NFL Player News

Lock was limited in Wednesday’s practice with heel and elbow injuries, but the fact that he was already named the starter means neither is expected to be an issue. Tommy DeVito sustained a brain injury in Week 15 against the Ravens, opening the door for another Lock start in a miserable Giants season. Lock has been worse than usual as New York’s starter, completing 50 percent of his pass attempts for zero touchdowns and two interceptions on 90 attempts. Lock’s insertion into the New York lineup is bad news for Malik Nabers and the rest of the Giants pass catchers. Tim Boyle will likely serve as Lock’s backup and could very well see playing time if (when) Lock struggles against Atlanta.

Waddle has missed both practices to open the week and is on the wrong side of playing in Week 16 against the 49ers. If Waddle can’t get on the field in a limited capacity on Friday, it would likely mean Tyreek Hill and Malik Washington will slot in as the Dolphins’ top two receivers.

Things were trending in this direction after Watt was seen practicing earlier in the week. The Steelers will have their star pass rusher available to them in Saturday’s AFC North battle against the Ravens despite suffering his ankle injury less than a week ago. Watt has totaled 54 tackles and 11.5 sacks this season and has totaled four sacks in his last three games.

Mahomes practiced in full this week despite suffering a high-ankle sprain in Week 15. While he may scramble infrequently, fantasy managers can expect to have their QB1 available. The game plan will surely be built around Mahomes getting the ball out quickly.

Pickens was considered a long shot to practice after being a DNP in Tuesday and Wednesday’s practices. The Steelers’ WR1 will miss his third-straight game with a hamstring he suffered in practice just days before Week 14’s game against the Browns, which has dealt a blow to the Steelers’ passing game. Russell Wilson will have to find a way to make due with Scotty Miller, Van Jefferson, and Calvin Austin as his top receivers against the Ravens in a game that will go a long way in deciding the winner of the AFC North.

Nagy is the Executive Director of the Reese’s Senior Bowl and spent 18 years as an NFL Scout. Nagy has never served in a general manager role but is more than familiar with today’s college game and the incoming talent. Nagy took his current role as the Executive Director of the Reese’s Senior Bowl in 2018, but he feels like a long shot to land the Jets’ general manager role, given his limited experience in NFL front offices. He last served as Seahawks’ southeast area scout (2013-2018).

Smith was asked whether he expects to face the Vikings this week after telling reporters that he is “getting better every day. Looking forward to Sunday.” He succinctly responded, “yes, I do.” Smith’s mobility will likely be limited but that could be a good thing for his short-area pass catchers as he attempts to get the ball out quickly against the Vikings’ blitz-happy defense.

Alexander has missed the last four games while dealing with a knee injury he suffered in Week 11 against the Bears. The veteran corner logged two full practices last week but was a DNP on Friday and ruled out for Week 15. Now, he’ll look to return for Week 16’s game against the Saints on Monday night. Alexander has played on 232 coverage snaps this season, per PFF, earning a coverage grade of 78.3 while allowing 14 receptions for 227 yards and two touchdowns on 25 targets. His return will only add to a Packers defense that currently ranks eight in points allowed and 10th in yards allowed this season.

What appeared to be a maintenance day for Higgins when he was listed as DNP now looks like something more concerning on Thursday. It’s worth noting that Higgins was not seen during the portion of practice that is open to the media, but we typically know what that means when it comes to a player’s practice status. Unless the team’s injury report suggests otherwise, then Higgins will be a DNP on back-to-back days, which puts his Week 16 availability squarely in doubt for the next 24 hours. He’ll be a name to watch on Friday’s injury report.

Reid isn’t coming right out and saying it, but Mahomes appears to be set to start on Saturday against the Texans. Reid said he wants to see how Mahomes responds to Friday’s practice, but Mahomes is undoubtedly trending in the right direction. The Chiefs’ QB1 was a full participant in practice all week, and Reid himself said Mahomes “moved around pretty good” when on the field. Fantasy managers can have a contingency plan in place if they deem it necessary, but everything is pointing to Mahomes being active, barring a surprise setback.