Dynasty | The Falcons will start Michael Penix Jr moving forward. Dynasty Analysis: The key here is "moving forward," which likely means the Kirk Cousins era in Atlanta is over after less than one season. The Falcons shocked most of the world when they drafted Penix in the top ten after signing Cousins this off-season, but it turns out that may not have been crazy after all since Cousins has struggled mightily over the past month. Penix's value is on the rise while Cousins' is going to sink rapidly this off-season.

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston has been removed from the injury report. Johnston was listed as a non-participant on Monday, but Daniel Popper of The Athletic clarified that the Chargers had intended to list offensive lineman Zion Johnson, not Quentin Johnston. As of Tuesday, Johnston remains a full-go in practice and is not dealing with any injury. He'll suit up in Week 16 against the Denver Broncos.

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Houston Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs (knee) said he's unsure if he'll be back with the team in 2025 but wouldn't be opposed to sticking around. "I don't know what the future holds but I definitely got a home in Houston, and I love those guys over there. They're good people," Diggs said. The 31-year-old veteran is out for the rest of the season after suffering a torn ACL in Week 8. The four-time Pro Bowler played in eight games in his first season with the Texans before his injury and caught 47 passes on 64 targets for 496 yards and three touchdowns as an every-week starting wideout in fantasy. However, his overall upside was limited due to the presence of Nico Collins, which could force Diggs to pursue an opportunity with another team on the open market in free agency. Diggs' market could depend on how his recovery from ACL surgery is coming along in the offseason.

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The Atlanta Falcons are benching quarterback Kirk Cousins heading into their Week 16 game against the New York Giants in favor of first-rounder Michael Penix Jr., according to head coach Raheem Morris. Despite signing Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract in the offseason, the Falcons are turning the page as they try to secure a playoff spot in the final three weeks. In the last five games, the 36-year-old Cousins has really struggled, throwing only one touchdown and nine interceptions. He went 11-for-17 for only 112 yards with a touchdown and interception in Monday's win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Cousins leads the NFL with 16 interceptions and has failed to give the Atlanta offense the boost he was expected to provide. Penix, 24, has lots of upside as the eighth overall pick, but he's raw -- he's played in two games and has gone 3-for-5 for 38 yards. The strong-armed lefty will be a low-end QB2 with upside.

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Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (ankle) remained a limited participant during Tuesday's practice session. This is now back-to-back limited practice sessions for Herbert with a matchup against the Denver Broncos on Thursday. Herbert has been banged up since suffering an ankle injury in Week 14. Despite that, Herbert played on Sunday and is expected to suit up in Week 16 as well. The 26-year-old clearly isn't 100 percent healthy right now and has a short week against a strong secondary. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect Herbert to be much more than a QB2 for Week 16.

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Los Angeles Chargers tight end Hayden Hurst (hip) was designated to return from the injured reserve on Monday. Hurst only missed the minimum of four games after being placed on the injured reserve in late-November. The 31-year-old was able to get through a full practice on Tuesday. That is great news, but it still seems unlikely that Hurst will be able to suit up for Thursday's game against the Denver Broncos. Fellow tight end Will Dissly (shoulder) has missed back-to-back practice sessions and is likely to sit out another week. That being said, Stone Smartt figures to be in line for another start after a five-catch performance on Sunday. He could be an interesting TE2 option for fantasy managers lacking depth at tight end.

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Los Angeles Chargers tight end Will Dissly (shoulder) did not participate in practice on Tuesday. This is now back-to-back missed practice sessions for Dissly who missed last week's game with a shoulder injury. At this rate, fantasy managers should expect Dissly to sit out of Thursday's game against the Denver Broncos. Fellow tight end Hayden Hurst (hip) was designated to return from the injured reserve on Monday. Hurst practice in full on Tuesday, which gives him a chance to play on Thursday. Otherwise, Stone Smartt figures to get another start after a five-catch outing on Sunday.

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Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo (undisclosed) reportedly hurt himself a bit during Monday's game, according to head coach Raheem Morris. It doesn't sound like too serious of an injury, but fantasy managers should stay tuned for another update on Wednesday. Koo made his lone extra point attempt and connected on 2-of-3 field goal attempts in the win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Possibly, the injury was part of the reason Koo missed his field goal attempt in the fourth quarter. Regardless, fantasy managers will have to wait another day or two before getting a better update. Fantasy managers who have Koo rostered might want to get a backup plan in place in case he misses the Week 16 matchup against the New York Giants.

