Quarterback

The fact that Lamar Jackson didn’t practice on Wednesday or Thursday is not a good sign for his status this week. By this point, you should have another option ready to go, but I would plan for a third week without Jackson under center and another week of Tyler Huntley as a legitimate option. 

Kirk Cousins didn’t do much from a passing perspective Monday night, but it was more game plan related than anything else. Throughout this season, Cousins has been one of the better options under center, that was simply not the case against the Bears. While he came out of the game with a rib injury, Cousins did practice in full on Thursday as he looks to bounce back. The problem, is that it comes against the Rams this week and it’s unclear which of Cousins weapons will be at his disposal so it might be a situation to look for an alternative. 

After running for two touchdowns (eight carries for 38 yards) and throwing for 296 yards and a third touchdown, I’m not sure how concerned we should be with Jalen Hurts ankle. Philadelphia continues to be careful with him during the week at practice, but unless he takes a step backwards, there doesn’t appear to be anything that should slow him down too much this week. 

In some of the least surprising news, Aaron Rodgers not only is going to play on Saturday but he isn’t even on the injury report for the week. As per usual, performance shouldn’t be an issue here. 

Ben Roethlisberger hasn’t consistently distinguished himself this season, but once again we don’t have to worry about him from a health perspective against the Chiefs this week in what could turn out to be a shootout. 

While cooling his heels on the COVID list, Taylor Heinicke is now healthy after previously dealing with knee and elbow injuries. At this point, Heinicke is trending towards making his return as he continues to be a solid option. 

Cleveland has been ravaged by COVID, but things are trending towards Baker Mayfield potentially being available this week. It has been about week and a half since Mayfield has practiced and it’s unclear both who else will be available for the Browns and what level of conditioning he will be at. If not Mayfield, then Nick Mullens might be in line for another start although Case Keenum might be a factor as well. The better approach is to find another option. 

Going from a limited participant in what was termed as a walkthrough in Wednesday to a non-participant in Thursday’s practice is not a good sign for Justin Fields. The rookie is dealing with an ankle injury, and it is something to be concerned about it with a chunk of his value coming through his legs. With Fields’ status in question, Andy Dalton returned to practice on Thursday after dealing with a hand injury and a stint on the COVID list. Should Dalton get the start, I would look in other direction. 

And there was four. With Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian now both on the COVID list it appears that New Orleans will now be on their fourth quarterback of the season in rookie Ian Book. It is a crucial game to the Saints’ playoff hopes and while they will be trusting Book with their destiny, you should not do the same. 

It shouldn’t have come as a surprise, but Teddy Bridgewater will be out this week with Drew Lock getting the start. Lock does leave something to be desired as he has yet to find consistency. 

With Jared Goff stuck on the COVID list and his status for this week up in the air, we might see Tim Boyle under center again for Detroit and I’m not sure it’s something we actually want to see. 

Running Back

Not only did Dalvin Cook test positive for COVID, but we are now without the star running back for at least then next 10 days due to his status as being unvaccinated. That means it’s time to fire up Alexander Mattison as an RB1 in his stead. 

No one said this was easy, as Austin Ekeler’s status is up in the air for Sunday. Like Cook, Ekeler did test positive, but their situations differ as the latter is vaccinated. At this point, all that means is that there is a chance Ekeler is able to take the field on Sunday, but it won’t be until closer to game time that we get clarity on his situation. If not, then Justin Jackson followed by Joshua Kelley would be the targets. 

A new coach, a clean slate in Jacksonville, and a great match-up against the Jets means we should get a strong week from James Robinson as one of the most attractive running backs to target. The fact that Robinson didn’t practice on Thursday shouldn’t be much of a concern, if at all, as it’s all about rest and managing his workload as part of the plan. 

Through two days of practicing, D’Andre Swift hasn’t been able to move past the limited status as he tries to come back from a shoulder injury after missing three weeks. It appears that Detroit is going to be careful with easing Swift back into action, but Jamaal Williams is also slated to make his return this week and Craig Reynolds also performed favorably last week. Depending on the clarity we get leading up to Sunday, this might be a situation best avoided though. 

Miles Sanders continues to be the best option among Philadelphia’s running backs, but his status for Sunday is truly up in the air as he deals with a quadriceps injury. He has yet to practice this week as of Thursday and that is a shame for fantasy managers as Sanders gets to feast on the Giants in favorable matchup this week. On the other side of things though, Jordan Howard is back to practicing in full and he can be someone to watch this week. 

Josh Jacobs continues to be quite busy for the Raiders with a large part of his value being tied to his volume. However, the production is still there to make him a borderline RB1 option and it is good news that Jacobs practiced in full on Thursday. 

