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49ers parting with LB who refused to play Thursday

Fri Dec 13 3:01pm ET
Field Level Media

San Francisco 49ers linebacker De'Vondre Campbell is done with the team after refusing to enter the game on Thursday night.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said the split was necessary based on Campbell's actions. A starter in 12 of the first 13 games, Campbell went to the bench with the return of previous starter Dre Greenlaw.

It remains to be seen whether the 49ers place Campbell on waivers or find another means to move on, Shanahan confirmed Friday.

According to the coach, the 31-year-old Campbell said "he didn't want to play today" when asked to enter the game in the third quarter against the visiting Los Angeles Rams. Greenlaw needed to be removed from the game because of foot soreness.

"I've never been around someone who quits on their team, and I hope I'm never around a guy like that again," 49ers tight end George Kittle said Thursday night.

Greenlaw started at linebacker in Campbell's spot against the Rams. It was Greenlaw's first game since a ruptured Achilles in the Super Bowl.

Campbell was not in the locker room when the game ended but all of his belongings remained at his assigned space at Levi's Stadium.

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Hot Plays, Fades and Sleepers: Week 15

Player Notes
James Cook Dec 13 3:50pm CT
James Cook

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook faces the Detroit Lions in Week 15, one of the best rush defenses in the NFL. This season, the Lions allow the second-fewest fantasy points to the position. They've been even better over the last four weeks, despite injuries in their front seven and Josh Jacobs scoring three times a week ago. Cook's path to a successful fantasy performance will depend on his red zone opportunities. Like the Kansas City matchup a few weeks ago, a short touchdown or two will help what projects as a below-average day in the yardage department. Cook ranks as a mid-range RB2 this week.

From RotoBaller

Lamar Jackson Dec 13 3:50pm CT
Lamar Jackson

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is looking for revenge after losing just his second game against the NFC before their bye last week. He draws the New York Giants as his first matchup down the final stretch of the regular season who are in the middle of an eight-game losing streak. They allow 16.7 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks this year. As a team, they've allowed 20 or more points in all but three games. Jackson has only scored fewer than 20 fantasy points in three games, so fantasy managers should feel confident starting him through their fantasy playoff runs.

From RotoBaller

Jameis Winston Dec 13 3:50pm CT
Jameis Winston

Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston turned in a slow performance in a Week 14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, throwing for just 212 yards and two touchdowns. He will look to bounce back at home against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15. The Chiefs have been a decent matchup for opposing quarterbacks this season as they are allowing the 12th-most fantasy points per game to the position. Winston has been an excellent fantasy producer over his six full games and is worth considering as a high-end QB2 for fantasy gamers looking to advance in the first round of the fantasy playoffs.

From RotoBaller

Bub Means Dec 13 3:50pm CT
Bub Means

According to Matthew Paras of The Times-Picayune, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Bub Means (ankle) has been ruled out for Week 15's match against the Washington Commanders. Means has been on the injured reserve since sustaining a high-ankle sprain during Week 8. Means opened the week as a limited participant but was then downgraded to a non-participant on Thursday and remained in that fashion on Friday. After not catching a pass over the first five weeks of the season, Means flashed some potential during Weeks 6 through 8 as he averaged an 8.9 PPR point per game and averaged just under 40.0 yards per game. As a result, fantasy managers should expect Marquez Valdes-Scantling to lead the wide receiver room, with Kevin Austin and Cedrick Wilson slotting behind him. Valdes-Scantling is worth a look in deeper formats, facing a Washington secondary that has allowed the 14th-most PPR points to opposing wideouts.

From RotoBaller

Amari Cooper Dec 13 3:50pm CT
Amari Cooper

Wide receiver Amari Cooper (wrist) is one week removed from his most-involved game as a member of the Buffalo Bills. The veteran saw a season-high 14 targets and caught six for 95 yards. Unfortunately, Cooper still hasn't played a full allotment of snaps. Cooper's 53% snap share was the highest mark since he joined the Bills. He's been around 50% for most of his games, despite the absence of Keon Coleman (wrist). The rookie is returning to the lineup this weekend. Tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee) is also expected to be active. Maybe Cooper's limited snaps can be blamed on his wrist issue, but he's been fully practicing for weeks. Cooper is a low-end WR3 in what could be a high-scoring affair in Detroit.

From RotoBaller

Derek Carr Dec 13 3:40pm CT
Derek Carr

Washington Commanders defensive back Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) is off the injury report and will make his Washington debut this weekend, facing his old team, the New Orleans Saints. Lattimore was traded to the nation's capital during the first week of November but has been sidelined due to a lingering hamstring injury. Before this injury, Lattimore logged 30 tackles (22 solo) and added two pass deflections over his first seven games of the campaign. Lattimore will slot at the No.1 spot on the depth chart and play alongside rookie Mike Sainristil. Sainristil has performed very well throughout his rookie season, averaging 5.2 tackles per game with nine total deflections and one interception. Lattimore will boost this secondary and make the Washington defense a strong streaming option facing a struggling New Orleans offense that has several injuries, including to their top two wideouts and quarterback Derek Carr (hand), who is listed as doubtful.

