The Denver Broncos defense/special teams unit checks in as the top defense in fantasy football heading into a big divisional meeting against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday night in Week 16. The Broncos defense also leads the NFL with 49 sacks and defensive touchdowns with three in 14 games. Although they are probably still worth starting in most fantasy leagues this week -- they are also tied with the Chargers for fewest points allowed per game (17.6) in the NFL this year -- it might be more difficult for them to have yet another standout performance. The Chargers have surrendered the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing defenses in 2024, mainly because Justin Herbert and company are taking care of the football -- they have the second-fewest giveaways with eight. However, they also rank 10th in sacks allowed

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Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz has been money for fantasy managers in 2024, but he'll have a little less upside in a Week 16 divisional matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night. In the Week 6 loss to the Bolts, Lutz made his only field-goal attempt and just one extra point. Lutz will have less upside this week because the Chargers defense is tied for first with Denver for fewest points allowed per game (17.6), meaning points could be hard to come by on the road on a short week late in the season. However, the Chargers have allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing kickers in the last five weeks. Despite the less-than-ideal matchup, the 30-year-old has a high enough floor to put him in the top-10 at his position. Lutz has made 90% of his 30 field-goal attempts this year and is a perfect 9-for-9 on FGs and 16-for-16 on extra points in the last four games.

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Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. shouldn't be in starting fantasy lineups when the Broncos take on the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers in Week 16 on Thursday Night Football. Mims caught three passes for a season-high 105 yards in the Week 13 win over the Cleveland Browns thanks to a 93-yard touchdown reception. He followed that up by catching all four of his targets but for just 20 yards in last week's win over the Indianapolis Colts. The 22-year-old second-year wideout has big-play potential anytime he touches the football, but Denver has mostly been utilizing him on shorter pass plays, limiting his fantasy upside. Outside of his 100-yard game recently, Mims doesn't have more than four receptions or 49 yards in any of his 14 games in 2024. In the Week 6 loss to the Chargers, he didn't catch any of his three targets. Mims has no business being started by fantasy managers in the semifinals in most leagues.

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Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver Devaughn Vele was starting to slowly become Denver's No. 2 wideout behind Courtland Sutton with 14 receptions on 18 targets for 185 yards and a touchdown in Weeks 10-12, but in two games since then, he's completely disappeared. In wins over the Browns and Colts in Weeks 13 and 15, Vele has disappeared, catching one of five targets for 16 yards. The seventh-round pass-catcher has a bright future if he remains paired with quarterback Bo Nix for years to come in Denver, but the last two games were a reminder that it's hard to trust anyone not named Sutton in this offense. In Week 16 against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday night, Vele won't come recommended as a flex play for fantasy managers in the playoffs. Vele had four catches on six targets for 78 yards against the Bolts in the Week 6 loss. That might be his ceiling on Thursday evening.

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Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (wrist, rest) was officially a non-participant in his team's first practice of Week 16. It's been the veteran's routine for some time now -- kicking off Miami's week of practice listed as either a limited participant or DNP each week since Week 11. Fellow wideouts Jaylen Waddle (knee) and Dee Eskridge (knee) were also tagged with DNPs, though their status for Sunday's meeting with the visiting San Francisco 49ers is far less certain. Fantasy managers should not be concerned about Hill's status for now. The 30-year-old could be in store for all the work he could handle in Week 16 if his teammates cannot play. Currently, the only other active Miami wide receivers without a designation are Malik Washington and River Cracraft.

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Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette (hip) was tagged with a DNP to kick off this week's worth of practice. It's no surprise, as the 23-year-old was considered week to week with what was once labeled as a groin injury. He sustained it this past weekend in Carolina's 30-14 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. It's unfortunate news for the rookie, as he was getting a ton of playing time in his first NFL season -- leading the Panthers' wide receiver corps in snaps. With Legette likely to sit out this weekend's contest against the Arizona Cardinals, it will open up playing time for WR Deven Thompkins. Additionally, teammates Adam Thielen and Jalen Coker figure to get a bump in target share.

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Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel (shoulder) logged a limited session in Wednesday's team walkthrough. The 28-year-old sustained a shoulder injury in Week 15's win over the Detroit Lions in the fourth quarter. Samuel caught just 1-of-2 targets for one yard on 27% of snaps in the 48-42 victory. It was one of his lower snap share figures in 2024 and evidently related to his ailment. Buffalo is slated to meet with their division-rival New England Patriots this Sunday, and though the eighth-year veteran still has a chance to suit up, it'd bode well for him to be able to get in a full practice. He'll have two more tries to do so. Even if the former second-round pick plays, he's too difficult to trust for fantasy as a low-volume option on the Bills' offense.