The match-up is a good one on Saturday against Cleveland so it’s a good sign that Aaron Jones is off the injury report. From a fantasy perspective though, we do have the issue of their being a time-share situation as A.J. Dillon has taken on a larger role as of late. 

Saquon Barkley continues to work towards regaining his health and finding his explosiveness once again. The Giants continue to manage his workload during the week through practice reps, but he has also yet to distinguish himself on Sunday’s as well. Depending on your other options, you might have to continue rolling him out there this week though.

Washington has been truly relying on Antonio Gibson with J.D. McKissic on Injured Reserve and the former has been living up to the role and workload as well. The good news is that Gibson’s shin injury seems to be past but he didn’t practice on Thursday as he now deals with a toe injury. The initial though is that Washington is just being cautious with Gibson, but Jaret Patterson should be on our radar if Gibson is in fact limited. 

Tampa Bay officially put Leonard Fournette on injured reserve this week and that means we will see a lot of Ronald Jones for the rest of the season. 

After gaining 87 yards on 15 touches last week, it doesn’t appear that we have anything to worry about when it comes with Tony Pollard’s status for this week despite his limited status in practice on Thursday. 

Stop me if you have heard that the New England backfield is a mess. They face a strong opponent this week in Buffalo, but it does look like they will have their full complement of weapons. Damien Harris is the main option to target, and while he was limited in practice on Thursday it doesn’t appear that his status for Sunday is in question. Rhamondre Stevenson has yet to practice this week while dealing with an illness, and if he is sidelined that means even more work for Harris who would then be supported by Brandon Bolden who has been limited in practice this week with a knee injury. 

James Connor really stepped up in Chase Edmonds’ absence, but he has yet to practice this week while dealing with a heel injury. The good news is that Connor appears to be past his ankle injury and the heel injury is simply a pain management issue. However, we do have to account for the fact that Chase Edmonds is now back as the Arizona backfield has become a little more crowded than it was a few weeks ago. 

Denver’s backfield has been strong this season but it continues to be a shared effort between Javonte Williams and Marvin Gordon. While the rookie is the better option, both should be good to go on Sunday despite each being limited in practice this week. 

While Alex Collins’ status from a health perspective doesn’t seem to be in question, the Seahawks appear to have a clear hierarchy in their backfield that doesn’t include him. The same can also be said for Travis Homer who might return from the COVID list, but Rashaad Penny and DeeJay Dallas are the running backs to target here. 

With 417 combined yards this season and one touchdown this season, David Johnson hasn’t made much of an impact this season. The fact that Johnson didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday this week shouldn’t be too much of a concern as this is a backfield I would try to stay away from. The same sentiments apply to Johnson’s replacements in Royce Freeman and Rex Burkhead who have failed to distinguish themselves. 

At least for this week, I wouldn’t read anything into Cam Akers being designated to return from injured reserve. Instead, we will get at least one more game of Darrell Henderson and Sony Michel sharing the work in the Rams’ backfield with the latter beginning to encroach on the former. 

Wide Receiver

At times this year we have been less than pleased with DK Metcalf from a fantasy perspective, but once again we don’t have to worry about his snap share or his status for Sunday despite his customary status of being limited in practice to begin the week as he continues to deal with an early season foot injury Despite this, in just about all situations he still warrants a starting spot in your lineup even as Tyler Lockett is set to return from the COVID list for Sunday’s game. Freddie Swain has also been limited to start the week for Seattle, but I wouldn’t expect it to impact his status for Sunday’s game either. 

With Adam Thielen participating in practice both Wednesday and Thursday of this week, things are trending towards him making his return against the Rams this week after a two-game absence called by an ankle injury. Prior to this point, it was been evident that both Thielen and Justin Jefferson can both be counted on in Minnesota’s passing offense. 

Chris Godwin is out for the year and Mike Evans is dealing with a hamstring injury, so it is a good sign that Antonio Brown appears to be ready to go this week. He is back from his suspension and, perhaps more importantly, Brown’s ankle doesn’t appear to be holding him back at all as we can expect the Tampa Bay receiver to be busy this week. With Evans not practicing on Thursday, this is going to be a situation to carefully watch this weekend. Other than Brown, I would expect Tyler Johnson to also get a boost here. 

With Cole Beasley out this week, it is a good sign for Buffalo that Emmanuel Sanders will be making his return after missing last week’s game. Sanders can easily step back into the role he, and Beasley, held as Gabriel Davis continues to emerge opposite Stefon Diggs. 

Kadarius Toney has been activated off the COVID list, and that is a good thing. However, after a multi-week absence while he was also dealing with an oblique injury, it’s unclear where Toney stands in relation to him taking the field on Sunday. New York will likely have Jake Fromm under center so we don’t know how much we can trust their passing offense, you would expect to see Toney featured as Sterling Sheppard is now out for the season. 

