San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel gets his next chance to break out of a brutal slump when the team hosts the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night. The former First-team All-Pro has averaged 3.3 half-PPR points per game over his last four contests. Samuel Sr. created drama early in the week, expressing dissatisfaction with a perceived decrease in the team getting him the ball. There is some truth to the complaint. Samuel Sr.'s career-high was 8.5 touches per game in 2021, and he averaged 6.5 touches per game last year compared to 6.0 touches this year. Of course, he didn't mention his season total of four broken tackles on social media, nor his 13.8 yards per reception (down almost a full yard from 2023), or his 2.9 yards per carry. The squeaky wheel may get the grease in this situation, but head coach Kyle Shanahan and quarterback Brock Purdy don't seem like the type to force-feed a complaining wideout based on their reactions this week. The Rams are a top-10 matchup to opposing wideouts, but it will be hard to trust Samuel Sr. in fantasy playoff lineups. He's a back-end WR3 at best in Week 15.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings will line up against division-rival Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night in Santa Clara. The former Tennessee Volunteer is coming off his second-best fantasy performance of the year, having caught seven of eight targets for 90 yards and two touchdowns at home against Chicago. The Rams are a good matchup for Jennings on paper, tied with Cleveland as the seventh-most-generous defense to fantasy wideout production. As the fantasy playoffs begin, Jennings is the overall WR14 in half-PPR scoring, including the games before Brandon Aiyuk was injured. Jennings should considered a WR2 with a solid target floor in Week 15.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco 49ers running back Patrick Taylor Jr. could get his first career start on Thursday night in Week 15 against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi's Stadium. Last week, Taylor Jr. took seven carries for 25 yards and sealed the blowout of the Chicago Bears with a touchdown in the fourth quarter after starter Isaac Guerendo left with a foot injury. It's common fantasy wisdom to point out that head coach Kyle Shanahan always eschews a committee approach, leaning almost exclusively on his starting running back. If Guerendo were to be ruled out -- and if you count Elijah Mitchell who was deemed out for the year during the preseason -- Taylor Jr. represents San Francisco's fifth-string running back. This may be the one situation where Shanahan decides to mix it up with his backfield snap distribution. The Rams are middle-of-the-pack in stopping the run and it's hard to argue for benching any RB starting for the 49ers. Still, Israel Abanikanda and Ke'Shawn Vaughn could eat into Taylor Jr.'s volume, as all three are basically replacement-level players. If Guerendo suits up, Taylor Jr. should be on fantasy benches, but if Guerendo can't go, the former Packer is a high-ceiling/low-floor play on the RB2/3 border.

From RotoBaller

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (knee) was a full participant in the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday. Bateman injured his knee in the Week 13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and had last week's bye to get his knee some extra treatment. After the week of rest and recovery, the 25-year-old pass-catcher looks good to return this weekend when the Ravens head to New York to face the Giants. The former 27th overall pick in 2021 out of Minnesota has seen more involvement this year and has 35 catches for a career-high 574 yards and a career-high five touchdowns on 55 targets in 13 games in 2024 as Baltimore's WR2 behind Zay Flowers. In a plus matchup against the Giants, Bateman should be on the fantasy map in Week 15 as a WR4/flex. Bateman enters the week as the WR42 in PPR formats.

From RotoBaller

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said on Wednesday that wide receiver Marquise Brown (shoulder) is nearing a return to the practice field. Brown suffered a sternoclavicular joint dislocation back in the preseason and hasn't played at all in 2024 for KC, but he was projected to return to practice in mid-December. "He's getting close," said Reid. "He's champing at the bit to get back out there, but he's got to visit with the doctors and make sure that he gets clearance there, but I'd probably say he's getting close. [I] can't give you a date. I don't know a date on it, but he says he feels great." Hollywood won't play in Week 15 against the Cleveland Browns, but a return in the final three games of the regular season isn't out of the question. Expecting the 27-year-old to contribute for fantasy managers in the playoffs could be another thing entirely.

