Titans HC Mike Vrabel declined to name a starting QB for Week 18 after Thursday night's loss to the Cowboys. Joshua Dobbs looked like a functional NFL QB for most of that game, finishing 20-of-39 for 232 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. "It was a great opportunity to evaluate Josh, and we'll make a decision going forward," Vrabel said. "I thought he did some good things, and obviously a couple of throws he'd like to have back. We'll see where things are here in a couple of days." Dobbs threw for just 2 fewer yards against Dallas than QB Malik Willis TOTALED in his 3 starts. We're guessing the Titans roll with Dobbs in next weekend's must-win game vs. the Jaguars, but we'll keep you updated.
Browns RB Nick Chubb gets a tough matchup in Week 17. The Commanders come in 3rd-best in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs, trailing only San Francisco and New England. Washington has allowed just 2 RBs to reach 80 rushing yards all season: Saquon Barkley, who did so in 1 of 2 meetings; and Derrick Henry, who averaged a mere 3.6 yards per rush in their meeting. Washington's run D has softened lately, according to Football Outsiders DVOA, ranking 30th in that area in 2 games since the team's bye. But they also faced Barkley (2nd time) and the 49ers in those contests. Cleveland, meanwhile, ranks just 24th in total offensive DVOA since QB Deshaun Watson stepped in: 27th passing and just 22nd rushing. That struggling offense won't help draw attention away from Chubb, who has also gone from 5.6 yards per carry before the team's Week 9 bye to 3.96 per rush since.
Falcons rookie WR Drake London has garnered 35% of Falcons targets over the past 3 games, including rookie QB Desmond Ridder's 2 starts. That ranks him 3rd among all WRs over that span, trailing only Tyreek Hill and Michael Pittman Jr. London faces an Arizona defense this week that looks like a negative matchup for WRs by adjusted fantasy points allowed. But Arizona ranks just 19th in Football Outsiders' pass-defense DVOA, has 2 starting corners on the injury report and just lost S Budda Baker to a shoulder fracture. The Cardinals look like a neutral matchup for London at worst. You'll find some caution to our optimism for London in our Week 17 WR rankings, but the rookie lands inside the top 30.
Bengals TE Hayden Hurst (calf) fully participated in practice on Thursday. We'll keep tabs on his status ahead of Week 17's game vs. the Bengals on Monday night. Check back tomorrow for an update.
Bills WR Stefon Diggs (illness) missed Thursday's practice. Hopefully the star wideout feels better soon. TE Dawson Knox (hip) logged limited participation. With Week 17's game vs. the Bengals occurring on Monday night, these Bills pass-catchers will have an extra day to get right. We'll track their statuses as more information becomes available.
Who would have guessed that any NFL wideout would be excited to see Colt McCoy enter the huddle? Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins should feel that way when McCoy returns to action for this Sunday's game against the Falcons. Hopkins has been targeted on 37.1% of McCoy's pass attempts this season, drawing 11+ in every one of the QB's appearances. The 1st 2 came with WR Marquise Brown out, but Hopkins got 11 looks and tallied 7 catches the past 2 times with Brown back in the lineup. (Brown saw 8 targets in each of those contests.) Hopkins, of course, didn't have a target issue last week with QB Trace McSorley, who threw 10 passes his way. But Hopkins caught just 1 of those. He has caught at least 7 balls in every game that has involved McCoy. Atlanta arrives as the 6th-best scoring matchup for WRs, which obviously helps Hopkins. You'll find him prominent in our Week 17 WR rankings.
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (knee) didn't practice again on Thursday. Backup QB Tyler Huntley is looking like he'll get the nod again for Week 17 vs. the Steelers. We'll let you know if anything changes tomorrow.
Steelers WR Diontae Johnson (toe) upgraded to full practice participation on Thursday. He's trending in the right direction to play in Sunday night's Week 17 showdown vs. the Ravens. We'll let you know about his status on the final injury report tomorrow.
