December 28, 2024
Arizona Cardinals running back
James Conner (knee) is questionable to return to Saturday night's meeting with the Los Angeles Rams. The 29-year-old came into this weekend battling through a knee injury he picked up in Week 16's loss to the Carolina Panthers and apparently isn't entirely over it. Per the broadcast, he's available on the sidelines to reenter the contest. Conner gained four yards on four carries and another four through the air on 2-of-3 receiving before his exit. Backfield mate
Michael Carter figures to handle most of the backfield touches with the veteran out of the lineup.
DeeJay Dallas could mix in as a change of pace behind him.
--Alex CiullaSource: Arizona Cardinals
December 28, 2024
Arizona Cardinals running back
Trey Benson (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of the Week 17 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. Benson is set to miss his second game in a row due to a lingering ankle issue. Luckily,
James Conner (knee) has been cleared to play and figures to see a majority of the carries in the backfield.
Michael Carter figures to serve as the primary backup after a solid performance in Week 17. Carter rushed five times for 18 yards and hauled in all five of his targets for 30 yards in the win last week. He won't be a recommended streaming choice with Conner likely getting most of the touches in the backfield.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Adam Schefter
December 28, 2024
Arizona Cardinals running back
James Conner (knee) has been upgraded to active ahead of Saturday's Week 17 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. Conner was questionable coming into this game after suffering a knee injury during last week's loss. He's ready to go now and could see a heavier workload with backup back
Trey Benson (ankle) on the sideline. Conner has rushed for over 100 yards in each of his last two games. The Rams defense has struggled to contain the run this season, but it's also unclear if the knee issue is going to impact Conner at all. Fantasy managers should consider Conner a high-end RB2 for this contest.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Adam Schefter
December 28, 2024
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver
Greg Dortch hasn't been too impactful on the field lately. Last week, Dortch hauled in his lone target for 19 yards while rushing the ball once for eight yards. The 26-year-old hasn't seen a ton of the field lately. Dortch only saw 30 percent of the offensive snaps last week and played even less the week before that. It seems unlikely that Dortch is going to do anything on the field worth starting him against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 17.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
December 28, 2024
Arizona Cardinals kicker
Matt Prater (left knee) has been ruled out for Saturday's Week 17 contest against the Los Angeles Rams. The veteran kicker is currently on injured reserve. While there was some optimism about his status when the Cardinals recently opened his 21-day practice window, the team shut down any speculation about a potential Week 17 return by ruling him out on Thursday. With Prater set to remain sidelined following a week of limited practices, the Cardinals will deploy
Chad Ryland as their primary kicker once again this weekend. The 25-year-old has exceeded expectations so far, going 25-for-29 on field goals and 21-for-21 on extra points.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Theo Mackie
December 28, 2024
Arizona Cardinals running back
James Conner (knee) is expected to play against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 17 despite being listed as questionable, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Conner picked up the injury during last Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers in which he totaled 117 rushing yards, 49 receiving yards, and one touchdown. Rapoport notes that it's encouraging to see Conner suit up with the Cardinals already eliminated from playoff contention, but he'll be playing at less than 100 percent on Saturday. As a result, he might drop to the RB2 tier in fantasy football. At the same time,
Trey Benson (ankle), who is also listed as questionable, could earn additional opportunities out of the backfield.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Ian Rapoport
December 27, 2024
Arizona Cardinals running back
James Conner (knee) is dealing with a knee injury he suffered in Week 16 and is officially listed as questionable for Saturday night's game against the Los Angeles Rams. According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, he is "trending in the right direction" to suit up on Saturday. Although it is great news he is trending in the right direction to play, fantasy managers might want to limit their expectations as the Cardinals were knocked out of the playoffs with their loss last week, as the knee injury he is dealing with could limit Conner's effectiveness and volume. Regardless, Conner has treated fantasy managers excellently this year. Producing as the RB10 with 1,090 rushing yards and nine total touchdowns on the season. This week, Conner can be started as an RB2 with upside if he's active.
