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.

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According to Jonas Shaffer of the Baltimore Banner, wide receivers Rashod Bateman (foot) and Nelson Agholor (concussion) are listed as questionable for Saturday's divisional matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bateman popped up on the injury report on Wednesday but was downgraded to a non-participant earlier this afternoon. However, seeing him with a questionable tag keeps the door open for him to suit up, even though he may face an uphill battle. Agholor suffered a concussion last weekend during their victory over the New York Giants. He could not practice all week and will need a quick turnaround to clear the league's protocol in time for kickoff. If one of the wide receivers sits out, fantasy managers should expect Zay Flowers to see a start increase in targets as well as tight end Mark Andrews.

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According to Terry McCormick of the Titans Insider, wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (ankle) did not practice for the second straight day on Thursday afternoon. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to his status during Friday's session, as he could be in danger of missing Sunday's game. After finding the end zone eight times during Weeks 6 through 13 (eight games), Westbrook has just brought in three passes over his previous two games. Last weekend, Westbrook-Ikhine caught two passes for nine yards and did not show any injury concern during the game. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, as he would open up more opportunities for Tyler Boyd if he were to sit out. No.1 wide receiver Calvin Ridley would see the most significant target increase in his absence and could be a viable high-floor flex option facing the Indianapolis Colts.

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According to Tom Pelissero, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (abdomen) has been ruled out for Saturday's divisional tilt against the Baltimore Ravens. Fields was unable to practice all week after suffering this injury during last weekend's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Even though Russell Wilson has taken the starting role, Fields has occasionally been deployed in rushing situations. Over his past four games, Fields has tallied 58 yards on seven attempts. Fantasy managers should expect Kyle Allen to operate as the No.2 option behind Wilson on Saturday afternoon. Wilson should be viewed as a low-end QB1 facing a Baltimore secondary that has allowed the fifth-most PPR points to opposing QBs this season.

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According to Terry McCormick of the Titans Insider, running back Tony Pollard (ankle) was not seen at practice for the second straight day. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to his status on Friday, as he will likely carry an injury designation after missing the first two practice sessions of the week. Pollard has been dealing with a lingering ankle injury over the past few weeks but was forced out of last weekend's game to it and could have faced a setback. Before leaving, Pollard was able to tally 45 yards and a score. Despite dealing with numerous injuries, he has still averaged a solid 75.3 yards per game since Week 12. If Pollard were to sit out this weekend, Tyjae Spears should be viewed as a high-end RB2 facing the Indianapolis Colts, who have allowed the sixth-most PPR points to opposing RBs this season.

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The New Orleans Saints are still evaluating injured running back Alvin Kamara (groin), but sources are saying it's a possible season-ending injury with only three games left to play with little chance at advancing to the postseason. The Saints are already saying that it's unlikely Kamara will play on Monday night against the Green Bay Packers after he injured his groin in last week's one-point loss to the Washington Commanders. More proof that the 29-year-old could be done for the year is the fact that the Saints signed Clyde Edwards-Helaire for more depth earlier this week. If you haven't already done so, Kamara's fantasy managers need to immediately add Kendre Miller if he's available. Although the Saints are down to rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler as well, the volume Miller sees alone as New Orleans' top back the rest of the way should at least put him in the flex conversation in fantasy leagues.

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New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi said that wide receiver Chris Olave's (concussion) 21-day practice window to return from Injured Reserve was opened on Thursday. Olave was cleared by a concussion specialist on Tuesday to resume practicing, so he will get some practice reps in this week and see how things go from there. It's good news for Olave, but it by no means should indicate that he will play in Week 16 against the Green Bay Packers on Monday night. And from a fantasy perspective, although he might still be worth stashing if you're alive in the fantasy playoffs, nobody should have their eyes on using him in lineups this week. At best, he'd likely draw a questionable tag to play on Monday night. And even if Olave looks good in practice the next few days and ends up being active, he'd be at risk of a limited role in his first game back. The Saints are on the brink of elimination and aren't going to risk Olave's health.

