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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.
MONDAY NIGHT INJURIES
Tyler Eifert, TE, Bengals – Concussion
He's still in the concussion protocol and likely doesn't play on MNF. Will Tye and Zach Miller are the prime waiver pickups at tight end.
QUESTIONABLE
Drew Brees, QB, Saints - Foot
Brees is saying that he'll play against the Jags with a torn plantar fascia. I wouldn't be surprised if he struggles early with his throwing mechanics and arm strength. The matchup is very difficult to pass up, however.
Brian Hoyer, QB, Texans – Concussion
It would feel a lot better using DeAndre Hopkins if Hoyer plays instead of Brandon Weeden.
Matt Jones, RB, Redskins - Hip
Alfred Morris becomes interesting if Jones can't play against the Eagles, although that scenario seems unlikely. Just keep in mind that Kirk Cousins leads the team with five rushing touchdowns.
Andre Ellington, RB, Cardinals – Toe
Ellington figures to play, but David Johnson is a lot better at football.
Doug Baldwin, WR, Seahawks - Hamstring
Baldwin looks like a very real game-time decision. Tyler Lockett should already be owned. Make sure Jermaine Kearse is no longer sitting on waivers, even if you don't need him.
Danny Amendola and Brandon LaFell, WR, Patriots – Knee
Edelman is doubtful. Amendola probably doesn't play; LaFell likely will.
Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions – Ankle
Megatron has lost all power since Thanksgiving Day jolt.
Donte Moncrief, WR, Colts – Toe
Dwayne Harris, WR, Giants – Shoulder
Looks like Harris plays as the No. 3 target behind Rueben Randle and tight end Will Tye, sans OBJ.
Eddie Royal, WR, Bears – Ankle
No Alshon Jeffery helps Royal, but I'd rather roll out tight end Zach Miller.
Cole Beasley, WR, Cowboys - Knee
Marques Colston WR and Benjamin Watson Saints TE - Chest
Watson owners need to have another option at the ready. Colston could also be a game-time decision. Brandin Cooks is looking like a target monster this week against the Jags.
OUT
Andy Dalton, QB, Bengals - Thumb
Marcus Mariota, QB, Titans - Knee
Andrew Luck, QB, Colts - Abdomen
LeSean McCoy, RB, Bills - Knee
Karlos Williams is dealing with a shoulder issue, so Mike Gillislee will get some work with Shady unavailable.
Jonathan Stewart, RB, Panthers - Foot
Cameron Artis-Payne should be the featured back in a great road matchup against the Falcons.
Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seahawks - Abdomen
Shaun Draughn, RB, 49ers - Knee
Tevin Coleman, RB, Falcons - Concussion
Vincent Jackson, WR, Buccanners - Knee
No V-Jax has meant loads of targets for Mike Evans.
Cecil Shorts, WR, Texans - Hamstring
Jaelen Strong is worth a dart throw against a really bad Titans secondary, especially with Hoyer plays QB.
Charles Clay, TE, Bills – Back
DOUBTFUL
T.J. Yeldon, RB, Jaguars - Knee
Denard Robinson (foot) should see a heavy workload against a terrible Saints defense.
Alshon Jeffery, WR, Bears - Hamstring
Tight end Zach Miller could be Jay Cutler's primary target against the Bucs.
Julian Edelman, WR, Patriots - Foot
Amendola and LaFell are both questionable.
Dez Bryant, WR, Cowboys – Foot
PROBABLE (limited practice)
Carson Palmer, QB, Cardinals - Finger
Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Colts - Back
Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings - Ankle
Out/Out/Full this week in practice.
Lamar Miller, RB, Dolphins - Ankle, Quadricep
It's a great matchup against the Colts, however, the Dolphins continue to limit Miller's workload for seemingly no reason.
Eddie Lacy, RB, Packers - Rib
Karlos Williams, RB, Bills - Shoulder
Isaiah Crowell, RB, Browns - Not Injury Related
Jarvis Landry, WR, Dolphins - Knee
Landry sat out of practice Thursday, but has been dealing with the same knee issue for several weeks now.
DeSean Jackson, WR, Redskins - Foot, Knee
Allen Hurns, WR, Jaguars - Thigh
DeVante Parker, WR, Dolphins - Ankle
Jason Witten, TE, Cowboys – Chest
PROBABLE (full practice)
Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, Jets - Thumb
Sam Bradford, QB, Eagles - Shoulder
Denard Robinson, RB, Jaguars - Foot
Spencer Ware, RB, Chiefs - Rib
Ware's return shouldn't alter your plans on using Charcandrick West against the Browns.
Alfred Blue, RB, Texans - Back
Chris Polk, RB, Texans - Knee
Chris Thompson, RB, Redskins - Shoulder
Orleans Darkwa, RB, Giants - Illness
Brandon Marshall, WR, Jets - Ankle
Eric Decker, WR, Jets - Knee
Ted Ginn, WR, Panthers - Quad
Jermaine Kearse, WR, Seahawks - Calf
Big value play against the Rams if Doug Baldwin (hamstring) can't go.
Kendall Wright, WR, Titans - Ribs
His return shouldn't slow the Dorial Green-Beckham breakout.
Jordan Reed, TE, Redskins - Shoulder
Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs - Groin
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.