Los Angeles Chargers TE Will Dissly (shoulder) and CB Cam Hart (concussion) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Dec. 18, and have been ruled out for Week 16. CB Elijah Molden (knee) did not practice and is listed as doubtful. DT Otito Ogbonnia (pelvis) was limited during practice and is listed as questionable. TE Hayden Hurst (hip), OG Zion Johnson (ankle) and LB Denzel Perryman (groin) fully participated in practice but are listed as questionable. CB Kristian Fulton (knee) fully participated in practice and is not on the injury report. The Chargers did not hold a practice Wednesday, so the practice report is an estimation.

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Indianapolis Colts wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr. (back) and Ashton Dulin (ankle) both missed the first practice of Week 16 preparation on Wednesday. In addition, Alec Pierce (concussion) also did not practice, so Indy's receiving corps is a bit beat up heading into Sunday's game against the division-rival Tennessee Titans. Pittman has been battling through a back issue of late but hasn't missed a game because of it, and he played 96 percent of the offensive snaps in the Week 15 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday. Our guess is the Colts are just resting the veteran wideout before he returns to practice later this week and plays on Sunday. The 27-year-old former second-rounder has become more of a hard-to-trust WR4/flex in the Colts' low-volume passing attack with young quarterback Anthony Richardson struggling with his accuracy. Pittman does have at least five catches and seven targets in the last four games, though.

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Indianapolis Colts kicker Matt Gay (neck) didn't take part in the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday. Gay is dealing with a neck injury coming out of the Week 15 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday in which he made both of his field-goal attempts and his lone extra-point opportunity. He still has two more days to get back on the practice field before the team takes on the division-rival Tennessee Titans in Week 16. We'll have a better idea on Gay's availability for the weekend based on whether the Colts make any moves to give them kicking insurance in case Gay can't kick on Sunday. The 30-year-old booter has made 88.9 percent of his field goals (24-for-27) this year while going a perfect 23-for-23 on extra points in 13 games in his second season with the team. Especially with his availability in question, fantasy managers should be looking at other kicking options in Week 16.

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Denver Broncos CB Riley Moss (knee) was limited during practice Wednesday, Dec. 18, but has been ruled out for Week 16. DE John Franklin-Myers (foot), DT D.J. Jones (finger) and CB Patrick Surtain II (ankle) fully participated in practice and are not on the injury report. The Broncos did not hold a practice Wednesday, so the practice report is an estimation.

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Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (ankle) had his reps limited in practice for the second straight day on Wednesday in advance of the team's Week 16 contest on Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs. Mixon tweaked his ankle in the Week 15 win over the Miami Dolphins, but head coach DeMeco Ryans said the 28-year-old back came out of the game fine and that he would be fine to face the Chiefs on a short week. However, Mixon might need a full practice session on Thursday to avoid a questionable tag. With a tough matchup against the Chiefs stingy defense upcoming and when considering Mixon's downturn in recent weeks, it may be best to consider him more of an RB2 rather than an RB1 in fantasy in Week 16. After finding the end zone at least once on the ground from Weeks 6-11, Mixon has averaged only 3.1 yards per carry with one TD in his last three contests.

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Detroit Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (non-injury) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Dec. 18.

Fantasy Spin: St. Brown should return to practice later in the week and will see his normal workload in Week 16. He is coming off his next game of the season and will continue to be a significant part of the passing game. He should be a starting option in all leagues.

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Detroit Lions S Brian Branch (calf), OT Taylor Decker (non-injury), OG Graham Glasgow (knee), RB David Montgomery (knee), C Frank Ragnow (non-injury), DT D.J. Reader (non-injury), DE Za'Darius Smith (non-injury) and OG Kevin Zeitler (non-injury) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Dec. 18. S Ifeatu Melifonwu (hand) and LB Trevor Nowaske (concussion) fully participated in practice.

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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (knee, wrist) was listed as limited for the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday. Burrow has been managing a sore knee and has been getting treatment for his surgically repaired right wrist in the last week, but he was able to start in the Week 15 win over the Tennessee Titans and continued to be impressive, throwing for 271 yards and three touchdowns, although he also uncorked two interceptions and lost a fumble. There's no reason for fantasy managers not to expect the 28-year-old to be out there for a divisional matchup this Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. The Bengals are likely to miss the postseason, but hasn't been for lack of Burrow's effort as one of the best QBs in football in 2024. Even though he had only 181 yards and two TDs in the first meeting against Cleveland on Oct. 20, Burrow should be a top-five fantasy QB in Week 16.

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Cincinnati Bengals wide receivers Tee Higgins (knee) and Charlie Jones (groin) were listed as limited in Wednesday's practice session. While Higgins is listed with a knee ailment, the Bengals are merely resting him late in the season after he's already miss a handful of games due to injury in 2024. Barring a setback later this week, the 25-year-old should be fine to play in Week 16 on Sunday against the division-rival Cleveland Browns. He missed three games due to a quadriceps injury in the middle of the season but has found the end zone in three of his last four games played, which includes 21 catches on 36 targets for 328 yards. Higgins doesn't have the consistent high fantasy ceiling that teammate Ja'Marr Chase has, but he's been extremely productive when healthy in 2024 and has WR1 upside against the Browns. In the first meeting against Cleveland, he went for four catches, 82 yards and a touchdown.

