Chris Olave Expected to Be Ready for Sunday
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (back) was not spotted during the open portion of Friday's practice, but according to Saints beat reporter Nick Underhill, his absence was merely precautionary, and he is expected to be a full go for Week 17. Olave has been the fantasy WR6 on the season, with his best and most consistent performances coming since rookie Tyler Shough took over as New Orleans' starting quarterback in Week 9. The Saints face a vulnerable Titans defense in Week 17, and with 35-year-old jack-of-all trades Taysom Hill likely in line to lead the team's rushing attack, Shough, Olave, and the passing offense could see another big day. In a Week 16 win over the Jets, Shough set career highs in dropbacks, pass attempts, completions, and yards, leading to a season-best WR2 fantasy finish for Olave, who is RotoBaller's WR6 for championship weekend.
Source: Nick Underhill
Source: Nick Underhill
Jordan Love Ruled Out with Concussion for Saturday's Contest
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (concussion) has been ruled out for Saturday's contest against the Baltimore Ravens due to a concussion. Love sustained this concussion during their loss to the Bears last week and will need additional time ot pass through the league's protocol. While the second-stringer Malik Willis (shoulder/illness) has a questionable tag, Schefter noted that Willis is expected to get the starting nod. Before exiting last weekend early, Love went 8-for-13 with 77 yards. However, during Weeks 13 through 15, Love was a viable QB1 in standard formats, averaging 24.1 PPR points per game with an 8:3 TD:INT. Managers should view Willis as a high-end QB2 facing a weak Baltimore defense that has allowed the 12th-most PPR points to opposing QBs.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Alvin Kamara to Miss Fifth Consecutive Game
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (knee, ankle) will miss his fifth consecutive game after another week of DNPs at practice. With rookie Devin Neal (hamstring), who had handled New Orleans' bellcow duties in Kamara's stead, hitting Injured Reserve prior to the team's Week 16 matchup with the Jets, fantasy managers were left to debate whether Audric Estime or Evan Hull would step in and benefit from the favorable matchup. Turns out it was tight end Taysom Hill, who saw season highs in snaps, carries, targets, receptions, and both rushing and receiving yards, while adding a 38-yard touchdown pass for good measure. The Saints face another plus matchup in the Titans in Week 17, and with Hill likely in line to again be worked heavily into New Orleans' game plan, he's a near must-start wherever he is tight end eligible.
Source: Luke Johnson
Source: Luke Johnson
Luther Burden III Off Injury Report Following Full Practice
Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III (ankle) was a full practice participant on Friday and carries no injury designation into the team's Sunday Night matchup with the 49ers. Burden injured his ankle in a Week 15 blowout of the Browns, in which he had seen his highest target share of the season, and was forced to miss Chicago's Week 16 divisional win over the Packers. In his last two games played without Rome Odunze (foot), who was ruled out on Friday for what will be his fourth consecutive game, Burden has caught 10 of 13 targets for 151 yards and a touchdown. He projects as RotoBaller's WR37 for the week and should be viewed as a high-upside flex play against a 49ers defense that has allowed nearly 230 passing yards per game and 27 touchdowns through the air.
Source: Sean Hammond
Source: Sean Hammond
Cade Otton a Shaky Tight End Option in Week 17
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton has made a minimal impact in the passing attack during the second half of the season. When the Bucs were banged up, Otton was getting double-digit targets some weeks, but that's not the case anymore. The return of receivers Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan has basically put an end to Otton's streaming value. The fourth-year tight end has been held to under 25 receiving yards in four straight games. It's tough to imagine anything changing during the upcoming Week 17 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. There should be better streaming options at the tight end position available for fantasy championship games this weekend.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Jalen McMillan is a Risky Streaming Choice
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan hasn't made much of an impact since making his season debut in Week 15. McMillan has hauled in four of his five targets for 53 yards and has yet to find the end zone. The 24-year-old has good long-term upside, but he doesn't appear to be a viable fantasy option right now. He figures to fight for playing time as the No. 3 wideout with rookie Emeka Egbuka. McMillan has a decent matchup against the Miami Dolphins in Week 17, but he can't be trusted as a third or fourth passing option. The second-year wideout is worth stashing in dynasty formats, but he should be on the waiver wire in 12-team fantasy formats.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Rome Odunze to Miss His Fourth Consecutive Game
Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (foot) has been ruled out of the team's Sunday Night matchup with the 49ers, his fourth consecutive missed game since popping up on the injury report following a Week 13 win over the Eagles. In his absence, the Bears have seen spike games from DJ Moore and Luther Burden III (ankle), who returned to a full practice on Friday and carries no injury designation into Sunday after missing a game of his own with an ankle injury. Both Moore and Burden, along with rookie tight end Colston Loveland, remain in play against a middle-of-the-pack 49ers defense that has been most vulnerable through the air.
