Indianapolis Colts wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr. (back) and Ashton Dulin (ankle) both missed the first practice of Week 16 preparation on Wednesday. In addition, Alec Pierce (concussion) also did not practice, so Indy's receiving corps is a bit beat up heading into Sunday's game against the division-rival Tennessee Titans. Pittman has been battling through a back issue of late but hasn't missed a game because of it, and he played 96 percent of the offensive snaps in the Week 15 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday. Our guess is the Colts are just resting the veteran wideout before he returns to practice later this week and plays on Sunday. The 27-year-old former second-rounder has become more of a hard-to-trust WR4/flex in the Colts' low-volume passing attack with young quarterback Anthony Richardson struggling with his accuracy. Pittman does have at least five catches and seven targets in the last four games, though.

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Indianapolis Colts kicker Matt Gay (neck) didn't take part in the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday. Gay is dealing with a neck injury coming out of the Week 15 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday in which he made both of his field-goal attempts and his lone extra-point opportunity. He still has two more days to get back on the practice field before the team takes on the division-rival Tennessee Titans in Week 16. We'll have a better idea on Gay's availability for the weekend based on whether the Colts make any moves to give them kicking insurance in case Gay can't kick on Sunday. The 30-year-old booter has made 88.9 percent of his field goals (24-for-27) this year while going a perfect 23-for-23 on extra points in 13 games in his second season with the team. Especially with his availability in question, fantasy managers should be looking at other kicking options in Week 16.

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Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (ankle) had his reps limited in practice for the second straight day on Wednesday in advance of the team's Week 16 contest on Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs. Mixon tweaked his ankle in the Week 15 win over the Miami Dolphins, but head coach DeMeco Ryans said the 28-year-old back came out of the game fine and that he would be fine to face the Chiefs on a short week. However, Mixon might need a full practice session on Thursday to avoid a questionable tag. With a tough matchup against the Chiefs stingy defense upcoming and when considering Mixon's downturn in recent weeks, it may be best to consider him more of an RB2 rather than an RB1 in fantasy in Week 16. After finding the end zone at least once on the ground from Weeks 6-11, Mixon has averaged only 3.1 yards per carry with one TD in his last three contests.

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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (knee, wrist) was listed as limited for the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday. Burrow has been managing a sore knee and has been getting treatment for his surgically repaired right wrist in the last week, but he was able to start in the Week 15 win over the Tennessee Titans and continued to be impressive, throwing for 271 yards and three touchdowns, although he also uncorked two interceptions and lost a fumble. There's no reason for fantasy managers not to expect the 28-year-old to be out there for a divisional matchup this Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. The Bengals are likely to miss the postseason, but hasn't been for lack of Burrow's effort as one of the best QBs in football in 2024. Even though he had only 181 yards and two TDs in the first meeting against Cleveland on Oct. 20, Burrow should be a top-five fantasy QB in Week 16.

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Cincinnati Bengals wide receivers Tee Higgins (knee) and Charlie Jones (groin) were listed as limited in Wednesday's practice session. While Higgins is listed with a knee ailment, the Bengals are merely resting him late in the season after he's already miss a handful of games due to injury in 2024. Barring a setback later this week, the 25-year-old should be fine to play in Week 16 on Sunday against the division-rival Cleveland Browns. He missed three games due to a quadriceps injury in the middle of the season but has found the end zone in three of his last four games played, which includes 21 catches on 36 targets for 328 yards. Higgins doesn't have the consistent high fantasy ceiling that teammate Ja'Marr Chase has, but he's been extremely productive when healthy in 2024 and has WR1 upside against the Browns. In the first meeting against Cleveland, he went for four catches, 82 yards and a touchdown.

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Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (concussion) did not practice on Wednesday. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to his status throughout the week, as he would need to pass the league's protocol before returning to action. The veteran tight end sustained this concussion in the second quarter of their victory over the New Orleans Saints. Before departing, Ertz caught both of his targets for 25 yards. Before this game, Ertz found the end zone in three straight contests. During this span, the 34-year-old averaged a solid 15.0 PPR points per game while seeing 7.0 targets per contest. If Ertz cannot suit up to face the Eagles, John Bates will likely operate as the top tight end but should not be viewed as a viable option given his lack of offensive production.

