Every NFL team playing Sunday is required to issue a final injury report on Friday. The pair of teams playing Monday night will issue their final report Saturday. Here we review all of the fantasy-relevant players dealing with ailments and how to plan accordingly. Keep in mind that the inactive list isn't due until 90 minutes before kickoff. As you start to put the final touches on those lineups, have a fallback plan or two at the ready in the event you will be dealing with an ailing player.
QUESTIONABLE
Spencer Ware, RB, Chiefs - Ribs
Ware's return to practice on Friday alters the outlook for Charcandrick West significantly, to say the least. If Ware is in the lineup against the Ravens, West will likely lose out on any short-rage scoring opportunities. DFS players should formulate their pivot now depending on Ware's ultimate status come Sunday. Thankfully, the Chiefs at Ravens contest is among the early games.
C.J. Anderson, RB, Broncos - Ankle
Anderson was active last week, but never got into the game. He's expected to play this week, although the matchup against the Steelers is one to avoid.
Andre Ellington, RB, Cardinals - Toe
Ellington did not practice Wednesday or Thursday, but was on the field in a limited capacity Friday. He's a game-time decision, although not a major threat to David Johnson's status as the featured back in either event.
Alshon Jeffery, WR, Bears - Calf
The nagging calf issue that cost Jeffery time earlier in the season has returned, but it was an illness that kept him out of practice on Wednesday. He was limited both the day before and the day after. Expect Jeffery to play against the Vikings, but there is some risk involved.
Rishard Matthews, WR, Dolphins - Ribs
DeVante Parker is nearly impossible to use if Matthews returns this week against the Chargers.
Donte Moncrief, WR, Colts - Foot
Moncrief was out of his walking boot on Thursday and returned to practice on a limited basis Friday. Matt Hasselbeck has been knocked out of two straight games, so it's hard to deploy anyone on the Colts.
OUT
Andy Dalton, QB, Bengals - Thumb
Andrew Luck, QB, Colts - Abdomen
Peyton Manning, QB, Broncos - Foot
Tony Romo, QB, Cowboys - Shoulder
Brian Hoyer, QB, Texans - Concussion
Two concussions in a month's time could end Hoyer's season.
Jonathan Stewart, RB, Panthers - Foot
The trio of Fozzy Whittaker, Mike Tolbert and rookie Cameron Artis-Payne will be mixed in to cover J-Stew's absence.
Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seahawks - Abdomen
Kendall Wright, WR, Texans - Ribs
Tyler Eifert, TE, Bengals - Concussion
If the 49ers stay competitive at home, A.J. Green should easily see double-digit targets.
Charles Clay, TE, Bills - Back
Crockett Gillmore, TE, Ravens - Back
DOUBTFUL
T.J. Yeldon, RB, Jaguars - Knee
Denard Robinson had been getting work inside the red zone in recent weeks and looked good in relief of Yeldon last Sunday. He's got a great matchup at home against the Falcons.
Julian Edelman, WR, Patriots - Foot
There was buzz earlier in the week that Edelman had been looking good in practice. However, New England has every right to be cautious here and hold him out.
Stevie Johnson, WR, Chargers - Groin
PROBABLE (limited practice)
Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Colts - Ribs
The 40-year-old has been knocked out of the last two games and is about to be hunted by J.J. Watt and Co.
DeAngelo Williams, RB, Steelers - Illness
Lamar Miller, RB, Dolphins - Ankle
Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals - Ankle
Jarvis Landry, WR, Dolphins - Knee
Amari Cooper, WR, Raiders - Foot
With two stinkers in his last four games, the rookie wall seems real.
Danny Amendola, WR, Patriots - Knee
Allen Hurns, WR, Jaguars - Thigh
DeSean Jackson, WR, Redskins - Knee
Robert Woods, WR, Bills - Hip
Legit sleeper this week against the Redskins coming off his first 100-yard game of the season.
Greg Olsen, TE, Panthers - Knee
Olsen has a great matchup this week against the Giants. The only concern is an early hook if the Panthers have a comfortable lead.
