NFL Player News

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.

After missing Wednesday’s practice — and the last two games — Walker getting in a full session is delightful news for fantasy managers hoping to play the 24-year-old tailback Sunday. Assuming no setbacks, it seems very likely Walker will get the ball an awful lot in Week 16 against the Vikings. That workload could be even bigger if Zach Charbonnet (oblique) not able to practice Thursday.

Hurt will be playing for the first time since the end of November after being placed on injured reserve with his hip injury He isn’t likely to be a major fantasy contributor, but with Will Dissly (shoulder) inactive, it could open up some snaps/targets. The remaining inactives for the Chargers are CB Cam Hart S Elijah Molden LB Shaquille Quarterman OL Brenden Jaimes OL Jordan McFadden and QB Easton Stick (emergency QB)

McLaughlin was ruled out Wednesday for Week 16 by the Broncos on Wednesday, but it’s just a friendly reminder. Wilson will be the emergency third quarterback for the Thursday Night Football contest.

Seahawks offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb told reporters Thursday that Smith took every snap during the session, and looked good doing it. The 34-year-old was forced out of action during Sunday’s blowout loss to the Packers, but it appears all systems are go for a must-win — or pretty close to it — game against the Vikings in Week 16.

Brown missed Wednesday’s practice with the rest designation — something that’s quite common this late in the year — but it’s the adding of the knee to the injury report Thursday that makes this a situation to pay a little closer attention ton. It seems likely the 27-year-old will play against the Commanders on Sunday in Week 16, but a full session Friday would be nice to see.

That makes back-to-back practices with a limited session for Allen. The 20-year-old hasn’t been able to be a full go this week, nor has Isaiah Davis as Davis got another limited session with a back ailment of his own. It could be a game against the Rams on Sunday where Breece Hall touches the ball an awful lot. He probably would, anyway. Neither Davis nor Allen are on the fantasy radar for Week 16.

Winston is slated to backup Dorian Thompson-Robinson against the Bengals in Week 16, but the shoulder ailment could make that untenable. If Winston can’t go, Bailey Zappe would likely be the second-string signal-caller.

It’s a new issue for Garrett, as he was not listed on the on the injury report Wednesday by the Browns. With Cleveland playing for nothing but a chance at a higher draft pick, the team won’t take any chances with its best player, but it’s worth noting that Garrett is just a half sack away from 100 for his career.

Higbee was activated off injured reserve Tuesday after missing the first 14 games of the season due to his ACL injury. Rodrigue notes that McVay will update Higbee’s status before Friday. It seems likely Higbee plays, but he’d be a dart-throw tight end — if that — for his debut against the Jets in Week 16.

Nabers suffered the foot injury in last week’s loss to the Ravens. He was momentarily slowed by it but returned to finish out the game and was still a limited participant in the team’s first practice to open the week. His being upgraded to a full participant on Thursday is a good sign for his availability in Sunday’s game against a Falcons defense that struggled to slow down their opponent’s passing games all season. Naber’s will be forced to get through another game with Drew Lock under center, but his expected volume should keep him in the WR2 mix.