NFL Player News

An honorable mention All-Pac-12 interior defender for the Utes, Barton was drafted and announced as an offensive tackle in the seventh round Saturday. Indy’s practice squad is a likely destination in his first year given his lack of leverage and inability to protect from inside moves and rush counters.

With no practices being held on Christmas, it’s hard to say how much this phantom DNP means. McLaurin has not been listed on the injury report because of the ankle issue before this week, so it appears to be a new injury. It’s a waiting game for fantasy managers counting on Washington’s top receiver this week. Should he miss Sunday’s game, Olamide Zaccheaus, Dyami Brown, and Jamison Crowder would serve as Jayden Daniels’ top receivers for Week 17.

The Jets didn’t practice today, so Thursday’s report will be more telling. Adams is no stranger to rest days, so he could be unphased by the issue come game-time. Should he miss Week 17, Garrett Wilson would dominate the targets for the final week of the fantasy season. Allen Lazard would also see an uptick in opportunities.

The Eagles didn’t host a practice because of the holidays, but Hurts would not have been out there if this was a normal week. Philly’s superstar passer is at real risk of missing Week 17 after sustaining a game-ending concussion last week. Kenny Pickett, who was estimated as limited because of a rib injury, is in line to start this week. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere for streaming quarterback production this week. Pickett threw for 143 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in relief of Hurts last week.

Walker did not practice this week and even the Seahawks, known for their injury optimism, couldn’t give him a token questionable tag. Zach Charbonnet, who was on the injury report with an elbow issue but is good to go, will draw the start this week. Walker missed Week 15 with a calf issue and Charbonnet made good on an RB1 workload with 22 carries for 134 yards and two scores. He also totaled 59 yards on seven receptions. Walker is an unquestioned RB1 for the final week of the fantasy season.

Austin had gone for 65 yards in his previous two contests, but didn’t even reach the halfway point of that mark in the blowout loss. The 25-year-old did most of his damage in the second half, and damage might be too strong of a word. Austin will be in the WR5 vicinity for the final game of the regular season against the Bengals.

It looked like it might be a big game for Pickens in his return from his hamstring injury, as he hauled in an early 41-yard reception to put the Steelers into the red zone. He was not a factor from that point on, as there was more head-shaking from Pickens on the sideline than receptions. Pickens offers a great deal of volatility, and that will remain the case for Week 18 against the Bengals.

Freiermuth was the leader in targets, receptions and receiving yards for the Steelers. Unfortunately, he lost a fumble that essentially put the game away with Pittsburgh trailing by two scores at the time. He was also the target of Russell Wilson’s interception in the end zone. Freiermuth is a “high-end” TE2 for Week 18 against the Bengals.

Warren had a rushing touchdown wiped away by an unnecessary hold by Darnell Washington. Still, it was a solid game for the 26-year-old, and he looked much more effective than Najee Harris’ who’s 74 yards are boosted by garbage time runs in a three-score game. Warren should again be involved in a substantial Week 18 contest against the Bengals.

This statline doesn’t look bad — on the contrary, really — but don’t let it fool you: for the overwhelming majority of this game, Harris was wholly ineffective. A couple of good runs at the very end of a three-score game boost this statline. Fantasy managers shouldn’t care if they had Harris in their lineup, but Jaylen Warren (11-for-74, five catches for 41 yards) was the far more effective tailback. Harris and Steelers finish the regular season against the Bengals in Week 18.

Even on a day where Patrick Mahomes was able to throw for 320 yards and three scores, Hopkins was a non-factor in the Kansas City passing attack. It’s hard to watch for those who remember him being one of — if not the — best receivers in the world. He and the Chiefs have clinched homefield advantage, however, so it’s possible Hopkins will get a ring even while being the fifth option at best in this passing attack.