According to Terry McCormick of the Titans Insider, running back Tony Pollard (ankle) was not seen at practice for the second straight day. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to his status on Friday, as he will likely carry an injury designation after missing the first two practice sessions of the week. Pollard has been dealing with a lingering ankle injury over the past few weeks but was forced out of last weekend's game to it and could have faced a setback. Before leaving, Pollard was able to tally 45 yards and a score. Despite dealing with numerous injuries, he has still averaged a solid 75.3 yards per game since Week 12. If Pollard were to sit out this weekend, Tyjae Spears should be viewed as a high-end RB2 facing the Indianapolis Colts, who have allowed the sixth-most PPR points to opposing RBs this season.

From RotoBaller

The New Orleans Saints are still evaluating injured running back Alvin Kamara (groin), but sources are saying it's a possible season-ending injury with only three games left to play with little chance at advancing to the postseason. The Saints are already saying that it's unlikely Kamara will play on Monday night against the Green Bay Packers after he injured his groin in last week's one-point loss to the Washington Commanders. More proof that the 29-year-old could be done for the year is the fact that the Saints signed Clyde Edwards-Helaire for more depth earlier this week. If you haven't already done so, Kamara's fantasy managers need to immediately add Kendre Miller if he's available. Although the Saints are down to rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler as well, the volume Miller sees alone as New Orleans' top back the rest of the way should at least put him in the flex conversation in fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi said that wide receiver Chris Olave's (concussion) 21-day practice window to return from Injured Reserve was opened on Thursday. Olave was cleared by a concussion specialist on Tuesday to resume practicing, so he will get some practice reps in this week and see how things go from there. It's good news for Olave, but it by no means should indicate that he will play in Week 16 against the Green Bay Packers on Monday night. And from a fantasy perspective, although he might still be worth stashing if you're alive in the fantasy playoffs, nobody should have their eyes on using him in lineups this week. At best, he'd likely draw a questionable tag to play on Monday night. And even if Olave looks good in practice the next few days and ends up being active, he'd be at risk of a limited role in his first game back. The Saints are on the brink of elimination and aren't going to risk Olave's health.

From RotoBaller

The New Orleans Saints announced on Thursday that rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler will make the start on Monday night against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. This was the expected decision from the Saints after they benched Jake Haener for Rattler in the Week 15 loss to the Washington Commanders. Derek Carr (concussion, hand) is unlikely to play again this year, especially with the Saints unlikely to make the playoffs, so Rattler should start each of the team's final three games of the season. The 24-year-old almost led the Saints to a remarkable comeback against Washington last Sunday, going 10-for-21 for 135 yards and a touchdown. In three starts earlier in 2024, the rookie out of South Carolina completed 59.6% of his passes with a touchdown and two picks. He'll have a tough matchup in Green Bay, and with the lack of weapons around him, he'll be a low-end QB2 play, at best, in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (ankle) is officially off the Week 16 injury report and is officially good to play on Saturday versus the Houston Texans in Week 16. Mahomes went down late in the Week 15 win over the Cleveland Browns with what the team was calling a mild high-ankle sprain, but he surprisingly was able to practice in full all week from Tuesday through Thursday and will suit up against Houston on Saturday. The two-time MVP most likely won't be as fleet of foot in and outside of the pocket, though, making him more of a midrange QB2, at best, against the Texans this weekend. Mahomes enters the week as the QB9 on the season in overall fantasy points but just hasn't had the previous upside he's had in recent years given all the injuries to KC's receivers. The good news is Mahomes will be getting Marquise Brown (shoulder) in Week 16.

From RotoBaller

Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson (concussion) practiced in full for the second straight day this week and is on his way towards clearing the league's concussion protocol and returning to action this Sunday in Week 16 against the division-rival Detroit Lions. Johnson has missed the team's last two games due to a concussion but is trending in the right direction to return this weekend. He still needs final clearance from an independent neurologist later this week, though, to get the final green light to play. Even if Johnson is active against the Lions on Sunday, he won't have any real standalone fantasy value with a lot on the line in leagues this weekend. He's been the clear backup behind D'Andre Swift on game days and hasn't been a reliable producer, although he has chipped in six rushing touchdowns. Perhaps if Chicago's offense was more reliable.

From RotoBaller

Per the NFL's Tom Pelissero, the Pittsburgh Steelers have ruled out wide receiver George Pickens (hamstring) for this Saturday's divisional clash with the Baltimore Ravens. Pickens has been shelved since popping up as a late-week addition on the team's Week 14 injury report and will miss his third straight contest. It comes as no surprise, considering he put together another week's worth of DNPs ahead of the outing. With the 23-year-old inactive again, wideouts Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin III will work as Pittsburgh's top two options at the position. Mike Williams, Scotty Miller, and Ben Skowronek will rotate in behind them. In Week 15, Williams led that trio by five snaps (15).