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi said on Wednesday that the team won't name a starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Washington Commanders until the end of the week. The Saints aren't ruling out Derek Carr (concussion, hand), and he won't be placed on Injured Reserve despite fracturing his left (non-throwing hand) in the Week 14 win over the New York Giants. Rizzi said that Jake Haener and rookie Spencer Rattler both took repetitions at Wednesday's practice and will likely do the same on Thursday. Carr is a long hot to be active this weekend, and it's anyone's guess as to whether it will be Haener or Rattler under center this Sunday. Haener, 25, has more experience, but Rattler has more upside. Either way, the Saints' QB in Week 15 will be a desperation low-end QB2 in superflex fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will face the Los Angeles Rams in Week 15 at home on Thursday Night Football. Last week versus Chicago, Purdy moved the ball nearly at will -- especially in the first half. He finished 20-for-25 with 325 yards, two touchdowns, and no turnovers while adding 11 yards on the ground. The successful day was a welcome development after Purdy was held to 2.16 Yahoo default fantasy points in snowy Buffalo the week before. The Rams' air defense has been vulnerable, tied with Las Vegas for eighth in generosity to opposing fantasy quarterbacks. Most recently, Los Angeles was shredded by Bills QB Josh Allen to the tune of 50-plus fantasy points during a Week 14 win. The Rams defense will be without starting cornerback Cobie Durant (chest). San Francisco's offense is still hurting, with left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) set to miss his fourth-straight game and rookie running back Isaac Guerendo (foot) questionable, though left guard Aaron Banks (concussion) has been cleared to play after missing two games. Purdy is pretty well set up to have a solid night, making him a low-end QB1 with upside.

From RotoBaller

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (hamstring) was a limited participant in the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday. Waddle is battling a hamstring injury in Week 15, but it doesn't appear to be serious enough to put his status in question for the Week 15 game this Sunday against the Houston Texans. The 26-year-old played 82 percent of the offensive snaps in the Week 14 overtime victory over the division-rival New York Jets and was productive with nine catches on a season-high 12 targets for 99 yards, his third-highest yardage total all year. The former sixth overall pick in 2021 out of Alabama is in danger of not reaching 1,000 yards in a season for the first time in his fourth NFL campaign. However, Waddle's fantasy stock is on the rise after going for 21 catches, 296 yards and a touchdown in the last three games. He's setting up as a WR3/flex in Week 15 against Houston.

From RotoBaller

Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert (hip) was listed as a limited practice participant on Wednesday. Mostert was limited all of last week in practice and did not suit up for the Week 14 win over the division-rival New York Jets in overtime. The 32-year-old veteran will need to make more progress in practice the next couple days to have a shot at returning to the field this Sunday to face the Houston Texans. After scoring a league-high 18 rushing touchdowns in 15 games for Miami last year and also recording his first-ever 1,000-yard rushing season, Mostert has 65 rushing attempts for only 236 yards and two scores in nine games in 2024 as a much more distant backup to De'Von Achane. Rookie Jaylen Wright was seeing more involvement in the backfield before Mostert's injury, too, so he belongs on the waiver wire in 12-team fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (personal) was not at practice on Wednesday due to personal reasons. It's unclear why Beckham wasn't with the rest of the team for the first practice of the week as the team prepares for Week 15 versus the Houston Texans, but as long as he returns in the next two days, he should be active this weekend in Houston. OBJ has been almost non-existent in the Dolphins' offense this year in his first year in Miami. Through nine games played, he's secured nine of his 18 targets for 55 yards and no touchdowns. He was targeted just once in last week's overtime win over the division-rival New York Jets and caught it for a one-yard gain. Beckham hasn't reached 20 receiving yards in a single game in 2024 and remains well off the fantasy radar. If he isn't available to play this week, Malik Washington would settle into the WR3 for Miami.

From RotoBaller

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (wrist) was listed as limited for the team's first practice of Week 15. Hill has logged limited sessions at least once a week for a while now as he battles through a wrist injury, though it has yet to cause him to miss any time. It's just a rest day for the speedster, and fantasy managers should not exhibit concerns over the 30-year-old's ailment until he suffers a setback. Despite the issue, the veteran registered his highest snap count of the year in last weekend's OT victory over the Jets (70) -- recording his second 100-yard game in the process. Expect the former first-rounder to get in at least one full practice before Miami's meeting with the Houston Texans this Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Atlanta Falcons WR Ray-Ray McCloud has logged at least six targets in three straight games, and his 239 receiving yards in that span are 41.6 percent of his season total.

