurred during the year.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa completed 22 of 34 passes for 215 yards and one touchdown in the 29-17 Week 16 win over the San Francisco 49ers. He also carried the ball two times for -1 yards. With how stout the 49ers are at defending the pass, Tagovailoa and the Miami offense let the ground game take over. These last two games have been the lowest-scoring stretch of the season for the 26-year-old and couldn't have come at a more inopportune time. However, he was missing one of his top weapons, Jaylen Waddle (knee), which affected the air attack. Miami still has a sliver of hope to make the playoffs if the Denver Broncos somehow lose all their remaining games, so these next two games could be meaningful. Week 17 will be in colder conditions when he and the Dolphins travel to take on the Cleveland Browns.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison rumbled into the end zone for the first time since Week 6 in the team's 19-14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The former Minnesota Viking finished the game with 12 carries for 27 yards and one score while hauling in four of his seven targets for 29 yards. For those fantasy managers who were brave or desperate enough to start Mattison, his touchdown boosted his performance to an RB2 which was his fifth time finishing in that area. The Raiders will take on the New Orleans Saints in Week 17.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen caught five of his six targets for 43 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 36-30 overtime win over the Arizona Cardinals. The veteran route runner has found his 2024 footing over the last month, making himself a viable WR3/FLEX option over that stretch of play. As second-year quarterback Bryce Young has regained his confidence, Thielen has proven to be his most dependable and comforting target, a trend that will likely continue to close out the season. Since returning from a hamstring injury in Week 12, the 34-year-old has racked up 30 catches for 352 yards and two touchdowns over five games. Thielen should remain a mid-range WR3/FLEX player in Week 17 with a questionable Tampa Bay secondary on the slate.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers wide receiver David Moore caught two passes for 39 yards in their 36-30 overtime win against the Arizona Cardinalsone of which was an 18-yard touchdown that extended Carolina's second-half lead. The seventh-year veteran was questionable coming into Sunday with a concussion but ended up suiting up and hauled in his second touchdown of the year while being Carolina's second-leading receiver in the win. Still, his week-to-week production left much to be desired this season, and he is not a likely fantasy option outside of deep leagues for Week 17 against Tampa Bay.
From RotoBaller