NFL Player News

Newton (5’11/190) is a former First-Team All-Big 12 CB who started 27 consecutive games for the Horned Frogs. His versatility allows him to play all over the field: out wide, in the slot, in the box, and even on special teams - Newton is a Swiss Army Knife on defense. The former wide receiver turned defensive back has elite hands, collecting 21 pass breakups and four interceptions over the past two seasons at TCU. He does well mirroring wide receivers with his back pedal, but can be too upright making him slower to break off laterally. Having drawn questions about his physicality in the run game last season, Newton showed improvement by doubling his run stops from 8-to-14 despite playing 139 fewer snaps in 2023. An upper-echelon Big 12 defensive back with great timing, he allowed a solid 48% catch rate and one touchdown in his final season at TCU. He does well in hand-to-hand combat with physical WRs but can sometimes get a little too handsy leading to flags. Newton has the upside to develop into a starter for an NFL team with a zone/Cover 2 scheme.

Bateman was added to the injury report as a ‘DNP’ Friday but was listed as a full participant in the team’s Saturday walkthrough, ultimately removing any game status against the Chargers. Expect the veteran field stretcher to be on the field on Monday night.

McConkey managed just one limited session in preparation for the team’s Week 12 game against the Ravens in the Harbaugh Bowl afters sustaining a shoulder injury in Week 11. Final determination of McConkey’s status will come 90 minutes prior to the team’s Monday Night Football kickoff, meaning fantasy managers may want to consider alternate options for Week 12.

Hurst was added to the team’s injury report Friday with a new hip injury after playing only 24 combined offensive snaps since Week 6 while dealing with multiple injuries. Will Dissly will maintain his primary tight end role for the Chargers against a Baltimore pass defense allowing 10.8 fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends.

Thibodeaux returns to a roster now thrust into complete rebuild mode after the team released quarterback Daniel Jones earlier in the week. At this point, the Giants are playing to evaluate the future of the franchise.

Dean returns to the active roster after missing the minimum four games with a hamstring injury. The Buccaneers are not yet out of playoff contention, making Dean’s return off the utmost importance for a defense allowing the third most passing yards per game.

Cooks saw his 21-day practice window opened prior to Week 11 but managed only limited showings in practice this week, ultimately failing to do enough on the practice field to warrant a return to the active roster ahead of the team’s Week 12 game against the Commanders. The Cowboys are in a complete state of disarray with tight end Jake Ferguson also ruled out after sustaining his second concussion of the season in Week 11 and alpha wide receiver CeeDee Lamb struggling through multiple injuries, including a painful AC joint sprain.

The same goes for right guard Zack Martin, who is dealing with both ankle and shoulder injuries and was previously listed as doubtful. The Cowboys find themselves in the middle of a lost season with mounting injuries on both sides of the ball, not exactly a recipe for success against one of the most competitive teams in the NFC.

Russini cites conversations with sources with the Jets and around the league in her reporting. This comes on the heels of an ESPN report that indicated Rodgers likely wouldn’t be back with the Jets in 2025 under a new regime. With a new front office and head coach, it only makes sense that the organization will be moving on from the 40-year-old quarterback. The question remains of what team would be willing to acquire the former four-time MVP after an unequivocally disastrous stint in New York.

The full quote reads, “the way [Purdy’s elbow] responded this week, it’s really up in the air for next week, so we’ll have to see on Monday.” Shanahan also said that the team thought Purdy just needed to rest after viewing Monday’s MRI results. The elbow’s inflammatory response on Thursday reportedly “surprised” Purdy so the team opted to play things conservatively by shutting Purdy down for the rest of the week. Purdy notably “can’t remember a play that [the injury] specifically happened on.” Fantasy managers should make backup plans for Week 13 accordingly.

The deal runs through the end of the 2024 NFL season and contains $2 million in guaranteed money. This is a great move for the 9-1 Chiefs, who are almost assuredly headed to the playoffs once again. Humphries played well as a pass blocker last season before tearing his ACL in Week 17.