Source: Sean Hammond
Source: Sean Hammond
Chris Godwin Jr. Offers WR3 Value for Week 17
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. has carved out a consistent role for himself in this offense. The 29-year-old has seen five or more targets in four straight games. The problem has been his yardage, with a combined 50 receiving yards over the last two games. Godwin will get a decent matchup against the Miami Dolphins in Week 17. The veteran wideout appears to have good chemistry with quarterback Baker Mayfield. The Bucs have a lot of mouths to feed, but Godwin has earned some trust with a steady target share. Fantasy managers should be able to plug in Godwin as a reliable WR3 for Week 17, albeit with a low floor and ceiling.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Wil Lutz Performs Perfectly in Week 17 Win
Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz put up another reliable performance in the 20-13 win against the Kansas City Chiefs. Lutz went two for two on his field goal attempts and also converted both of his PAT attempts, scoring six points in total on the day. After seeing Lutz miss one short field goal attempt in Week 16 and having zero field goal attempts in Week 15, it was relieving to see him convert his opportunities for a perfect day. The Broncos will be looking to secure the number one seed in the AFC with a win over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 18, and Lutz will likely be a key part in earning that.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
RJ Harvey Extends Scoring Streak to Five Games Straight
Denver Broncos rookie running back RJ Harvey stole the show again in the Week 17 20-13 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Harvey had 14 carries for 43 yards and added a team-leading five catches on six targets for 33 yards with a receiving touchdown in the final minutes that won them the game. This touchdown marks Harvey's 12th of his rookie season and came on a play that displayed elite chemistry with quarterback Bo Nix. Harvey and the Broncos will host the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 18 as they look to clinch the top seed in the AFC with another win.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Emeka Egbuka Needs to Bounce Back in Week 17
Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie first-round wide receiver Emeka Egbuka has seen a significant drop-off since his fantastic beginning to the season. Over the last six games, Egbuka has been held to under 45 receiving yards in every game but one. The return of Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan isn't going to do Egbuka any favors in terms of target share. The Bucs have a lot of mouths to feed, and unfortunately, Egbuka is getting lost in the shuffle. He hauled in one of his two targets for 40 yards during last week's loss to the Carolina Panthers. Egbuka should be viewed as a WR3 for the Week 17 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. The upside is great, but Egbuka isn't getting the ball enough to be trustworthy in most formats right now.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Troy Franklin Sees Another Dip in Snap Shares in Week 17
Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin saw another dropoff in snap share during the 20-13 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 17. After posting an uptrend in snaps with 50% in Week 15 and 64% in Week 16, Franklin was only on the field for 38% of snaps in Week 17 despite not having to compete with rookie wide receiver Pat Bryant (concussion) for snaps. Franklin still caught all four of his targets for a modest 17 yards and no touchdowns. The Broncos will host the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 18, and Franklin will seemingly remain a volatile option until otherwise noted.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Courtland Sutton Struggles in Win Against Chiefs
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton struggled in the 20-13 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 17. Coming off two back-to-back WR1 consensus outings, Sutton was held to four catches on 10 targets for 40 yards and zero touchdowns as the Chiefs' defense keyed on restricting the passing game. Sutton did lead the team in receiving yards and targets, but the lone passing touchdown from quarterback Bo Nix went to rookie running back RJ Harvey to win them the game in the final minutes. While this outing was a disappointment for fantasy managers who started Sutton in Week 17, his performance still allowed him to surpass 1,000 yards receiving for the second straight season. The Broncos will face the Los Angeles Chargers at home in Week 18.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Bo Nix Posts Another Clutch Performance in 20-13 Win
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix had another clutch showing in their 20-13 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 17. Nix had a mediocre day through the air, completing 26 of 38 pass attempts for 182 yards with one touchdown and one interception, but elevated his overall fantasy day with a new season high in rushes, taking nine carries for 42 yards and a touchdown. Before the second half, Nix had no touchdowns and one interception. The Broncos have now won 12 of their last 13 games, and only three of those games were decided by more than one score. In Week 18, the Broncos will host the Los Angeles Chargers to end the regular season.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Josh Allen Good to Go for Sunday
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (foot), who has been trending in the right direction with a foot injury, was a full participant during Friday's practice and carries no injury designation into a Week 17 matchup with the defending champion Eagles. Allen was seen receiving attention during the Bills' Week 16 win over the Browns, but never missed a snap, and had been viewed as a long shot to miss any time with the injury. With his status now official, Allen is RotoBaller's QB3 for fantasy championship weekend, and he should be viewed as a trusted start, even against an Eagles defense that has held opposing quarterbacks almost four points below their season-long average.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
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