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Washington Commanders TE Zach Ertz (concussion) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Dec. 18.

Fantasy Spin: Ertz is going through the concussion protocol, so his status for Week 16 is uncertain at this point. He has been productive this season and can be a low-end No. 1 tight end if he is able to play this week.

From TheHuddle

Washington Commanders OG Samuel Cosmi (illness) and PK Zane Gonzalez (foot) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Dec. 18. DT Jonathan Allen (pectoral), S Jeremy Chinn (concussion), C Michael Deiter (ankle), DE Clelin Ferrell (knee), LB Frankie Luvu (non-injury), WR Luke McCaffrey (shoulder) and DT DaRon Payne (back) were limited during practice. LB Dante Fowler (groin) fully participated in practice.

From TheHuddle

Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (concussion) did not practice on Wednesday. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to his status throughout the week, as he would need to pass the league's protocol before returning to action. The veteran tight end sustained this concussion in the second quarter of their victory over the New Orleans Saints. Before departing, Ertz caught both of his targets for 25 yards. Before this game, Ertz found the end zone in three straight contests. During this span, the 34-year-old averaged a solid 15.0 PPR points per game while seeing 7.0 targets per contest. If Ertz cannot suit up to face the Eagles, John Bates will likely operate as the top tight end but should not be viewed as a viable option given his lack of offensive production.

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Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (ankle) fully participated in practice Wednesday, Dec. 18.

Fantasy Spin: Mahomes seems to be on track to play despite suffering the ankle injury in Week 15. He has played better during the second half of the season but should still only be an option in two-quarterback leagues.

From TheHuddle

Kansas City Chiefs CB Chamarri Conner (concussion) and OT D.J. Humphries (hamstring) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Dec. 18. C Creed Humphrey (ankle), PK Harrison Butker (knee) and OT Jawaan Taylor (knee) fully participated in practice.

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Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin (quadriceps) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers. McLaughlin opened the week as a non-participate but was able to upgrade to a limited participant on Tuesday. However, he was downgraded on Thursday and will set his sights on returning in Week 17 to face the Cincinnati Bengals. The 24-year-old left last weekend's game early with this injury. Before departing, McLaughlin tallied 21 yards on seven attempts. McLaughlin has struggled to find consistent attempts in the offense but has flashed some upside when given work, as he has averaged 5.3 yards per carry over his past four games. With McLaughlin ruled out, fantasy managers should expect Javonte Williams to see a majority of the opportunities out of the backfield.

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Denver Broncos defensive back Patrick Surtain II (ankle) is off the injury report and is good to go for Thursday's divisional tilt against the Los Angeles Chargers. The 24-year-old suffered a minor ankle injury during last weekend's victory over the Indianapolis Colts. This week, Surtain was able to participate in full, which is a great sign for his status for the remainder of the season. During last weekend's victory, Surtain tallied his fourth interception of the season. In total, the former first-round selection has logged 11 pass deflections and 32 tackles (24 solo) through 13 games. Surtain should be viewed as a high-end defensive back option on Thursday evening in all IDP formats.

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According to Nick Underhill of the New Orleans Football Network, the New Orleans Saints have signed free agent running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Edwards-Helaire was released by the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday. The 25-year-old did not play in a game this season as he was on the non-football injury list for most of the first half. Last season, the former first-round selection tallied 223 yards and one rushing score. His best season in Kansas City was his rookie campaign, where he ran for 803 yards on 181 attempts and added 297 yards on 36 receptions with five total scores. With Alvin Kamara (groin) leaving last weekend's game early, Edwards-Helaire brings a reliable depth option to the room. However, if Kamara were to miss time, Kendre Miller should be expected to see a majority of the opportunities.

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Carolina Panthers WR Adam Thielen (non-injury) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Dec. 18.

Fantasy Spin: Thielen has caught at least five games in each of his last three games and has shown a good connection with Bryce Young. He should see a good amount of targets against the Arizona Cardinals and can be a flex option in most fantasy leagues.

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Carolina Panthers LB Jadeveon Clowney (illness, knee), S Sam Franklin (neck), S Xavier Woods (non-injury), LB D.J. Wonnum (knee), LB Josey Jewell (non-injury), CB Jaycee Horn (non-injury) and DE A'Shawn Robinson (knee) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Dec. 18. WR David Moore (concussion) was limited during practice, while RB Raheem Blackshear (chest) fully participated in practice.

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Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has been removed from the injury report for Week 16 and is good to go for a Thursday Night Football game against the division-rival Denver Broncos. Despite an ankle injury that was clearly affecting his play in Week 15 and kept him limited in practice all week until Wednesday, Herbert will go into the game without an injury designation. He's been far less mobile due to the injury, but he still played well in terms of things he could control against Tampa Bay last week. The Broncos defense is tough against opposing quarterbacks, so Herbert's ceiling is limited by both his ankle and his opponent. Still, he'll likely need to lead the offense with his arm since the Bolts backfield hasn't done much of anything in the run game. Herbert is a safe QB2 option with some possible upside in what should be a close game.

From RotoBaller