NFL

Dobbins was activated off injured reserve after missing four games due to a knee injury he suffered in Week 12. He slots back in as the starter. Inactive for the Chargers are QB Easton Stick, RB Gus Edwards, LB Denzel Perryman, OL Jordan McFadden, OL Trey Pipkins III, TE Hayden Hurst, and DL Justin Eboigbe. Hurst (illness) is out, but Will Dissly is active, making Dissly a streamer tight end option this week. Edwards (ankle) has also been ruled out for this game, giving Dobbins primary ownership of the Chargers’ backfield in his return, with Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins handling backup duties.

Peppers is out after being listed questionable for Week 17 due to a hamstring injury. Fellow safety Kyle Dugger (ankle/quad) is active. Center Ben Brown (concussion) will also miss Week 17 while Joe Milton serves as the Patriots’ emergency third quarterback.

Hubbard was listed as questionable with a knee injury for the Week 17 matchup with the Buccaneers and Panthers head coach Dave Canales said he expected the 25-year-old running back to play after Friday’s practice. He was having a great season that included earning a rare midseason extension at the position seemingly no teams want to reward with long-term contracts. Hubbard was a borderline RB1 heading into fantasy championship week, but now his managers will be scrambling for other options. Mike Boone will likely start in Hubbard’s absence with Miles Sanders also on injured reserve. Boone is in flex consideration as more of a desperation play as he doesn’t offer nearly the same upside as Hubbard.

Barrett abruptly retired over the summer after signing with the Dolphins as a free agent. The Dolphins cut him yesterday after keeping him on the reserve/retired list thus far. The 32-year-old had spent the 2019-2023 seasons with the Buccaneers prior to that, totaling a team-high 56 QB pressures in his final season with the team. Barrett rejoins an 8-7 Buccaneers squad that currently sits on the playoff bubble. He will immediately join the active roster, pending a physical.

Rapoport reported earlier today that the Browns have restructured Deshaun Watson’s contract, keeping Watson in Cleveland for at least 2025. Rapoport later suggested that Watson will face a competition for the starting role, however, indicating it could be either a rookie or a veteran acquisition.

Rapoport also mentioned that Nabers “looked good in practice” on Friday. Both Nabers’ expected availability and his promising practice showing are reassuring. Fantasy managers should keep the explosive wide receiver in starting lineups this week.

Guerendo’s continued participation is a net positive but ideally, we will see him practice in full on Saturday. It is tough to predict how Kyle Shanahan will split up backfield touches although he tends to load up his lead rusher even if they are playing through injuries. If Guerendo is active, he is a volume-based RB2. Patrick Taylor Jr. could mix in for single-digit touches.

McKivitz was limited in Thursday’s practice, meaning he’s moving in the wrong direction heading into the weekend. The 49ers could be without three starting linemen this week if McKivitz sits. Left tackle Trent Williams and left guard Aaron Banks are both injured as well.

Brown played just 21 defensive snaps this season despite the Buccaneers’ defensive injuries. It is possible they bring him back via the practice squad. The Buccaneers also waived rookie LB Antonio Grier Jr.

Gardner was initially listed as a DNP for the third day in a row, but a correct was later issued, upgrading him to a limited practice on Friday. He still remains highly questionable for Week 17, but a return to practice at least gives him a shot at suiting up. The Jets are also hopeful that defensive tackle Quinnen Williams plays through his questionable tag.