NFL Player News

Fewell did say he anticipates “competition” at MIKE, naming Mark Herzlich, Greg Jones, and Keith Rivers as Blackburn’s competitors. Blackburn is more of a fill-in, replacement-level middle linebacker, though he is an adequate run stuffer. It sounds like Michael Boley is staying on the weak side for now.

This is a new injury for Tagovailoa and it is unclear as to when it occurred. Hopefully, this is something he has already been rehabbing and will not impact his game-day availability. Thursday’s injury report should clarify things.

Otton popped up on the injury report with a knee issue, getting a non-participant estimation for Wednesday. It is still early in the week, but notable that Otton starts out with a DNP. The tight end has taken a backseat in the Bucs’ offense with Mike Evans back, but his status is worth monitoring for fantasy managers looking to start him in Week 16 against the Cowboys.

Mayfield was listed as DNP on the Bucs’ practice estimation for Wednesday. He has been dealing with a banged-up leg for the past few weeks, landing him on the injury report. However, he has been playing through it and it is likely Wednesday’s non-participation is just load management. Barring a setback, Mayfield is still on track to play Week 16 against the Cowboys.

Both Allen and fellow backup Isaiah Davis were limited by back injuries on Wednesday while starter Breece Hall was absent from the injury report after dealing with a multi-week knee injury. Allen suffered the injury during Week 15 play. His early-week participation bodes positively for his Week 16 availability.

Irving was listed as a limited participant in the Bucs’ Wednesday walkthrough. He has been dealing with back and hip injuries for a couple weeks and starting out the week limited is a good sign he is continuing to heal. Irving played through the injuries in Week 15 and fantasy managers can expect him to do the same Week 16, barring setbacks.

While Breece Hall is no longer listed on the injury report with a knee injury, both of his backups, Davis and Braelon Allen were limited by back injuries on Wednesday. It is unclear as to when Davis suffered the injury. This is a situation worth monitoring.

Lamb has been dealing with the shoulder injury, but has been playing through it the past couple of weeks. As such, his limited listing is workload management from the Cowboys and he should be good to go for Week 16. Fire him up in the WR1 mix against the Buccaneers.

Hot off of an overall TE2 finish in Week 15, Strange appears on Wednesday’s injury report. His limited participation is a net positive but Thursday should provide clarity as to when the injury occurred. He is a streaming TE1 if active.

O’Connell must only make it through the week setback-free to get the start against the Jaguars. O’Connell is just a mid-tier QB2 in this one but he at least stabilizes things for the Raiders’ pass catchers. Jakobi Meyers and Brock Bowers should return to their usual productivity levels.

Meyers made it through Weeks 14 and 15 without suffering any reported setbacks so he should be close to full health this week. With Aidan O’Connell (knee) potentially returning this week, Meyers is suddenly back in the WR3 conversation against the beleaguered Jaguars pass defense.