1 day agoTennessee Titans rookie wide receiver
A.J. Brown (undisclosed) left practice early after stretching with an undisclosed ailment. Wideout
Adam Humphries (ankle) also missed practice for the second straight day. Brown's situation is worth monitoring the rest of the week. He would be a likely candidate to sit out in Week 14 against the Raiders if he can't get back to practice on Friday. With Humphries also on the wrong side of questionable for this weekend, it could be
Tajae Sharpe,
Cody Hollister and Kalif Raymond behind
Corey Davis in the receiving game. Only Davis would be worth fantasy consideration as a WR4/flex against Oakland.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Titans Online - Jim Wyatt
1 day agoTennessee Titans running back
Derrick Henry (hamstring) returned to practice on Thursday after being held out on Wednesday. The Titans are just resting Henry early in the week. He's been the best running back in the NFL in the last three games, running for well over 100 yards in each contest and totaling five touchdowns in that span on the ground. He'll get another great matchup in the Raiders in Week 14. Henry is a must-start fantasy commodity in the first week of the fantasy playoffs.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Titans Online - Jim Wyatt
1 day agoNew Orleans Saints wide receiver
Ted Ginn will face the San Francisco 49ers in Week 14. Ginn has been a feast-or-famine deep-threat this year. He owns the highest yards per reception mark on the Saints but will play a
49ers Defense that allows the fewest pass plays of 20 yards or more. The 34-year-old is coming off a catch-less game and hasn't caught more than three passes since Week 1. Ginn should be benched, or left on the waiver wire, for the fantasy playoffs.
--Tim Capurso - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
1 day agoNew Orleans Saints wide receiver
Michael Thomas will face the stingy San Francisco 49ers in Week 14. The 49ers have allowed only 134.2 passing yards per game this year, best in the NFL. Despite this, one receiver has posted at least 50 yards or scored a touchdown in eight games against the 49ers this year. Considering how involved Thomas is, he should be able to eclipse 50 yards. He has the lowest upside of virtually any WR1 this week and has some risk, given that
Drew Brees may struggle to put up good numbers. Still, Thomas has been the best fantasy asset at wide receiver this year. It's realistic to expect him to at least reach 15 fantasy points, even against this defense.
--Tim Capurso - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
1 day agoDenver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (knee), who revealed he's dealing with an MCL injury, is in doubt for Week 14 against the Texans. "I'm already undersized. When you take away exotic movements that make me who I am it changes the type of player I am. I have to get that back to go out and play. If I don't have that back then I need to take time to get that right," Miller said. He was limited in practice on Wednesday, but that doesn't mean he'll play this weekend. Another Miller absence would be great news for Texans quarterback
Deshaun Watson and the whole offense. Even if Miller suits up, the
Broncos Defense should be avoided in fantasy.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: 9News - Mike Klis
1 day agoNew Orleans Saints running back
Latavius Murray will face the San Francisco 49ers in Week 14. San Francisco's defense ranks 22nd against the run despite being the best in the league against the pass, presenting Murray with a good matchup. The problem is, he's seen a steady decrease in snaps and touches over the last three games, including his second-lowest snap total of the season last week, 13. This usage makes Murray nothing more than flex play in deep leagues, even in a more run-friendly matchup.
--Tim Capurso - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
1 day agoSan Francisco 49ers wide receiver
Dante Pettis (knee) was back at practice on Thursday after being held out on Wednesday. Pettis is making progress, but he won't be back on the field for Week 14 against the Saints. The 24-year-old has been a second-year bust, catching only 11 passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns in his 11 games in 2019. With several 49ers rookies possibly passing him on the depth chart in 2020, Pettis is no longer a must-hold in dynasty/keeper leagues either. He posted 27 catches for 467 yards and five scores in 12 games in his rookie season.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
1 day agoWashington Redskins wide receivers
Paul Richardson (hamstring) and
Trey Quinn (concussion) did not practice for the second straight day on Thursday. They're both unlikely to play in Week 14 against the Packers. Neither receiver has moved the fantasy needle in 2019 either, so they should both be firmly planted on the waiver wire in your league. Outside of rookie
Terry McLaurin -- and he's a risky fantasy proposition these days as well -- no Washington receiver is worth your consideration for a lineup spot. If Richardson and Quinn are inactive this Sunday, rookies
Kelvin Harmon and
Steven Sims Jr. will be in three-wide sets. That means all of the Redskins pass-catchers will be rookies with a rookie quarterback throwing them passes. Look elsewhere.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - John Keim
1 day agoIndianapolis Colts kicker
Adam Vinatieri (knee) is unlikely to play in Week 14 against the Buccaneers after the team claimed kicker
