NFL Player News

Barber’s hope is to take on more pass-catching duties in 2021. First, he’ll need to beat out rookie Jaret Patterson and Lamar Miller for a roster spot. The Football Team used the veteran as a between the tackles banger last year, while J.D. McKissic absorbed most of the passing game work out of the backfield. Barber, 27, sometimes worked as Washington’s goal line back in 2020, much to the chagrin of Antonio Gibson drafters. Barber in 2020 had the second-fewest rushes (94), rushing yards (258), and rushing yards per game (16.1) of his five pro seasons. Barber, who saw double-digit carries in three late-season games while Gibson was sidelined with a toe injury, would hold some fantasy value should Gibson miss time in 2021. McKissic, meanwhile, is a lock to maintain pass-catching duties in the case of a Gibson injury.

The Bears have been decimated by offensive line injuries this season, so an injury to their starting left guard is nothing new. Jenkins previously missed a game with an ankle injury. Matt Pryor would likely be the next man up if Jenkins is out for Week 16. Fellow offensive linemen Ryan Bates and Braxton Jones also missed Wednesday’s practice with concussions.

Wednesday’s practice was only a walkthrough, so we’ll learn more when the team hosts their first full practice later this week. Still, a full estimation on the opening report suggests Johnson will clear concussion protocol by the end of the week. Johnson was stealing work from D’Andre Swift on passing downs and at the goal line before suffering the concussion. His return will push Swift deep into the RB3 ranks for his Week 16 matchup with Detroit.

Burns told reporters he had his ankled rolled on “pretty bad” on Sunday. He wasn’t spotted at Wednesday’s practice. His status for Week 16 is obviously in doubt. Even if he could push through the injury, the Giants have their sights set on the No. 1 overall pick, so there’s no reason to rush Burns back.

Campbell told reporters the team is in “waiting mode.” The Lions are seemingly delaying the inevitable with this being the third opinion Montgomery is seeking. We still expect him to end the year on injured reserve and undergo surgery on what was previously reported to be a torn MCL. The best-case scenario could be a return late in the postseason, but we’re not holding our breath. Jahmyr Gibbs should close out the season as the Lions’ top back, putting him in contention for the RB1 overall title over the final month of the year.

The Texans play on Saturday and will release their final injury report tomorrow, at which point Metchie appears likely to be ruled out. Xaver Hutchinson will take his place in the lineup but is not on the fantasy radar for Week 16.

Kelly returned to practice last week but did not play in Week 15 against the Broncos. He would be a much-needed addition to a Colts offensive line that has struggled to protect Anthony Richardson in recent weeks. This week the Colts face a Titans defense with a pass rush PFF grades as the NFL’s fifth worst.

Prater will practice with the Cardinals this week and has a chance to suit up in Week 16 against the Panthers. Chad Ryland would continue kicking for Arizona if Prater, who suffered a knee injury in October, needs another week of practice before returning to action. The Panthers are allowing the fourth most field goal tries this season.

Tommy DeVito sustained a brain injury in Week 15 against the Ravens, opening the door for another Lock start in a miserable Giants season. Lock has been worse than usual as New York’s starter, completing 50 percent of his pass attempts for zero touchdowns and two interceptions on 90 attempts. Lock’s insertion into the New York lineup is bad news for Malik Nabers and the rest of the Giants pass catchers. Tim Boyle will likely serve as Lock’s backup and could very well see playing time if (when) Lock struggles against Atlanta.

Koo, who has battled through a lingering hip injury, reportedly re-injured himself on a 42-yard field goal attempt in Week 15 against the Raiders. It’s not clear if he aggravated the existing hip issue. In any case, Koo’s disappointing 2024 campaign is over. Koo missed nine of his 34 field goal attempts this season, making him one of the league’s most inaccurate kickers. It was a down year for a veteran who had been one of the game’s most reliable kickers since joining the Falcons in 2019. Riley Patterson is in line to kick for Atlanta in Week 16 and beyond.

Though Mahomes won’t be nearly 100 percent recovered from his Week 15 high ankle sprain, the “expectation,” per Palmer, is that he’ll be under center for the Chiefs on Saturday against Houston. Mahomes logged a full practice on Tuesday. Barring a setback in the next couple days, he should be able to start for KC against a tough Texans defense. If not, Carson Wentz would get the nod. Mahomes under center would be something of a boon for Travis Kelce and DeAndre Hopkins.