From RotoBaller

James Boyd of The Athletic reports that Indianapolis Colts tight end Mo Alie-Cox (hip) is not practicing on Thursday. It's the second straight day he'll be tagged with a DNP. The eighth-year veteran suffered his injury late last week, missing Friday's practice, but could still participate in Sunday's 31-13 loss to the Denver Broncos. However, he played on a season-low percentage of snaps (30%). Considering Alie-Cox played after a late-week DNP last week, it's feasible he could do so again in Week 16. Still, it'd be good if he could log at least a limited session ahead of this Sunday. If he is inactive, teammate Will Mallory projects to pick up some more snaps working in behind Kylen Granson and Drew Ogletree.

From RotoBaller

The Houston Texans D/ST looked to be a top-10 fantasy option in Week 16 against the Kansas City Chiefs, but the promising prognosis for quarterback Patrick Mahomes (ankle) is good news for everything but Houston's fantasy outlook. Instead of backup quarterback Carson Wentz, it's business as usual for the 13-1 Chiefs, making the Texans' Saturday at Arrowhead significantly more difficult. Kansas City's offense has run the most plays in the league and ranks inside the top 10 in passing touchdowns, first downs, fewest fumbles lost, and scoring percentage. Even though the Texans have been a productive fantasy defense, this matchup can and should be avoided.

From RotoBaller

New York Giants outside linebacker Brian Burns (ankle, neck) will not practice Thursday for the second straight day. However, per head coach Brian Daboll, he will play this Sunday when his team squares off against the Atlanta Falcons in a road tilt. ESPN's Jordan Raanan reported the news. The star pass-rusher sustained his ailments in Week 15's 35-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Fortunately, though, it appears he's on track to suit up in Week 16 with a few days of rest under his belt. The 26-year-old currently leads his team with 13 tackles for loss and eight pass breakups, ranking second in sacks (eight). Burns has yet to miss a game thus far in 2024, leading all Giants' edge-rushers in snaps.

From RotoBaller

According to ESPN's Ben Baby, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (rest, knee) is not practicing on Thursday. The news comes one day after the wideout was able to log a limited session. It's a concerning development for the 25-year-old, who picked up the issue in his team's win over the Tennessee Titans last Sunday. While he'll still get another chance to elevate his practice status on Friday, fantasy managers may want to prepare a contingency plan in case Higgins can't suit up for Week 16's bout with the visiting Cleveland Browns. If the Clemson product cannot play, fellow wideout Andre Iosivas would operate as the Bengals' de facto No. 2 WR with rookie Jermaine Burton working in behind him.

From RotoBaller

Per head coach Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (ankle) will "most likely end up playing" this Saturday against the Houston Texans. Matt McMullen of the team reported the news. According to McMullen, wide receiver Marquise Brown (shoulder) also has a good chance to play. It's excellent news for the Chiefs as, at the point of Mahomes' injury, he appeared to be a candidate for missed time. With Kansas City still battling for a first-round bye, they're getting healthy at the right time. The 27-year-old will get a tough matchup against a visiting Texans defense that's allowed the sixth-fewest passing yards per game to opponents (196.9).

From RotoBaller

NewOrleans.Football's Nick Underhill thinks there's a good chance New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (groin) doesn't play on Monday night against the Green Bay Packers in Week 16. Kamara suffered an adductor injury in the Week 15 loss to the Washington Commanders, and all signs are pointing to him being held out this week. The Saints just signed Clyde Edwards-Helaire as RB depth earlier this week. Kamara has gone for tests on his injured groin, but interim head coach Darren Rizzi has declined to say if it's a minor or major injury. Underhill says himself to run out and grab Kendre Miller off the waiver wire if he's available in your league if you have Kamara rostered. We'll have a better idea of Kamara's status after the Saints begin practicing this week, but there's at least a good chance he'll miss Week 16 and potentially more, depending on how serious his groin injury is.

From RotoBaller

Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (concussion) remains in the league's concussion protocol on Thursday and was seen wearing a black non-contact jersey on the practice field. Ertz is getting work in, but he's not practicing with the rest of the team for the second straight day. With just one day left of practice this week, he's on the wrong side of questionable for the Week 16 game this Sunday against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles. Ertz was in line for more targets in last week's win over the New Orleans Saints with receiver Noah Brown (kidney) now out for the season, but he was injured in the second quarter last Sunday and never returned. With the 34-year-old veteran potentially missing Week 16, fantasy managers need to be looking in another direction at the TE position. We'd suggest avoiding John Bates and rookie Ben Sinnott in D.C., as the two will likely end up sharing snaps if Ertz is out.

