According to Greg Auman of FOX Sports, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have ruled out safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (knee) for Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys. The defensive back suffered this knee injury during their Week 14 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders and will now miss his second-straight contest. Before the injury, Winfield tallied 49 tackles (30 solo) during Weeks 7 through 13. During this span he tallied two sacks and two pass deflections. While sidelined, fantasy managers in IDP formats should expect Christian Izien, Tykee Smith, and Kaevon Merriweather to see most of the snaps at the safety position.

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According to Nicki Jhabvala, the Washington Commanders have ruled out defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (pectoral) for Sunday's divisional matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. Allen has been sidelined since Week 6 after suffering a torn pectoral muscle. The two-time Pro Bowler returned to practice this week but was not able to progress enough to return to action. During the first five games of the season, Allen tallied 15 tackles (13 solo) with two sacks. Last season, across 16 games, Allen registered 5.5 sacks with 53 tackles. Fantasy managers in IDP formats should expect Jer'Zhan Newton to continue to operate in the No.2 spot on the depth chart alongside Daron Payne. Allen's next opportunity to return would in a Week 17 match against the Atlanta Falcons that could have significant playoff implications.

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According to Joel A. Erickson of the IndyStar, the Colts have ruled out wide receiver Alec Pierce (concussion) for Week 16's divisional tilt against the Tennessee Titans. Pierce sustained this concussion during last weekend's loss to the Denver Broncos and was unable to practice all week. The 24-year-old will need to clear the league's protocol in order to return in Week 17 to face the New York Giants. During Weeks 10 through 13, Pierce found the end zone twice and averaged a solid 10.8 PPR points per game. While sidelined, fantasy managers should expect Josh Downs and Michael Pittman Jr. to lead the passing attack. However, they do have a tough matchup ahead of them on Sunday as the Titans have allowed the fifth-fewest PPR points to opposing wideouts this season.

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According to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN, Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (hamstring) was seen at Friday's practice. This is a positive sign for his availability heading into the weekend as he was unable to participate at all this week. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to his status on Friday's injury report as he will likely carry an injury designation into the weekend. Njoku was unable to suit up last weekend with this hamstring injury and is in danger of missing his second-straight contest. During Weeks 11 through 14, the veteran tight end averaged a solid 15.6 PPR points per game and found the end zone three times. If Njoku is able to play on Sunday, he should be viewed as a low-end TE1 facing the Cincinnati Bengals who have allowed the most PPR points to the position. He does come with some inherent risk with Dorian Thompson-Robinson taking over starting duties under center.

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Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said that quarterback Bryce Young will start the final three games of the 2024 regular season. "Bryce is going to finish the season for us," Canales said. Young took a step back in the Week 15 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, but the Panthers have no reason to go back to veteran Andy Dalton while out of playoff contention. The 23-year-old second-year signal-caller got off to a terrible start in 2024 and was benched after two games in favor of Dalton, who gave the club a spark initially. Eventually, Dalton got injured, forcing the Panthers to go back to Young. In his last seven starts, Young has taken a step forward, completing 60.6% of his passes for 1,492 yards, eight touchdowns and six interceptions while also running for two scores. Still, he turned the ball over four times last Sunday and has only one passing touchdown in each of the last six games.

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Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (knee) was not seen at the portion of Friday's practice open to the media and is listed as doubtful for the Week 16 contest on Sunday against the visiting San Francisco 49ers at Hard Rock Stadium. Waddle suffered a knee injury early in the Week 15 loss to the Houston Texans and never returned, and now it looks like he'll sit out for at least one game. In addition, Dee Eskridge (knee) is also doubtful, so the Dolphins figure to be short-handed at wideout this weekend. Malik Washington should step into the WR2 role behind All-Pro Tyreek Hill, but for fantasy purposes, he still won't be a recommended option as a flex play in starting lineups with a trip to the fantasy championship on the line. If anything, Hill, tight end Jonnu Smith and running back De'Von Achane will be targeted more through the air.

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Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said that quarterback Joe Burrow (knee) was officially limited for the third time this week on Friday but he is good to go for Sunday's divisional contest against the Cleveland Browns in Week 16. Burrow is also battling through soreness in his surgically repaired right wrist, but all systems are go for the 28-year-old signal-caller. Even though the former first overall pick threw for under 200 yards against the Browns in their first meeting on Oct. 20, fantasy managers should keep Burrow locked into their starting lineups this weekend as a top-five QB. Burrow has been the QB3 overall in total fantasy points and currently leads the NFL in passing yards (3,977) and touchdown passes (36) while throwing only eight interceptions. The Browns have played divisional opponents much tougher in 2024, but Burrow is a must-start, high-end QB1.

