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16:13

DEN-LAC could have major playoff implications

Mike Florio and Chris Simms explain why a lot is on the line for both the Chargers and the Broncos on TNF in Week 16 and how injuries will be a big factor.

2024 NASCAR season in review: Brad Keselowski

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Hollywood Brown

KC Wide Receiver #5

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ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports the Chiefs plan to activate Hollywood Brown for Week 16 against the Texans.

Brown suffered what was once believed to be a season-ending shoulder injury in the Chiefs’ first preseason game and hasn’t been heard from since. Now, the speedy receiver will make his long-awaited debut with the team on Saturday against the Texans, providing what should be a much-needed boost to the offense. Reports out of training camp suggested Brown and Patrick Mahomes were developing a good rapport with one another before Brown’s injury. He’s too risky a bet for fantasy managers to count on in Week 16 outside of deep leagues, but a solid target share/route participation rate could make him an intriguing dart thrown in Week 17 against the Steelers.
Rashod Bateman

BAL Wide Receiver #7

Rashod Bateman (foot) was limited in Wednesday’s practice.

There’s nothing worse than a mid-week addition to the injury report, especially for a player with an injury history as extensive as Bateman’s. The Ravens play on Saturday meaning their first injury report of the week dropped yesterday. Bateman was not on it. With Diontae Johnson excused from the team this week and Nelson Agholor in concussion protocol, the Ravens may be down to Tylan Wallace and Devontez Walker in three-receiver sets for Week 16’s game versus the Steelers.
Justin Herbert

LAC Quarterback #10

Justin Herbert (ankle) was removed from the injury report and will play in Week 16 against the Broncos.

Herbert has played through a myriad of injuries this year and will do so again this week after being upgraded to a full practice on Wednesday. He suffered a thigh contusion and an ankle sprain in Week 14 but played through both issues last week, so his status for Thursday’s game was never at risk. Herbert sits on the QB1/2 border for a tough matchup with a tough Denver defense this week.
Patrick Mahomes

KC Quarterback #15

Patrick Mahomes (ankle) practiced in full on Wednesday.

This is another gentle step in the right direction for Mahomes, who practiced in full on Tuesday as well. Fantasy managers should currently expect him to play though the game plan will likely be built around quick-hitting routes and a high-volume rushing attack. He remains a QB1 nonetheless.
Isaac Guerendo

SF Running Back #31

Isaac Guerendo (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday.

Guerendo played through a foot injury last week. He was listed as questionable for the Thursday tilt, played, and saw all 16 of the team’s running back carries. The hamstring issue is a new one that likely didn’t come up until after the game, given Guerendo’s every-down role. If he can’t suit up this week, the 49ers will be down to their fifth-string running back Patrick Taylor. San Francisco called him up from the practice squad after both Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason went on injured reserve. Taylor is worth an add in all leagues, though we should expect to see some Israel Abanikanda and possibly Ke’Shawn Vaughn if Guerendo is out.
Mason Rudolph

TEN Quarterback #11

Titans coach Brian Callahan announced Mason Rudolph will start in Week 16 against the Colts.

Callahan told reporters that Rudolph could start the remaining three games, but the team is taking things week by week. Will Levis was benched last week after throwing three interceptions on just 12 attempts. The implosion left Callahan with no choice but to return to Rudolph. The journeyman turned things around, throwing for 209 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception in a losing effort to the Bengals. While Rudolph isn’t a starting-caliber passer, his floor is notably higher than that of Levis. He should be able to stabilize Calvin Ridley as a WR3 to close out the year. Rudolph himself is not on the fantasy radar for Week 16, even in Superflex leagues.
Sincere McCormick

LV Running Back #28

Raiders placed RB Sincere McCormick (ankle) on injured reserve.

McCormick will miss the remainder of the season while on injured reserve after going down with an ankle injury in the Raiders’ Week 15 loss to the Falcons. It’s a frustrating end for a player who was finally making headway in the pros. McCormick entered the league as a UDFA in 2022 and spent the entire year on injured reserve. He didn’t make the Raiders’ final roster in either of the next two seasons but was called up from their practice squad earlier this year. He ran for 183 yards on 39 carries across five appearances while adding 29 yards on six receptions. Based on both the eye test and the efficiency metrics, McCormick was easily the team’s best running back. McCormick could hang around as a depth option in 2025, but the Raiders are all but guaranteed to invest heavily in the running back position in the offseason.
Drew Lock

NYG Quarterback #2

Giants head coach Brian Daboll said Drew Lock will start in Week 16 against the Falcons.

Lock was limited in Wednesday’s practice with heel and elbow injuries, but the fact that he was already named the starter means neither is expected to be an issue. Tommy DeVito sustained a brain injury in Week 15 against the Ravens, opening the door for another Lock start in a miserable Giants season. Lock has been worse than usual as New York’s starter, completing 50 percent of his pass attempts for zero touchdowns and two interceptions on 90 attempts. Lock’s insertion into the New York lineup is bad news for Malik Nabers and the rest of the Giants pass catchers. Tim Boyle will likely serve as Lock’s backup and could very well see playing time if (when) Lock struggles against Atlanta.
Younghoe Koo

ATL Kicker #6

Falcons placed K Younghoe Koo (undisclosed) on injured reserve.

Koo, who has battled through a lingering hip injury, reportedly re-injured himself on a 42-yard field goal attempt in Week 15 against the Raiders. It’s not clear if he aggravated the existing hip issue. In any case, Koo’s disappointing 2024 campaign is over. Koo missed nine of his 34 field goal attempts this season, making him one of the league’s most inaccurate kickers. It was a down year for a veteran who had been one of the game’s most reliable kickers since joining the Falcons in 2019. Riley Patterson is in line to kick for Atlanta in Week 16 and beyond.
Cedric Tillman

CLE Wide Receiver #19

Browns WR Cedric Tillman remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that he’s hopeful Tillman can return in Week 16 against the Bengals. A limited practice on Wednesday is a step in the right direction but doesn’t guarantee he plays this week. That Tillman, who suffered a brain injury in early December, remains in the concussion protocol is a concerning sign for the second-year wideout. Even if Tillman suits up this week against the Bengals, he won’t hold much fantasy interest with Dorian Thompson-Robinson taking over at QB for Jameis Winston.

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Morris: Penix hasn’t thrown much to starters

December 19, 2024 08:05 AM

Mike Florio and Chris Simms discuss how the Falcons didn’t give Michael Penix Jr. many reps with the starters prior to this point and how he’ll navigate high-pressure situations after being out of the mix.

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