Ravens OC Greg Roman said Thursday that QB Lamar Jackson (ankle) "could go down to the wire" for this weekend's game vs. the Packers. “He’s getting treatment around the clock," Roman added. "He’s a good healer but we’ll just have to see what the doctors say.” Fantasy owners would be in a tough spot if Jackson ends up as a game-time decision because that game doesn't kick off until 4:25 pm ET on Sunday. Jackson, of course, will also carry a lower ceiling and floor if he plays at less than 100%.
Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle has been placed on the COVID list. He's a long shot to be cleared in time to play vs. the Jets on Sunday. His absence would leave WR DeVante Parker and TE Mike Gesicki as the clear top 2 options in Miami's passing game -- assuming they avoid the COVID list. QB Tua Tagovailoa's Week 15 fantasy stock takes a sizable hit without Waddle.
NFL Network's Taylor Bisciotti hears that Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) "won't get a full workload" against the Chiefs tonight. He's experiencing "more soreness than originally expected," Bisciotti adds. We'll look for more clues on exactly how much action Ekeler will see tonight. He could get 60-70% of his usual volume and still be worth using in fantasy lineups. But you shouldn't be expecting a ceiling game from him tonight.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) is expected to play vs. the Chiefs tonight. Ekeler got in 2 limited practices this week and is listed as questionable. Pelissero confirms that Ekeler is "banged up" but "the plan is to give it a go in a huge game against Kansas City." Ekeler will come with more risk than usual in Week 15 but would be extremely tough to keep out of fantasy lineups.
Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins is set for surgery to repair a torn MCL, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Hopkins is expected to be sidelined for 6 weeks, so he'll probably need Arizona to reach the NFC Championship to have a chance to play again this season. The last 2 games Hopkins missed, the Cardinals used A.J. Green and Antoine Wesley as their primary outside WRs, with Christian Kirk in the slot.
The Jaguars fired HC Urban Meyer. He didn't even last a year in Jacksonville. Meyer's performance was embarrassing both on and off the field. Darrell Bevell -- who has 15 years of experience as an OC -- will take over as interim HC. Meyer's departure can only be good news for Jacksonville's offense, although we still wouldn't go too crazy investing in Jaguars down the stretch.
The Chiefs have ruled CB L'Jarius Sneed out for Thursday night's game against the Chargers, as he continues to deal with the murder of his older brother. His absence should give CB Mike Hughes a 2nd straight start. Hughes claimed AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for Week 14 after tallying 9 tackles (8 solo), 2 forced fumbles and a fumble recovery he returned for a 1st-quarter TD. He'll carry IDP upside against the Chargers -- though with a ceiling likely somewhere short of that stat line.
Chargers S Derwin James is questionable for Thursday night's game against the Chiefs because of the hamstring injury that kept him out on Sunday. James put in limited practices Tuesday and Wednesday, but HC Brandon Staley says they want to work him out pregame to see if he's ready to play. We'll update James' status about an hour-and-a-half before kickoff.
Bucs RB Leonard Fournette (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. He seemed to make it out of last week's overtime win over the Bills just fine, and we haven't heard anything to suggest that Fournette is in danger of missing Sunday night's game vs. the Saints. He can stay penciled into fantasy lineups for now. But Fournette owners would be wise to roster RB Ronald Jones as insurance.
49ers RB Elijah Mitchell (concussion, knee) remained sidelined for Wednesday's practice. It's unclear if it's the concussion, knee or both that's keeping him off the practice field. Regardless, he's iffy for this weekend's game vs. Atlanta. Check back tomorrow for another update.
Eagles RBs Miles Sanders (ankle) and Jordan Howard (knee) were limited in Wednesday's practice. Both guys appear on track to play vs. Washington this weekend. It'll likely be a 3-man committee backfield with Sanders, Howard and Boston Scott.
Cowboys RB Tony Pollard (foot) was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday. It's a surprise after HC Mike McCarthy said that Pollard would take part in the walkthrough-style practice. His availability for Sunday's game vs. the Giants remains uncertain.
Jaguars RB Carlos Hyde is in the concussion protocol and did not practice on Wednesday. He's been eating into RB James Robinson's workload lately, so Hyde' absence vs. the Texans on Sunday would be a small boost to Robinson's fantasy stock.
Patriots RB Damien Harris (hamstring) remained limited in Wednesday's practice. He seems to be trending toward playing vs. the Colts on Saturday night, but we'll see what Harris does on Thursday and how he's listed on the final injury report.
Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) is listed as questionable for Thursday night's game vs. the Chiefs. He got in limited practices on Tuesday and Wednesday. HC Brandon Staley labeled him a game-time decision, which is a little surprising after Staley expressed little concern about Ekeler's status earlier in the week. We'll find out whether he's playing around 7 pm ET tomorrow. If not, we'd likely see a 3-man committee with RBs Justin Jackson, Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree. Jackson would be the best fantasy bet -- but just a RB3 or flex play.
The Texans look likely to go without their top 2 LBs for Sunday’s game against the Jaguars. Christian Kirksey and Kamu Grugier-Hill have each tested positive for COVID. We’ll see whether either LB has a shot to return. Kevin Pierre-Louis and Neville Hewitt figure to lead the LB playing time if they dont
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Cardinals expect WR DeAndre Hopkins to miss the rest of the regular season with a knee sprain. The team is "hopeful to get him back at some point in the postseason." It's worth noting here that NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Hopkins is "expected to miss Sunday and likely more." Those 2 reports don't necessarily clash, but might be reason to wait before dropping Hopkins from your roster right away if you can help it. However long he's out, Hopkins' absence can only help the target outlooks for the team's other pass-catchers. Christian Kirk and A.J. Green both look like top-30 options across fantasy formats for Sunday's game at Detroit.
49ers TE George Kittle was held out of Wednesday's practice with what HC Kyle Shanahan called "knee soreness." Shanahan didn't sound concerned, according to insider Kate Rooney, adding that he's looking to get Kittle a little extra rest with a Thursday night game coming in Week 16. Fantasy owners can keep Kittle penciled into starting lineups for now. We'll keep an eye on him over the next few days.
Eagles QB Jalen Hurts is dealing with a high-ankle sprain, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports. We knew Hurts was battling a sprain, but this is the first time we've heard that it's a high-ankle sprain, which is a tougher injury to return from. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo calls Hurts "legit questionable" for Sunday's game vs. Washington. We'll keep a close eye on him over the next few days. But, if Hurts does play, it's tough to imagine him posting his usual rushing production with this injury.
Washington WR Terry McLaurin (concussion) did not practice on Wednesday. He has a lot of work to do if he wants to clear the concussion protocol before Sunday's game vs. the Eagles. At this point, fantasy owners should not be counting on McLaurin in Week 15 lineups.
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