Jets RB Breece Hall (ankle) missed his second straight practice on Thursday. He told reporters afterward, though, that he expects to play vs. the Texans this weekend. Hall can stay penciled into Week 14 fantasy lineups for now. We'll see how he's listed on the final injury report tomorrow.
Chargers HC Brandon Staley hinted that RB Austin Ekeler might start losing carries. "Competition for carries is going to be something that you can see happening," Staley said Wednesday. "We're going to keep exploring, making adjustments, so that we can find that rhythm that I've been talking about. That's certainly one way to do it." Ekeler has been consistently inefficient since returning from his high-ankle sprain, topping 3.5 yards per carry in just one of eight games. He's averaged 3.0 yards per carry across those outings. RB Joshua Kelley has averaged 4.6 yards per carry over that same span. We could see Kelley stealing a handful of carries from Ekeler in Sunday's game vs. the Broncos -- although Ekeler should continue to dominate passing-down work.
Buccaneers OC Dave Canales told reporters Thursday that he has to do a better job of getting the ball to WR Chris Godwin. That, of course, comes after Godwin went catchless on 3 targets in a narrow Week 13 victory over Carolina. HC Todd Bowles previously pointed to Godwin being banged up when asked about the WR's quiet day, but Godwin saw no decrease in playing time. Canales also said that Godwin did a good job of preparing himself for that game. The coach called Godwin "magic with the ball" and said he's "not satisfied with how we're using Chris in our offense." Canales indicated he needs to get more quick passes schemed to the veteran. Don't get overly excited this week about Godwin, who has 1 TD catch all year and is averaging his fewest receptions per game (4.4) since 2018, his second year in the league. But Godwin gets a rematch with Atlanta. He drew a season-high 12 targets in the first meeting and posted a 6-66 receiving line. Godwin looks like a WR3 option in PPR leagues for Week 14, with upside into WR2 range.
Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco (shoulder) will miss practice again on Thursday, HC Andy Reid said. There was no other update on Pacheco's injury or status for this weekend's game vs. the Bills. We'll see how he's listed on the final injury report tomorrow. RB Jerick McKinnon (groin) seems to be trending toward returning for Sunday's game.
Steelers RB Najee Harris (knee) is expected to play vs. the Patriots tonight, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Harris didn't practice on Tuesday or Wednesday and is listed as questionable. "This is not a new injury," Pelissero adds. "He's been managing the knee throughout the season. Just didn't feel great coming out of the game [last week], so they wanted to rest him." This sounds like the typical late-season, short-week soreness. The issue still adds some risk to Harris' Week 14 fantasy profile -- and we could certainly see Pittsburgh shift some work from Harris to RB Jaylen Warren. See where both Steelers sit in the Week 14 RB Rankings.
Bills TE Dawson Knox (wrist) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice. That puts him in line to return for this weekend's game vs. the Chiefs. Knox isn't a bankable fantasy play, but his return could certainly impact TE Dalton Kincaid. The rookie averaged 7.4 targets over the last five games without Knox vs. 4.5 with Knox over his first six outings. It's tough to imagine Kincaid's usage returning to those previous levels considering how good he's been lately. But Knox's return adds some downside risk to Kincaid's Week 14 fantasy profile.
Seahawks RBs Ken Walker (oblique) and Zach Charbonnet (knee) were sidelined for Wednesday's practice. Walker has missed the last two games with this oblique injury. Charbonnet suffered what HC Pete Carroll called a bruised knee late in last Thursday night's loss to the Cowboys. Both guys are seemingly in danger of missing Sunday's game vs. the 49ers. Their absences would leave Seattle with RBs DeeJay Dallas and Kenny McIntosh.
Vikings WR Justin Jefferson (hamstring) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice. It's confirmation that he's on track to return for this weekend's game vs. the Raiders -- and play his usual role. QB Josh Dobbs, who struggled last time out, adds some risk to Jefferson's profile. But he sits inside the top 10 in our Week 14 WR Rankings.
Jets RB Breece Hall (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. He was limited in practice last week by a hamstring, but this is a new issue. We'll see if Hall is able to get back on the practice field tomorrow.
Texans TE Dalton Schultz (hamstring) got in a limited practice on Wednesday. That gives him a chance to return for this weekend's game vs. the Jets. We'll track his progress over the next few days.
Saints QB Derek Carr (concussion, rib, right shoulder) got in a limited practice on Wednesday. HC Dennis Allen said that Carr "feels pretty good” in terms of the rib and shoulder injuries and that it's the concussion that could keep him out for this weekend's game vs. the Panthers. We'll see how Carr progresses through the protocol over the next few days, but QB Jameis Winston is still the favorite to start on Sunday.
Saints WR Rashid Shaheed (thigh) remained sidelined on Wednesday. That's not a good start for his chances of returning for this weekend's game vs. the Panthers. Fantasy owners can't be banking on having Shaheed in starting lineups at this point. We'll see if he gets back on the field tomorrow.
Saints TE Taysom Hill (foot, left hand) did not practice on Wednesday. HC Dennis Allen said that Hill will be evaluated throughout the week, so there's seemingly some chance that he's unable to play vs. the Panthers this weekend. We'll keep tabs on Hill's status over the next few days.
Browns WR Amari Cooper (concussion, ribs) did not practice on Wednesday. He's unlikely to clear the concussion protocol in time to play vs. the Jaguars this weekend. Cooper's absence would leave WR Elijah Moore and TE David Njoku as the clear top-two targets in Cleveland's passing game.
Bears RB D'Onta Foreman (ankle) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice. That puts him on track to play vs. the Lions this weekend. Foreman, Roschon Johnson, and Khalil Herbert haven't played a healthy game together since Week 1, so it's tough to project what this backfield will look like on Sunday. Johnson dominated playing time last time out, registering a 75% snap rate, making him the best bet among these three. But it's a backfield to ideally avoid, especially against Detroit's 11th-ranked RB defense.
Ravens WR Odell Beckham is not listed on the Week 14 injury report. That's notable after he played just 32% of Baltimore's offensive snaps back in Week 12 -- presumably because of a shoulder injury. He's evidently much healthier coming off the bye week and figures to see a boost in playing time vs. the Rams on Sunday. Consider Beckham a WR4 with upside for that one.
Rams WR Puka Nacua (shoulder) was limited in Wednesday's practice. He sprained his AC joint last weekend but is fully expected to play vs. the Ravens this weekend.
Rams TE Tyler Higbee (neck) did not practice on Wednesday. He suffered a stinger in last week's win over the Browns and is in some danger of missing Sunday's game vs. the Ravens. Higbee, of course, should not be in your Week 14 fantasy plans against the league's sixth-ranked TE defense.
Patriots WR Demario Douglas (concussion) is out for Thursday night's game vs. the Steelers. He remained sidelined in practice all week, so he still has lots of work to do to clear the protocol for Week 15. WR Kayshon Boutte (shoulder) has also been ruled out for Thursday night. DeVante Parker, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Tyquan Thornton figure to operate as New England's top three WRs in Pittsburgh. Parker is the best bet for targets but is no better than a WR4 in an offense implied for only 12.5 points.
Steelers RB Najee Harris (knee) is listed as questionable for Thursday night's game vs. the Patriots. He was added to the injury report and sidelined on Tuesday and then missed practice again on Wednesday. His availability for this one is seemingly in legitimate question. We'll look for further updates on Harris' status and get Pittsburgh's inactives a little before 7 pm ET tomorrow.
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