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The New Orleans Saints announced on Thursday that rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler will make the start on Monday night against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. This was the expected decision from the Saints after they benched Jake Haener for Rattler in the Week 15 loss to the Washington Commanders. Derek Carr (concussion, hand) is unlikely to play again this year, especially with the Saints unlikely to make the playoffs, so Rattler should start each of the team's final three games of the season. The 24-year-old almost led the Saints to a remarkable comeback against Washington last Sunday, going 10-for-21 for 135 yards and a touchdown. In three starts earlier in 2024, the rookie out of South Carolina completed 59.6% of his passes with a touchdown and two picks. He'll have a tough matchup in Green Bay, and with the lack of weapons around him, he'll be a low-end QB2 play, at best, in fantasy.

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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (ankle) is officially off the Week 16 injury report and is officially good to play on Saturday versus the Houston Texans in Week 16. Mahomes went down late in the Week 15 win over the Cleveland Browns with what the team was calling a mild high-ankle sprain, but he surprisingly was able to practice in full all week from Tuesday through Thursday and will suit up against Houston on Saturday. The two-time MVP most likely won't be as fleet of foot in and outside of the pocket, though, making him more of a midrange QB2, at best, against the Texans this weekend. Mahomes enters the week as the QB9 on the season in overall fantasy points but just hasn't had the previous upside he's had in recent years given all the injuries to KC's receivers. The good news is Mahomes will be getting Marquise Brown (shoulder) in Week 16.

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Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson (concussion) practiced in full for the second straight day this week and is on his way towards clearing the league's concussion protocol and returning to action this Sunday in Week 16 against the division-rival Detroit Lions. Johnson has missed the team's last two games due to a concussion but is trending in the right direction to return this weekend. He still needs final clearance from an independent neurologist later this week, though, to get the final green light to play. Even if Johnson is active against the Lions on Sunday, he won't have any real standalone fantasy value with a lot on the line in leagues this weekend. He's been the clear backup behind D'Andre Swift on game days and hasn't been a reliable producer, although he has chipped in six rushing touchdowns. Perhaps if Chicago's offense was more reliable.

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Per the NFL's Tom Pelissero, the Pittsburgh Steelers have ruled out wide receiver George Pickens (hamstring) for this Saturday's divisional clash with the Baltimore Ravens. Pickens has been shelved since popping up as a late-week addition on the team's Week 14 injury report and will miss his third straight contest. It comes as no surprise, considering he put together another week's worth of DNPs ahead of the outing. With the 23-year-old inactive again, wideouts Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin III will work as Pittsburgh's top two options at the position. Mike Williams, Scotty Miller, and Ben Skowronek will rotate in behind them. In Week 15, Williams led that trio by five snaps (15).

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James Boyd of The Athletic reports that Indianapolis Colts tight end Mo Alie-Cox (hip) is not practicing on Thursday. It's the second straight day he'll be tagged with a DNP. The eighth-year veteran suffered his injury late last week, missing Friday's practice, but could still participate in Sunday's 31-13 loss to the Denver Broncos. However, he played on a season-low percentage of snaps (30%). Considering Alie-Cox played after a late-week DNP last week, it's feasible he could do so again in Week 16. Still, it'd be good if he could log at least a limited session ahead of this Sunday. If he is inactive, teammate Will Mallory projects to pick up some more snaps working in behind Kylen Granson and Drew Ogletree.

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The Houston Texans D/ST looked to be a top-10 fantasy option in Week 16 against the Kansas City Chiefs, but the promising prognosis for quarterback Patrick Mahomes (ankle) is good news for everything but Houston's fantasy outlook. Instead of backup quarterback Carson Wentz, it's business as usual for the 13-1 Chiefs, making the Texans' Saturday at Arrowhead significantly more difficult. Kansas City's offense has run the most plays in the league and ranks inside the top 10 in passing touchdowns, first downs, fewest fumbles lost, and scoring percentage. Even though the Texans have been a productive fantasy defense, this matchup can and should be avoided.

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New York Giants outside linebacker Brian Burns (ankle, neck) will not practice Thursday for the second straight day. However, per head coach Brian Daboll, he will play this Sunday when his team squares off against the Atlanta Falcons in a road tilt. ESPN's Jordan Raanan reported the news. The star pass-rusher sustained his ailments in Week 15's 35-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Fortunately, though, it appears he's on track to suit up in Week 16 with a few days of rest under his belt. The 26-year-old currently leads his team with 13 tackles for loss and eight pass breakups, ranking second in sacks (eight). Burns has yet to miss a game thus far in 2024, leading all Giants' edge-rushers in snaps.