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Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin (quadriceps) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers. McLaughlin opened the week as a non-participate but was able to upgrade to a limited participant on Tuesday. However, he was downgraded on Thursday and will set his sights on returning in Week 17 to face the Cincinnati Bengals. The 24-year-old left last weekend's game early with this injury. Before departing, McLaughlin tallied 21 yards on seven attempts. McLaughlin has struggled to find consistent attempts in the offense but has flashed some upside when given work, as he has averaged 5.3 yards per carry over his past four games. With McLaughlin ruled out, fantasy managers should expect Javonte Williams to see a majority of the opportunities out of the backfield.

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Denver Broncos defensive back Patrick Surtain II (ankle) is off the injury report and is good to go for Thursday's divisional tilt against the Los Angeles Chargers. The 24-year-old suffered a minor ankle injury during last weekend's victory over the Indianapolis Colts. This week, Surtain was able to participate in full, which is a great sign for his status for the remainder of the season. During last weekend's victory, Surtain tallied his fourth interception of the season. In total, the former first-round selection has logged 11 pass deflections and 32 tackles (24 solo) through 13 games. Surtain should be viewed as a high-end defensive back option on Thursday evening in all IDP formats.

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According to Nick Underhill of the New Orleans Football Network, the New Orleans Saints have signed free agent running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Edwards-Helaire was released by the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday. The 25-year-old did not play in a game this season as he was on the non-football injury list for most of the first half. Last season, the former first-round selection tallied 223 yards and one rushing score. His best season in Kansas City was his rookie campaign, where he ran for 803 yards on 181 attempts and added 297 yards on 36 receptions with five total scores. With Alvin Kamara (groin) leaving last weekend's game early, Edwards-Helaire brings a reliable depth option to the room. However, if Kamara were to miss time, Kendre Miller should be expected to see a majority of the opportunities.

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Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has been removed from the injury report for Week 16 and is good to go for a Thursday Night Football game against the division-rival Denver Broncos. Despite an ankle injury that was clearly affecting his play in Week 15 and kept him limited in practice all week until Wednesday, Herbert will go into the game without an injury designation. He's been far less mobile due to the injury, but he still played well in terms of things he could control against Tampa Bay last week. The Broncos defense is tough against opposing quarterbacks, so Herbert's ceiling is limited by both his ankle and his opponent. Still, he'll likely need to lead the offense with his arm since the Bolts backfield hasn't done much of anything in the run game. Herbert is a safe QB2 option with some possible upside in what should be a close game.

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Los Angeles Chargers running back Gus Edwards is not in the fantasy starter conversation in a Week 16 Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos. Edwards is the top running back on the Chargers depth chart, but he's been horribly inefficient all season which has forced the Chargers to rely more on the passing game since starter J.K. Dobbins (knee) went down with an injury. Last week, Edwards ran the ball eight times for just 23 yards and he has yet to score double digit fantasy points in any game this season. The Broncos defense has stopped top running backs before, so Edwards has a low floor and almost no ceiling. He is best left on the bench in this key fantasy week.

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Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back Kimani Vidal is far too risky to start in a key fantasy matchup like Week 16. The Chargers take on the Denver Broncos on Thursday Night Football, and the Broncos defense has been tough on opposing running backs all season long. Vidal has shown some flashes in his rookie campaign, but he's still behind Gus Edwards for touches and the Chargers offense has shown lately that they will quickly abandon the running game if it is not working. There's certainly some upside with Vidal, but his floor is very low which makes him far too volatile without the possible payoff for this week's lineups.

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Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey is back at full strength for a Week 16 Thursday night game against the Denver Broncos. McConkey missed the game in Week 14 with shoulder and knee injuries, but he was able to return in Week 15 and is off the injury report completely this week. In his Week 15 return, he caught five passes for 58 yards and a touchdown and remained the usual first look for quarterback Justin Herbert. McConkey has a tough matchup against a strong Denver secondary, but he's still in the WR2 conversation because of target share and the potential for the Chargers to once again abandon the running game and go with a pass-heavy approach.

