NFL Player News

The Bears will face a Panthers team without its top corner, so it’s a shame Chicago can’t protect Jay Cutler enough to capitalize. For Carolina, expect Captain Munnerlyn and Darius Butler to start with Jordan Pugh at nickel back.

Lazard could return to action as soon as this week against Miami. He’s been on injured reserve since late October with a chest injury the Jets have described as “strange” in nature. His return to the New York lineup would mean a reduced role for rookie Malachi Corley, who has five targets over the team’s past three games. Lazard likely won’t be fantasy relevant in 12-team leagues.

Lawrence is in the NFL’s concussion protocol after sustaining a brain injury in Week 13 against the Texans on a dirty, late hit. There’s next to no chance Lawrence suits up this week against the Titans, leaving Mac Jones to get another start for Jacksonville. Jones has completed 62 percent of his passes for two touchdowns and three interceptions in 2024.

The Eagles are expected to be without Dallas Goedert (knee) this week and perhaps for a while thereafter. Uzomah should be active for Week 14 against the Panthers while Grant Calcattera operates as the team’s No. 1 tight end. Calcaterra has been somewhat productive in his 2024 starts and profiles as a desperation fantasy option in the run-heavy Eagles offense.

Reader picked up the shoulder injury last week and appears iffy for Thursday night’s game against the Packers. He’s one of several Detroit defensive starters in doubt for Week 14. DL Josh Pascal (knee) missed Tuesday’s practice, as did DL Levi Onwuzurike (hamstring). The Lions’ defensive injuries could be a boon for Jordan Love and the Green Bay offense on a short week.

Jacobs was limited during Tuesday’s practice. The injury, per Rapoport, is “nagging more than anything else” and should not sideline him for Thursday’s crucial matchup against the Lions. “As of right now, it’s not something to get worked up about,” Rapoport said. Jacobs, who has a whopping 71 touches over his past three games, will be a volume-based RB1 against Detroit, one of the toughest run defenses in the NFL.

“Ekeler doesn’t remember walking off the field or anything until getting into the ambulance going to the hospital. The veteran RB said he had similar memory loss after Week 3 concussion at Cincy,” writes The Athletic’s Ben Standig. Ekeler added: “Am I more susceptible to a third now that I’ve had two and the severity of mine? It’s a learning process for me because I’ve never had anything this bad and twice in the same season.” Ekeler will remain on injured reserve until Week 18 at the earliest. He’s talking like a man who isn’t sure he’ll come back even for a potential Commanders playoff game.

Vaughn had already been on the 49ers practice squad earlier this year, so it’s not surprising they went back to him with their two main backs suddenly on injured reserve. There is no reason to jump the gun on adding Vaughn to your fantasy team. The 27-year-old veteran has not had an NFL carry this season yet.

The Broncos had to either activate Reynolds off IR or end his season, so instead they let him go free. Reynolds’ two-year contract makes it unlikely he’ll be claimed off waivers. The 29-year-old will be free to sign with whoever he wants if he makes it off waivers. His short-lived Broncos career ends with a 12/183/1 line in five games.

Abanikanda will join Issac Guerendo as a healthy member of the San Francisco 49ers running back room. The Pittsburgh product had a 22/70/0 rushing line in six games last season and will probably be worked in slowly behind Guerendo and perhaps practice-squad back Patrick Taylor. No reason to go wild on Abanikanda off waivers, Guerendo is the one you want for fantasy purposes.

Merriweather was lost in a roster crunch in November, and the Buccaneers are bringing him back with Jordan Whitehead and Mike Edwards dealing with injuries. He has two career starts and 24 tackles in 25 games with the Bucs so far in his career.