NFL Player News

The Rams get this pick and No. 243 in exchange for the 162nd and 167th picks. Gaines (6’1/312) made 47 starts on the Huskies’ defensive line, amassing 20.5 career tackles for loss with 9.5 sacks and a forced fumble. PFF College graded Gaines as its No. 1 defensive tackle in the Pac 12 last season, and he earned the 2018 Morris Trophy as the conference’s top defensive lineman. Gaines was not only the Pac 12’s top-graded run-stopping IDL, but he also led all Pac 12 iDLs in QB pressures (45). Just a 37th-percentile SPARQ athlete, Gaines’ pass-rush production is unlikely to translate smoothly, and he is likely to max out as a rotational, mostly early-down nose tackle in the pros with limited length (31 ¼-inch arms) and explosion.

This marks O’Connell’s second Week 15 DNP. He still has a chance to suit up for Monday Night Football if he can at least participate in a limited capacity on Saturday but the only positive thus far is his Wednesday walkthrough participation. Fantasy managers should plan to be without the QB2/3 for now.

It’s not exactly the most exciting revenge game narrative, but Boyd will be active to face the Bengals, with whom he spent the first eight years of his career. The long-time slot receiver was a DNP with a foot injury earlier this week, but the Titans have not ruled out any players ahead of Sunday’s game. Boyd might luck into a touchdown against his former team if the Titans prioritize getting him the ball in certain areas of the field, but there’s no fantasy upside to be had here.

This is quite the turn of events for Hall, who did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday and was reportedly “struggling a bit” with his injury as recently as Wednesday. The Jets’ RB1 will be listed as questionable heading into the weekend, but Ulbrich appears optimistic about Hall’s chances to suit up on Sunday. We’ll believe it when we see it, but for now, fantasy managers who were planning to stream Braelon Allen or Isaiah Davis will want to have backup plans in place in the event Hall is able to go.

Pollard was not spotted at practice this week, but there doesn’t appear to be any concern about his Week 15 availability. Head coach Brian Callahan said after Friday’s practice that they don’t have a player ruled out, suggesting Pollard will be there. Pollard ran 21 times for 102 scoreless yards in last week’s loss to the Jaguars and has posted 100-plus yard performances in two of his last three games. The veteran running back should find plenty of room to run against a Bengals defense that’s ranked 27th in yards allowed and 29th in points allowed this season. He’ll make for a nice volume-based RB2 with a chance at returning RB1 numbers.

Folk has been dealing with a groin injury this week but hasn’t missed a game due to the injury. The 40-year-old kicker has converted on 21-of-22 field goals this season while making all 22 of his extra point attempts and should be available for Week 15’s game against the Bengals.

Coker was emerging as a weekly splash-play threat before going down with the quad injury in Week 10. Head coach Dave Canales told reporters Coker was “attacking his routes” in practice earlier this week. It sounds like he won’t have any limitations on Sunday, putting him on the WR5/6 radar for Week 15.

Horn suffered the groin injury in the Panthers’ Week 14 loss to the Eagles. He was limited in all three practices this week before drawing the questionable tag. Carolina’s top corner has 12 pass breakups and one interception this year.

With Jonathon Brooks and Miles Sanders on injured reserve, Blackshear is in line for RB2 duties in Carolina if healthy. Recently signed Velus Jones is listed as a receiver by the Panthers but played some running back with the Bears before being cut. He would seemingly be the team’s backup without Blackshear, though Mike Boone is also waiting in the wings on the practice squad. All of this is to say, expect plenty of Chuba Hubbard to close out the year.

Smith will miss another game for personal reasons. Rookie swing tackle Matt Goncalves has made starts at both left and right tackle this year. He will take Smith’s place in the lineup versus Denver.

Lions did not practice all week after sustaining a knee injury in the Bills’ Week 14 loss to the Rams. The veteran corner has started in every game for the Bills this season, earning a PFF coverage grade of 59.2 while allowing 36 receptions for 446 yards and three touchdowns on 48 targets. With Douglas sidelined who saw an increased role in last week’s game. In addition to Douglas, the Bills have also said safeties Taylor Rapp (neck/shoulder) and Damar Hamlin (back/ribs), and defensive end Dawuane Smoot (wrist) are all questionable for Week 15.