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Dynasty $125 - FFL: Week 14 | NFL: Week 14

49ers claim RB Israel Abanikanda off waivers from Jets

Tue Dec 3 5:50pm ET
Field Level Media

The San Francisco 49ers claimed running back Israel Abanikanda off waivers from the New York Jets on Tuesday, one day after placing running backs Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason on injured reserve.

The Jets released Abanikanda on Monday after adding Kene Nwangwu to the active roster. Nwagwu had been a practice-squad elevation for the Jets last Sunday against Seattle and returned a kickoff for a touchdown in the game.

Abanikanda, 22, was a fifth-round draft pick by the Jets in 2023. After running 22 times for 70 yards and catching seven passes for 43 yards in six appearances as a rookie, Abanikanda did not play a regular-season game for New York in 2024, buried on the depth chart behind Breece Hall and others.

When the Niners placed McCaffrey and Mason on IR, rookie Isaac Guerendo was left as the only healthy running back on their active roster.

In Sunday night's loss at the Buffalo Bills, McCaffrey left the field in pain in the second quarter and was diagnosed with a posterior cruciate ligament injury in his right knee. Mason also suffered a high ankle sprain in the game.

McCaffrey was playing in just his fourth game of the season after missing the first eight because of Achilles tendinitis in both legs. He was the NFL Offensive Player of the Year last season, when he led the league with 2,023 yards from scrimmage: a league-leading 1,459 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns plus 67 catches for 564 yards and seven scores.

Mason is the leading rusher for San Francisco (5-7) this season with 789 yards and three touchdowns on 153 carries. It was his third season in the league.

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Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 14

Player Notes
Romeo Doubs Dec 3 2:00pm CT
Romeo Doubs

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs (concussion) remains in the concussion protocol on Tuesday. The third-year wideout suffered a concussion in the Week 12 win over the San Francisco 49ers and missed the Thanksgiving game against the Miami Dolphins in Week 13. He's still uncertain to face the Detroit Lions on Thursday Night Football, so fantasy managers will have to stay in the know over the next couple of days. The 24-year-old has hauled in 34 passes for 483 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games this season. In his absence last Thursday, Tucker Kraft led the team with seven targets. He is likely the biggest beneficiary of another potential Doubs absence. If Doubs suits up, he's a mid-level flex option against a Detroit defense that has been friendly to fantasy wideouts.

From RotoBaller

Mike Williams Dec 3 1:40pm CT
Mike Williams

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams has played in four games since being dealt from the New York Jets around the trade deadline, but he has caught just one pass for 32 yards and a touchdown. The 30-year-old has played 70 snaps for the Steelers, but he could see more opportunities with Calvin Austin III (concussion) in the concussion protocol. "It's a matter of time," head coach Mike Tomlin said on Williams getting more involved in the Pittsburgh offense. That said, it would be surprising if Williams became a consistent fantasy football contributor down the stretch, though he could have a spike week during the fantasy football playoffs. Fantasy managers in leagues of 12 teams or fewer can likely ignore Williams, but deep leaguers should monitor his usage in Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns.

From RotoBaller

D.J. Chark Dec 3 1:20pm CT
D.J. Chark

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DJ Chark has been active for just two games this season, and he has not recorded a target. The former 1,000-yard receiver has reportedly struggled to make an impact with his fourth NFL team and is unlikely to see an upgrade in his role down the stretch. "Some guys are playing better than him," head coach Jim Harbaugh said. "It's a meritocracy out there." Chark was a second-round pick by the Jaguars in 2018 and has recorded at least 500 yards in each season of his career in which he played at least five games. However, any deep-league fantasy managers holding onto him can let him go, though he might be worth holding in dynasty setups since he will be a 28-year-old free agent this offseason.

From RotoBaller

Aaron Rodgers Dec 3 1:20pm CT
Aaron Rodgers

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been rumored to potentially be placed on Injured Reserve or sit out late-season games as the team's season has fallen apart, but the 41-year-old is aiming to put those rumors to rest. On his weekly appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers said his goal after suffering an Achilles tear in Week 1 of last season is to play all 17 games in 2024. He wants to "finish the season the right way." The four-time MVP has completed 62.5% of his passes for 2,627 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions this year. His play hasn't been horrible, but it hasn't been what we've come to expect from the future Hall of Famer. The veteran still has fantasy value in Superflex/two-QB leagues, and it sounds as if he'll be available during the fantasy football playoffs.

From RotoBaller

John Wolford Dec 3 1:10pm CT
John Wolford

Free-agent quarterback John Wolford is signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars' practice squad on Tuesday, according to NFL.com. The 29-year-old is being picked up following the head injury suffered by franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence in the Week 13 loss to the Houston Texans. Wolford has played in seven NFL games (all for the Rams), completing 58.7% of his passes for 626 yards, one touchdown, and five interceptions. Mac Jones will likely start as long as Lawrence is out of action, and veteran C.J. Beathard is in the No. 2 QB role. It would be a surprise if Wolford sees any game action this season, but you never know. For now, this move can be ignored for fantasy football.

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Marshon Lattimore Dec 3 12:00pm CT
Marshon Lattimore

Washington Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) is expected to make his debut with the team following their bye in Week 14 to face his old team, the New Orleans Saints, in Week 15. The Commanders acquired Lattimore in a trade with the Saints on Nov. 5, but the 28-year-old defensive back has yet to play a snap in Washington due to a hamstring that has kept him out for five straight games with his new squad. The upcoming bye week will give Lattimore the extra rest needed to get his hamstring right, though, so the Commanders' secondary will be beefed up a bit more for their tilt against the Saints in Week 15. Before injuring his hamstring, Lattimore, a four-time Pro Bowler, had 30 tackles (22 solo) and two pass breakups in seven starts for New Orleans. When he debuts with the Commanders, it will be his first action with another team than the Saints since debuting in 2017.

