3 hours agoSan Francisco 49ers wide receiver
Deebo Samuel Sr. had his woes continue during a 12-6 home loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night. The frustrated former Gamecock caught three of seven targets for 16 yards and took two carries for three yards. Not every unfulfilled target was Samuel Sr.'s fault, but one certainly was. With the game tied midway through the third quarter on a 3rd-and-10 just outside the red zone, Samuel Sr. dropped a wide-open pass on a crossing pattern which would have been a certain first down, and perhaps a touchdown. It doesn't get much cringier than that after he complained about his usage on social media early in the week. Samuel Sr. will carry an average of 4.7 half-PPR points over his last five games into a matchup in Week 16 versus one of the toughest defenses against wide receivers in Miami.
--Brad Beltz - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.COM
3 hours agoThe San Francisco 49ers defense held the Los Angeles Rams to 12 points but failed to record a turnover or sack on Thursday Night Football in Week 15. The 49ers have one of the NFL's more imposing defensive fronts with Nick Bosa anchoring the unit, but while Bosa did log a whopping three quarterback hits on Thursday, the entire defense failed to register a turnover or sack. Statistically, Fred Warner led the way with 15 tackles while Deommodore Lenoir defended a pair of passes. With the 49ers' defense seemingly losing some of its dominance this season, the unit can be benched in most fantasy leagues next week against the Miami Dolphins.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
3 hours agoSan Francisco 49ers kicker
Jake Moody went 2-for-2 on field goals during Week 15 against the Los Angeles Rams. His conversions came from 47 and 53 yards out, giving some fantasy managers yardage-based scoring boosts. Moody's six points represented the entirety of the Niners' scoring on Thursday Night Football as they fell to the Rams, 12-6. Although this was a frustrating outcome for San Francisco, it's promising to see that Moody's fantasy value can survive even when the offense struggles to find a rhythm. The 25-year-old now ranks 12th among kickers in fantasy points per game this year, making him a fringe option for managers heading into the 49ers' Week 16 battle against the Miami Dolphins.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
3
hours
agoSan
Francisco
49ers
wide
receiver
Jauan
Jennings
caught
just
two
of
his
nine
targets
against
the
Los
Angeles
Rams
on
Thursday,
finishing
Week
15
with
31
yards
through
the
air.
He
managed
to
lead
the
team
in
targets
while
finishing
second
to
read more...
3 hours agoSan Francisco 49ers wide receiver
Ricky Pearsall caught just one of his four targets during Thursday's loss to the Los Angeles Rams, finishing Week 15 with 16 yards. The rookie pass-catcher has struggled to emerge as a relevant option in redraft leagues given his No. 3 role behind
Deebo Samuel Sr. and
Jauan Jennings. The 24-year-old has just 13 catches for 153 yards this year, and most of that production came in a singular game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers back in Week 10. As long as Pearsall remains third on the depth chart, he should be benched or left on waivers in fantasy football. That trend continues next week against the Miami Dolphins, who have been quite stingy against opposing wide receivers in 2024.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
3 hours agoSan Francisco 49ers tight end
George Kittle caught four of his seven targets for a team-best 61 yards during Thursday's loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Even as the 49ers struggled to mount scoring drives in this primetime divisional battle, Kittle found ways to get involved to salvage his fantasy performance. The 31-year-old now has double-digit fantasy points in point-per-reception scoring in 10 of his 12 games, ranking as the overall TE2 in fantasy football. He's on pace to have his second-best fantasy season ever, giving managers a major boost down the stretch and potentially helping them advance in the fantasy playoffs. Kittle should continue to be started in all leagues when the 49ers take on the Miami Dolphins in Week 16.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
4 hours agoSan Francisco 49ers linebacker De'Vondre Campbell "said that he didn't want to play" during the second half of Thursday's loss to the Los Angeles Rams, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. In his postgame press conference, Shanahan said that he asked Campbell to enter the game as a substitute for Dre Greenlaw in the third quarter, but the veteran linebacker told him he didn't want to play and subsequently went to the locker room. The decision drew criticism from plenty of football fans, as well as teammate Mooney Ward, who said, "If he didn't want to play, he shouldn't have dressed. [...] He's probably going to get cut soon, so it is what it is." The 31-year-old had previously registered 79 tackles through the first 13 games of the season, but he didn't show up on the stat sheet Thursday night. He owns a 58.3 PFF defense grade, which ranks second-worst among 49ers linebackers.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Ari Meirov
4 hours agoSan Francisco 49ers rookie running back
Isaac Guerendo was inefficient during a 12-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Santa Clara on Thursday night. There was some question coming into the game about whether Guerendo -- who spent the week questionable with a foot injury -- could fulfill head coach Kyle Shanahan's typical bell cow usage. Guerendo answered those questions emphatically by taking 16 of San Francisco's 18 carries, but he struggled to make them count, finishing with 57 yards and no touchdowns. He also caught all four of his targets for 18 yards, keeping his night in line with fantasy projections in PPR leagues. Assuming no aggravation of his injury, the fourth-rounder will be in play for lineups in Week 16 versus the Dolphins in Miami, who have been a mildly favorable matchup for running backs this season.
