NFL Player News

Barkley had a patented long (68 yard) touchdown sprint in the first quarter, eclipsing the century mark on the ground with two minutes to go in the first frame. No one, apparently, is as fast as the 28-year-old Barkley. It was Barkley’s fifth game of the 2024 season with multiple rushing scores. He was mostly bottled up in the second half with Jalen Hurts (concussion) sidelined and the Washington defense focusing on stopping the Philly rushing attack and forcing Kenny Pickett to make crucial late-game throws. Barkley will end the season with 296 rushing yards and four touchdowns against the Commanders alone. He has a date with the exploitable Dallas defense in Week 17.

Tolbert reportedly dislocated his finger prior to the half. He would depart the field of play early and receive x-rays during the break, ultimately ruled questionable to return in the third quarter. Tolbert managed to catch 2-of-3 targets for 20 yards and a touchdown prior to departing.

Tua didn’t light up the box score in Week 16, nor was he asked to. The Miami defense held San Francisco to 17 points, meaning Tagovailoa just needed to avoid big mistakes to secure a win. He did just that and did not take a sack or turn the ball over. Miami also got their ground game going with De’Von Achane’s first 100-yard game of the year. Expect another run-heavy approach in Week 17 when the Dolphins travel to Cleveland to take on the Browns. A low-scoring affair with Cleveland will likely push Tua just outside of the QB1 ranks for Week 17.

Purdy was looking for an interception early and often in this game with a handful of ill-advised and misplaced attempts throughout the contest. All of the miscues made it to the ground until the team’s penultimate drive when Purdy tossed a game-sealing pick. He attempted to hit Jauan Jennings over the middle of the field but the pass was easily cut off by cornerback Kader Kohou. It’s the second week in a row that Purdy found a defender late in the game. Purdy has generally played well this year despite the pristine situation of 2023 falling apart around him, but his mistakes have caught up with him over the past two weeks. He will look to get back on track versus the Lions in Week 17. Purdy will sneak into the QB1 ranks for the final week of the fantasy season.

Pearsall continued to run as the team’s third receiver in this game behind Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings. The team did, however, make it a point to get him the ball more often when he was out there. Pearsall tied his season-high in receptions which came all the way back in Week 10. He isn’t on the fantasy radar heading into Week 17, but an increased role could help him build momentum heading into his first full offseason in San Francisco.

Per usual, Mostert operated as the backup running back for Miami. De’Von Achane racked up 17 carries and six catches, putting plenty of distance between himself and Mostert in the pecking order for touches. Mostert hasn’t topped 10 touches since Week 9 and isn’t likely to do so versus the Browns next week. He is a touchdown-or-bust RB4 for the final week of the fantasy season.

Washington stepped into the starting lineup with Jaylen Waddle out this week. He was the only Miami wide receiver outside of Tyreek Hill to catch more than one pass, though that still resulted in a quiet stat line from the rookie. He will look to get more involved in the passing attack versus the Browns in Week 17 if Waddle remains out. Washington will top out at a WR5 ranking for Miami’s road trip to Cleveland.

Smith was a primary target of Tua Tagovailoa’s once again this week, trailing Tyreek Hill and De’Von Achane by just one look in the passing game. The veteran tight end has at least 40 yards in eight grams games with two 100-yard performances over that stretch. Miami’s descent into the depths of PPR scamming has turned Smith into an every-week TE1 with both an elite floor and ceiling. He will remain a top-five fantasy tight end when the Dolphins take on the Browns in Week 17.

Gibson got a little extra work after Rhamondre Stevenson turned the ball over, though Gibson’s own fumble (recovered) erased any ball security differences between the two. Gibson is an RB7 against the Chargers in Week 17.

It was yet another down day for Hockenson, who has eclipsed 50 receiving yards in just three of his eight games in 2024. Hockenson ran a route on 30 of the team’s 42 drop backs against Seattle. He still does not have a touchdown on 45 receptions this season. He’ll be a TE2 option in Week 16 against the Packers.

Hooper is improbably in line for his third TE1 finish over his last four games, pending the results of Sunday and Monday Night Football. The veteran tight end remains an unsettling TE1 floor play against the Chargers in Week 17.