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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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.

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Los Angeles Chargers running back Gus Edwards is not in the fantasy starter conversation in a Week 16 Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos. Edwards is the top running back on the Chargers depth chart, but he's been horribly inefficient all season which has forced the Chargers to rely more on the passing game since starter J.K. Dobbins (knee) went down with an injury. Last week, Edwards ran the ball eight times for just 23 yards and he has yet to score double digit fantasy points in any game this season. The Broncos defense has stopped top running backs before, so Edwards has a low floor and almost no ceiling. He is best left on the bench in this key fantasy week.

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Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back Kimani Vidal is far too risky to start in a key fantasy matchup like Week 16. The Chargers take on the Denver Broncos on Thursday Night Football, and the Broncos defense has been tough on opposing running backs all season long. Vidal has shown some flashes in his rookie campaign, but he's still behind Gus Edwards for touches and the Chargers offense has shown lately that they will quickly abandon the running game if it is not working. There's certainly some upside with Vidal, but his floor is very low which makes him far too volatile without the possible payoff for this week's lineups.

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Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey is back at full strength for a Week 16 Thursday night game against the Denver Broncos. McConkey missed the game in Week 14 with shoulder and knee injuries, but he was able to return in Week 15 and is off the injury report completely this week. In his Week 15 return, he caught five passes for 58 yards and a touchdown and remained the usual first look for quarterback Justin Herbert. McConkey has a tough matchup against a strong Denver secondary, but he's still in the WR2 conversation because of target share and the potential for the Chargers to once again abandon the running game and go with a pass-heavy approach.

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Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston will look to continue his recent solid run in a Week 16 Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos. Johnston popped up on the injury report earlier this week, but it was simply a clerical error as the wide out has been healthy and practicing in full. Johnston has gone two games in a row with a fantasy WR2 finish and while the Broncos secondary has been excellent this season, "QJ" should see enough targets to have the chance to once again finish in those ranks. He's not a huge upside guy, but he's developed a decent enough floor, especially in games where the Chargers are expected to rely on the passing game.

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Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer is an underwhelming option in Week 16 fantasy lineups. Palmer has been playing an important role on the real life Chargers offense, but it has barely turned into any fantasy points for the 25-year-old pass catcher. He's peaked at 13.3 fantasy points but has scored single digit points in all but two of his games. This week he will face a strong Denver Broncos secondary on Thursday Night Football, and while the Bolts always seem to have a play or two drawn up for a long pass to Palmer, he's been far too inconsistent and comes into every game with a very low floor.

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Los Angeles Chargers tight end Stone Smartt is set for another start in a Week 16 Thursday Night Football matchup against the Denver Broncos. Smartt has taken over the starting tight end role with Will Dissly (shoulder) and Hayden Hurst (hip) both forced to miss time. Last week, Smartt caught five passes for 50 yards. He's a solid TE2 with a decent floor and clearly has quarterback Justin Herbert's trust despite his somewhat recent insertion into the starting lineup.

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Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker is set to have another solid performance in a Week 16 Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos. Dicker is the fourth ranked fantasy kicker so far this season, he's made 29 of his 31 field goal tries and 25 of his 28 extra point attempts. Last week, he made all three of his kicks and hasn't missed an attempt since Week 9. In what should be a close game against a strong defense, "Dicker the Kicker" could see several chances to put his team on the board. He's a top-10 option at the position this and most weeks.

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According to Nick Farabaugh of Penn Live, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (abdomen) did not participate in practice for the second straight day on Wednesday. Fields sustained this injury last weekend during their loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. If Fields cannot return to practice on Thursday, he could face an uphill battle to suit up on Saturday to face the Baltimore Ravens. While operating as the No.2 option on the depth chart, Fields has occasionally been deployed in rushing situations. Since Week 11, Fields has tallied 58 yards on seven attempts. If Fields cannot suit up, Kyle Allen should be expected to move up to the backup position on the depth chart.

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According to Ari Meirov of the 33rd Team, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (ankle) was a full participant during Wednesday's practice. This was his second straight full practice of the week, putting him in a good position to suit up on Saturday to face the Houston Texans. Mahomes left Sunday's game early due to a high-ankle sprain but appears to have avoided a significant injury. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to his status during Thursday's practice, as it will likely clarify his availability for this weekend. Before exiting Sunday's game, Mahomes went 19-for-38 with 159 yards and two scores against the Browns. If Mahomes can suit up, fantasy managers should view him as a low-end QB1 facing the Houston Texans, who have allowed the 12th-most PPR points to opposing QBs.