Chase McLaughlin off waivers on Wednesday. Vinatieri will turn 47 years old this month and has missed 14 total kicks this year, so McLaughlin could take over for him this weekend and finish out the year as the team's kicker. McLaughlin made seven of his eight kicks in his time for the 49ers filling in for
Robbie Gould, and he could become a viable kicking streamer down the stretch in fantasy. Vinatieri, who has been a legendary kicker in his career, could be nearing the end.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
1 day agoPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver
Nelson Agholor (knee) did not take part in practice on Thursday. Agholor returned in the Week 13 loss to the Dolphins and had an underwhelming three catches for 41 yards in the embarrassing defeat. He's not a lock to play on Monday night against the Giants, and even if he does, he's a low-upside WR4/flex in deeper leagues. Agholor just hasn't proven to be much of a producer unless
Alshon Jeffery misses time with injury. If Agholor can't go this week, rookie
J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, who caught his first touchdown of his career last Sunday, would see an even bigger role in the passing game.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NBC Sports Philadelphia - Dave Zangaro
1 day agoThe St. Louis Cardinals are a new potential bidder for the services of starting pitcher
Madison Bumgarner, according to a source. The Twins, Reds, White Sox and Braves have also been linked to the veteran left-hander, and he could sign a deal before the winter meetings start next week in San Diego. The Cardinals rotation is already in good shape with
Jack Flaherty,
Miles Mikolas,
Dakota Hudson and
Adam Wainwright in the mix, so adding MadBum would be a cherry on top. Bumgarner is expected to land a deal worth at least $100 million. He's no longer the dominant ace he was in his prime in San Francisco, but Bumgarner still has some years left if he can stay healthy. St. Louis would be a fine landing spot for his fantasy value as well.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Mark Feinsand
1 day agoThe San Diego Padres will pursue Korean starting pitcher Kwang-Hyun Kim this offseason after extensively scouting him. San Diego won the rights to Kim in 2014, but the two sides weren't able to reach an agreement and Kim returned to the Korean Baseball Organization. Teams have until Jan. 5 to sign Kim. The 31-year-old could be a fit for the Padres in the middle or back of their rotation if they land him. Kim throws in the low- to mid-90s and has a plus slider. He had a 2.51 ERA and 180 strikeouts in 190 1/3 innings last year in Korea. The Korean hurler has also already had Tommy John surgery on his arm.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The San Diego Union-Tribune - Kevin Acee
1 day agoNew Orleans Saints running back
Alvin Kamara will face the San Francisco 49ers in Week 14. The 49ers rank first in the league in passing yards allowed per game but only 22nd in rushing yards allowed per contest. They've also been somewhat susceptible to big running plays, as they've allowed the ninth-most rushing plays of 20 yards or more. That bodes well for Kamara, who has been a fantasy bust despite garnering at least 20 touches in two of his last three games. Expect New Orleans to lean on the running game, giving Kamara another chance at 20 touches- and his first touchdown since Week 3. He'll have slightly more upside in PPR, though volume will allow him to put up low-end RB1 numbers this week.
--Tim Capurso - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
1 day agoJapanese outfielder Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, whose posting window closes two weeks from Thursday, is drawing interest from a group that includes the White Sox, Blue Jays, Tigers and Twins, according to sources. Tsutsugo has averaged 35 home runs per season over the last four years with the Yokohama Bay Stars. Because of those lofty numbers, he'll be one of the most attractive foreign free agents this winter and will surely land at least a part-time corner outfield role wherever he lands.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB Network - Jon Paul Morosi
1 day agoThe New York Mets acquired outfielder
Jake Marisnick from the Astros on Thursday in exchange for lefty relief pitcher
Blake Taylor and outfielder Kenedy Corona. The 28-year-old Marisnick is a wizard with the glove and can play all three outfield positions at an above-average level. However, he hit just .233 with 10 home runs and 34 RBI for the Astros in 2019 in 73 starts. He's never been much of a fantasy asset for his bat and is a better real-life player than fantasy one. Marisnick is a career .227 hitter with 54 home runs and 178 RBI in seven seasons with Miami and Houston. Taylor, 24, had 10 saves and a 2.16 ERA with 74 strikeouts in 40 outings in three minor league levels with New York last year. Corona is just 19 and hit .301 with 23 extra-base hits and 19 steals in his first professional season.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com
1 day agoThe Milwaukee Brewers acquired catcher
Omar Narvaez from the Mariners on Thursday in exchange for minor league pitcher Adam Hill and a competitive balance Round B draft pick. The left-handed hitting Narvaez, 27, had a career year for Seattle in 2019, hitting .278 with 22 home runs and 55 RBI in 132 games. He'll effectively replace
Yasmani Grandal as Milwaukee's catcher after Grandal signed with the White Sox last month. While Narvaez is one of the better hitting catchers, he had a .994 fielding percentage and threw out 13 of 71 base stealers (18 percent).