Fantasy Spin: McCloud had been relatively quiet after a solid start to the year, but his usage has picked up of late. If you need help at wide receiver, McCloud could be worth a flier, especially with the Raiders on tap in Week 15.

From TheHuddle

New England Patriots wide receiver Javon Baker (concussion) was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's practice as he battles through the league's concussion protocol. It's unclear when the 22-year-old picked up his injury. Baker played just two snaps in New England's loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 13, so it's possible it happened then. Though, it's a bit concerning that he's still in the league's protocol even after a bye in Week 14. He'll have two more chances to elevate his practice status ahead of the Patriots' Week 15 outing against the Arizona Cardinals. The rookie wideout has yet to haul in a pass this season but has worked as a return man for the Pats. If Baker can't play, running backs Antonio Gibson and JaMycal Hasty will handle most of the return duties.

From RotoBaller

According to Jonathan M Alexander of the Houston Chronicle, Houston Texans defensive back Jalen Pitre (pectoral) will have season-ending surgery on his injured pectoral muscle. The 25-year-old picked up the injury in Week 12's 32-27 loss to the Tennessee Titans, missing the following contest. Ouch. It's a massive blow to Houston's defense. Pitre racked up the team's third-most tackles and passes defended in 2024 -- his third season with the team. For now, defensive backs Jimmie Ward and Eric Murray project to fill in for the Baylor alum. However, Pitre also played nickel back for the Texans, so M.J. Stewart should also pick up some snaps.

From RotoBaller

Detroit Lions QB Jared Goff has an 81.8% completion rate when targeting WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, and the duo have connected on a league-high 53 first downs.

Fantasy Spin: St. Brown hasn't dropped a pass all season, and while a few more big plays would be nice, he is tied for fourth in the league in receptions and tied for second in touchdowns. At worst, he is a high-floor WR2 in PPR formats.

From TheHuddle

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Jordan Whittington (shoulder) is listed as questionable for the team's Thursday night matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. The rookie wideout sustained a shoulder injury in Sunday's 44-42 win over the Buffalo Bills, causing him to "miss" LA's first two days of estimated practice this week. Fortunately, Whittington was able to log a limited session on Wednesday before getting a questionable tag for their Week 15 matchup. The 24-year-old has taken a backseat in the offense since teammates Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua's return -- failing to log a reception since the Rams' Week 6 bye. However, he's been a solid kick returner for the team and still records snaps for the offense. If he can't suit up on Thursday, wide receiver Tyler Johnson projects to pick up a few extra snaps while running back Blake Corum and wideout Xavier Smith will handle return duties.

From RotoBaller

Tennessee Titans kicker Nick Folk (groin) was listed as a non-participant for his team's first practice of the week. The 40-year-old has been near-automatic this season for Tennessee, knocking through every kick but one -- a field goal attempt -- through 13 games. Folk made both of his kicks in Sunday's loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars but apparently picked up a groin injury during the contest. While the severity of the ailment is unknown, the Titans did sign kicker Brayden Narveson to their practice squad. Folk will have a few more opportunities to prove his health before Tennessee's meeting with the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 15. Still, they are hedging their bets, which means the journeyman kicker could be on the wrong side of his current designation. If he can't play, Narveson would assuredly be called upon in his stead.

From RotoBaller

Free-agent RB Royce Freeman was signed to the Chicago Bears practice squad Wednesday, Dec. 11.

From TheHuddle

Chicago Bears WR DeAndre Carter (hamstring) was placed on the Reserve/Injured list Wednesday, Dec. 11.

From TheHuddle

Seattle Seahawks WR Tyler Lockett (non-injury) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Dec. 11.

Fantasy Spin: Lockett should return to practice later in the week and will be available for the Week 15 game. He was targeted only once during the last game and finished with zero receptions. He has been held to 20 yards or less in each of the last four games and probably can be avoided in most fantasy leagues.

From TheHuddle