NFL Player News

A utility lineman with the ability to play both guard and center, Patterson notably started every game (24) in his final two seasons at left guard for the Rebels. Given coach Frank Reich’s insistent pounding at the table to make the running game a priority this offseason, it makes sense Patterson’s body control and foot quickness landed on the Colts’ interior. He’ll compete as a reserve this upcoming year.

Njoku tweaked his knee in Week 16 against the Bengals and failed to practice at any point this week. With the Browns easily out of the playoff hunt, there’s no reason to rush the ailing tight end back. His status for Week 18 is now up in the air as well. Jordan Akins will start in his place this week but is not on the fantasy radar.

London was upgraded to a full participant in Friday’s practice before being cleared for Week 17. He left the Falcons’ Week 16 win over the Giants with the knee issue and did not return, though that was largely because Atlanta already had the game in hand. London is back in the WR2 ranks for his date with Washington this week.

Richardson was a DNP all week, making it highly unlikely that he would play in Week 17’s game against the Giants, but Steichen is clearly leaving the door open. Joe Flacco has worked all week with the starters and would be in line to make his fifth start of the season, which would provide a boost to all Colts playmakers in the fantasy championship. History isn’t on Richardson’s side with three-straight DNPs on the ledger, but like Steichen, we’ll wait and see how things go in the coming days.

Head coach Dave Canales said after Friday’s practice that the team expects Hubbard to play in Week 17 despite the questionable designation. The Panthers’ RB1 will be in line for another solid workload for this week’s fantasy championship matchups and should be fired up in all formats as a fringe RB1/RB2.

Thielen popped up on Thursday’s injury report with a hamstring issue but was removed from the report on Friday. Whatever he was dealing with appears to be a minor concern at this point in time, as the Panthers’ veteran WR1 will be good to go against the Bucs. Thielen continues to soak up targets even in his age-34 season. In his last four games he’s caught 27-of-34 targets for 295 yards and two touchdowns and has finished as a top-24 PPR receiver in three of those games. He’ll profile as a WR3 with strong upside against the Buccaneers’ leaky pass defense.

Despite being listed as questionable, head coach Dave Canales has said the plan is for Legette to play against the Buccaneers. The rookie receiver hasn’t found the end zone since Week 9 and hasn’t had a top-24 PPR week since Week 4. With Adam Thielen also back and soaking up targets, It’s hard to view Legette as anything more than a WR5 at this time.

Young popped up on Carolina’s injury report on Friday but was still listed as a full participant in practice. The decision to add him to Friday’s report is more a formality than a concern, and he does not carry an official game status into Sunday’s game against the Buccaneers. He’ll profile as QB2 in a game that could turn into a surprise shootout.

Horn was a DNP all week and seems highly unlikely to play despite a doubtful tag that leaves an ounce of optimism. Horn played through a groin injury last week, but this week’s hip injury is likely going to prove too much to play through. In addition to Horn, OT Taylor Moton (knee) is also doubtful, while linebacker Josey Jewell (concussion/quad) and cornerback Chau Smith-Wade (illness/chest) have both been ruled out.

Head coach Todd Bowles said Otton, along with wide receiver Sterling Shepard (hamstring/foot) and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (knee) will also miss Week 17’s contest. The Buccaneers find themselves in a must-win situation against the Panthers if they hope to keep their playoff hopes alive. The absence of Otton and Shepard should lead to an increased target share for Jalen McMillan, who has found the end zone in three straight games, and will also open the door for Payne Durham to make another start. Durham caught 5-of-7 targets for 29 yards in last week’s loss to the Cowboys, but will be hard to trust as anything more than a boom-or-bust TE2 against the Panthers.

According to Fowler, Higgins “improved every day in practice” before drawing a questionable tag on Thursday’s final injury report. The Bengals need all hands on deck as they continue to fight for what little playoff hopes they have left. Higgins played through an ankle injury that he suffered late in last week’s win over the Browns, and would profile as a WR2 against the Broncos if he’s able to suit up.