Packers WR Romeo Doubs performed well in Sunday's win vs. the Rams, hauling in all 5 of his targets for 55 yards. Teammate Christian Watson ended the contest with 4 catches on 6 targets for 46 yards. Watson almost had a TD in the game, but ultimately fell short much to the dismay of fantasy managers whose playoff hopes hinged on his 4-game scoring streak continuing. Veteran Allen Lazard also disappointed, only recording 1 catch on 2 targets for 7 yards. Still, those who survived and advanced should feel good about these Packers WRs in Week 16. The Dolphins' defense ranks as the 8th-best matchup for opposing WRs in adjusted fantasy points allowed this season.
Packers RB Aaron Jones led the team in carries (17) and rushing yards (90) in Sunday's win over the Rams. The veteran also added 4 receptions on 5 targets for 36 yards and 1 TD in the receiving game. Teammate A.J. Dillon played a similarly impactful role in the victory, tallying 36 yards and 2 TDs on the ground on top of 3 receptions of his own for 35 yards. Much of the Packers' offense ran through the backfield in Week 15, and fantasy managers looking ahead to a neutral matchup against the Dolphins next week should hope for the same in Week 16. Consider Jones a strong RB1 and Dillon a viable flex-worthy option.
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers completed 22 of 30 attempts for 229 yards with 1 TD and INT apiece in Sunday night's win vs. the Rams. Week 15 marks the 3rd consecutive game in which the former MVP didn't clear 15 points in 4-point per passing touchdowns leagues. Fantasy managers advancing in the playoffs can feel better about Rodgers' odds in next week's matchup against a Dolphins defense that ranks 4th-easiest in adjusted fantasy points allowed to QBs. Consider Rodgers a streaming option in 1QB leagues and a quality QB2 in superflex formats.
The Jets listed DT Quinnen Williams (calf) as a limited participant for Monday's practice. That's notable because Williams missed Sunday's loss to the Lions after sitting out practice all last week. We'll watch Williams' status leading up to the Thursday night meeting with the Jaguars.
Jets RB Zonovan Knight is not listed on the Week 16 injury report. HC Robert Saleh earlier in the day labeled Knight questionable for Thursday night's game vs. the Jaguars with the ankle he banged up in the loss to the Lions, but he'll evidently be available.
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.
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