NFL Player News

Another $2 million is available through incentives, while a decent $6.5 million of the deal is guaranteed. Cut by the Cardinals six days ago, 29-year-old Hicks has been a full-time starter since 2016 in Philadelphia. He spent the past three years in the desert. An every-down player, Hicks predictably thumps the run while being mostly replacement level everywhere else. The Vikings were bad against the run in 2021, though Eric Kendricks remains the man in the middle. Hicks will line up alongside Kendricks and attempt to make the middle of the field a more dangerous place for rival runners.

Boyd popped up on the injury report Saturday and is listed as questionable with a back injury for the team’s Week 11 game against the Vikings. Boyd has not drawn a target in the previous two games while operating as the third option through the air behind Calvin Ridley and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.

Gross-Matos has been sidelined since Week 5 with a knee injury that required a stint on injured reserve. Now a situational player for the San Francisco defense, Gross-Matos should return to a modest role in clear passing situations for a 49ers team looking to make a second half push for the playoffs.

Speaking Saturday, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters that wide receiver CeeDee Lamb’s back injury is “not of high concern” after the star wide receiver popped back up on the injury report Saturday, ultimately drawing a questionable tag for the team’s Monday Night Football contest against the Texans. The coach’s comments ease a bit of the uncertainty for fantasy managers that are likely counting on the alpha wide receiver’s production for Week 11.

Collins was activated from injured reserve ahead of the team’s Week 10 game against the Lions but was ultimately held out of action for the fifth consecutive game. He proved his health in practice this week, upgrading to a full participant in the final two sessions before being removed from the injury report on Saturday. The Texans will look to get back in the win column against the Cowboys after dropping two straight.

Lamb was not listed on the team’s injury report to begin the week, appearing to be fully cleared of the AC joint sprain suffered in Week 10. He then popped back up on the injury report Saturday, this time with a back injury. Fantasy managers will want to confirm the status of the alpha wide receiver prior to Sunday’s main slate to gauge his expected level of health for Monday Night Football.

There isn’t much known regarding Jackson’s situation but he did not travel with the team ahead of their Week 11 divisional tilt against the Steelers. The winner of that game steps into first in the division, making the showdown one to watch. Amplifying information should be provided by the team regarding Jackson’s status moving forward.

Kay Cabot notes that Wills Jr.'s knee injury flared up. He told reporters this week that he was benched earlier in the season for making a “business decision.” Wills Jr. was referring to not trying to play through an injury against the Ravens earlier in the year. He was off the injury report, but played only two snaps in Week 9 before the Browns bye week. Now he’s hurt again and won’t play against the Saints. The former first round pick is set to hit free agency this offseason.

Kyed notes that Barmore’s absence from practice on Friday won’t preclude him from suiting up on Sunday. Barmore was placed on the NFI list after dealing with blood clots. The former second round pick had a career year last year and now all signs point to the Patriots getting a big piece for their defense back in Week 11 against the Rams.

Mayer was a full participant in practice this week. While he’s still listed as questionable for Week 11 against the Dolphins, expect him to suit up now that he’s been taken off injured reserve. Due to the presence of Brock Bowers, Mayer is merely the team’s TE2 and not on the fantasy radar.

Rodgers told the media this week he thinks he’ll play again in next year. He has 23 and a half million reasons to suit up again at age-41. Russini states that Rodgers’ Jets future is uncertain with eight weeks remaining in the season. New York has catered to all of his needs, mainly allowing him to play with his favorite receivers and hiring Nathaniel Hackett. None of it has translated to more wins for the Jets, who have to think about their long-term future at the most important position in football this offseason, regardless of what they end up doing with Rodgers. New York would have the eighth overall pick in the draft if the season ended today, but a lot can change in the next eight weeks.