Manny Pina, who hit .228 with seven homers and 25 RBI in 76 games last year, should back up Narvaez. Narvaez will have plenty of fantasy appeal in hitter-friendly Milwaukee in single-catcher leagues, while
Tom Murphy should be the starting catcher in Seattle now that Narvaez is out of the picture.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
1 day agoNew Orleans Saints quarterback
Drew Brees will face an extremely tough test in Week 14 against the San Francisco 49ers. Here's where the
49ers Defense ranks in several key categories: 45 sacks, second in the league, 134.2 pass yards allowed per game, first in the league and 29.4 pass attempts allowed, second in the league. Brees will potentially have to take on this fearsome pass rush without his starting offensive tackles, Andrus Peat (forearm) and Terron Armstead (ankle). Even in the offensive-friendly Superdome, Brees isn't dropping back to pass 40 times against this defense. Expect a more run-oriented gameplan from New Orleans, making Brees more of a QB2 this week.
--Tim Capurso - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
1 day agoMinnesota Vikings wide receiver
Adam Thielen (hamstring) is not practicing for the second straight day this week on Thursday. As of now, it's looking like Thielen can't be trusted to return in Week 14 against the Lions in a good matchup. Keep him locked to your bench unless something changes with his status on Friday.
Stefon Diggs,
Kyle Rudolph and
Olabisi Johnson should remain the top three passing targets if Thielen misses another contest. Diggs went for seven catches and 143 yards in the last matchup with Detroit, so he'll be a high-end WR2 regardless of whether Thielen plays. Rudolph has become a touchdown hog with Thielen out of the lineup.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: St. Paul Pioneer Press - Chris Tomasson
1 day agoJacksonville Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack (knee) is going on season-ending Injured Reserve on Thursday, according to a source. It's a big blow to Jacksonville's already weak run defense, especially with Chargers running backs
Melvin Gordon and
Austin Ekeler coming to town in Week 14. The 24-year-old Jack totaled 66 tackles, half a sack and one interception in his 11 games this year for Jacksonville. Fantasy owners shouldn't be using the
Jaguars Defense in the first round of the fantasy playoffs despite facing a slumping Chargers offense.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
1 day agoIndianapolis Colts kicker
Adam Vinatieri (knee) is on the injury report for Week 14 against the Buccaneers after his knee flared up in warmups this past Sunday. Vinatieri missed all three of his attempts from 55, 52 and 46 yards on Sunday, with two of them getting blocked. With Indy claiming kicker
Chase McLaughlin off waivers on Wednesday, Vinatieri's status is very much up in the air for this Sunday. Vinatieri was limited in practice on Wednesday and isn't a good fantasy option, even if he's active this weekend. McLaughlin could become a worthy streaming consideration if he fills in at all for Vinatieri in the last four games.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: 1070 The Fan - Kevin Bowen
1 day agoLos Angeles Rams tight end
Gerald Everett (knee) did not practice on Wednesday. Everett missed the game last week and is in danger of sitting again in Week 14 against the Seahawks on Sunday night. If that is the case,
Tyler Higbee, who caught seven of eight targets for 107 yards and a touchdown in Week 13, would be a low-end TE1 option again for fantasy owners struggling at the position in the first week of the fantasy playoffs. Everett will need to at least get in a limited practice on Thursday or Friday to have a shot at returning to the field this weekend.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: TheRams.com
1 day agoNew York Giants tight ends
Evan Engram (foot) and
Rhett Ellison (concussion) and wide receiver
Golden Tate (concussion) are all practicing on Thursday. All three players have a chance of returning on Monday night against the Eagles, but they'll be tough calls in fantasy if they carry questionable designations and are game-time calls. Engram has disappointed this year because of injury, but he'll immediately return to being a TE1 if he's active. Tate's return would be good news for quarterback
Eli Manning, who will likely start for
Daniel Jones (ankle), but it will hurt
Sterling Shepard's upside as a WR2 in a great matchup. Ellison would only be fantasy relevant if he starts and Engram sits. Philly's defense won't be as great of a streamer if New York gets all their offensive weapons back.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN New York - Jordan Raanan
1 day agoNew York Giants rookie quarterback
Daniel Jones (ankle) is not practicing on Thursday and is doing leg work in a boot with a trainer on the side. Dealing with a mild high ankle sprain, Jones is a long shot to suit up on Monday night against the Eagles and could also miss Week 15. It means that veteran
Eli Manning will get another start in Week 14 against an old foe in the Eagles. Philly's secondary has plenty of concerns and was just roasted by the Dolphins. The G-Men could be getting both
