NFL Player News

The second-team AP All-American Johnson (6'0/195) played through a torn labrum in 2019 that will require surgery now that the NFL Scouting Combine testing has concluded. Zierlein writes “Johnson is built for press, with the size, length and athleticism to force receivers to work harder getting into their routes.” His criticisms steam from occasional overreactions that lead to him lunging while his feet get jittery and impatient at times. Overall Zierlein views Johnson as “a physical press corner with off-man ability whose anticipation and ball skills should continue to help him make plays as a CB1 and first-round pick.”

Otton begins Week 17 the same way he began Week 16; with two missed practices. Otton managed to practice in a limited capacity last Friday before being ruled out for Week 16. His Week 17 status could still go either way but his lack of progress is concerning. Fantasy managers should expect him to miss another game.

Duggar did not practice on Tuesday or Wednesday but was upgraded to a limited participant on Thursday. The veteran safety played through an ankle injury in last week’s loss to the Bills, but the quad injury appears to be something new. In addition to Duggaer, the Patriots also listed safety Jabrill Peppers, LB Sione Takitaki, and offensive tackle Caedan Wallace as questionable, while ruling out cornerback Marcus Jones (hip).

Beat reporter Nick Wagoner expects Guerendo to be counted as a limited participant on Thursday, which bodes positively for Guerenedo’s Week 17 Monday Night Football availability. Guerendo was unable to play in Week 16, sidelined all week by his two lower-body injuries. Patrick Taylor Jr. would likely become a fantasy non-factor if Guerendo is active.

Thielen popped up on Thursday’s report with a hamstring injury. It’s not known at this time if this is the same hamstring that sidelined him for nearly two months earlier this season, but a late addition to the team’s injury report undoubtedly draws his Week 17 availability into question. Thielen’s status will be one to keep an eye on when Friday’s injury report is released. He and Xavier Legette (wrist/hip) are both dealing with injuries and would leave the Panthers thin at the position if both players cannot suit up.

Legette was listed as a full participant on Wednesday, so Thursday’s limited designation is technically a downgrade. That said, Legette has been playing through his wrist injury for years, per Legette, but the hip injury is likely related to the groin issue that sidelined him in Week 16’s win over the Cardinals. We’ll have a better sense of Legette’s Week 17 availability when the team releases its final injury report on Friday, but if he’s unable to play, both Adam Thielen and Jalen Coker would stand to benefit from his absence.

Hubbard being listed as limited is an upgrade from Wednesday’s DNP. The Panthers’ do-it-all back should be good to go for Week 17’s game against the Buccaneers, but we’ll see how things look when the final injury report is released on Friday. If he can’t play, the Panthers could be looking at Mike Boone as their starter, with Miles Sanders still on injured reserve.

Richardson has not practiced this week, but according to Holder, the team says Richardson “has made consistent progress and is responding to treatment” to the injuries currently sidelining him. If he can’t start, Joe Flacco will make his fifth start of the season and his first since Week 10 when he threw for 272-2-3 in a loss to the Bills. We’ll see how things go for Richardson in the team’s final tune-up of the week, but despite his two DNPs, his chances of playing are greater than we would be left to assume.

When LaFleur was asked whether Alexander had better odds of suiting up this week, after missing five straight games, LaFleur responded, “I’d say probably not.” It’s a tough absence for the Packers to game plan around, with the Vikings’ efficient passing attack up next.

This was expected after Greenlaw reported some discomfort in his surgically repaired Achilles following his return to action in Week 15. Greenlaw totaled nine tackles on 34 defensive snaps and will look to continue strengthening his Achilles in hopes of a complete return in 2025.