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According to ESPN's Ben Baby, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (rest, knee) is not practicing on Thursday. The news comes one day after the wideout was able to log a limited session. It's a concerning development for the 25-year-old, who picked up the issue in his team's win over the Tennessee Titans last Sunday. While he'll still get another chance to elevate his practice status on Friday, fantasy managers may want to prepare a contingency plan in case Higgins can't suit up for Week 16's bout with the visiting Cleveland Browns. If the Clemson product cannot play, fellow wideout Andre Iosivas would operate as the Bengals' de facto No. 2 WR with rookie Jermaine Burton working in behind him.

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Per head coach Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (ankle) will "most likely end up playing" this Saturday against the Houston Texans. Matt McMullen of the team reported the news. According to McMullen, wide receiver Marquise Brown (shoulder) also has a good chance to play. It's excellent news for the Chiefs as, at the point of Mahomes' injury, he appeared to be a candidate for missed time. With Kansas City still battling for a first-round bye, they're getting healthy at the right time. The 27-year-old will get a tough matchup against a visiting Texans defense that's allowed the sixth-fewest passing yards per game to opponents (196.9).

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NewOrleans.Football's Nick Underhill thinks there's a good chance New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (groin) doesn't play on Monday night against the Green Bay Packers in Week 16. Kamara suffered an adductor injury in the Week 15 loss to the Washington Commanders, and all signs are pointing to him being held out this week. The Saints just signed Clyde Edwards-Helaire as RB depth earlier this week. Kamara has gone for tests on his injured groin, but interim head coach Darren Rizzi has declined to say if it's a minor or major injury. Underhill says himself to run out and grab Kendre Miller off the waiver wire if he's available in your league if you have Kamara rostered. We'll have a better idea of Kamara's status after the Saints begin practicing this week, but there's at least a good chance he'll miss Week 16 and potentially more, depending on how serious his groin injury is.

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Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (concussion) remains in the league's concussion protocol on Thursday and was seen wearing a black non-contact jersey on the practice field. Ertz is getting work in, but he's not practicing with the rest of the team for the second straight day. With just one day left of practice this week, he's on the wrong side of questionable for the Week 16 game this Sunday against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles. Ertz was in line for more targets in last week's win over the New Orleans Saints with receiver Noah Brown (kidney) now out for the season, but he was injured in the second quarter last Sunday and never returned. With the 34-year-old veteran potentially missing Week 16, fantasy managers need to be looking in another direction at the TE position. We'd suggest avoiding John Bates and rookie Ben Sinnott in D.C., as the two will likely end up sharing snaps if Ertz is out.

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Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (hamstring) was not seen at the portion of Thursday's practice that was open to the media. Njoku injured his hamstring in the Week 14 loss to the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers and sat out of last week's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He has yet to practice since suffering the injury, suggesting he's tracking toward missing a second straight game this weekend against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. With Njoku out last Sunday, backup Jordan Akins was on the field more but only caught three of four targets for 30 yards. Njoku had become a must-start TE1 in fantasy before his injury due to excellent chemistry with quarterback Jameis Winston. Winston is now benched in favor of Dorian Thompson-Robinson, so if Njoku is able to play this weekend, he'll be a more volatile TE1 option.

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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (foot) did not practice on Thursday due to a foot injury and was wearing a walking boot in the locker room. Bateman popped up on the Week 16 injury report on Wednesday and was listed as limited in practice. Mid-week additions to the injury report are usually bad news, and that's especially the case for Bateman after he was downgraded to a DNP on Thursday. The Ravens receiving corps could be thinned out on Saturday in a tough matchup against the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers if both Bateman and Nelson Agholor (concussion) cannot play. Tylan Wallace and Devontez Walker could be thrust into bigger roles alongside Zay Flowers and tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely in the passing game. The 25-year-old Bateman is in the midst of a career year in 2024, but fantasy managers could be without him in semifinal matchups this week.

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