NFL Player News

Kraft had the longest play of the game for the Packers on a 35-yard connection with Jordan Love that set up a touchdown in the fourth quarter. He was able to haul in his pair of passes while Luke Musgrave caught just one pass for four yards on his lone target. Kraft will be on the TE1 precipice for Week 18 against the Bears; assuming Green Gay plays it’s starters against Chicago in that contest.

Olave is practicing in full, but the Saints have nothing to play for. Despite likely being cleared for action, we would be surprised to see him take the field for a meaningless Week 18 contest. Assuming he doesn’t, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Kevin Austin will run as the team’s top receivers versus Tampa Bay.

After missing much of his rookie season due to injury, Miller was treated to more of the same this year. He was sidelined to open the year because of another hamstring issue. He eventually returned to action for a backup role. Later in the season when the hamstring issue resurfaced, Dennis Allen immediately put him back on injured reserve, seemingly out of spite. Miller was reportedly not dealing with a long-term issue but was required to miss four games anyway. He ultimately appeared in just six games this year, rushing 39 times for 148 yards and a touchdown along the way. Miller has played in just 14 games since the Saints drafted him in the third round two years ago. With Alvin Kamara also struggling through injuries in recent seasons, they will likely add competition for the RB2 job in the offseason.

Kamara didn’t practice this week and the Saints have nothing to play for in Week 18, meaning we won’t see the veteran back take the field on Sunday. With Kendre Miller also out, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jamaal Williams will likely split the backfield for the final game of the year. Jordan Mims was a healthy scratch last week but could also play a role. Needless to say, DFS players can avoid this mess entirely.

Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt told reporters yesterday that Maye will play, so it’s unclear if the injury worsened, AVP was wrong, or the team is simply following the letter of the law with their injury report. Either way, there’s a chance we’re treated to a Jacoby Brissett vs. Mitch Truisky on Sunday. How fun.

Boutte missed Wednesday’s practice but was back for a full session on Thursday. He is good to go for Week 18. Boutte has run plenty of routes over the past month but has rarely converted that into a notable receiver line. Sunday’s game will give him a final shot at doing so before a pivotal offseason for the franchise.

Polk’s rookie season mercifully comes to an end a week early. The former Washington Husky never found his footing in the NFL. He routinely made catastrophic drops, ran sloppy routes, and found other ways to commit various blunders. Despite playing 436 snaps, Polk logged just 12 catches for 87 yards and a pair of touchdowns as a rookie. The Patriots could overhaul their receiving room in the offseason, putting Polk at risk of getting knocked down the depth chart heading into his second campaign. Pats will and dynasty managers alike will be hoping the he works on the fundamentals during the NFL’s off period and returns to the team as a potential No. 2 receiver in the summer.

Henry was limited in practice throughout the week. That would normally be a good sign, but with nothing left to play for but the No. 1 overall pick, the Pats could give him the week off. If he doesn’t suit up, Austin Hooper will take over as the team’s top tight end, putting him in the TE2 ranks for Week 18.

Odunze took the first two days off this week before practicing in full on Friday. The 2024 first-round pick has been effectively unusable in fantasy for three straight weeks but he had a decent showing when these teams faced each other back in Week 11, catching 6-of-10 targets for 65 yards. Odunze is a volatile WR4 for the occasion.

Safety Jabrill Peppers is also out. Fellow safety Kyle Dugger is questionable. Gonzalez’s second season ends with 11 pass breakups, two picks, and a recovered fumble which he returned for a touchdown. Though his efforts didn’t do much to change the Pariots’ fortunes this year, Gonzalez remains a cornerstone piece for this defense.

Jones has evidently recovered well from his Week 17 quad contusion, participating in a limited capacity on Wednesday and Thursday before being upgraded to full on Friday. The veteran rusher should play efficiently against a Lions defensive front that has been softened by a rash of injuries.