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Arizona Cardinals running Trey Benson (ankle) was labeled as a non-participant for the team's first practice ahead of Week 16. The rookie picked up the injury in last Sunday's 30-17 win over the New England Patriots late in the fourth quarter and did not return to the contest. It's not the best start to the week for Benson. He'll have another two opportunities to upgrade his practice status before the Cardinals take on the Carolina Panthers in a road tilt this weekend. With teammate Emari Demercado (back) on injured reserve, Arizona would be down to just James Conner and DeeJay Dallas manning the backfield if Benson was not healthy enough to suit against Carolina. Conner would likely absorb more touches than usual if that's the case.

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Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton has been the WR12 with an average of 15.2 half-PPR points in the last five weeks thanks to 24 receptions on 36 targets for 309 yards and three touchdowns. Because of how often rookie QB Bo Nix targets Sutton -- his 113 targets on the year rank ninth among receivers -- he's become a must-start in fantasy lineups after the Broncos offense started the year off sluggish. He'll be facing a Los Angeles Chargers defense on Thursday night in Week 16 that has allowed the fifth-most half-PPR points per game to opposing pass-catchers in the last five weeks, including a league-high eight touchdowns allowed to receivers. In the first meeting with the Bolts on Oct. 13, Sutton caught four of six targets for 53 yards and a touchdown. Sutton has a pretty safe fantasy floor at this point and is on the WR1/2 borderline this week.

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Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (oblique) is on the Week 16 injury report and was listed as a non-participant in the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Kenneth Walker III (calf) missed yet another practice after sitting out the last two games. With both of Seattle's top RBs dealing with injuries, Kenny McIntosh could be in for an elevated role in Week 16 against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. The Seahawks are optimistic that Walker will practice this week, but that remains to be seen. Charbonnet has been a plug-and-play RB for fantasy managers with Walker out the last two weeks, as he's racked up 188 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 30 carries while adding eight catches for 71 yards. His Week 16 fantasy value is entirely dependent on his health and the health of Walker. If both RBs are active, Charb will be a touchdown-dependent RB3/flex, at best.

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Denver Broncos rookie running back Audric Estime will inevitably see the field more in Week 16 on Thursday Night Football against the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers with Jaleel McLaughlin (quadriceps) ruled out. But will it be enough of a role to make him flex-worthy for fantasy managers in semifinal matchups in most leagues? Probably not. Estime and Javonte Williams will most likely split the backfield touches pretty evenly, and Denver's rushing game has been a weak point of the offense all year long. Meanwhile, the Chargers defense has only allowed five total touchdowns to RBs all year and the sixth-fewest half-PPR points per game. The 21-year-old Estime is still searching for his first NFL touchdown while averaging 4.4 yards per carry on 46 attempts through 10 games. Estime should stay on benches in what is expected to be a low-scoring Thursday night contest.

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Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams could very well lead Denver's backfield in the Week 16 divisional game on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 16 after Jaleel McLaughlin (quadriceps) being ruled out. However, Williams could be splitting touches pretty evenly with rookie Audric Estime, and the matchup is not a friendly one on a short week. On top of it, the 24-year-old has done very little all year for fantasy managers to give him the benefit of the doubt. His ineffectiveness (career-low 3.5 yards per carry) led the Broncos to go with more of a committee backfield that had favored McLaughlin in recent weeks. The Chargers defense isn't afraid to give up yards to opposing ground games, but they've allowed the sixth-fewest half-PPR points to RBs, including only five total TDs. If Denver is going to have success in this matchup, it's more likely to come via Bo Nix's arm.

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It's probably tempting for fantasy managers to start Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix in Week 16 against the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers after Tampa QB Baker Mayfield lit them up for four touchdowns in a blowout win last week. However, you may want to think twice. Nix has exceeded expectations in his first year with the Broncos and is the QB10 in overall fantasy points despite a slow start in 2024. But the 12th overall pick out of Oregon has thrown four touchdowns and five interceptions in the last two games while completing only 55.88% of his passes for 424 yards. The Chargers defense has been middle of the pack in fantasy points allowed to QBs on the year, but they are also tied with Denver for the fewest points allowed per game (17.6). On paper, this divisional battle figures to be a low-scoring affair, potentially limiting Nix's fantasy upside. He went 19-for-33 for 216 yards, two touchdowns and a pick in the Week 6 loss to LA.