Evan Engram and
Golden Tate back as well, but Manning remains a low-upside QB2 if he gets the start, as expected, on Monday.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN New York - Jordan Raanan
1 day agoDallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch (neck) missed practice all week and has been ruled out for Thursday night against the Bears. Also out are safety Jeff Heath (shoulder) and defensive tackle Antwaun Woods (knee). Vander Esch is dealing with a pretty serious injury that could send him to Injured Reserve any day now. It's bad news for the interior of Dallas' defense, but Sean Lee is more than capable of picking up the slack if he can stay healthy himself. Vander Esch's absence is good news for the Bears ground game and running backs
David Montgomery and
Tarik Cohen on Thursday night.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: DallasCowboys.com
1 day agoDallas Cowboys rookie running back
Tony Pollard (ankle) missed practice Tuesday and Wednesday and is questionable for Thursday night against the Bears. Pollard has just 58 carries for 264 yards and one touchdown on the season on the ground as the backup to
Ezekiel Elliott, so he doesn't really have any standalone value to begin with. He has added 12 catches for 90 yards and a touchdown this year. Consider him a game-time decision against Chicago, but he should be nowhere near fantasy lineups to begin with.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: DallasCowboys.com
1 day agoPittsburgh Steelers wide receiver
JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) is unlikely to return in Week 14 against the Cardinals. Fantasy owners that own Smith-Schuster shouldn't be counting on him for their lineups in the first week of the fantasy playoffs. He might not even be a lock to make it back in time for Week 15. The bottom line is that Smith-Schuster has been one of the biggest WR busts in fantasy this year due to injury and the fact that
Ben Roethlisberger (elbow) was hurt early in the season.
James Washington continues to be the top wideout in Smith-Schuster's absence, but he'll be a volatile WR3 with
Devlin Hodges at quarterback.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: CBS Sports - Jason La Canfora
1 day agoThe Kansas City Chiefs placed running back
Darrel Williams (hamstring) on season-ending Injured Reserve on Thursday. In corresponding moves, defensive back Alex Brown was added to the 53-man roster and wide receiver Gehrig Dieter was signed to the practice squad. With Williams done for the year and
Damien Williams (ribs) questionable to play in Week 14 against the Patriots, the Chiefs backfield might be down to
LeSean McCoy,
Darwin Thompson and
Spencer Ware this Sunday. The Chiefs have been limiting Shady's repetitions to keep him fresh for the stretch run, so Thompson could have a sizeable role this weekend if Williams doesn't play. Consider McCoy on the RB2/3 borderline, while Thompson could be a fantasy wild card in both DFS and season-long leagues.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Chiefs Twitter
1 day agoThe New York
Jets Defense has a good matchup on paper in Week 14. However, fantasy owners may want to think twice before starting this unit in the playoffs. The Dolphins have been a punch line most of this season but have actually won three of their last five games, scoring 20-plus points in four of those games. The Miami offense has looked good led by former Jets QB
Ryan Fitzpatrick who said he's feeling confident after hanging 37 points on the Eagles last week. The Jets defense was picked apart by Bengals QB
Andy Dalton last week and now will likely be without stud safety Jamal Adams (ankle). The Jets could be used as a low-end starter, but other streaming defenses are likely to outperform Gang Green this week.
--Mike Schwarzenbach - RotoBallerSource: Rich Cimini
1 day agoNew York Jets wide receiver
Demaryius Thomas was limited in Wednesday's practice with a hamstring injury. This is nothing new for the veteran wide receiver who has been limited in most practices this season, but hasn't missed any game action since September. Thomas will be active and play for the Jets this Sunday, but fantasy owners don't need to follow suit. Thomas has just one game in his last six with more than five targets and hasn't done much with the limited work he's getting. Starting QB Sam Darnold has been throwing more to Robby Anderson and
Jamison Crowder in recent weeks with Thomas fading to fantasy obscurity, even in a good matchup with Miami.
--Mike Schwarzenbach - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
1 day agoAtlanta Falcons kicker
Younghoe Koo has earned at least three field goal attempts in each of his four games with the Falcons. He's hit 12-of-14 attempts on the year. This week, the Falcons face the Panthers in a game that should feature a good amount of scoring. Expect Koo to have the opportunity to hit two or three field goals in the game with some extra-points as well, making him a strong starting kicker option this week.
--Andrew Ericksen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
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