NFL Player News

Shembo was a standout college pass rusher in Notre Dame’s 3-4 scheme, but lacks edge-bending ability and would be best suited for a rotational role in the pros. The Falcons are quietly switching to more of a 3-4 this year, and lack established outside pass rushers. Shembo has lots of opportunity in Atlanta.

Jackson went down in the second quarter of Sunday’s game and did not return to the field. The veteran corner was ruled out at the start of the second half and was replaced by James Pierre. Jackson was acquired by the Steelers over the summer in a trade that sent Diontae Johnson to the Panthers. He has started all 14 games he’s appeared in this season, earning a PFF coverage grade of 50.4 while allowing 32 receptions for 396 yards and three touchdowns.

One week after seeming to move clear ahead of Kareem Hunt on the depth chart, Pacheco got out-carried 14-13. Although neither back was effective, Hunt was more so, and it was the veteran who took the lead in the second half as the Chiefs attempted to grind out the victory. That they did, though not without losing Patrick Mahomes to an ankle injury. It doesn’t seem serious, but Mahomes could be held out for Saturday’s short-week matchup with the Texans. Pacheco will be a FLEX option of questionable floor and uncertain ceiling for Week 16.

The tight ends became heavily utilized with Mason Rudolph entering the game amidst Will Levis’ benching. Whyle was tied for third on the team with five targets, catching Rudolph’s last pass of the game for a touchdown as time expired in the fourth quarter. Whyle remains off fantasy radars as the Titans figure out their quarterback situation.

With the Chiefs trying to bludgeon a non-competitive Browns team on the ground and get in and get out of Cleveland with a victory, Hunt saw his carries count improve from five to 13 even as Isiah Pacheco handled 13 totes of his own. Hunt was closer than Pacheco to feature back status for the second half as the Chiefs simply wound down the clock. Now with Patrick Mahomes battling an ankle injury on a short week, the backfield will undoubtedly be a Saturday emphasis against the Texans. Not enough to get Hunt close to the top 24, but “desperation FLEX” is probably achievable.

Operating as the team’s No. 3 wideout, Slayton doesn’t have much of a path to consistent fantasy production in the New York offense. With only five receptions over his past three games, Slayton can be safely left on waiver wires ahead of the Giants’ Week 16 game against the Falcons.

Westbrook-Ikhine’s run of deep touchdowns has soured with Will Levis struggling and Mason Rudolph coming in against the Bengals. He has totaled just three catches for 28 yards over his last two games and can be returned to fantasy benches. Westbrook-Ikhine is a boom-or-bust WR5 for Week 16 against the Colts.

Boyd had another quiet stat-line, with the bulk of his production coming from a first half 40-yard reception. His only other catch was for a loss of a yard and he remains unproductive for fantasy purposes. Boyd should only be on fantasy radars in deeper leagues.

Backup Luke Schoonmaker didn’t see a target in this game. Despite nixing any notions of a tight end room by committee, Ferguson hasn’t put up usable fantasy numbers in two games since returning from the concussion he suffered in Week 11. He went for 32 yards on three grabs last week and his already-modest numbers took a hit versus the Panthers. Ferguson should be treated as a low-end TE2 until he turns things around, which may not happen before the end of the fantasy season.

Ford’s first 100-yard performance of the entire season came as Nick Chubb departed with a third quarter foot injury. Chubb’s issue has since been revealed as a fracture, making Ford the RB1 for the season’s final three weeks. 62 of his yards this afternoon came on a third quarter house call where he cut back outside and found the edge sealed by strong blocking. With Chubb down, D’Onta Foreman will return from the healthy scratch list, but Ford will be firmly in the RB2 mix against the Bengals. That’s if Cleveland sticks with Jameis Winston under center. Dorian Thompson-Robinson would threaten to make the Browns’ offense non-functional.