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Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston will look to continue his recent solid run in a Week 16 Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos. Johnston popped up on the injury report earlier this week, but it was simply a clerical error as the wide out has been healthy and practicing in full. Johnston has gone two games in a row with a fantasy WR2 finish and while the Broncos secondary has been excellent this season, "QJ" should see enough targets to have the chance to once again finish in those ranks. He's not a huge upside guy, but he's developed a decent enough floor, especially in games where the Chargers are expected to rely on the passing game.

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Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer is an underwhelming option in Week 16 fantasy lineups. Palmer has been playing an important role on the real life Chargers offense, but it has barely turned into any fantasy points for the 25-year-old pass catcher. He's peaked at 13.3 fantasy points but has scored single digit points in all but two of his games. This week he will face a strong Denver Broncos secondary on Thursday Night Football, and while the Bolts always seem to have a play or two drawn up for a long pass to Palmer, he's been far too inconsistent and comes into every game with a very low floor.

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Los Angeles Chargers tight end Stone Smartt is set for another start in a Week 16 Thursday Night Football matchup against the Denver Broncos. Smartt has taken over the starting tight end role with Will Dissly (shoulder) and Hayden Hurst (hip) both forced to miss time. Last week, Smartt caught five passes for 50 yards. He's a solid TE2 with a decent floor and clearly has quarterback Justin Herbert's trust despite his somewhat recent insertion into the starting lineup.

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Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker is set to have another solid performance in a Week 16 Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos. Dicker is the fourth ranked fantasy kicker so far this season, he's made 29 of his 31 field goal tries and 25 of his 28 extra point attempts. Last week, he made all three of his kicks and hasn't missed an attempt since Week 9. In what should be a close game against a strong defense, "Dicker the Kicker" could see several chances to put his team on the board. He's a top-10 option at the position this and most weeks.

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According to Nick Farabaugh of Penn Live, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (abdomen) did not participate in practice for the second straight day on Wednesday. Fields sustained this injury last weekend during their loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. If Fields cannot return to practice on Thursday, he could face an uphill battle to suit up on Saturday to face the Baltimore Ravens. While operating as the No.2 option on the depth chart, Fields has occasionally been deployed in rushing situations. Since Week 11, Fields has tallied 58 yards on seven attempts. If Fields cannot suit up, Kyle Allen should be expected to move up to the backup position on the depth chart.

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According to Ari Meirov of the 33rd Team, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (ankle) was a full participant during Wednesday's practice. This was his second straight full practice of the week, putting him in a good position to suit up on Saturday to face the Houston Texans. Mahomes left Sunday's game early due to a high-ankle sprain but appears to have avoided a significant injury. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to his status during Thursday's practice, as it will likely clarify his availability for this weekend. Before exiting Sunday's game, Mahomes went 19-for-38 with 159 yards and two scores against the Browns. If Mahomes can suit up, fantasy managers should view him as a low-end QB1 facing the Houston Texans, who have allowed the 12th-most PPR points to opposing QBs.

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The Los Angeles Chargers have listed tight end Hayden Hurst (hip) as questionable and ruled tight end Will Dissly (shoulder) out for Thursday's game against the Denver Broncos. Hurst has been on the injured reserve since suffering a hip injury during Week 9, and seeing him log two straight full practices this week suggests he has a great chance to return on Thursday. Dissly was out last weekend with a shoulder injury and was unable to participate in any practices this week. With both tight ends battling injuries, Stone Smart led the way last weekend, tallying 50 yards on five receptions. Hurst should be expected to reclaim the top role if he can return on Thursday. Before his IR stint, Hurst only averaged a mere 14.8 yards per game, which could open the door for Smart to see an increased No.2 role. Given the uncertainty, Hurst is best to leave out of your lineup, while Smart should only be started if Hurst cannot play.

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