Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel said Monday that RB Jeff Wilson Jr. was close to playing Saturday night against the Bills, according to the team website. He called the RB day-to-day going forward. We'll track Wilson's status but would bet on him playing Sunday against the Packers. We'd still bet on RB Raheem Mostert leading the backfield work, but Wilson would almost certainly cut further into the split than remaining Miami RBs did at Buffalo.
Lions S DeShon Elliott left Sunday's win over the Jets with a dislocated shoulder. HC Dan Campbell told reporters Monday that the team is awaiting results from testing on the joint. We'll see whether Elliott is available for this Saturday's game at Carolina.
Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy on Monday ruled LB Leighton Vander Esch out for Saturday's game against the Eagles. He also revealed that it's a shoulder injury for LVE rather than a neck issue, as originally reported. That's good news given Vander Esch's history of neck trouble. His absence this week should turn rookie LB Damone Clark into a full-timer. The 5th-round pick looks like an upside waiver-wire addition in deeper IDP leagues.
Rams RB Cam Akers led the team in both rushing and receiving in Sunday's loss vs. the Packers. The third-year back posted 12 carries for 65 yards on the ground in addition to reeling in all 3 of his targets for 35 yards in the receiving game. The only other Ram of note from this game is TE Tyler Higbee, a player who found the end zone on top of his 4 catches on 5 targets for 27 yards. At this stage of the fantasy season, it is tough to trust any Rams player (RB, WR, TE, or otherwise) with playoff hopes on the line in Week 16. The Broncos' defense ranks in the bottom 12 in adjusted fantasy points allowed to both RBs and WRs this season. Akers might be a decent flex option at best, but that's about it as far as the Rams are concerned.
Rams QB Baker Mayfield completed 12 of 21 attempts for 111 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT in Sunday's loss vs. the Packers. Given how recently the former Panthers and Browns signal-caller arrived in Los Angeles, it is not surprising to see him and the Rams' offense continue to struggle. Mayfield is not on the fantasy radar in Week 16. The Broncos are a stout defense for fantasy purposes and rank as the 6th-toughest matchup for opposing QBs in adjusted fantasy points allowed in 2022. Mayfield is best left on the bench or on the waiver wire in season-long leagues.
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.
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