Patriots TE Hunter Henry (knee) once again participated in a limited capacity at Thursday's practice. Pop back in tomorrow for a more concrete outlook for his status ahead of Week 17 vs. the Dolphins.
Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (knee) logged limited participation again on Thursday. A full practice on Friday would inspire hope for the veteran's ability to play in Week 17 vs. the Rams. We'll check back in on this tomorrow in case something changes.
Broncos WRs Jerry Jeudy (ankle) and Courtland Sutton (hamstring) participated in a limited capacity again on Thursday. Friday's report will give us a more concrete outlook of their statuses for Week 17 vs. the Chiefs. The same goes for TE Greg Dulcich (hamstring), who did not practice for the 2nd day in a row. We'll let you know more tomorrow.
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (right thumb, knee) practiced in a limited capacity on Thursday. The veteran has fought through injury all season, so he'll probably be fine for Week 17 vs. the Vikings. We'll let you know if something changes on tomorrow's practice report.
Packers WR Christian Watson (hip) did not practice again on Thursday ahead of Week 17 vs. the Vikings. It's not looking good for the rookie's availability on Sunday. Limited participation on Friday would inspire some hope at a minimum. Check back again tomorrow for updates.
Packers RB Aaron Jones (knee, ankle) practiced in a limited fashion again on Thursday ahead of Week 17 vs. the Vikings. A full go on Friday would certainly give fantasy managers hope for his availability. Be sure to check back tomorrow once we find out more.
Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker (ankle) participated in a limited fashion at Thursday's practice. After not practicing at all on Wednesday, this is certainly a good sign. Fellow RB DeeJay Dallas (ankle) also logged limited participation. RB Travis Homer (ankle) did not participate for the 2nd day in a row. Final word on these guys ahead of Week 17 vs. the Jets will come tomorrow.
Seahawks WR Tyler Lockett (finger) returned to practice on Thursday and participated in a limited fashion. The veteran wideout has not played since breaking his finger in Week 15 vs. the 49ers. Teammate WR Marquise Goodwin (shoulder, wrist) did not practice for the 2nd day in a row. TE Noah Fant (knee) upgraded to full participation. Friday's report will give official designations for the trio in advance of Week 17 vs. the Jets. Check back tomorrow.
The Titans placed QB Ryan Tannehill (ankle) on IR on Thursday. That makes the AFC Championship his earliest possible return this season. We'll see if the Titans roll with QB Malik Willis or QB Joshua Dobbs in next Sunday's must-win game vs. the Jaguars.
The Seahawks haven't played particularly well overall on defense this season, but they have given WRs difficulty in fantasy football. Seattle stands as the worst matchup for the position by adjusted fantasy points allowed. No WR has reached 10 PPR points against the Seahawks since Week 13. No WR has reached 75 yards receiving against them since Week 7, and just 3 have gotten there all season. Rookie CB Tariq Woolen has been the biggest factor, limiting players to a 56.4% catch rate and 74.6 passer rating on balls thrown into his coverage, according to Pro Football Focus. The matchup doesn't come close to knocking Jets lead WR Garrett Wilson out of starter range in our Week 17 fantasy football rankings. But it's well worth noting for DFS lineup-building. And we wouldn't go chasing any other Jets wideouts. The difficult matchup for WRs combined with the league-best scoring matchup for TEs could also turn Jets TE Tyler Conklin into a Week 17 sleeper.
49ers QB Brock Purdy (oblique, rib) upgraded to full practice participation on Thursday. We fully expect the wunderkind rookie to be under center in Week 17 vs. the Raiders. We'll keep an eye on Friday's injury report in case something changes.
49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (knee) once again practiced in a limited fashion on Thursday. Teammate RB Jordan Mason (hamstring) logged limited practice as well. Friday's injury report will shed light on the availability of this pair of backs for Week 17's game vs. the Raiders. We certainly feel better about McCaffrey suiting up considering he's played through this ailment for some time.
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