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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (hip) was limited in Wednesday's practice due to a hip injury. It's a new injury for Tagovailoa, but the fact that he's practicing at all in the first session of the week is a sign the injury likely isn't serious enough to keep him from playing in Week 16 versus the visiting San Francisco 49ers. As long as the 26-year-old signal-caller is able to return to a full practice in the next two days, he should be removed from the final injury report by Friday. Tagovailoa should probably be considered a high-end QB2, at best, with limited upside in Week 16 despite clearing 300 passing yards in three previous games before the Week 15 loss to the Houston Texans, where he went for 196 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. The 49ers defense has been one of the worst matchups in fantasy for opposing QBs, especially in the last five weeks.

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Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (ankle) remains on the Week 16 injury report and was listed as limited in Wednesday's practice. Meyers also had his practice reps limited a bit last week due to his ankle injury, but he was eventually cleared and played in the Week 15 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night. The 28-year-old pass-catcher caught five of his nine targets in that game for 59 yards in quarterback Desmond Ridder's first start of the year. He should be fine to play this weekend in an excellent matchup against the poor Jacksonville Jaguars secondary, making him intriguing in starting fantasy lineups for semifinal matchups in most leagues. Additionally, it looks like quarterback Aidan O'Connell (knee) will return from a one-game absence, which definitely will give Meyers more upside as the WR1 in Vegas.

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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (back) was rested in the first practice of the week on Wednesday while managing a back injury. Smith missed Weeks 12 and 13 due to a hamstring injury, but now he's managing a minor back injury that shouldn't put him in danger of missing Week 16 against the division-rival Washington Commanders. In two games since Smith returned from his hamstring injury, he's found the end zone twice and has caught 15 of 18 targets for 146 yards. The 26-year-old went off for 11 catches on 12 targets for 109 yards and a score in last week's win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. It was the first time he had gone over seven targets since Week 3, but Philly could emphasize their passing attack down the stretch heading into a positive matchup against Washington. Smith will be on the WR2/3 borderline in Week 16 in fantasy.

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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown was rested during Wednesday's practice and wasn't listed with an injury designation on the first report of Week 16. It's a good sign for Brown after he got up slow after a tackle late in the Week 15 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Eagles greased the squeaky wheel with Brown and the passing attack last weekend, with Brown catching a season-high eight passes on 11 targets for 110 yards and a touchdown. Look for the Eagles to try and continue to keep their passing onslaught going this weekend against the division-rival Washington Commanders on Sunday. If the Eagles continue to feed Brown the ball through the air, he'll have a good chance to improve on his five catches for 65 yards that he had in the first meeting against Washington on Nov. 14. Brown will be active in Week 16 and will have clear WR1 upside. Start him.

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (ankle) was upgraded to a limited practice participant on Wednesday after he didn't practice on Tuesday. Meanwhile, safety DeShon Elliott (hamstring) and cornerback Donte Jackson (back) didn't practice, while defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (groin) was limited. Watt suffered a low-ankle sprain late in the Week 15 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, but the Steelers have been hopeful that he can play in a big divisional clash on Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens. The 30-year-old's ability to return to practice on Wednesday is a sign he's trending in the right direction, although another upgrade to a full-go on Thursday would be ideal. Fantasy managers should be fading Pittsburgh's defense in fantasy against a high-scoring Ravens offense this weekend, but especially if Watt is unable to play. He's a must-start in IDP formats if he's active on Saturday.

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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) continues to battle through a shoulder injury and was limited in Wednesday's practice session. Lamb suffered an AC joint sprain in his shoulder back in Week 9 and has been managing the issue ever since, although he has not missed any time because of it. The 25-year-old's fantasy stock took a hit when quarterback Dak Prescott (hamstring) was lost for the year, but he's still been playable on a weekly basis in fantasy lineups. Since injuring his shoulder, Lamb also has 41 receptions on 60 targets for 429 receiving yards and two touchdowns. It speaks to Lamb's abilities on the football field that he remains a must-start wideout with WR1 upside in fantasy with Cooper Rush under center. Lamb should play on Sunday night and will have considerable upside against a vulnerable Bucs secondary.

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers listed quarterback Baker Mayfield (knee) as a non-participant in the first practice of the week on Wednesday due to a knee injury. It's unclear as of right now if Mayfield's knee injury is serious enough to keep him out of Week 16 against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night or if the Bucs are just giving the veteran QB some extra rest late in the season. The 29-year-old went off in a very tough matchup in the Week 15 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, going 22-for-27 for 288 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. Mayfield has a career-high 32 touchdown passes in 2024, and barring a late-season injury, he will surpass 4,000 passing yards for a second straight season. Keep an eye on Mayfield's practice status the rest of the week, but if he's available, he'll be a solid midrange QB1 for fantasy against a beatable Dallas defense.

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