NFL Player News

McLaughlin sustained the injury early in the second half. He had seven rushing attempts for 21 yards before exiting, leading all Denver running backs. Audric Estime and Javonte Williams will get more run for as long as McLaughlin — who led the team with 84 rushing yards in Week 13 — is able to return.

It was Trautman’s second touchdown of the 2024 season and his highest receiving yardage total in well over a month. He logged a pass route on a meager 12 of the Broncos’ 39 drop backs against the Colts. Nate Adkins, who also caught a touchdown in Week 15, ran 11 routes on the day. Neither Denver tight end is fantasy viable.

Pittman led the team in targets. Josh Down returned from a shoulder injury and caught three of his eight targets from a highly inaccurate Anthony Richardson. Sunday was the seventh straight game in which Pittman has not caught a touchdown. Pittman has become a borderline WR3 option thanks largely to the low-volume nature of the Indy passing offense and Anthony Richardson’s massive struggles as a passer. Pittman will be a flex option next week against the Titans.

That’s a season high in yardage for the little-used Granson, who logged a pass route on 17 of the Colts’ 47 drop backs. Fellow Colts TE Will Mallory also ran 17 routes against Denver but did not record a catch. Granson won’t be fantasy viable in Week 16 against the Titans.

Smith had his lower leg rolled up on and appeared to be in immediate pain as he initially hopped on one leg before falling to the turf. The athletic training took him to the medical tent after he grimaced in pain on the sideline before ultimately escorting him to the locker room. Sam Howell is in at quarterback for the Seahawks as they try and avoid falling out of the playoff picture in the NFC. Smith completed 15-of-19 passes for 149 yards and an interception prior to departing, adding five yards on his lone carry.

Even worse than his donut in the receiving department: Mitchell threw an interception for a touchdown in the second half on a throw back to Anthony Richardson. The pick-six essentially ended the game and perhaps the Colts’ postseason hopes. Mitchell, who had just two catches over the Colts’ past three games headed into Week 15, is not fantasy viable unless Alec Pierce (head) misses Week 16 against the Titans.

Edwards’ lead-rusher role is barely fantasy-relevant and things will not get any easier against the Broncos in Week 16. The 29-year-old RB is a one-dimensional player stuck in a low-volume run-centric role. His fantasy prospects are entirely touchdown-dependent.

Sutton had next to no chemistry with Bo Nix, who had three interceptions, including one when targeting Sutton in the first half. He salvaged his statistical day with a fourth quarter touchdown — one of three from Nix. Sutton, far and away the Broncos’ No. 1 wideout, now has at least nine targets in five straight games. No other Denver pass catcher had more than four targets against the Colts. Sutton, who had 53 yards and a touchdown in Week 6 against the Chargers, will be a high-floor WR2 option in Week 16 against LA.

Vidal’s totals are uninspiring but his three carries were only five less than team leader Gus Edwards’ eight. The Chargers’ ground game simply couldn’t get going against the Buccaneers. Vidal was promisingly involved as a pass-catcher early on though, earning two targets on the opening drive. He notably played on 100.0 percent of the pure passing downs and out-snapped Gus Edwards 3-to-1 in the red zone. Vidal is an RB5 against the Broncos but his current role is intriguing.

The bad news is that Estime continues to underwhelm in the struggled Denver backfield. The good news for the rookie is that he could see extended run in Week 16 if Jaleel McLaughlin (quad) is sidelined in Week 16 against the Chargers. Estime, who has only one game this season with more than six carries, would split the backfield workload with Javonte Williams.

Palmer was an afterthought with Ladd McConkey back in the lineup. Both Quentin Johnston and Stone Smartt outplayed Palmer as well. The 25-year-old WR cannot be trusted with the Chargers’ offense in its current former. He is a WR6/7 against the Broncos in Week 16.