From RotoBaller

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (hamstring) was not seen at the portion of Thursday's practice that was open to the media. Njoku injured his hamstring in the Week 14 loss to the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers and sat out of last week's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He has yet to practice since suffering the injury, suggesting he's tracking toward missing a second straight game this weekend against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. With Njoku out last Sunday, backup Jordan Akins was on the field more but only caught three of four targets for 30 yards. Njoku had become a must-start TE1 in fantasy before his injury due to excellent chemistry with quarterback Jameis Winston. Winston is now benched in favor of Dorian Thompson-Robinson, so if Njoku is able to play this weekend, he'll be a more volatile TE1 option.

From RotoBaller

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (foot) did not practice on Thursday due to a foot injury and was wearing a walking boot in the locker room. Bateman popped up on the Week 16 injury report on Wednesday and was listed as limited in practice. Mid-week additions to the injury report are usually bad news, and that's especially the case for Bateman after he was downgraded to a DNP on Thursday. The Ravens receiving corps could be thinned out on Saturday in a tough matchup against the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers if both Bateman and Nelson Agholor (concussion) cannot play. Tylan Wallace and Devontez Walker could be thrust into bigger roles alongside Zay Flowers and tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely in the passing game. The 25-year-old Bateman is in the midst of a career year in 2024, but fantasy managers could be without him in semifinal matchups this week.

From RotoBaller

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (knee) was practicing on Thursday during the portion open to the media. Mayfield was held out of the first practice of the week on Wednesday while tending to a knee issue, but the fact that he's back out there on Thursday means that he should be good to go for Week 16 against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night. The 29-year-old is having a second straight strong season in Tampa in 2024 and is on pace for his second straight 4,000-yard season. He has already thrown a career-high 32 touchdown passes after going for four scores against a stout Los Angeles Chargers defense in the Week 15 win. Mayfield will be facing a Cowboys defense that has found their footing a bit of late after being decimated by injuries this year, but they've still allowed the third-most fantasy points to the position in the last five weeks. Mayfield is locked in as a top-10 fantasy QB.

From RotoBaller

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (knee) was seen wearing a knee brace and was not seen working on Thursday at the portion of practice open to the media. Otton is set to open Week 16 preparation with two DNPs, putting him firmly in danger of missing the game this Sunday night versus the Dallas Cowboys. Otton has one more day to get back on the practice field, but at this point, a questionable tag might be the best-case scenario. And if that's the case, he'll be one to avoid in fantasy lineups with the Bucs not playing until Sunday evening. The 25-year-old was quarterback Baker Mayfield's go-to target when receiver Mike Evans missed some time with a hamstring, but since Evans returned, Otton has seen his ceiling and floor drop drastically. He caught two of three targets in last week's win over the Chargers for 24 yards. Payne Durham and Ko Kieft could split TE duties if Otton is out this week.

From RotoBaller

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (concussion) was seen doing some agility work off to the side during the team's practice on Thursday. Pierce is in the league's concussion protocol after suffering a head injury in the Week 15 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday and is missing his second straight practice on Thursday. He still has one day left to try and get on the practice field, but as things look right now, Pierce is trending toward being inactive in Week 16 against the division-rival Tennessee Titans on Sunday. If that's the case, rookie Adonai Mitchell would see a bigger role in three-wide sets alongside Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs. However, we still wouldn't consider Mitchell an intriguing flex play in fantasy if Pierce is out while going up against a Titans defense that has allowed the third-fewest half-PPR points per game to opposing receivers in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) is practicing on Thursday after resting his back on Wednesday. Pittman has been managing a back injury of late, but he managed to play 96 percent of the offensive snaps in the Week 15 loss to the Denver Broncos and caught six of his nine targets for 58 yards while losing a crucial fumble in the second half. The 27-year-old has at least five receptions and seven targets in each of the last four games, but he hasn't found the end zone since Oct. 13 and only has one 100-yard game in 2024. Pittman's fantasy stock has taken a hit this year in Indy's low-volume passing attack and with young quarterback Anthony Richardson struggling with accuracy and consistency. The good news is that one of Pittman's two TDs on the year came against the division-rival Titans in their first meeting, although they also allow the third-fewest PPR points to receivers.

From RotoBaller