--Brad Beltz - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.COM
4 hours agoSan Francisco 49ers quarterback
Brock Purdy never got much going during a deflating 12-6 home loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night. Purdy finished 14-for-31 for 142 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception. He scrambled once for three yards. While the Rams' secondary made more than a few nice plays on the ball, Purdy struggled with accuracy in this one. Bad throws may have been understandable during a rainy first half but they continued even after the rain had stopped. It's hard to trust Purdy as a fantasy asset moving forward, as he has now sandwiched a productive game between two week-killing games. Purdy-starting managers who somehow survive to see another round in the fantasy playoffs should consider quarterback shopping after this weekend, as he'll draw two tough matchups coming up. He'll get the Dolphins in Miami next week and the Lions at home in Week 17.
--Brad Beltz - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.COM
4 hours agoFor the second straight day this week on Thursday, Washington Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) practiced in full as the team prepares to face the New Orleans Saints on Sunday in Week 15. Lattimore was acquired by the Commanders from the Saints on Nov. 5 but he hasn't made his debut for Washington yet due to his hamstring injury. As long as the 28-year-old defensive back doesn't suffer a setback on Friday at practice, he seems well on his to making his debut this weekend. If Lattimore is active on Sunday, he should start on the outside at cornerback, but the veteran could have his snaps limited given his long layoff. The former first-rounder is a four-time Pro Bowler and had 30 tackles (22 solo) in seven starts for the Saints to begin the year. Lattimore's impending return will be a welcomed boost to Washington's secondary down the stretch for a playoff push.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Commanders.com
4 hours agoWashington Commanders kicker
Zane Gonzalez (foot) returned to a full practice on Thursday after being limited in the first practice of the week on Wednesday while dealing with a left-foot injury. Gonzalez should now be good to go to kick for the Commanders again in Week 15 in a strong matchup against the New Orleans Saints on the road in the Caesars Superdome with
Austin Seibert (groin) still sidelined due to injury. In his return to the NFL this year for the first time since 2021, Gonzalez has gone 3-for-5 on field goals and has made all 10 of his extra points in his three games with Washington in place of Seibert. The 29-year-old kicker is by no means a must-start in fantasy lineups in the first round of the playoffs in most leagues, but he could be a decent streamer in a Commanders offense that has scored 28.9 points per game, the fourth-most in the NFL.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Commanders.com
5 hours agoUnsurprisingly, New Orleans Saints quarterback
Derek Carr (concussion, hand) sat out of practice for the second straight day this week. Carr suffered a concussion and broke his left (non-throwing) hand in the Week 14 win over the New York Giants on Sunday. He hasn't officially been ruled out for Week 15 against the Washington Commanders, but interim head coach Darren Rizzi said on Thursday that
Jake Haener will start under center this weekend. While the 33-year-old Carr will not be placed on Injured Reserve, there's a chance that he won't play again this year, depending on how the team plays in the next couple of weeks. The expectation is that Carr will officially be ruled out for Week 15 on Friday. Carr has dealt with various injuries again in 2024 and is currently the QB22 in overall fantasy points with 15 TD passes and 17 picks in 10 games played.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The New Orleans Times-Picayune - Matthew Paras
5 hours agoCleveland Browns wide receiver
Cedric Tillman (concussion) remained limited in the second practice of the week on Thursday and remains in the league's concussion protocol after suffering a head injury in the Week 12 win over the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers. Tillman has recovered slowly from his concussion and has missed the last two games. The 24-year-old still has work to do in order to play on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs and will need clearance from an independent neurologist. The former third-rounder in 2023 out of Tennessee saw his role increase before his concussion when the Browns traded
Amari Cooper to Buffalo. In five games before the concussion, Tillman had 26 catches on 44 targets for 330 yards and three touchdowns to put him into the weekly flex conversation in fantasy. Given his injury and the tough matchup against KC, Tillman is a shaky WR4/flex in Week 15.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot
6 hours agoAtlanta Falcons wide receiver
