NFL Player News

Brooks was activated from the reserve/NFI list this week and practiced in full during all three sessions. Still, head coach Dave Canales was non-committal on his status for Week 10. The good news is that fantasy managers will get to see Carolina’s inactives before every game other than Thursday’s kicks off. The bad news is that’s because the Panthers take on the Giants in Germany for a game kicking off bright and early stateside. Playing in his first game in nearly a year, Brooks will be eased back into the lineup this week if he plays at all. Fantasy managers wanting to get their full eight hours of sleep should just keep Brooks on the bench.

Higgins was limited in practice throughout the week and will now carry a questionable status into a pivotal matchup against the Broncos. Higgins exited Week 16’s game with an apparent ankle injury but returned a few plays later and finished out the game. Assuming this is the same injury, we would expect him to be on the field Saturday, but his status will be one to monitor when teams announce inactives 90 minutes before kickoff.

This news comes from Pickett, who spoke with the media after practice. The third-year quarterback is dealing with a rib injury he picked up in last week’s loss to the Commanders but said the injury is something he will “have to deal with.” Jalen Hurts (concussion) appears unlikely to start Week 17 against the Cowboys after missing his second-straight practice. Pickett drawing the start against the Cowboys means both A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith will receive significant downgrades for the fantasy football championships.

Dean was a healthy participant on Wednesday before worryingly showing up with “knees” in the injury column on Thursday. We need more information to concretely project him to miss Week 17 but the development is certainly a net negative. The Panthers’ passing attack would have a far easier time moving the ball downfield if the Buccaneers’ No. 1 CB is sidelined.

Shepard is trending toward a Week 17 absence though he does still have Friday to participate in some capacity. The Buccaneers’ pass-catching corps is short-staffed with Cade Otton (knee) also sidelined through two practices. Should both players sit, Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan would dominate targets against the Panthers.

Fantasy managers still fighting for championships in Week 17 are in shambles. After battling through a shoulder injury for weeks, the Cowboys have opted to shelve Lamb for the remainder of the season in what is the most pivotal matchup of the year for fantasy managers. The team released a statement following the decision, saying, “Additional examinations and scans this week on Lamb’s shoulder have determined that his injury has now progressed to a point that he will be listed as ‘Out’ for the remaining two games of the season.” Despite his injury and the loss of Dak Prescott midway through the season, Lamb still performed at a high level for the Cowboys. His season ends with a line of 101-1194-6 on 152 targets and three 100-yard performances. Lamb’s 11.8 YPR on the season set a new career low, but the decrease can be attributed to the switch from Prescott to Cooper Rush, as the offense became much more limited with Rush under center. Lamb is not expected to undergo surgery at this time but will instead look to go through rehab and treatment for his shoulder.

Technically, Walker could return after a four-game stay on injured reserve but the Seahawks would have to first secure a playoff spot before winning two playoff games without him for this to be the case. It is likely his season is over. Walker rushed 153 times for 573 yards and seven touchdowns and caught 46-of-52 targets for 299 yards and one touchdown in 2024. He has one year remaining on his rookie contract.

Otton begins Week 17 the same way he began Week 16; with two missed practices. Otton managed to practice in a limited capacity last Friday before being ruled out for Week 16. His Week 17 status could still go either way but his lack of progress is concerning. Fantasy managers should expect him to miss another game.

Duggar did not practice on Tuesday or Wednesday but was upgraded to a limited participant on Thursday. The veteran safety played through an ankle injury in last week’s loss to the Bills, but the quad injury appears to be something new. In addition to Duggaer, the Patriots also listed safety Jabrill Peppers, LB Sione Takitaki, and offensive tackle Caedan Wallace as questionable, while ruling out cornerback Marcus Jones (hip).

Beat reporter Nick Wagoner expects Guerendo to be counted as a limited participant on Thursday, which bodes positively for Guerenedo’s Week 17 Monday Night Football availability. Guerendo was unable to play in Week 16, sidelined all week by his two lower-body injuries. Patrick Taylor Jr. would likely become a fantasy non-factor if Guerendo is active.

Thielen popped up on Thursday’s report with a hamstring injury. It’s not known at this time if this is the same hamstring that sidelined him for nearly two months earlier this season, but a late addition to the team’s injury report undoubtedly draws his Week 17 availability into question. Thielen’s status will be one to keep an eye on when Friday’s injury report is released. He and Xavier Legette (wrist/hip) are both dealing with injuries and would leave the Panthers thin at the position if both players cannot suit up.