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The Los Angeles Chargers have listed tight end Hayden Hurst (hip) as questionable and ruled tight end Will Dissly (shoulder) out for Thursday's game against the Denver Broncos. Hurst has been on the injured reserve since suffering a hip injury during Week 9, and seeing him log two straight full practices this week suggests he has a great chance to return on Thursday. Dissly was out last weekend with a shoulder injury and was unable to participate in any practices this week. With both tight ends battling injuries, Stone Smart led the way last weekend, tallying 50 yards on five receptions. Hurst should be expected to reclaim the top role if he can return on Thursday. Before his IR stint, Hurst only averaged a mere 14.8 yards per game, which could open the door for Smart to see an increased No.2 role. Given the uncertainty, Hurst is best to leave out of your lineup, while Smart should only be started if Hurst cannot play.

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According to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times, the Seattle Seahawks remain optimistic regarding the status of their top running back, Kenneth Walker III (calf). Walker has sat out the past two games due to a calf injury but could be nearing a return. Head coach Mike Macdonald noted that the team remains "optimistic" when asked if Walker would return to practice this week. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to his status throughout the week as he may need to participate in numerous practice sessions to have a chance to return on Sunday. While sidelined, Zach Charbonnet has taken full control of the backfield, tallying 188 rushing yards and three scores over the past two games. If Walker can return on Sunday, he should viewed as a solid RB2 despite facing a tough Minnesota defense that has allowed the second-fewest PPR points to opposing RBs.

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New York Giants rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (ankle) was added to the Week 16 injury report on Wednesday after he put in a limited practice. It's a new injury for Tracy, so his status is worth watching the rest of the week, but if he's able to upgrade to a full practice on Thursday or Friday, he should be fine to play in a Week 16 tilt against the Atlanta Falcons on the road this weekend. The 25-year-old rookie has taken over lead-back duties from Devin Singletary for the majority of the season and has averaged 16.6 touches and 84.5 scrimmage yards in the last 10 games while also adding five rushing touchdowns. The fantasy upside certainly isn't very high given the Giants' pitiful quarterback situation -- Singletary is a threat to vulture TDs as well -- but for the volume alone, Tracy garners RB3/flex appeal if he's active for Week 16.

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New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee, foot) was listed as a limited practice participant on Wednesday while dealing with two injuries. Fellow wideout Wan'Dale Robinson (shoulder) was also limited in practice. Both players should be available to play in Week 16 against the Atlanta Falcons, but we'll monitor Nabers closely through the rest of the week. New York's quarterback situation has been atrocious in Nabers' first NFL season, which is why his 90-901-4 line in 12 games has been even more impressive. As long as he's active on Sunday, he's expected to be taking passes from Drew Lock again. It isn't ideal, but Nabers needs to be in all starting fantasy lineups if you still have something to play for. With Tommy DeVito and Tim Boyle seeing action in the Week 15 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Nabers caught 10 of 14 targets for 82 yards and one touchdown.

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New York Giants outside linebacker Brian Burns (ankle) and inside linebacker Bobby Okereke (back) were not spotted in the portion of practice on Wednesday that was open to the media. Burn said his ankle got rolled up on "pretty bad" in the Week 15 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, but head coach Brian Daboll said Branch is "day-to-day." The 26-year-old's status is in question heading into a Week 16 tilt against the Atlanta Falcons, but he still has several days to get back on the practice field. The Giants would love to have one of their best defenders on the field for Falcons rookie first-round quarterback Michael Penix Jr.'s first NFL start this Sunday. Burns, a two-time Pro Bowler, heads into Week 16 action with 58 tackles (34 solo), eight sacks, 13 tackles for loss, 15 QB hits, eight pass breakups and two forced fumbles in 14 starts in his first year in the Big Apple.

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Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said that quarterback Geno Smith (knee) went through Wednesday's walkthrough and will participate in practice. It's unclear exactly how much Smith will actually practice, but even a limited session in the first practice of the week will put him in place to potentially play in Week 16 against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. The veteran signal-caller tweaked his knee in the second half of Sunday night's loss to the Green Bay Packers and never returned. Tests on Smith's injured right knee came back positive for any structural damage, so barring a setback at practice this week, he appears to be on the right side of questionable to suit up this weekend. If for some reason Smith is ruled out, backup Sam Howell would make his first start of the year after looking overmatched in relief in Week 15.

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New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers is getting healthier down the stretch, which has coincided with two of his best performances of the season the last two weeks against the Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars. Rodgers has gone 43-for-69 the last two games with 628 passing yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. "He struggled with injury for a good part of the season, and, as he's starting to get healthier, you're starting to see Aaron Rodgers -- the real Aaron Rodgers," interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich said. The future Hall of Famer even rushed for a team-high 45 yards against the Jags, the most by any player in his 40s since Doug Flutie in 2003. Rodgers battled ankle, hamstring and knee issues earlier this year but is as healthy as he's been all year right now. He'll have another decent matchup against the Rams in Week 16, but his recent strong play doesn't suddenly make him a QB1.

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