Chiefs TE Travis Kelce has been activated from the COVID list. He'll get in a full week of practice ahead of Sunday's game vs. the Bengals. Kelce remains an elite TE1 for that one.
Panthers QB Sam Darnold will start this weekend's game vs. the Saints, HC Matt Rhule said Wednesday. Rhule added that QB Cam Newton "will be ready," but it's unclear if he'll play at all. Darnold, of course, isn't a recommended fantasy play even if he's out there for 100% of the snaps.
Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) did not practice on Wednesday. He's considered week-to-week and seems unlikely to play vs. the Bengals this weekend. CEH's absence would make RB Darrel Williams a strong fantasy play.
Chiefs K Harrison Butker has been activated from the COVID list. He'll be back for Sunday's game vs. the Bengals and is a strong fantasy option.
The Bills have activated WRs Cole Beasley and Gabriel Davis from the COVID list, taking advantage of the altered league protocol. They'll get a high-ceiling matchup with the Falcons on Sunday but also face plenty of target competition. We'd bet on Beasley reclaiming his slot gig. Davis will have to deal with Emmanuel Sanders, who returned last Sunday after missing Week 15.
The Bengals on Wednesday placed LB Germaine Pratt on the COVID list. Even with the new league protocol, he's almost definitely out for Sunday's game against the Chiefs, which is just 4 days away. LB Logan Wilson also remains doubtful with a shoulder injury, so the Bengals are likely looking at Markus Bailey leading the group in playing time against K.C. Bailey got his 1st start of the year last week, playing 78% of snaps and collecting 8 tackles (4 solo). He could be a high-upside sleeper for tackle opportunities, with the Chiefs well-equipped to attack the middle of the Cincinnati defense.
Chargers K Dustin Hopkins has been placed on the COVID list. He joins K Tristan Vizcaino there, so we'll see what the Chargers do at kicker this week.
The NFL announced changes to the COVID protocol on Tuesday. Most notable is that fully vaccinated players can be cleared and return in less than 5 days if their symptoms have improved, while unvaccinated players are out for at least 5 days from the positive test. This means guys like Carson Wentz, Mike Evans and Mike Williams have a chance to be cleared for Week 17. We'll keep you updated on all the guys on the COVID list.
The Colts are placing QB Carson Wentz on the COVID list. It's not immediately clear whether he tested positive, but that would knock Wentz out for at least 10 days because he's unvaccinated. Sam Ehlinger is the backup. The rookie beat Jacob Eason for the backup job over the summer but has yet to throw a regular-season pass in the NFL.
The Raiders have placed S Johnathan Abram on IR for his season-ending left shoulder injury that will require surgery. Dallin Leavitt made his 1st NFL start in Abram's place Sunday against the Broncos, collecting just a single assist. The Raiders have also activated CB Nate Hobbs from the COVID list. His role could increase this week, depending on who else does or doesn't make it back from the COVID list in the Vegas secondary.
Raiders interim HC Rich Bisaccia said Monday that he's "optimistic" TE Darren Waller will return to practice Wednesday, according to Bill Williamson of SB Nation. Bisaccia added that even a Thursday return to practice would still give Waller a chance at playing Sunday against the Colts. We'll watch the star TE's progress this week en route to a high-upside matchup with Indy. Waller's return would knock Foster Moreau out of serious fantasy-lineup consideration. If Waller can't go, then Moreau would carry intrigue.
Vikings HC Mike Zimmer said Monday that he's "hopeful" to get RB Dalvin Cook back for Sunday night's game vs. the Packers. Cook is eligible to be activated from the COVID list on Saturday, so there won't be any surefire news on his Week 17 status until then. If Cook manages to play vs. Green Bay, he'd do so without a single practice rep this week. But we'd still expect to see him in a high-volume role.
The Jets on Monday placed TE Tyler Kroft on the COVID list. This likely doesn't affect many fantasy rosters, but it's a little more noteworthy after Kroft saw a season high in playing time Sunday against the Jaguars and drew 5 targets.
Saints DE Marcus Davenport (shoulder, knee) is active for tonight's game against the Dolphins. He should be in for plenty of snaps, as New Orleans has 2 reserve DEs on the COVID list.
Chargers RB Austin Ekeler has been activated from the COVID list. We'll keep an eye on the ankle injury that limited him back in Week 15, but the week off should have him healthier for Sunday's game vs. the Broncos.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo has a torn UCL along with a fracture in his right thumb. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport calls the latter injury a "chipped bone" and adds that Garoppolo is "going to try to gut it out, somehow" vs. the Texans on Sunday. We'll see how this week goes, but for now, we're expecting QB Trey Lance to get the Week 17 start. Lance's rushing ability gives him fantasy upside -- but he'd be a downgrade for Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle.
Rams HC Sean McVay said RB Cam Akers (Achilles) could play vs. the Ravens this weekend. Akers was just designated to return to practice last week after his mid-July Achilles tear. The Rams were originally planning to get Akers back for the playoffs, but they have a need at the position with RB Darrell Henderson headed to IR. We'll see if Akers ends up active on Sunday, but we wouldn't expect him to see more than a few touches. Sony Michel should continue to dominate backfield work.
Rams RB Darrell Henderson will be placed on IR with an MCL sprain suffered in Sunday's win over the Vikings, HC Sean McVay said. Henderson is expected to miss 3-5 weeks, which means he could be out unless the Rams reach the Super Bowl. We'll keep tabs on his recovery.
Dolphins RB Salvon Ahmed is a healthy scratch for tonight's game vs. the Saints. Miami will roll with RBs Duke Johnson, Myles Gaskin and Phillip Lindsay.
The Saints on Monday added LB Kwon Alexander to the COVID list. That leaves New Orleans' defense without its top 2 LBs, as Demario Davis landed on the list on Dec. 24. Rookie Pete Werner figures to be the playing time leader at the position against the Dolphins tonight in their absence.
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