From RotoBaller

Derek Carr Dec 13 3:40pm CT
Derek Carr

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (hand/concussion) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's tilt against the Washington Commanders. While Carr could still dress for Sunday's game, the Saints have already named Jake Haener their QB1 for this match. Carr sustained these injuries during last weekend's victory over the New York Giants. Carr was initially deemed week-to-week, but seeing him have an outside chance of being on the field this weekend could set him up for a Week 16 return. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status next week. Over his previous five games, Carr has averaged 231.2 passing yards per game and held a solid 7:1 TD:INT ratio. Fantasy managers in deeper Superflex formats should only view Haener as a desperation QB2 as he will have a difficult time on Sunday with a depleted wide receiver room.

From RotoBaller

Josh Allen Dec 13 3:40pm CT
Josh Allen

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, the favorite to win NFL MVP entering Week 15, is doing things only an MVP would do. From logging a passing and receiving touchdown on the same play to the highest fantasy score ever by a quarterback, Allen is on a heater. He has a good chance to extend his 20-point fantasy scoring streak to nine games against the Detroit Lions. While the Lions have been stingy against quarterbacks this season (fifth-fewest points per game), a defense has yet to handle Allen in this stretch. The matchup features the slate's highest over/under line, and points should come easy. Allen is an easy start for fantasy managers this week.

From RotoBaller

Aaron Jones Dec 13 3:20pm CT
Aaron Jones

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (back) was a full-go in Friday's practice, which is an upgrade after he was listed as limited in the first practice of the week on Thursday. With one more day of practice coming on Saturday before the team's Monday night divisional clash against the Chicago Bears, Jones looks to be on track to play in Week 15. The 30-year-old veteran is lining up as a solid RB2 for fantasy managers this week against a Bears defense that he ripped for 129 scrimmage yards and a touchdown against three weeks ago. Jones comes into Week 15 action as the RB14 in half-PPR scoring in his first year in Minnesota with 893 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 197 carries, adding 37 receptions for another 302 yards and two more TDs. The Bears D has allowed the sixth-most half-PPR points to opposing RBs this year as well. Jones needs to be in fantasy lineups.

From RotoBaller

Josh Downs Dec 13 3:20pm CT
Josh Downs

According to James Boyd of The Athletic, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos. Downs was unable to suit up in Week 13 with this same injury but had a bye week during Week 14, which gave him additional time to recover. In addition, Downs was able to log two full practices on Thursday and Friday, which is also a positive sign for his availability. Across ten games this season, the sophomore wideout has averaged a solid 13.8 PPR points per game and tallied 59.4 yards per game. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status over the weekend, but Downs should be in a good position to return to action. However, he has a tough task ahead of him, facing a Denver secondary that has allowed the 11th-fewest PPR points to opposing wideouts this season.

From RotoBaller

Roschon Johnson Dec 13 3:10pm CT
Roschon Johnson

Chicago Bears running backs D'Andre Swift (groin) and Roschon Johnson (concussion) both missed their second straight practice of the week on Friday. With just one more day of practice scheduled on Saturday, it's not looking good for either Swift or Johnson to be active on Monday night against the division-rival Minnesota Vikings. Travis Homer (head), the No. 3 back on the roster, is also on the injury report this week, but he's been practicing in full and should be ready for starting duties if both Swift and Johnson are unable to play. Johnson is less likely to play than Swift, but the 25-year-old Swift appears to be in real danger of sitting out. If both RBs are inactive, the Bears will most likely elevate Darrynton Evans from the practice squad to split the backfield with Homer. It would be a situation to avoid for most fantasy managers in the first week of the fantasy playoffs.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Higbee Dec 13 3:10pm CT
Tyler Higbee

According to Greg Beacham of the Associated Press, Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee (knee) is expected to make his season debut in Week 16 against the New York Jets. Higbee has been able to return to practice but has yet to see action in a game. The veteran tight end suffered a torn ACL during last season's wild card match against the Detroit Lions. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progress during next week's practices but should expect him to return to the starting lineup. While he has been sidelined, Colby Parkinson has typically been operating as the No.1 tight end but has not shown much consistency. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should consider targeting Higbee on the waiver wire this weekend. He could be a viable TE1 in deeper 14+ team formats over the regular season's final weeks, playing on a potent Los Angeles offense.

From RotoBaller

Kenneth Walker III Dec 13 3:10pm CT
Kenneth Walker III

According to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times, Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (calf) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers. Walker was unable to suit up last weekend and has been unable to return to practice this week. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status over the weekend but should plan on finding an alternative option as the Michigan State product is facing an uphill battle to suit up. Last weekend, Zach Charbonnet was given the starting nod and performed exceptionally well, tallying 134 yards and two scores on 22 attempts. He added 59 yards on seven receptions through the air. If Walker cannot suit up, fantasy managers should view Charbonnet as a consensus top-12 option facing a Green Bay defense that has allowed the 12th-most PPR points to opposing RBs this season.

