A source tells The Philadelphia Inquirer's Jeff McLane that Eagles QB Jalen Hurts could miss the next 2 games with his sprained right shoulder. McLane confirms that the Eagles don't consider Hurts' injury a long-term issue. The Eagles need to win just 1 of their final 3 games to lock up the NFC's #1 seed, so they're not desperate at this point to get Hurts back out there. Fantasy owners need to prepare to be without him for both Week 16 and 17.
Chargers HC Brandon Staley told reporters Monday that he hopes to get S Derwin James (groin) back at practice this week. James has missed the past 2 games. We'll keep an eye on his status leading up to a Monday night visit to the Colts.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that Eagles QB Jalen Hurts' "status is in doubt" for Saturday's game against the Cowboys after he sprained his right (throwing) shoulder in Sunday's win over the Bears. Hurts sustained the injury in the 3rd quarter, which means he played through it the rest of the way. (Hurts didn't miss a snap.) We'll certainly be watching his status closely this week. If Hurts can't go, it'll be QB Gardner Minshew.
Bears RB Khalil Herbert (hip) will be designated to return from IR and practice this week. HC Matt Eberflus hinted last week that Herbert was on track to return for Week 16's meeting with the Bills. He averaged 9.3 carries and 54 rushing yards over his last 6 games alongside David Montgomery but totaled just 2 targets during that stretch. Herbert ranked 28th among RBs in non-PPR points across those 6 weeks; 31st in PPR. He's worth owning in most fantasy leagues -- but more as a Montgomery handcuff than Week 16 starter. Herbert's return is a slight ding to Montgomery's fantasy value.
The Packers are waiving WR Sammy Watkins, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports. Watkins hasn't caught a pass since Week 10 and is expendable with rookie WR Romeo Doubs set to return vs. the Rams tonight.
Jets HC Robert Saleh said Monday that he's "very hopeful" WR Corey Davis (concussion) will be able to return for Thursday's game vs. the Jaguars. WR Denzel Mims figures to miss that one after sustaining a concussion in the loss to the Lions, so New York could really use Davis. We'll track his status over the next couple of days.
Jets HC Robert Saleh labeled RB Zonovan Knight questionable but "arrow up" for Thursday night's game vs. the Jaguars, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini. Knight missed some time in yesterday's loss to the Lions with an ankle injury but eventually returned. We'll keep a close eye on his status over the next couple of days. If Knight can't play on Thursday, we'd likely see RB Michael Carter lead a committee alongside Ty Johnson and James Robinson.
Bengals DE Sam Hubbard injured his left calf in Sunday's win over the Buccaneers. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that the team expects Hubbard to miss "a few weeks" with the "hope" that he can make it back for the playoffs. Cincinnati was already missing EDGE Trey Hendrickson on Sunday, after he fractured a wrist the previous game. We'll see who's starting at those end spots for a Week 16 visit to New England.
Colts RB Jonathan Taylor has been diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. "He’s still meeting with doctors, but it’s considered highly unlikely that he’ll play again this season," Rapoport adds. Taylor was bothered by right ankle trouble all season and will end up missing 6 games and most of a 7th. Turning just 24 in January, he's an easy bounce-back candidate in 2023. We'll see what the Colts do at QB. Taylor's absence the rest of this season leaves the backfield to Zack Moss and Deon Jackson. Week 16 brings a solid matchup vs. the Chargers, but a bad Indianapolis offense and uncertain workload split will leave both guys as just RB3 or flex plays.
The Giants WRs are nothing to write home about in the aftermath of Sunday's win vs. the Commanders. Giants WR Richie James led all pass-catchers with 42 yards, hauling in 4 of 5 targets. Isaiah Hodgins was not far behind with 4 receptions and 37 yards. Darius Slayton also participated in the game and hauled in 5 of his 7 targets for 23 yards. Even with a plus-matchup on the horizon against a Vikings defense that presents the 2nd-best matchup for WRs this season, fantasy managers should not be champing at the bit to roll out any of these WRs in Week 16 lineups. James, Slayton, and Hodgins are nothing more than deep-league flex/WR4 options.
Giants RB Saquon Barkley performed well in Sunday's victory over the Commanders, logging 87 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries in addition to 5 receptions and 33 yards in the receiving game. The talented back rose to the occasion for fantasy managers in the playoffs. Barkley will once again be a top-10 RB option in Week 16 against the Vikings. The Vikings' D rank as a neutral matchup and with Barkley's consistent volume of touches, he should be in line for another quality outing next week.
Giants QB Daniel Jones served as a game manager on Sunday night, completing 21 of 32 pass attempts for 160 and nary a touchdown nor interception. Jones also posted 35 yards rushing on top of his meager passing totals. Sunday's victory saw a boring effort from Jones. The Giants are set to face a Vikings defense in Week 16 that presents the 11th-easiest matchup for opposing QBs in adjusted fantasy points allowed this season. Those looking to stream QB in 1QB leagues, or folks in need of a QB2 in superflex leagues, can feel good about rolling out Jones against the Vikings.
