Dylan Sampson Questionable for Week 17
Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson (hand) will carry a questionable designation into Sunday's Week 17 matchup with the Steelers as he continues to work back from the hand injury that has kept him out of the last two games. With fellow first-year back Quinshon Judkins (leg, ankle) done for the year after undergoing surgery following a brutal Week 16 injury, the Browns' running back depth chart has been one to monitor heading into fantasy title games. It was undrafted rookie Raheim Sanders who saw the bulk of the carries following Judkins' injury. He finished the day with 12 touches for 46 yards, while veteran Trayveon Williams was also mixed in to the tune of seven opportunities. If Sampson is able to suit up against the Steelers, he will likely be given starter's reps, but things could quickly devolve into a committee approach. Should Sampson miss another game, Sanders at least carries desperation flex appeal into an otherwise unfavorable matchup.
Source: Daniel Oyefusi
Source: Daniel Oyefusi
Harold Fannin Jr. Questionable for Sunday
Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (groin) sustained a groin injury during Friday's practice and is now being listed as questionable for the team's Week 17 matchup with the Steelers. He had been RotoBaller's TE3 for championship weekend, but his status is now up in the air. Fannin had seen a 20+ percent target share in seven of his last nine games, hitting a 30 percent share twice in the previous five, but the groin injury now calls into question how he might be used even if he is able to suit up. This is another tough blow in a week that has already seen Brock Bowers placed on Injured Reserve and George Kittle likely to head into Sunday night as a game-time decision, leaving fantasy titles to be potentially won or lost by some unlikely suspects at the position.
Source: Daniel Oyefusi
Source: Daniel Oyefusi
George Kittle "Likely a Game-Time Decision" on Sunday Night
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (ankle) will "likely be a game-time decision" for Sunday night's contest against the Chicago Bears, according to 49ers President of Football Operations and General Manager John Lynch. Kittle exited their Week 16 victory with a mid-to-low ankle sprain but remains in play to suit up this weekend. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on his status during Friday's practice, as the star tight end was unable to take the practice field on Wednesday and Thursday. Before suffering the injury on Monday, Kittle turned in a stellar showing, catching seven of his eight passes for 115 yards and a touchdown. Since Week 10, Kittle has averaged 20.0 PPR points per game and has found the back of the end zone five times. If Kittle were to sit out, Jake Tonges would carry viable streaming upside in deeper 14-team leagues as a risky TE2.
Source: Cam Inman
Source: Cam Inman
Matt Prater Ruled Out for Week 17
Buffalo Bills kicker Matt Prater (quadriceps) has been ruled out for Sunday's contest against the Philadelphia Eagles. The 41-year-old was unable to step on the practice field this week and will now miss his second-straight contest due to this quadriceps injury. Instead, fantasy managers should expect Michael Badgley to get the starting nod once again. Prater has served as a reliable kicking option for the Bills this season, going 18-for-20 on field goals and 43-for-46 on extra point attempts. Last weekend, Badgley went 1-for-1 and hit two of his three extra points during their victory over the Cleveland Browns. Badgley profiles as a risky option for those in standard formats this weekend, facing the Eagles, who have allowed the 14th-fewest PPR points to opposing kickers.
Source: Matt Parrino
Source: Matt Parrino
David Njoku Not Practicing on Friday
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (knee) remained absent during Friday's practice session. Njoku has yet to step on the practice field this week and is trending toward missing his third-straight contest. Managers should monitor his status on Friday's final injury report, but given that he has yet to practice this week, suggests he will face an uphill battle to suit up on Sunday. Before suffering this knee injury, Njoku averaged just 4.3 PPR points per game over his last five games (Week 10 through 14) and caught just 1.2 passes per game. While he has been sidelined, rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. has seen his production increase. Over his last three, Fannin has averaged a stellar 19.0 PPR points per game and would profile as a must-start TE1 if Njoku misses his third-straight game.
Source: Daniel Oyefusi
Source: Daniel Oyefusi
A.J. Brown Returns to Practice on Friday
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (teeth) was spotted at Friday's practice, according to Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Brown has been unable to practice on Wednesday and Thursday due to a dental procedure, but seeing him back at practice on Friday puts him back on track to suit up on Sunday. Managers should monitor his status on Friday's final injury report later this afternoon, in case he faces a setback. After averaging just 11.2 PPR points per game over his first eight games of the campaign, the 28-year-old wideout has taken a massive step forward, totaling 19.8 PPR points per game with four touchdowns over his last six contests. If healthy, Brown remains a must-start WR1 in all formats despite facing a tougher Buffalo Bills secondary that has allowed the 10th-fewest PPR points to opposing WRs.
Source: Jeff McLane
Source: Jeff McLane
Mack Hollins Absent Again on Friday
New England Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins (abdomen) remains absent during Friday's practice, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN. The team's veteran wideout has been unable to practice all week after suffering this abdominal injury during their victory over the Ravens last weekend. Given that he has yet to step on the practice field, Hollins will likely face a difficult challenge to suit up for Sunday's contest against the Jets. Managers should keep a close eye on his status on Friday's final injury report, but given his current trajectory, he will likely sit out. Over the last two games, Hollins has seen his target share climb sharply, seeing 8.5 targets per game and tallying an average of 55.0 yards per game. If Hollins were to sit out, managers should expect Stefon Diggs to operate as the clear WR1 while tight end Hunter Henry earns an uptick in opportunities.