From RotoBaller

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has been named the starting quarterback moving forward, according to head coach Raheem Morris. This news comes a day after the 15-9 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. Kirk Cousins was able to pull together a victory, but has one touchdown and nine interceptions over the last five games. The Falcons playoff hopes are quickly evaporating so they've decided to make a change at quarterback. Penix helped lead the Washington Huskies to an undefeated season and a trip to the National Championship game in 2023. Afterwards, the Falcons used the No. 8 overall selection on Penix in this year's draft. That seemed like an odd decision at the time given they'd just signed Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract. The hope is that a change at quarterback will jumpstart this offense. Penix will get a plus-matchup in his first career start against the New York Giants in Week 16. Although, fantasy managers can't be certain what they'll get right away, which makes Penix a risky streaming choice in the fantasy playoffs.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers TE Will Dissly (shoulder), CB Cam Hart (concussion), OG Zion Johnson (ankle), DB Elijah Molden (knee) and DL Otito Ogbonnia (pelvis) did not practice on Tuesday, Dec. 17. Also, QB Justin Herbert (ankle) and LB Denzel Perryman (groin) were limited and CB Kristian Fulton (knee) and TE Hayden Hurst (hip) practiced in full.

From TheHuddle

Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. will start over QB Kirk Cousins in Week 16, head coach Raheem Morris revealed on Tuesday, Dec. 17.

Fantasy Spin: Penix Jr. has thrown just five NFL passes, so it goes without saying he can't be trusted in lineups this week. Adding to that, the change leaves all Falcons pass-catchers on shakier ground entering Week 16.

From TheHuddle

Denver Broncos DL John Franklin-Myers (foot) did not practice on Tuesday, Dec. 17. Also, CB Riley Moss (knee), RB Jaleel McLaughlin (quadriceps) and DT D.J. Jones (finger) were limited and CB Patrick Surtain II (ankle) practiced in full.

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Retired QB Teddy Bridgewater plans on returning to the NFL, he revealed on Tuesday, Dec. 17.

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Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Sincere McCormick (ankle) said on his personal Instagram account on Tuesday that he plans to "be back next year" after injuring his ankle in Monday night's loss to the Atlanta Falcons. It's unclear how serious McCormick's ankle injury actually is, but at 2-12 on the season, the Raiders have little incentive to rush any of their injured players back onto the field for the final three games of the season. For lack of better options and with head coach Antonio Pierce looking for any kind of spark, the 24-year-old was thrust into a starting role with both Zamir White (quadriceps) and Alexander Mattison both recently missing multiple games. The former undrafted free agent out of Texas-San Antonio didn't make his NFL debut until Week 12 but averaged 4.7 yards per carry on 39 rushing attempts in five games. McCormick isn't guaranteed to be back with the Raiders in 2025.

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The Arizona Cardinals and All-Pro safety Budda Baker reached an agreement on a three-year, $54 million contract extension on Tuesday that includes $30 million in guarantees. The $18 million average per year is the biggest third contract for a safety in NFL history. The deal was negotiated by David Mulugheta of Athletes First. The 28-year-old defensive back was taken by Arizona in the second round in 2017 out of Washington and has played all eight of his NFL seasons with the Cardinals, picking up six Pro Bowl nods and three All-Pro honors. He's the only safety in the league to be a Pro Bowler in each of the last five seasons. Since entering the league in 2017, Baker leads all NFL DBs in total tackles (861) and solo tackles (600). He ranks second in the NFL this year with 142 tackles and is a weekly starting option in IDP fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Arizona Cardinals S Budda Baker agreed to a three-year, $54 million contract extension on Tuesday, Dec. 17. The deal includes $30 million guaranteed.

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The Los Angeles Rams activated tight end Tyler Higbee (knee) from Injured Reserve on Tuesday. Higbee has been practicing in full for the last couple of weeks, but the Rams have been playing it safe with the 31-year-old veteran after he tore both his ACL and MCL in the postseason last year. Now that he's been activated, he's in line to make his 2024 debut this weekend against the New York Jets on Sunday. Higbee is the Rams' best pass-catching option at the tight end position among Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen and Hunter Long, but fantasy managers should fully expect Higbee to be on a strict snap count as they ease him back into the fold following such a long layoff. With only two weeks left in most fantasy leagues, it's hard to imagine Higbee being a realistic option for starting lineups at the TE position. In 15 regular-season starts in 2023, Higbee had 47 catches for 495 yards and two touchdowns.

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The Cincinnati Bengals signed kicker Cade York from the practice squad to the active 53-man roster on Tuesday and also signed linebacker Joe Giles-Harris and safety Jaylen Key to their practice squad. York had been elevated to the active roster the last few weeks to fill in for the injured Evan McPherson (groin), who is on Injured Reserve, but now he's officially on the active roster heading into a Week 16 contest against the division-rival Cleveland Browns. With the Bengals potentially being eliminated from postseason contention very soon, they may choose to just roll with York as their placekicker for the final three games of the regular season. McPherson isn't eligible to return until Week 18. In the last two games with Cincy, York has hit all three of his field-goal tries and has missed one of his eight extra-point attempts. He'll be in play as a kicking streamer in deeper leagues this Sunday against the Browns.

From RotoBaller

Miami Dolphins WR Grant DuBose (head) was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday, Dec. 17. Also, free-agent QB Skylar Thompson and WR Isaiah McKenzie (Giants) were signed to the practice squad and LS Jacob McQuaide was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster.

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Seattle Seahawks CB Artie Burns was waived on Tuesday, Dec. 17.

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