From RotoBaller

Trey McBride Dec 13 3:00pm CT
Trey McBride

Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (knee) was able to practice again on Friday and was removed from the final Week 15 injury report. He will suit up on Sunday when the team takes on the New England Patriots in the desert after upgrading to a full practice on Friday. McBride popped up on the injury report this week with a knee injury, but he never appeared to be in any danger of sitting out this weekend. That's music to his fantasy managers, who have been using him as a high-end TE1 all season. The 25-year-old enters Week 15 action as the TE3 in overall half-PPR fantasy scoring this year thanks to 80 catches on 106 targets for 851 yards. The fact that McBride has been a top-five fantasy TE without even scoring a single touchdown through 14 weeks just shows you how money he has been in 2024. Keep him locked into starting lineups against the Pats.

From RotoBaller

Tony Pollard Dec 13 2:50pm CT
Tony Pollard

Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard (ankle) returned to a limited practice participant on Friday but is listed as questionable for the Week 15 contest on Sunday against the visiting Cincinnati Bengals. Pollard missed the first two days of practice on Wednesday and Thursday but is expected to be active this weekend. Fantasy managers that are planning on starting the 27-year-old in the first round of the fantasy playoffs this weekend will want to check back on Sunday morning to see if Pollard is officially active, but he should be able to play. However, he could be in danger of ceding more work to change-of-pace option Tyjae Spears. Pollard has seen over 20 carries in two of the last three games, and in those contests he's gone over 100 rushing yards both times. If he's active, Pollard should see the majority of the backfield touches, making him an upside RB2 play in a good matchup against Cincy's soft defense.

From RotoBaller

Alvin Kamara Dec 13 2:40pm CT
Alvin Kamara

New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi said that running back Alvin Kamara (illness) practiced in full on Friday and will carry no injury designation into Sunday's Week 15 contest versus the Washington Commanders. Rizzi said it was his decision to keep Kamara out of Thursday's practice as a precaution since Kamara was pretty sick earlier in the week. Despite two missed practices, Kamara will be good to go this weekend. Especially with quarterback Derek Carr (concussion, hand) not expected to play this week, Kamara should be even more of a focal point for the offense as they try to pull the upset over Washington. The 29-year-old has seen double-digit carries in all but one game in 2024. For the volume alone, Kamara has RB1 upside every week, although with Jake Haener under center in Week 15, the upside could be limited.

From RotoBaller

George Pickens Dec 13 2:40pm CT
George Pickens

The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially ruled out wide receiver George Pickens (hamstring) for the Week 15 game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. Pickens was expected to miss his second straight game earlier this week, so fantasy managers should have already moved him to their benches. It's a tough blow for the Steeler heading into a hostile environment and for fantasy managers in the first round of the playoffs. The team's top wideout will now try to get healthy for a Week 16 tilt against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens. With the 23-year-old sidelined again, Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III, Mike Williams and Scotty Miller will all have elevated roles, but tight end Pat Freiermuth might be the biggest beneficiary from a fantasy standpoint. In last week's win over the division-rival Cleveland Browns, Freiermuth and Jefferson both found the end zone.

From RotoBaller

David Njoku Dec 13 2:20pm CT
David Njoku

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (hamstring) said his hamstring has been tight this week, but he's still hoping to play in Week 15 on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. Njoku was considered unlikely to play all week and didn't practice at all, but he was listed as questionable on Friday's final injury report and has yet to be officially ruled out. At the very least, he will try to plead his case to the coaches to be active during a pre-game workout on Sunday. There's a glimmer of hope, but fantasy managers should be preparing as if Njoku won't play. Receiver Cedric Tillman (concussion) has already been ruled out, so both Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore could be targeted often if Njoku is ruled inactive on Sunday morning. If the 28-year-old is out, Jordan Akins would move into a bigger role at TE but still wouldn't be a great fantasy target. Njoku has been a strong TE1 choice with Jameis Winston under center for the Browns.

From RotoBaller

Kayshon Boutte Dec 13 2:10pm CT
Kayshon Boutte

New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte is not a reliable fantasy option entering Week 15 against the Arizona Cardinals. While Boutte had three-plus catches in three of the last four games prior to the Patriots' bye, the second-year receiver's upside will be limited this week as he takes on the Cardinals. Boutte has played 89.8 percent of his snaps out wide, and Arizona has allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to receivers operating out wide in 2024. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere such as Boutte's teammate and Patriots slot receiver DeMario Douglas for fantasy production in the WR3/FLEX position this week.

From RotoBaller

Romeo Doubs Dec 13 2:10pm CT
Romeo Doubs

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs (concussion) has cleared the league's concussion protocol ahead of the Week 15 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. It appears Doubs is ready to go after missing each of the two weeks due to a concussion. Doubs hasn't been a great fantasy option lately with four or less receptions in each of his last four games. He does have a plus matchup against the Seahawks secondary this weekend, but is more of a flex option than anything else for Week 15.

From RotoBaller