NFL Player News

Douglas, the Bills’ top cornerback, was injured in the first half of Week 18 against the Dolphins and missed the Wild Card Round against the Steelers. Douglas claims that he was ready to play in that game, but the team made the decision to hold him out. Perhaps they felt that another week would make a crucial difference in getting Douglas back on the field, and his ability to practice in some capacity on Wednesday is a good step in that direction. The Bills will need him with fellow corners Taron Johnson and Christian Benford also banged up.

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.

Harris signed a one-year contract extension with the Browns this offseason after a productive 2023 campaign in which he totaled 28 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 17 games. Harris totaled 37 tackles and another 1.5 sacks in the 14 games he appeared in this season, but an elbow injury will sideline him for the final two weeks of the 2024 campaign. Still under contract through next season, Harris, 33, can be let go this offseason but does carry a $2.224 million dead cap hit.

DTR suffered a calf injury on the opening drive of the Browns’ Week 16 loss to the Bengals and was listed as limited in Wednesday’s practice. Despite this injury, he appears to be trending in the right direction, with Dorsey already confirming him as the team’s Week 17 starter with one more practice left to go in the week. Those still stashing Jameis Winston or one of several Browns receivers in hopes of Winston returning as the starter appear to be out of luck. It’s still early enough for something to change, but DTR appears locked in as the starter barring an unexpected development.

Joe Flacco was seen taking first-team reps during the media portion of practice while Richardson (back/foot) continues to be sidelined. Flacco has a chance to start in Week 17’s game against the Giants, which should come as music to the ears of any Josh Downs manager still battling for a fantasy championship. Downs has averaged 9.7 targets per game and 17.7 PPR points per game in games Flacco has appeared in this season. He would profile as a high-end WR2 if Flacco gets the nod.

This news comes from head coach Brian Daboll. Nabers also missed Wednesday’s practice with a toe injury and is trending toward missing Sunday’s game against the Colts if he can’t get on the field in some capacity on Friday. The rookie receiver has dealt with a number of injuries this season, limiting him to 13 games. If Nabers can’t go this week, Darius Slayton could prove to be a valuable sleeper in deeper leagues.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport was first. Bridgewater, who is fresh off coaching Miami Northwestern High School to a Class 3A state championship in his first season with the team, is now back to help the Lions with a postseason run that they hope ends with an NFL championship. The former first-rounder spent last season with the Lions after stints with the Panthers, Broncos, and Dolphins in previous seasons but did not attempt a pass in his lone year with the team. He will presumably join the Lions’ practice squad but could eventually be promoted to the QB2 over Hendon Hooker after a few weeks.

Gannon said he may not know the official status of Conner or fellow running back Trey Benson when the team boards the plan on Friday to head to Los Angeles to take on the Rams, but it sounds like Conner will have an outside shot to play if he continues to progress through his knee injury. Conner was listed as a limited participant in each of the team’s first two practices to start the week and will presumably log another limited session on Thursday. If both Conner and Benson are held out of Saturday’s contest, practice squad back Michael Carter figures to see a busy day after seeing 10 opportunities in last week’s loss to the Panthers.