Source: Mike Reiss
Source: Mike Reiss
TreVeyon Henderson Spotted at Friday's Practice, Sheds Non-Contact Jersey
New England Patriots rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson (concussion) was spotted at Friday's practice without a red non-contact jersey. This is an excellent sign for the second-round rookie as he appears to be trending in the right direction ahead of Sunday's contest against the New York Jets. Henderson exited their Week 16 contest with a concussion and opened the week as a limited participant in each of the first two sessions. However, given that he is now taking contact, suggests he could be in a good position to clear the league's protocol before Sunday. Managers should continue to keep a close eye on his status, as he would carry high-end RB2 upside facing a Jets defense that allows the fifth-most PPR points to opposing RBs. If he is unable to play, Rhamondre Stevenson would carry must-start RB2 value.
Source: Mike Reiss
Source: Mike Reiss
Marvin Harrison Jr. Working Back to Full Health
Head coach Jonathan Gannon notes that Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel) is steadily progressing while dealing with a lingering heel issue. The Ohio State alum has battled a heel injury for the better part of a month now. After a few weeks of no practice, Harrison returned to the field in Week 16 to log three limited sessions before also having his reps capped in the Cards' 26-19 loss to the Falcons last Sunday, in which the second-year pro recorded his lowest snap total of the campaign. Per Gannon, Harrison "had a good day of work" on Thursday, and appears to be trending toward playing again in Week 17. However, it's unclear if he'll still be on a snap count. As it stands, fantasy managers should continue to monitor the 23-year-old ahead of his outing with Cincinnati this Sunday.
Source: Tyler Drake
Source: Tyler Drake
Josh Allen Trending Toward Playing Vs. Philly
According to head coach Sean McDermott, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (foot) will play in Sunday's home matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles. Allen suffered a foot injury in Week 16's 23-20 win over the Browns. Despite not missing any time on the field during the game because of it, the fantasy stalwart has been a limited participant for the first two days of practice this week. Regardless, it sounds like Allen won't be in danger of missing any time and should again slot in as a high-end QB1 play, even in an outing against a staunch Eagles' defense. On the off-chance he isn't ready to rock in Week 17, Mitchell Trubisky would lead the Bills against the visiting Eagles.
Source: Lance Lysowski
Source: Lance Lysowski
Mason Taylor to Miss Third Straight Game
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, New York Jets tight end Mason Taylor (neck) will be unavailable for Sunday's divisional clash with the visiting New England Patriots. The rookie is set to miss his third straight game after suffering a neck injury in Week 14's 48-20 loss to the Jaguars. Unfortunately for Taylor, he's yet to log even a limited practice since picking up the issue. With the 21-year-old missing again, teammate Jeremy Ruckert will play a majority of snaps at the position for Gang Green, while Jelani Woods and Stone Smartt mix in behind him. None of them projects to be particularly involved enough to matter for fantasy.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Isaiah Likely Continues to Struggle, Carries TE3 Value into Week 17
Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely had some big hopes and expectations entering this season after breaking out in a handful of games last year. He had a bunch of "almost big plays" this season, but ultimately, he's cracked the TE1 level twice and TE2 once. Now, the Ravens are probably operating without Lamar Jackson (doubtful - back), and even Mark Andrews has struggled to produce much over the last few weeks. Likely is riding two straight goose egg weeks into a Week 17 matchup with the Green Bay Packers who are eighth against tight ends in the last four weeks. The fourth-year pro projects as the TE27 on RotoBaller's rankings, which means there are better options on the waiver wire for fantasy managers looking for a streamer in their playoff matchup.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Christian Watson in Flex Consideration Despite Injury
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (shoulder, illness) will be a slightly more volatile fantasy option than usual for Saturday's home matchup with the Baltimore Ravens. Watson, like quite a few of his teammates, is dealing with multiple injury designations for their Week 17 tilt with Baltimore. In unfortunate news for the 26-year-old, a late-week illness may keep him from suiting up, as he's been deemed questionable after recording a DNP for Thursday's practice. Even if Watson does eventually play, the uncertainty surrounding who will be the team's starting quarterback hurts his fantasy value. Currently, both Jordan Love (shoulder, concussion) and Malik Willis (shoulder, illness) are questionable, too, meaning Clayton Tune could end up being the one calling signals in a worst-case scenario. Fantasy managers relying on the fourth-year pro should closely monitor his status up until game time. Watson ranks as RotoBaller's PPR WR35 for his outing with Baltimore.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Keaton Mitchell a Risky Flex Option Against Packers
Baltimore Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell has seen more and more snaps as each week goes on, but it hasn't exactly turned into enough production for fantasy managers. The past two games, he's seen a season-high 39% and 35% snap share, but has only produced finishes of RB35 and RB64. Derrick Henry should get plenty of work against the Green Bay Packers in Week 17 with Tyler Huntley likely taking over for Lamar Jackson (doubtful - back). Mitchell could still see plenty of work mixed in, but the Packers are ranked eighth against opposing backfields, even without Micah Parsons (knee). RotoBaller's rankings project Mitchell as an RB49, which would make him more viable in very deep leagues, but harder to trust in most other leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jordan Love a Risky Stream if Active
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (shoulder, concussion) carries a bit of extra risk for this Saturday's outing with the visiting Baltimore Ravens if he's active. Love could only log limited practices this week, leading up to his game with Baltimore after dealing with a few injuries suffered in last Saturday's loss to the Bears. Unfortunately for Green Bay, the team is in danger of being without Love's backup, Malik Willis (shoulder, illness), as he also deals with injury. As it stands, even if the 27-year-old is available to play, he could have a difficult time with a Ravens' defense that's been much improved over the back half of the season. He'll rank as RotoBallers QB20 if he suits up for Week 17's contest.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
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