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Despite missing a practice this week due to a knee injury, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins has been cleared from the final Week 16 injury report and will play against the division-rival Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Higgins has missed several games this year due to injury, so fantasy managers may have been a bit worried when they saw him miss practice on Thursday. However, the 25-year-old was being rested more than anything and is fully expected to be fine this weekend as the Bengals look to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. When healthy in 2024, Higgins has been money for his fantasy managers, scoring six touchdowns in nine games played. He's no Ja'Marr Chase, but Higgins still has WR1 upside in fantasy for this week's matchup against Cleveland. In the first meeting against the Browns, Higgins caught four of eight targets for 82 yards and a touchdown.

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The Baltimore Ravens downgraded wide receiver Nelson Agholor (concussion) to out for the Week 16 contest on Saturday against the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers due to his concussion. It doesn't come as much of a surprise after Agholor missed practice all week. Additionally, fellow wideout Rashod Bateman (foot) is questionable to play this weekend due to a foot injury that had him in a walking boot on Thursday. If the Ravens are without both Agholor and Bateman, Zay Flowers and tight end Mark Andrews will be in line for bigger target shares against a tough defense. Tight end Isaiah Likely and receivers Tylan Wallace and Devontez Walker would also be on the field more in passing situations for the Ravens. Agholor has 13 receptions for 231 yards and two TDs in 14 games on the year and hasn't really been on the fantasy radar at all. He'll hope to clear concussion protocol in time for Week 17.

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Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (foot), who suffered a season-ending broken foot in the Week 15 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, is headed for free agency in March, and The Athletic's Zac Jackson writes that it's hard to say what Chubb's future in Cleveland might be. Jerome Ford will be the team's clear lead runner over the final three games of the season, with Pierre Strong Jr. and D'Onta Foreman also being evaluated in bigger roles. Strong is a candidate to return in 2025, but Foreman is not. Chubb is a popular player in the locker room and among fans, but the Browns must determine how much they think he has left after ending each of the last two seasons on Injured Reserve due to injuries. The 28-year-old four-time Pro Bowler may never be the same after suffering a gruesome knee injury early in 2023. In just eight games in 2024, Chubb didn't look the same and averaged a career-low 3.3 yards per tote.

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New England Patriots kicker Joey Slye can be left on waivers in most fantasy leagues ahead of Sunday's Week 16 matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Slye has been relatively mediocre this year, showcasing impressive power but struggling with accuracy on kicks that most NFL kickers would make. All in all, he's 19-for-20 on extra points and 23-for-30 on field goals in 2024. This week, the bad news for Slye is that he faces the Bills, who have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing kickers in 2024. To further complicate matters, he'll be kicking in Orchard Park, New York, which is known for cold temperatures, wind gusts, and potential snow in the winter months. Any of these weather conditions could affect Slye in Week 16, further reducing his fantasy value. For now, he's a mid-range K2 who lacks fantasy appeal on Sunday.

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins was benched in favor of first-round rookie Michael Penix Jr. this week after throwing nine interceptions in a five-game span in which the team went 1-4. Cousins, 36, is unlikely to be the No. 1 QB in Atlanta again this year, and the chances that the 13-year veteran signal-caller comes back in 2025 as the backup are slim. Cousins has a no-trade clause after signing a four-year, $180 million deal last offseason with around $100 million guaranteed. If the Falcons cut Cousins, they'll get hit with $65 million in dead money. If they designate him a post-June 1 cut, they dead money would spread over the next two seasons -- $40 million in 2025 and $25 million in 2026. A trade could be pulled off if Cousins approves it, and in that scenario, the Falcons would be on the hook for the remaining $37.5 million of remaining proration. Cousins also has a $10 million roster bonus for 2026.

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New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito (concussion) cleared concussion protocol on Friday and has been removed from the injury report, according to ESPN's Jordan Raanan. Meanwhile, fellow quarterback Drew Lock (heel, left elbow) practiced again and has also been removed from the injury report, as expected. The Giants intend to start Lock at quarterback in Week 16 against the Atlanta Falcons, which means that DeVito will return to the backup role. Lock has completed just 51.9 percent of passes through two starts with just 405 yards, zero touchdowns, and three turnovers. On a more positive note, he has flashed impressive mobility with 116 rushing yards on nine attempts. Lock has also shown that he can support strong production from the Giants' receivers, including Malik Nabers, who caught 13 of his 23 targets for 148 yards through Lock's two starts. Fantasy managers should view Lock as a high-end QB3 option this week.

