After Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (knee) consulted with medical experts the last few days, sources are optimistic that he avoided a season-ending injury. Montgomery will rehab his MCL injury with the hope that he can return at some point in the playoffs. The 27-year-old will still miss the last three games of the regular season and is no further use to fantasy managers in redraft leagues that are still battling for a championship. The Lions will hold out hope that Monty can recover quickly and join them in the postseason, although there are no guarantees. If Detroit can secure the top seed in the NFC and a first-round bye, it would give Montgomery an extra week of recovery. In the meantime, Jahmyr Gibbs should see all the touches he can handle for the Lions the last three weeks of the regular season, with Craig Reynolds being sprinkled in. Gibbs is a must-start, high-end RB1 going forward.

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Even though Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (knee) wasn't seen at the portion of Thursday's practice open to the media, he did participate in some side work. Higgins is expected to return to practice on Friday and should be on track to play on Sunday against the division-rival Cleveland Browns in Week 16. On the official injury report, he was limited on Wednesday and a non-participant on Thursday. Fantasy managers should be planning to start the 25-year-old in semifinal matchups this weekend. He played 86 percent of the snaps in last week's win over the Tennessee Titans and caught five of his eight targets for 88 yards and a touchdown. Despite being in the shadow of All-Pro wideout Ja'Marr Chase, Higgins has been a strong option for fantasy managers in 2024 when he's been on the field, scoring six touchdowns in nine games played. He has WR1 upside in Week 16 against Cleveland.

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Indianapolis Colts kicker Matt Gay (neck) remained sidelined during practice on Thursday. Gay will need to participate in some capacity during Friday's session to have a chance to suit up this weekend. The veteran kicker sustained this injury during their loss to the Denver Broncos last weekend. Fantasy managers should closely monitor his status on Friday. Since Week 10, the 30-year-old has held a perfect 100% mark on his field goals and extra point attempts. Overall, he holds an 88.9% FG success rate and has yet to miss an extra point. If Gay can make a quick turnaround, he should be viewed as a low-end K1, given the safe floor he provides facing the Tennessee Titans.

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Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (ankle) remained a limited participant during Thursday's practice. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to his status during Friday's session, as he may carry an injury designation into the weekend if he does not log a full session. Meyers has been dealing with this ankle injury over the past few weeks but has not missed any time due to it. Meyers was also a limited participant through the opening sessions of practice last week as well. Over his past four games, the veteran wideout has averaged 7.3 receptions with 86.0 yards per game while posting a solid 15.6 PPR points per game. Fantasy managers should view Meyers as a high-floor WR2 in PPR leagues facing the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

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According to David Furones of Sun Sentinel, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (knee) remained sidelined during Thursday's practice. Waddle sustained this knee injury during last weekend's loss to the Houston Texans. He was unable to return to the game after the injury. Seeing Waddle miss the first two practices of the week does not put him in a good position to be available for this weekend's game. Fantasy managers should monitor Friday's report in case Waddle can make a quick turnaround but should begin to find an alternative option. During Weeks 12 through 14, Waddle was beginning to find his footing on what had been a disappointing season, as he averaged a strong 98.7 yards per game during this span. If Waddle cannot play, Malik Washington would operate as the No.2 wideout and could be a viable flex option in deeper formats.

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Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) was upgraded to a full participant during Thursday's practice. This is a great sign for the wideout as he was a non-participant on Wednesday. Pittman has battled a lingering back injury throughout the season and has only missed one game due to it back in Week 10. Since Week 11, Pittman has averaged 5.5 receptions per game while tallying 60.5 yards per contest. This is a nice improvement compared to the 40.5 yards he averaged per game during the first nine contests of the season. Fantasy managers should monitor his stats on Friday in case he faces a setback, but he is currently on track to be a full-go on Sunday. This weekend, he will face the Tennessee Titans, who have allowed the fifth-fewest PPR points to opposing wide receivers this season.

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According to David Furones of the Sun Sentinel, wide receiver Tyreek Hill (wrist) returned to practice on Thursday. Hill sat out during Wednesday's session. The veteran wideout has battled this lingering wrist injury throughout the season but has yet to miss time due to it. Fantasy managers should monitor his status on Friday in case he faces a setback, but he is currently on track to be full-go this weekend against the San Francisco 49ers. Last weekend, Hill tallied only 36 yards as the entire Miami offense was very unproductive. However, over his previous four games, Hill averaged a strong 19.3 PPR points per game while tallying at least 76.8 yards per game. Fantasy managers should still view him as a low-end WR1 despite facing a tough San Francisco secondary that has allowed the third-fewest PPR points to opposing wideouts this season.

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Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett (back), DE Shelby Harris (elbow) and TE David Njoku (hamstring) did not practice on Thursday, Dec. 19. Also, CB Martin Emerson (concussion), DB Cameron Mitchell (knee), WR Cedric Tillman (concussion) and QB Jameis Winston (shoulder) were limited and WR Jerry Jeudy (knee) practiced in full.

From TheHuddle

According to Dan Salomone of Giants.com, quarterback Drew Lock (heel/elbow) was upgraded to a full participant during Thursday's practice. After logging a limited session on Wednesday, Lock is now on track to suit up on Sunday to face the Atlanta Falcons. Lock was unable to suit up last weekend due to these injuries but should be expected to reclaim his starting duties on Sunday. While sidelined, Tommy DeVito got the starting nod and tallied only 68 passing yards during their loss to the Baltimore Ravens before exiting early. In his two previous starts, Lock posted a 51.9% completion rate, averaging 202.5 yards per game with one rushing score. Lock should only be viewed as a desperation QB2 in deep Superflex formats this weekend, facing the Atlanta Falcons, who have allowed the seventh-most PPR points to opposing QBs this season.