PROBABLE (full practice)
Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, Jets - Thumb
Johnny Manziel, QB, Browns - Elbow
Sam Bradford, QB, Eagles - Shoulder
Matt Schaub, QB, Ravens - Chest
Ronnie Hillman, RB, Broncos - Foot
Chris Polk, RB, Texans - Knee
Alfred Blue, RB, Texans - Back
Brandon Marshall, WR, Jets - Ankle
Eric Decker, WR, Jets - Knee
Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Broncos - Finger
Dez Bryant, WR, Cowboys - Foot
Jordan Matthews, WR, Eagles - Back
Anquan Boldin, WR, 49ers - Hamstring
Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs - Groin
Heath Miller, TE, Steelers - Rib
The Broncos' elite defense does allow fantasy production to tight ends.
Jacob Tamme, TE, Falcons - Back
Vance McDonald, TE, 49ers - Concussion
Player News
Virginia Tech RB Bhayshul Tuten said he had a private workout with the Commanders’ running backs coach.
Tuten didn’t name him directly, but Anthony Lynn is currently the Commanders’ running backs coach and run game coordinator. The Commanders were hampered by injuries to both Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler last year. Robinson Jr. missed three games and played through some of his injuries while Ekeler missed five contests and was limited to just 112 touches. Tuten crushed the combine with a 4.32 Forty at 5'9/206. He handled 200 touches in back-to-back seasons at Virginia Tech while topping 1,100 yards from scrimmage in both campaigns. He would offer the Washington backfield a good mix of durability and home run potential.
Titans released OG Logan Bruss.
Drafted in 2022 by the Rams, Russ didn’t appear in his first NFL game until last year. He appeared in eight games for the Rams to start the year, three of which were starts, but was then cut. The Titans claimed him and he appeared in three more games. Bruss suffered a torn ACL in practice ahead of Week 14. His recovery will determine how quickly he finds a new home. The Titans also released LB Curtis Bolton, WR Stanley Morgan, DT McTelvin Agim, DT Isaiah Itonm, and DB Gervarrius Owens.
Giants GM Joe Schoen said drafting a quarterback isn’t “mandatory” after signing Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston.
Adding two journeyman quarterbacks won’t prevent the Giants from drafting a quarterback, but it at least gives them emergency options if they strike out on draft night. New York currently holds the No. 3 overall pick. Shedeur Sanders has a private workout with them this week and remains a candidate for their first-round selection. The Giants also have private workouts with Tyler Shough and Jalen Milroe lined up. Neither player is expected to be drafted inside the top five, but the Giants could be eying a quarterback with pick No. 34. Russell Wilson can be penciled in as the Week 1 starter for now, but he’s far from a safe bet to make all 17 starts.
Texas WR Isaiah Bond filed a federal complaint against his acccuser, claiming he was “setup for financial gain.”
The news comes from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, who is passing along an email Bond’s agent sent to all 32 teams. In it, Bond claims he is completely innocent after being arrested for sexual assault. He turned himself in to the Frisco Police Department last Thursday. The former Texas and Alabama receiver was eying Day Two of the draft before this incident came to light. Now NFL team’s will have to decide if they are willing to take on the risk with Bond.
Giants GM Joe Schoen said he “would not be afraid” to play Colorado CB/WR Travis Hunter on offense and defense.
Schoen talked about the risks of playing Hunter both ways and noted how much of a mental workload it would place on the young dual-threat. Still, he ultimately came down on the side of letting Hunter do it all. The Browns currently hold the second overall pick and are favorites to land Hunter, but the Giants are one pick behind and nothing is set in stone. If Cleveland goes in a different direction, Hunter would be the logical choice for a Giants regime desperate for a big win. If Hunter succeeds on both sides of the ball, he could be the type of player who single-handedly turns things around for Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll, both of whom enter 2025 on the hot seat.
Broncos hosted a top-30 pre-draft visit with Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson.
Henderson is gaining steam as the draft approaches. He recently completed a visit with the Steelers, who pick one slot ahead of the Broncos in the first round. Widely considered a dual-threat running back, Henderson rushed for 3,761 yards and 42 touchdowns while at Ohio State and ran for 183-1,248-15 as a true freshman in 2021. “This is a really good fit for several reasons,” Underdog’s James Palmer said, adding that Denver head coach Sean Payton “puts a ton of value in pass protection,” an area in which Henderson excels. Henderson would instantly become Denver’s lead back over Jaleel McLaughlin if he lands with the Broncos.