Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons is heading into the fifth-year option of his rookie contract in 2025 but is hoping to get a long-term deal done before free agency opens in March. That fifth-year option is worth $21.4 million, but Parsons doesn't seem to be worried about securing the largest contract in the league. He said "It would be nice to be surrounded by good players," and went on to say that making more money to have a harder time winning doesn't sound fun. The Cowboys have yet to be mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, so Parsons could have a chance to build his contract case even further after registering 8.5 sacks, 32 total tackles (21 solo), eight tackles for loss, and 19 QB hits through 10 games.

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Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) was back at practice on Thursday and considered a full participant during a snowy session. The two-time pro bowler hasn't played since Week 11 and has only logged a total of 10 snaps after Week 8. Getting one of their top defensive backs would do wonders for the Packers defense, especially against a New Orleans Saints team that's hurting and may need to go to their rookie quarterback. This season, Alexander has registered two interceptions (one pick-six), seven passes defended, and 16 total tackles (15 solo).

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New England Patriots defensive lineman Christian Barmore (illness) has been placed on the non-football illness list after a statement from the team was released on Thursday. The Patriots stated that Barmore "experienced some recurring symptoms that required further evaluation." Barmore will have to sit out for the rest of the season so that he can hopefully return next year symptom-free. He finishes with 1.0 sacks, six total tackles, one tackle for loss, and one QB hit across four appearances.

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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy will face the Houston Texans on Saturday in Week 16. Worthy is coming off arguably the best game of his young career, catching six passes for 46 yards and converting rush attempts into 30 yards and a touchdown. The rookie receiver led the Chiefs pass catchers last week, so it will be interesting to see if that trend continues this week against Houston. The Texans rank 24th in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers this season, making them one of the more advantageous matchups. Worthy will also have to compete with Marquise Brown, who is returning from an injury, for pass-catching opportunities moving forward. Worthy is ranked WR45 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a flex option for Week 16. Fantasy managers may be better off looking in another direction for the fantasy playoffs.

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Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker will face the Houston Texans on Saturday in Week 16. Butker returned from injured reserve in Week 15 against the Cleveland Browns and showed some signs of rust. The Chiefs kicker knocked through all three extra-point attempts but missed his only field goal attempt from 29 yards away. Butker will look to improve this week, another week removed from the injury. The 29-year-old is ranked as the ninth-best kicker in our RotoBaller rankings, making him a start-worthy asset this week. Fantasy managers should be able to trust Butker in the fantasy playoffs.

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Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce will take on the Houston Texans on Saturday in Week 16. Kelce is coming off a down game against the Cleveland Browns in Week 15. The 35-year-old had four catches for 27 yards in the contest. Kelce will try to top those numbers this week against the Texans, who rank fourth in fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends this season. Despite having an injury scare in last week's game, Patrick Mahomes practiced fully all week and is good to go for Saturday. Mahomes' health significantly impacts Kelce's fantasy production, so it's a good sign that he's off the injury report. Kelce is ranked TE7 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings this week, making him a solid TE1. Fantasy managers will hope for a vintage Kelce performance in the fantasy playoffs this week.

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Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco will face the Houston Texans on Saturday in Week 16. Pacheco appeared to emerge as the lead back in Week 14, earning 16 touches compared to six for Kareem Hunt, but that changed in Week 15. The two running backs each handled 13 carries last week against the Cleveland Browns, and Hunt outproduced Pacheco. It will be interesting to see how the backfield split shakes out this week against the Houston Texans, who rank fourth in fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs this year. The 25-year-old is ranked RB25 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a low-end RB2/Flex option this week. Fantasy managers will have a tough time trusting Pacheco in the fantasy playoffs, especially with Hunt stealing touches.

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Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt will take on the Houston Texans in Week 16. Hunt was nearly phased out of the Chiefs backfield with Isiah Pacheco returning from injury, but his usage ramped back up in Week 15. The 29-year-old handled 13 carries last week against the Cleveland Browns, earning the same number of touches as Pacheco. It will be interesting to see how many opportunities Hunt receives this week against the Texans, who rank fourth in fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs this season. Hunt is ranked RB46 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a desperation flex option this week. With the two Chiefs running backs splitting touches in a poor matchup, it will be difficult for fantasy managers to trust either of them in the fantasy playoffs.

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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins will face the Houston Texans on Saturday in Week 16. Hopkins had five catches for 36 yards in last week's win over the Cleveland Browns. The 32-year-old has been consistently involved in the Kansas City offense due to his reliability and route-running. Hopkins will look to stay involved this week against the Texans, who rank 24th in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers this season. Although the matchup is juicy, Hopkins must contend with Marquise Brown returning from injury this week. The veteran receiver is ranked WR37 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, putting him in the WR3/Flex range this week. With numerous available pass catchers in the Kansas City offense, it will be difficult for Hopkins to receive a large workload. Hopkins is a tough player for managers to trust in the fantasy playoffs.

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Green Bay Packers tight end Luke Musgrave (ankle) was a limited participant in practice on Thursday. The 24-year-old remains on injured reserve, but it looks like he's gradually getting closer to returning given that he was able to practice in a limited capacity. He has been sidelined since Week 4, leaving Green Bay's tight end room in the more-than-capable hands of Tucker Kraft, who is the overall TE8 in fantasy football this year. Even when he's cleared to return to play, Musgrave will be off the fantasy radar in all leagues.