From a volume/stature standpoint, Jarvis Landry would be someone you would expect to have some fantasy value, but that really hasn’t been the case this season. At this point, Landry is on track to play on Saturday, but it’s not a certainty. He is a borderline FLEX option at best in deeper leagues, but at least we will get our answer a day early. 

The good news is that Arizona plays on Saturday, so if you are considering Rondale Moore as one of your options this week, we will get clarity on his status before just about all of the Week 16 games kick off. Moore is battling an ankle injury, and it appears that a decision on his status will come down to the wire. 

Courtland Sutton has been quiet as of late in Denver’s passing offense and he will now be catching passes for Drew Lock instead of Teddy Bridgewater, so despite the receiver practicing in full on Thursday, it’s not the most ideal situation. 

I wouldn’t say that things have gone according to plan for both the Jaguars and Laviska Shenault this season, but things can only get better with Urban Meyer out of the way as they face the Jets on Sunday. Things are moving in the right direction for Shenault to take the field as he was able to practice on a limited basis Thursday. 

Seeing Jamison Crowder sidelined with a calf injury on Thursday, it is a very good question as to who will catch passes for the Jets on Sunday. At this point, Braxton Berrios becomes someone to target as he likely is the number one target for Zach Wilson. 

Last week, DJ Moore’s hamstring injury certainly didn’t hold him back, so the assumption here is that Carolina is simply being careful throughout the practice week. If Moore is in fact unable to take the field, then Robby Anderson should be busy here. 

The return to practice for Zay Jones on Thursday was a good thing as that means the Raiders’ receiver is on track to play on Sunday. From a production standpoint though, Jones has been inconsistent this season and I would avoid him in just about all formats despite his starting designation as there is risk involved here. 

Concussions are tricky and it’s not a good sign that Nelson Agholor didn’t practice again on Thursday. New England also has Kendrick Bourne on the COVID list, so Jakobi Meyers figures to be busy this week along with N’Keal Henry. 

From a health standpoint, it doesn’t appear that we have anything to worry about with Tre’Quan Smith and his shoulder injury. From a performance standpoint, and the fact that the Saints don’t play until Monday, I would stay away though as he will be catching passes for his fourth quarterback this season. 

The Detroit offense is in flux from a passing game perspective, but at the very least, Kalif Raymond and Josh Reynolds both appear to be ready to take the field on Sunday. 

With Devin Duvernay not back in practice as he deals with an ankle injury, at this point I would move forward as if he will be sidelined this week. 

From the perspective of Chris Conley, it is a plus that he was able to practice in full on Thursday as it appears he will be able to make his return this week. The problem though, is that the Houston offense hasn’t shown the ability to support anything more than Brandin Cooks in the passing game. However, with Cooks status still unclear as he is currently on the COVID list, there is the possibility Conley and Nico Collins become value options. 

A similar theme exists in Chicago as with Allen Robinson currently on the COVID list, we are still awaiting clarity on his status for Sunday. At this point, we don’t need to relitigate how much of a disappointment Robinson has been this season, but if he is unable to take the field on Sunday, Marquise Goodwin practiced in full on Thursday and should be back after a three-game absence and he could have some value opposite Darnell Mooney if the Bears are without Robinson. 

While it is a good sign for Curtis Samuel that is able to practice, albeit on a limited basis, while dealing with a hamstring injury, he has made it impossible to trust him from a fantasy perspective this season. 

After exiting last week’s game with a foot injury, Tajae Sharpe has yet to practice this week, but even if he is out on Sunday, I wouldn’t expect there to be much of a fantasy impact aside from perhaps a handful of additional targets to go around. 

Tight End

With Darren Waller yet to return to practice on Thursday, at this point it appears that we will have another week without the Las Vegas tight end. That means Foster Moreau will get another start, but he has failed to distinguish himself in Waller’s absence. 

Seeing Zach Ertz and his hamstring injury come of the injury report ahead of Saturday’s game is a good thing as he continues to hold TE1 value. 

Another missed practice on Thursday with a concussion doesn’t bode well for Pat Freiermuth’s status this week against Kansas City. The rookie has emerged as a dependable option this season, but fantasy managers should plan to be without him this week and it’s unclear what his likely replacements, Zach Gentry and Kevin Radar, are capable of. 

With Blake Jarwin sidelined this week, Dalton Schultz should continue to be busy on Sunday. 

Cleveland’s tight end situation is likely something to be avoided this week as all three options, Austin Hooper, David Njoku, and Harrison Bryant, appear to be ready to go for Saturday. 

Kyle Randolph should be good to go this week after practicing on a limited basis to this point, but the Giants’ offense is one likely best avoided.