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New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye will get his first taste of December football in Orchard Park during Sunday's divisional matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Maye is coming off a solid game against the Arizona Cardinals in which he registered 202 passing yards, 14 rushing yards, two total touchdowns, and one interception. While the No. 3 pick has been prone to turnovers this year, last Sunday's interception wasn't his fault as a well-placed pass tipped off his receiver's hand and into the arms of a Cardinals. Moving forward, Maye continues to rank just outside the top 12 fantasy quarterbacks. This week's game has a potential high-scoring factor if the Bills take an early lead and force the Patriots to throw the football while playing from behind. However, the Patriots have a shown a reliance on the rushing attack this year, so it's possible that New England's coaching staff looks to shorten the game by putting the ball in the hands of Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson more often. Maye's rushing upside is capped against a Bills defense allowing the fewest rushing attempts and 10th-fewest rushing yards to opposing quarterbacks in 2024, but he should still make an impact through the air. Maye is worth starting in two-quarterback leagues, as well as leagues with at least 14 teams.

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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (rest, knee) was seen practicing on Friday. He had been limited on Wednesday and absent on Thursday, so his presence to close out the week is a promising sign. According to ESPN's Ben Baby, Higgins was "working with trainers on the side, which has been the norm in recent weeks." It appears the 25-year-old receiver is trending toward playing against the Cleveland Browns in Week 16, but we'll want to see the Bengals' final injury report before jumping to any conclusions. Higgins is a borderline must-start receiver if active; he is averaging 5.8 catches, 82 yards, and 0.8 touchdowns over his last four games. He ranks as a mid-to-low WR2 option this Sunday against Cleveland.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (knee) and left tackle Tristan Wirfs (foot, knee) were both spotted practicing on Friday, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. Mayfield missed practice on Wednesday, but he returned on Thursday. It appears that he'll be good to go for Week 16 against the Dallas Cowboys, barring a setback. The talented signal-caller ranks as the overall QB5 in fantasy football this season, and he's in the midst of a hot stretch that includes seven passing touchdowns over his last two games. He'll rank as a top-10 fantasy option this week against Dallas. Meanwhile, Wirfs is on the practice field for the first time this week after missing the last two days' sessions. It's too early to know his status for Week 16, but Wirfs has previously shown that he can play in a Sunday game after logging just one practice on Friday. Having him active would be key for the Buccaneers as they look to protect Mayfield's blindside.

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The Denver Broncos defense/special came up empty in Week 16 in a Thursday night loss on the road to the Los Angeles Chargers. Denver's D entered this contest as one of the very best defenses in all of football while leading the NFL in sacks and defensive touchdowns scored. However, they did not live up to their billing on a short week, allowing 34 points to the Chargers while recording just two sacks against quarterback Justin Herbert. They held LA's offense to 13 points in the first half before falling apart in the second half. They did pick off Herbert one time in the contest, but all in all, they allowed 380 yards of total offense to their division rivals, who were missing starting running back J.K. Dobbins (knee). It was an uncharacteristic performance from what has been a top-five fantasy defense in 2024, and fantasy managers might want to expect more of the same in a bad matchup in Week 17 against the Bengals.

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Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel (rib) is officially questionable to play against the New England Patriots in Week 16. He had been limited in practice. The 28-year-old has offered a solid veteran presence in his depth role, but not enough to justify rostering him in fantasy football. After all, he continues to operate behind Khalil Shakir, Amari Cooper, Keon Coleman, and Mack Hollins. Even if he's active this Sunday, Samuel, who has just 201 yards and one touchdown through 13 games, can be left on fantasy waivers.

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Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers, according to ESPN's Josh Weinfuss. Benson, a rookie, has consistently operated as the Cardinals' No. 2 running back behind James Conner, totaling 291 rushing yards, 59 receiving yards, and one touchdown this year. With Benson sidelined and Emari Demercado (back) on injured reserve, the Cardinals will call upon DeeJay Dallas to back up Conner in Week 16. For fantasy purposes, Conner, who was the overall RB1 last week, is the only Arizona running back worth rostering and starting on Sunday.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (rest) and tight end Cade Otton (knee) were seen practicing on Friday, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. Evans had been absent on Wednesday, but he returned to practice on Thursday and should be all set to play in Week 16 against the Dallas Cowboys. The 31-year-old caught nine passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns last week, and he needs 251 yards over his next three games to achieve his 11th consecutive 1,000-yard season. Otton, meanwhile, had not practiced yet this week, so the fact that he was able to get on the field in some capacity Friday is a good sign. Fantasy managers will still want to check the Buccaneers' final injury report for confirmation on his status, but his presence Friday is a step in the right direction. Otton would rank as a fringe top-12 fantasy tight end if active against Dallas.

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