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The Green Bay Packers are not ready to rule out the possibility of running back MarShawn Lloyd (appendix) returning to action this season. When discussing Lloyd with the media on Thursday, head coach Matt LaFleur said, "I never want to shut the door on that. ... He's just going to focus on continuing to get better and when he can go, he'll go." The 23-year-old has endured a frustrating start to his NFL career, appearing in just one game so far. The rookie played back in Week 2, rushing six times for 15 yards on the ground while adding a three-yard reception. Lloyd remains a key part of the Packers' future plans, but the chances of him getting back on the field before fantasy playoffs conclude are slim. He should be dropped in all redraft formats and stashed in dynasty leagues.

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Denver Broncos WR Courtland Sutton had five receptions (on six targets) for 50 yards against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, Dec. 19.

Fantasy Spin: Make it back-to-back frustrating weeks from Sutton, who has a combined eight catches, 82 yards, and one TD in his last two games. It's certainly bad timing for fantasy owners as Sutton had been on a heater, racking up 42 receptions, 569 yards, and 3 TDs in his previous six games. He has a nice matchup in Week 17 against a Bengals defense that has struggled throughout 2024. Sutton absolutely belongs in your lineup next weekend.

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (ankle) has been removed from the injury report and will play in Week 16 against the Baltimore Ravens. The 30-year-old has not yet missed a game this season, registering 54 tackles, 11.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries through 14 games this season. Having their star defender available will be key for the Steelers as they look to slow down an impressive Ravens offense on Saturday.

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Tennessee Titans wide receiver Tyler Boyd (foot) did not participate in practice on Thursday. The 30-year-old receiver will likely need to log a limited or full practice on Friday in order to have any chance of playing against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 16. Boyd has delivered modest production through 14 games in 2024, catching 35 passes for 356 yards but failing to find the end zone. He should be left on waivers in most fantasy leagues heading into this week's divisional battle.

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Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker had an exciting and productive game in a Week 16 win over the Denver Broncos. Dicker made all four of his kicks, including an extremely rare fair catch free kick field goal from 57 yards out to end the first half. Dicker made both of his extra point tries, the 57-yarder, and added a 37-yard kick as well. The Bolts went for two on two of their touchdowns which limited Dicker's opportunities, but he was still nails every time he was called upon. He should remain one of the league's most consistent kickers in Week 17 as the Chargers will face the Patriots on Saturday.

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Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton had a modest performance in the team's 34-27 loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on Thursday night in Week 16, catching five of his six targets for 50 yards. In a rare occurrence this year, Sutton didn't lead the team in targets or receiving yards. However, he was still one of rookie quarterback Bo Nix's favorite targets, as his six looks were second on the team behind running back Javonte Williams. The 29-year-old had a six-game streak of at least six receptions and 70 yards snapped in last week's win over the Colts, and his six targets on Thursday were his fewest since a zero-target game in Week 8 against the Saints. Sutton saved his fantasy day with a touchdown in Week 15, but he was unable to do so on Thursday night. Fantasy managers still playing for something in Week 17 will want Sutton in their lineups in a great matchup against Cincy.

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Denver Broncos rookie seventh-round wide receiver Devaughn Vele found the end zone for just the second time in his NFL career in Thursday night's loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers in Week 16, but he didn't contribute much else. Vele was targeted only three times on the night and caught two passes for 21 yards and an easy six-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter. The 27-year-old built steam in Weeks 10-12, catching 14 passes for 185 yards and a touchdown, but in three games since then, he has only three catches on eight targets for 37 yards and one score. Although the Broncos' passing game will be set up nicely against a porous Cincinnati Bengals defense in Week 17 as they look to clinch a playoff spot, Vele will still be a hard-to-trust WR4/5 in deeper fantasy leagues with limited upside as Nix continues to spread the ball around outside out WR1 Courtland Sutton.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers were incredibly solid defensively against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11 and will be looking to repeat this success in a second meeting with their division rival. Although Pittsburgh will be missing a few important players on Saturday, it received good news this week when All-Pro linebacker T.J. Watt was removed from the injury report. Watt, who suffered an ankle injury in Week 15, logged a full practice on Thursday and will be ready to roll against a Ravens offense he has fared extremely well against throughout his career. This matchup will take place in Pittsburgh, giving the Steelers DST plenty of upside, but fantasy managers must consider the potential floor given that Baltimore averages nearly 30 points per game. There are likely streaming options available with more advantageous matchups than the Steelers this week, rendering the Pittsburgh DST an inadvisable play for fantasy purposes.

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Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. caught three of his five targets on the night for a team-high 62 receiving yards in the 34-27 Thursday night loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Week 16. Mims averaged a healthy 20.7 yards per catch thanks to a nifty 53-yard reception in which he found the edge and scampered down the sideline while almost making it all the way to the end zone before a defender forced him out of bounds. His five targets ranked third on the team on a night in which rookie quarterback Bo Nix found 10 different receivers through the air. The Broncos have certainly involved the 22-year-old second-year wideout more in the second half before of his big-play abilities with the ball in his hands. Mims basically has to hit on a big play with limited opportunities each week to pay off as a boom/bust WR4/5 in deeper fantasy leagues.

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Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Derius Davis scored a key touchdown in a Week 16 win over the Denver Broncos on Thursday Night Football. Davis appeared to be much more involved in this game, recording one carry and two targets, but shuffling around in the backfield several more times throughout the game. Davis scored his touchdown on a perfect 19-yard pass from Justin Herbert in the fourth quarter. In total, he lost three yards on the ground with his one rush but gained 31 yards through the air with his two catches. Davis was an important part of the Chargers win but is unlikely to develop much fantasy value for the remainder of the season.

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