Commanders WR Jahan Dotson roped in 4 of 6 targets for 105 yards and a touchdown in a loss against the Giants on Sunday. Dotson is starting to heat up again after a hamstring injury derailed his rookie season in October. The former Penn State product has now seen 15 targets in the Commanders' last 2 contests. Veteran Terry McLaurin also had a solid outing, hauling all 6 of his targets for 70 yards. Curtis Samuel saw muted success by comparison, though 3 receptions for 44 yards is a respectable stat line. The Commanders WR corps will face off against a 49ers defense that presents a middle-of-the-pack matchup in terms of adjusted fantasy points per game in 2022. That said, QB Taylor Heinicke's ability to deliver the ball will be diminished by the strength of the 49ers' stout defensive front, relegating all Commanders WRs into flex consideration at best with McLaurin being the favorite. It would be best to look elsewhere for WR help in Week 16 outside of deep leagues.
Commanders RB Brian Robinson posted 12 carries for 89 yards in Sunday's loss vs. the Giants. The rookie back also collected 1 reception for 18 yards in the receiving game. Teammate Antonio Gibson did not contribute as much, only reaching 21 yards on 5 carries in addition to a pair of catches for another 6 yards receiving. Robinson has been a reliable high-floor flex option of late, however Week 16 will present a tough challenge. The 49ers have shut down opposing RBs this year, ranking 3rd-toughest in adjusted fantasy points allowed to the position. Robinson's high volume in the carries department will vault him into flex consideration next week, though not much should be expected. Same goes for Gibson, who will also be flex-worthy as the complimentary option out of the Commanders' backfield.
Commanders QB Taylor Heinicke put forth a gutsy effort, completing 17 of 28 attempts for 249 yards and 1 TD in Sunday's loss to the Giants. Heinicke also added 33 yards on the ground. A few penalties cost Heinicke and the Commanders both real-life and fantasy points, but managers that perhaps streamed the signal-caller in superflex leagues can feel okay about the results. However, Week 16 will not be an ideal time to consider Heinicke as the Commanders are preparing for a showdown against a 49ers defense that ranks as the 3rd-toughest matchup for QBs this season. You'd have to be insanely desperate or manage an injury-riddled roster to go with Heinicke next week.
Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin hauled in all 8 of his targets for 83 yards and a score in Sunday's loss vs. the Bengals. While Godwin and company did not emerge victorious, the Bucs' WR corps had three players reach double-digit PPR points. Mike Evans posted a respectable 83 yards, bringing in only 5 of his 10 receptions, and Russell Gage exploded with a pair of TDs to go along with 8 catches and 59 yards. While it's difficult to tell week-to-week if Gage can be trusted, managers advancing in the fantasy playoffs can feel confident in both Godwin and Evans against the Cardinals in Week 16 despite the difficult matchup. Both are WR1 options vs. the Cardinals.
Raiders QB Derek Carr threw for a modest 231 yards in Sunday's win over the Patriots but also tallied 3 TDs. He found WR Mack Hollins, TE Darren Waller and WR Keenan Cole for scores. Waller caught all 3 of his targets for 48 yards in his 1st game since Week 5. Hollins tied WR Davante Adams for the team lead with just 4 receptions. Adams (9) and Hollins (8) were the only 2 Raiders to draw more than 3 targets. Week 16 brings a matchup with Pittsburgh, which hit Sunday as a near-neutral scoring matchup for QBs.
Buccaneers RB Leonard Fournette carried the ball 11 times for 44 yards on top of hauling in 4 receptions for 30 yards in Sunday's loss to the Bengals. Rookie Rachaad White split the workload with Fournette in Week 15, logging 11 carries for 38 yards and a single catch for 5 yards. Neither Fournette nor White had particularly effective fantasy games as the Buccanners offense fell apart in the second half. However, managers should feel good about a Week 16 showdown against a Cardinals defense that ranks 6th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs this season. Both Bucs backs should be in RB2/flex consideration next week, with the edge going to Fournette.
Patriots QB Mac Jones went an ugly 13-of-31 passing (41.9%) for 112 yards in Sunday's loss to the Raiders, with no TDs or INTs. WRs Jakobi Meyers and Nelson Agholor tied for the target lead with 6 apiece but totaled just 3 receptions between them. This was Jones' 2nd straight game without a TD and 2nd among the past 3 with less than 200 yards. He's simply not a viable fantasy option at this stage.
Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson entered Sunday questionable with an ankle sprain but delivered big numbers after the game started. He rushed 19 times for 172 yards and a TD in the loss to the Raiders. He added 2 catches on 3 targets but lost 4 yards there amid a terrible passing day for New England. RB Pierre Strong Jr. Led the team with 3 receptions (for 12 yards) and carried 4 times for 25. RB Kevin Harris added 5-19 rushing. RB Damien Harris could be ready to re-enter the mix for a Week 16 date with the Bengals. He put in limited practices throughout Week 15 and was initially questionable before being ruled out for the Raiders game.
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