NFL Player News

Manuel has been coaching in the NFL in some capacity since 2012. He earned a short-lived stint as the Falcons’ defensive coordinator a few years ago before joining the Eagles and then the Jets. New York’s secondary was elite this year, ranking second in the NFL in yards per pass attempt allowed. Manuel’s interview could be a sign that interim head coach Steve Wilks and his staff are on their way out. Al Holcomb is currently the interim defensive coordinator, though Manuel is set to interview for that job soon.

The Rams’ banged-up offensive line cannot catch a break. Havenstein’s Week 17 status is completely unknown at this point but beat reporter Stu Jackson adds “Joe Noteboom would start at RT if Havenstein can’t go.” The likely playoff-bound Rams will need their offensive line intact to make a run.

Earlier this week Matt LaFleur seemingly reassured reporters about Watson’s knee injury, saying “it’s more just a bruise.” Though the statement is undoubtedly a net positive, the qualifying language perhaps leaves a little wiggle room regarding the full diagnosis. Watson is currently trending toward sitting out Week 17 though he still has one more day to get right. Playing in Week 18 does seem likely, however.

Dissly was forced from play in Week 14, facilitating two top 15 PPR finishes for Stone Smartt over the last three weeks. With Dissly back in the lineup, Smartt returns to dynasty-bench-stash mode and can be dropped from re-draft rosters. Hayden Hurst (illness) is questionable to play but his status is only mildly impactful. Dissly is a low-end TE1 streaming option.

Take this with a grain of salt. Nabers was a DNP on Wednesday and Thursday and said he would try to practice on Friday. Regardless of what Nabers says, the Giants will ultimately decide whether or not their rookie first-rounder will play through an injury in what is, by all accounts, a meaningless regular season game in yet another lost season for Big Blue.

Edwards promisingly began the week with a Tuesday LP but was unable to practice after that. With J.K. Dobbins (knee) labeled as questionable to play, in his bid to return from short-term injured reserve, RB-needy fantasy managers should add rookie Kimani Vidal, if possible. Dobbins will likely handle a significant workload if active.

This is not the type of practice participation one would hope for. Dobbins remained limited on Tuesday and Wednesday before being downgraded to a non-participant on Thursday. It is entirely possible the coaching staff opted to give Dobbins a rest day to close the week but we cannot know for sure unless news leaks. Fill-in starter Gus Edwards (ankle) has notably been ruled out so Dobbins could return to a sizable Week 17 workload. He is an RB2 if active.

According to Lions beat writer Dave Birkett, head coach Dan Campbell “indicated Raymond likely won’t be ready to play vs. the 49ers.” The speedy return man hasn’t played since suffering a foot injury in Week 12 but should be poised for a return in the postseason, if not before. Raymond’s return is not notable for fantasy as long as Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams are both healthy.

This doesn’t come as much of a surprise after Hurts DNP’d on Wednesday, and the team signed Ian Book to the practice squad early Thursday morning. All signs are pointing to Hurts missing Week 17’s game against the Eagles, which would position Kenny Pickett to make his first start of the year. Pickett being under center would be a massive downgrade for both A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith during fantasy championship week.

Tracy has now missed both practices to start the week and is at risk of missing Week 17’s game against the Colts if he can’t get on the field in some capacity on Friday. Backup Devin Singletary would be in line for a solid workday if Tracy can’t go, while Eric Gray could see some light work of his own. Fantasy managers in need of running back help would be wise to stash Singletary, who could be on the waiver wire in several leagues.

Brown has missed six of the Bengals’ last seven games with knee/fibula injuries but was upgraded to a full participant in Wednesday’s practice. Now, the veteran left tackle will make his much-anticipated return against a top-flight Broncos defense while the Bengals’ playoff hopes hang in the balance. Winners of three-straight games, the Bengals need to win out and get extra help along the way if they hope to avoid missing the postseason for the second straight season.