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Arizona Cardinals RB Trey Benson (ankle), OL Paris Johnson Jr. (knee), LB Jesse Luketa (thigh), CB Elijah Jones (ankle), LB Kyzir White (illness) and LB Mack Wilson (concussion) did not take part in practice on Thursday, Dec. 19. Also, OL Kelvin Beachum (rest), S Joey Blount (knee), LB Zaven Collins (neck), DL Roy Lopez (ankle), CB Max Melton (shin), CB Sean Murphy-Bunting (hand), PK Matt Prater (knee) and DL Darius Robinson (calf) were limited.

From TheHuddle

New Orleans Saints WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (chest) did not participate in practice Thursday, Dec. 19.

Fantasy Spin: Fantasy players will need to monitor the situation because Valdes-Scantling has been productive since joining the Saints. He is a risky option since the Saints play on Monday Night Football, but he can be at least a flex option in leagues if he is cleared to play.

From TheHuddle

Cincinnati Bengals OT Orlando Brown (fibula), WR Tee Higgins (rest, knee), DE Sam Hubbard (knee), DT Kris Jenkins (illness) and DT Sheldon Rankins (illness) did not take part in practice on Thursday, Dec. 19. Also, QB Joe Burrow (knee, wrist), TE Tanner Hudson (knee), WR Charlie Jones (groin), OG Alex Cappa (concussion), OG Cody Ford (illness), DE Trey Hendrickson (finger) and S Geno Stone (shoulder) practiced in full.

From TheHuddle

According to Dan Salomone of Giants.com, rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (ankle) was a limited participant again during Thursday's practice. Fantasy managers should closely monitor his status during Friday's session as he will likely need to log a full practice to avoid an injury designation for Sunday's game. Tracy has battled a lingering ankle injury throughout the season but he has yet to miss any time due to it. Last weekend, Tracy only logged ten carries as the Giants were trailing heavily throughout. Over his past nine games, the rookie running back has averaged 4.4 yards per carry while scoring 14.1 PPR points per game. If Tracy is able to suit up on Sunday, he should be viewed as a low-end RB2 facing the Atlanta Falcons, who have allowed the 11th-fewest PPR points to opposing running backs this season.

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New Orleans Saints QB Derek Carr (hand) did not participate in practice Thursday, Dec. 19.

Fantasy Spin: The Saints have named Spencer Rattler as the starting quarterback for Week 16, and it is not known if Carr will play again this season. Fantasy players should probably avoid all Saints quarterbacks at this point.

From TheHuddle

New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara (groin) did not participate in practice Thursday, Dec. 19.

Fantasy Spin: Kamara is believed to be questionable at best for Week 16 since his injury is more serious than expected. Fantasy players can monitor the situation over the next few days but will need to look for other options to use. Kendre Miller could be a flex option in fantasy leagues if he receives the start.

From TheHuddle

According to Dan Salomone of Giants.com, wide receivers Malik Nabers (knee/foot) and Wan'Dale Robinson (shoulder) practiced in full on Thursday. Both wideouts were able to upgrade from their limited status on Wednesday, putting them both in a great position to suit up this weekend to face the Atlanta Falcons. Nabers has battled several injuries throughout his rookie campaign. Last weekend, Nabers brought in ten of his 14 targets for 82 yards and a score. Robinson was only able to bring in four of his nine targets for 38 yards. Fantasy managers should monitor their status on Friday in case they face a setback. Nabers should be viewed as a high-end WR2 facing a weak Atlanta secondary, while Robinson is a solid flex option in PPR formats.

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Green Bay Packers S Javon Bullard (ankle) and LB Quay Walker (ankle) did not participate in practice Thursday, Dec. 19. CB Corey Ballentine (knee) and TE Luke Musgrave (ankle) were limited during practice. CB Jaire Alexander (knee) fully participated in practice.

From TheHuddle

According to Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (knee) expects to play on Sunday. When asked about his potential availability, he noted that he expects to be available. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status on the injury report in case he faces a setback. Smith suffered this knee injury during last weekend's loss to the Green Bay Packers. However, he opened the week as a full participant in practice, which is a positive sign for his availability. Before exiting last weekend's game, Smith went 15-for-19 with 149 yards and an interception. If Smith can suit up, fantasy managers in Superflex formats should view him as a solid QB2 facing a Minnesota defense that has allowed the 16th-most points to opposing QBs this season.

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Tennessee Titans PK Nick Folk (abdomen), LB Luke Gifford (concussion), LB Kenneth Murray (hamstring) and LB Otis Reese (ankle) did not participate in practice Thursday, Dec. 19. WR Colton Dowell (knee) was limited during practice. DT Jeffery Simmons (non-injury), DT T'Vondre Sweat (shoulder), S Daryl Worley (calf), OT Jaelyn Duncan (hamstring) and CB Roger McCreary (shoulder) fully participated in practice.

From TheHuddle

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise Brown (shoulder) is off the injury report and set to make his season debut on Saturday evening against the Houston Texans. Brown has been sidelined all season after undergoing shoulder surgery before Week 1. Brown was able to log three consecutive full practices this week suggesting that he is past this injury and ready for a full workload. Fantasy managers should consider adding Brown wherever he is available as he could be a viable flex option over the final weeks of the regular season. Last season, Brown tallied 504 yards and four scores on 51 receptions with the Arizona Cardinals. He is also worth a look in DFS formats this weekend as he will face a Houston secondary that has allowed the eighth-most PPR points to opposing wide receivers this season.

From RotoBaller