--Nicho Roessler - RotoBallerSource: Jeremy Fowler
December 27, 2024
With injuries ahead of him on the depth chart, Arizona Cardinals running back
Michael Carter has a huge range of possibilities in Week 17 against the L.A. Rams that varies from remaining on the practice squad to being the team's starter. Both
James Conner (knee) and
Trey Benson (ankle) are questionable to play in the game, and with Arizona officially eliminated from playoff contention, the team doesn't have much incentive to rush two players under contract next year back into action now. Last week, Carter earned 10 touches after Conner's injury, five of which were catches. He holds some streaming appeal, particularly for managers relying upon Conner, but they'll have to check in before game time Saturday to see who is active for Arizona.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 27, 2024
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver
Michael Wilson is a low-end WR5 option with his team set to take on the Los Angeles Rams in Week 17. The sophomore has been one of the middle-ground receivers who is just productive enough to hold onto in deeper leagues, but without the breakout potential to warrant starting on a weekly basis. Wilson ranks 55th among PPR receivers, doesn't have a top-25 finish this year, and is now on a team playing meaningless games to close out the season. The Rams rank 24th against fantasy receivers, so there is some matchup potential, but mostly in formats with three-plus flex spots.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 27, 2024
Arizona Cardinals running back
DeeJay Dallas may see some added snaps on Saturday since
James Conner (knee) and
Trey Benson (ankle) are both considered questionable. Dallas received one target and no carries in their last game against the Panthers, but he did turn it into a touchdown. That was his first offensive touchdown since 2021. The last time he started a game was in 2020 with the Seahawks, and his two starts produced mixed results. The Los Angeles Rams are in the middle of the pack against the opposing backfields as they allow 20.0 fantasy points per game in half-PPR formats. Dallas, even if he gets extra opportunities, isn't a reliable option for fantasy managers looking to win their championship.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 27, 2024
For at least another week,
Chad Ryland will maintain the starting kicker role with the Arizona Cardinals, but managers should still look for another option with the Cards playing the Los Angeles Rams in Week 17. The second-year kicker has filled in nicely for the injured
Matt Prater (knee), connecting on 25 of 29 field-goal attempts and all 21 extra points. Though Ryland's performance hasn't been the issue, Arizona is beaten up at running back with both
James Conner (knee) and
Trey Benson (ankle), and now that they're officially eliminated from the playoffs, this is a meaningless game for them. For managers still playing, seeking a better kicker situation is the smart move.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 27, 2024
The Arizona Cardinals defense/special teams should be left on waivers ahead of a Week 17 meeting against the Los Angeles Rams. Aside from having their full rotation of dangerous skill players in running back
Kyren Williams and receivers
Cooper Kupp and
Puka Nacua, the Rams have been adept at limiting negative plays, ranking in the top 10 in the league in sack rate and turnover rate. Conversely, Arizona ranks in the bottom 10 in scoring percentage allowed, yards per rushing attempt, and turnover percentage. With most leagues in the championship round, there's no reason to risk playing the Cardinals in this matchup.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 27, 2024
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver
Marvin Harrison Jr. has had quite the rollercoaster ride of a rookie season, especially in terms of fantasy football. He's finished as a WR3 or better in six weeks this season but has finished outside of the top 50 in seven weeks.
Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals aren't going downfield very often, which directly affects Harrison's value. In Week 17, they'll try to play spoiler against the Los Angeles Rams. While the Rams allow an average of 27.8 fantasy points per game to wideouts, their defense has improved in the second half of the season. They've only allowed one touchdown in the last two games, which leaves Harrison as a flex play in this matchup.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 27, 2024
Arizona Cardinals tight end
Trey McBride may still be looking for his first receiving touchdown of the season, but he sits at the TE4 on the year in half-PPR formats. In Week 16, he posted his first finish outside of TE1 territory since Week 7. After some strong words about how his team played that week, McBride is sure to bounce back against the Los Angeles Rams who give up an average of 10.5 fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. He's received around a 25% target share through this season, and there isn't any reason for that to change. Fantasy managers can still consider McBride a must-start, especially in PPR leagues.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 27, 2024
Arizona Cardinals quarterback
Kyler Murray has had quite the rough stretch over his past seven games and is currently the QB11 on the season. Since Week 9, he's finished as a QB1 just two times, a QB2 three times, and finished even worse in the other two. They face off against their divisional foe, the Los Angeles Rams, in Week 17, and they've been improving on the defensive side of the ball. Murray finished as the overall QB1 the last time these two teams faced off in Week 2, but the tides have changed considerably. Murray holds QB2 value going into this matchup.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
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