Darnell Mooney (foot) was listed as a limited participant during Thursday's practice. Fantasy managers shouldn't be shocked by this news considering Mooney has been banged up for a few weeks now. Despite that, Mooney continues to play and is coming off one of his best performances of the season. Last week, Mooney hauled in six of his seven targets for 142 yards in the loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Fantasy managers shouldn't read too much into Mooney sitting out on Thursday, but should stay tuned for more information. The 27-year-old could offer WR2 value for a plus matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders defense in Week 15.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: falcons.com
6 hours agoLas Vegas Raiders wide receiver
Jakobi Meyers (ankle) was a limited participant during Thursday's practice session. Fantasy managers shouldn't be too concerned about Meyers considering he played through the issue last week. Meyers hauled in seven receptions for 67 yards while battling the same ankle issue during the loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Meyers sitting out on Thursday could just be the Raiders being cautious with him ahead of the Week 15 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. If he plays, Meyers should be able to offer WR2 value, but the quarterback situation in Las Vegas is uncertain right now. Meyers might lose some value if
Desmond Ridder ends up under center on Monday.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: raiders.com
6 hours agoLas Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (ankle) was unable to participate in Thursday's practice session. Crosby missed his first game of his career in Week 4 due to an ankle issue. It's unclear if the issue is related, but regardless it's going to take a lot to get Crosby to sit out of a game. This season, Crosby has 45 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks through 12 games. There is still plenty of time for Crosby to heal up before Monday's game against the Atlanta Falcons. The loss of Crosby would be a huge hit to this defense, but we'll have to wait and see how he progresses throughout the week.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: raiders.com
6 hours agoLas Vegas Raiders quarterback
Aidan O'Connell (knee) was unable to get on the practice field on Thursday. Despite his absence in practice, O'Connell is hopeful to suit up for the Monday night matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. Last week, O'Connell suffered a bone bruise in his left knee during the loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The organization feared O'Connell would miss the rest of the season, but now he has a chance to play in Week 15. If he sits,
Desmond Ridder would be tasked with making his first start of the season. The fact that O'Connell sat out on Thursday isn't a great sign heading into Monday's game, but there is still plenty of time for him to still get cleared to play.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: raiders.com
6 hours agoLas Vegas Raiders running back
Alexander Mattison (ankle) was a full participant during Thursday's practice session. This is good news as it appears Mattison is ready to get back on the field for the first time since Week 11. However, Mattison is expected to be demoted to the backup role, according to head coach Antonio Pierce. Mattison was struggling on the ground before the injury, so it's not shocking to see the Raiders going in another direction.
Sincere McCormick has looked solid in back-to-back games and should see increased chances down the stretch of the season. The expectation is Mattison will still remain involved as the receiving back, but he could see a decrease in fantasy value going forward. The 26-year-old appears to be trending in the right direction ahead of the Week 15 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, but is looking like a desperation flex option.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: raiders.com
7 hours agoPhoenix Suns center
Jusuf Nurkic (thigh) is off the injury report ahead of Friday's game against Utah. The 30-year-old missed the last six games because of a thigh contusion. As a result,
Mason Plumlee took his spot in the lineup. However, with Nurkic back in the mix for the favorable matchup with the Jazz, Plumlee isn't worth starting in any fantasy lineup.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
7 hours agoPhoenix Suns forward
Kevin Durant (ankle) is probable for the meeting with the Jazz on Friday night. The 36-year-old has been banged up a few times during the 2024-25 campaign, most recently missing the last three games because of a sprained ankle. But outside of that, he continues to play well, averaging 25.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks while shooting 44.9% from downtown. With Durant's anticipated return,
Royce O'Neale, coming off a 16-point, seven-rebound effort versus Orlando on December 8, likely won't be as productive.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
7 hours agoLos Angeles Lakers guard
Austin Reaves (pelvis) is unlikely to play in Friday's matchup with the Timberwolves, marking his sixth-consecutive absence.
LeBron James (foot) has already been ruled out due to left foot soreness, so the Lakers could be without two of their top scoring options. As a result,
Anthony Davis would be in line for a bump in offensive production.
Rui Hachimura,
D'Angelo Russell, and
Dalton Knecht could also see an uptick in scoring opportunities.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
8 hours agoChicago Bulls forward
Patrick Williams (foot) is questionable for Friday's game against the Hornets. The 23-year-old has been sidelined for nearly a month because of an issue with his surgically-repaired left foot. However, he may need a few more days to recover, although the questionable designation is a step in the right direction. With that in mind, since Williams has averaged only 9.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.0 steals this season, there aren't many fantasy managers concerned with his availability. But until Williams is back on the floor,
Ayo Dosunmu, averaging 15.5 points in 12 starts this season, should remain with the first five.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
8 hours agoChicago Bulls guard
Josh Giddey (back) is questionable for Friday's encounter with the Charlotte Hornets. The 22-year-old has played as well as expected in his first season in The Windy City, logging 11.7 points, 6.9 assists, and 6.2 rebounds per contest. He's dealing with back spasms, so there's a chance it could keep him off the floor. If that is the case,
Lonzo Ball (knee), who is probable, may see additional minutes, with
Coby White and
Ayo Dosunmu also in line for more work and scoring opportunities.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
8 hours agoAccording to Danielle Allentuck of the Baltimore Banner, Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher
Kyle Bradish (elbow) began a throwing program. Bradish underwent Tommy John surgery last June but still faces a long recovery process. Baltimore has noted that they hope Bradish can rejoin the starting rotation sometime in the second half of the 2025 campaign. Across 39 1/3 innings last season, the right-hander posted a solid 2.75 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. During his 2023 breakout campaign, the 28-year-old held a 2.83 ERA and 1.04 WHIP across a career-high 168 2/3 innings. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progress during the first half of the season, and he is a name to keep an eye on as he could be a reliable starting pitcher during the final months of the season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Danielle Allentuck
8 hours agoTennessee Titans kicker
Nick Folk (groin) was a full-go in the team's practice on Thursday, one day after he was listed as a non-participant due to a groin injury. The Titans signed kicker
Brayden Narveson to their practice squad on Wednesday, signaling that there was uncertainty as to whether Folk would be able to kick in Week 15 against the Cincinnati Bengals. The 40-year-old veteran still isn't guaranteed to play this weekend, but a return to a full practice after a DNP on Wednesday is definitely a good sign. Folk was Tennessee's entire offense in last Sunday's 10-6 loss to the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars, making his only two field-goal attempts. Folk enters Week 15 action as the No. 18 fantasy kicker in terms of overall points and should be avoided in most leagues, even though the matchup against Cincy is a nice one. His 22 FG attempts on the year have him tied for 22nd among all kickers in 2024.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Turron Davenport
8 hours agoChicago Bulls center
Nikola Vucevic (illness) is questionable for Friday's matchup versus the Hornets. The veteran hasn't missed a game all year. He's also played extremely well, averaging 21.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 47.4% shooting from behind the arc. But if the illness keeps Vucevic off the floor,
Jalen Smith could find himself in the starting lineup. But even if Smith doesn't start, he should see enough minutes to justify his presence in fantasy lineups.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
8 hours agoKansas City Chiefs wide receiver
Marquise Brown (shoulder) has received final clearance to practice and could make his return before the end of the regular season, according to sources. Brown is recovering from surgery to fix an SC joint in his shoulder but should have his 21-day window to be activated from Injured Reserve opened on either Friday or Monday. It's encouraging news for the Chiefs as they look to become the first team in NFL history to win the Super Bowl three times in a row, but fantasy managers are still probably not going to get much, if anything at all, out of Hollywood in the next three weeks if they make it to the fantasy championship. The Chiefs are going to be extremely cautious with Brown's return, so even if he's active in Week 16 against the Houston Texans, he'd probably see limited snaps. Brown hasn't played all year after getting injured in the preseason.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
8 hours agoWashington Wizards guard
Malcolm Brogdon (hamstring) won't play in Friday's game versus the Cleveland Cavaliers. Brogdon began the year on the shelf because of a thumb injury before making his 2024-25 debut against the Pistons on November 17. However, he'll now miss a third-straight game because of hamstring inflammation. The 32-year-old hasn't played the best in his first season in Washington, averaging only 13.8 points, 4.3 assists, and 33.3% shooting from behind the arc. But with the Wizards down Brogdon,
Kyle Kuzma (rib),
Corey Kispert (ankle), and
Kyshawn George (ankle),
Justin Champagnie,
Jordan Poole, and
Jonas Valanciunas may do most of the heavy lifting offensively.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
8 hours agoNew Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi named quarterback
Jake Haener as the team's starter under center for this Sunday's game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, according to a source. Although the Saints are bullish on rookie
Spencer Rattler, it will be Haener getting the first starting nod with regular starter
Derek Carr (concussion, hand) potentially missing multiple weeks after fracturing his left (non-throwing) hand and suffering a concussion in the Week 14 win over the New York Giants. The 25-year-old Haener replaced Carr late in last week's game but didn't attempt a single pass. Despite being drafted last year, Haener didn't debut until this year, and he's gone 14-for-29 for 177 yards and a TD in part of seven games. At best, he's a low-end QB2 consideration in two-QB superflex leagues with limited upside this weekend against the Commanders.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NewOrleans.Football - Nick Underhill
8
hours
agoAccording
to
David
O'Brien
of
The
Athletic,
free-agent
starting
pitcher
Charlie
Morton
is
unlikely
to
return
to
Atlanta
in
2025.
O'Brien
noted
that
the
team's
interest
in
the
41-year-old
has
been
"put
on
the
back
burner"
and
that
Morton
has
been
open
to
hearing
read more...
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