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Will Reichard Dec 3 11:40am CT
Will Reichard

The Minnesota Vikings have opened rookie kicker Will Reichard's (quadriceps) 21-day practice window on Tuesday for him to return from Injured Reserve. Reichard will return to practice with the team this week, but it doesn't necessarily mean he'll be activated from IR to return to game action this Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 14. The 23-year-old has missed the minimum of four games while on IR, but he'll need to get through a full week of practice before the Vikings consider officially activating him by Saturday. John Parker Romo has filled in nicely as Minnesota's placekicker with Reichard out, making 11 of his 12 field-goal opportunities and seven of his eight extra-point attempts. Before his right-quad injury, Reichard made 14 of his 16 field goals (87.5%) and all 23 of his extra points to average 8.1 fantasy points per game in his first eight games in the NFL.

From RotoBaller

Alex Highsmith Dec 3 11:40am CT
Alex Highsmith

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (ankle) is fully expected to play in Week 14 on Sunday against the division-rival Cleveland Browns, according to head coach Mike Tomlin. Highsmith has missed the last three games with an ankle injury, but he should be back on the field this weekend for a ball-hawking Steelers defense against Browns quarterback Jameis Winston, who just threw for nearly 500 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions (two pick-sixes) in the Monday night loss to the Denver Broncos. The 27-year-old Highsmith has already missed six games in 2024 due to injury and will be a very shaky IDP fantasy play if he's back this Sunday. In six games, he has 19 tackles (11 solo), three sacks, four tackles for loss and 10 QB hits. The Steelers defense/special teams unit should be a must-start against Cleveland, regardless of Highsmith's status.

From RotoBaller

Calvin Austin III Dec 3 11:30am CT
Calvin Austin III

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (concussion) is in the league's concussion protocol after suffering a concussion in the Week 13 win over the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Austin is now up in the air to be available to play in Week 14 when the team takes on the division-rival Cleveland Browns. The 25-year-old scored for the second straight week on Sunday against the Bengals before suffering his head injury, finishing with two catches for 29 yards. The previous week, he caught all three of his targets for 78 yards and a touchdown in the loss to Cleveland. If he's cleared by an independent neurologist later this week to play on Sunday, Austin will be a boom/bust WR4/flex, at best, for fantasy managers in deeper leagues. If Austin is out in Week 14, it will open up more snaps for Van Jefferson as the WR2 behind George Pickens in Pittsburgh.

From RotoBaller

Charvarius Ward Dec 3 11:20am CT
Charvarius Ward

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed on Monday that All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams (ankle, personal), who has missed the last couple of games due to a left-ankle injury, spent much of last week grieving the loss of his son. Williams and his wife, Sondra, had a son, Trenton Jr., who was stillborn on Nov. 24. Cornerback Charvarius Ward and his wife also lost their one-year-old daughter due to heart problems this year, with Ward sitting out three games as a result. "He's been dealing with that and he's working through it. We're all just trying to be here for him through it all," Shanahan said about Williams. The 36-year-old is uncertain to play in Week 14 against the Chicago Bears this Sunday. After a Super Bowl appearance last year, the Niners just have never found their stride in 2024 and have dealt with injuries to key players, most notably running back Christian McCaffrey (knee).

From RotoBaller

Trevor Lawrence Dec 3 11:10am CT
Trevor Lawrence

Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair is being suspended three games for his illegal hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) in the Week 13 win on Sunday. Al-Shaair was ejected from the game after the hit on Lawrence, who was giving himself up on a slide in the middle of the field before Al-Shaair came in hard with a forearm to his helmet that left him concussed. Lawrence stayed on the ground before eventually being carted off, and he could miss the rest of the season because of his head injury. The 27-year-old Al-Shaair was also fined back in Week 2 for punching Bears running back Roschon Johnson, so it's not his first offense in 2024. He also had a late hit on Titans RB Tony Pollard out of bounds in Week 12. Al-Shaair is appealing the suspension, but if it is upheld, he won't be eligible to return until Week 18 against the Titans. Houston is on their bye in Week 14.

From RotoBaller

Jameis Winston Dec 3 9:50am CT
Jameis Winston

The Denver Broncos defense/special teams unit entered Monday night's showdown against the Cleveland Browns as a top-five defense in the NFL, but they were throttled by Jameis Winston and company to the tune of 32 points and 552 yards of total offense. However, they somehow still managed to put up a week-winning performance for fantasy managers by picking Winston off three times and returning two of the interceptions for game-changing touchdowns. Cornerback Levi Wallace was torched by former Broncos receiver Jerry Jeudy all night, but Nick Bonitto and Ja'Quan McMillian bailed the defense out with two pick-sixes on the evening. Bonitto also had one of the team's three sacks as he continues his breakout 2024 campaign. Denver's D should tighten up coming off their bye in Week 14, and their D/ST will be a must-start in fantasy in Week 15 against the Indianapolis Colts.

From RotoBaller

Wil Lutz Dec 3 9:40am CT
Wil Lutz

While Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz didn't go off like he did in the Week 12 win over the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders, he was still very solid for fantasy managers in the 41-32 victory over the visiting Cleveland Browns on Monday night in Week 13. Lutz stayed on point by making both of his field-goal attempts (long of 36 yards) and all five of his extra points for 11 total points on the evening in a game where both defenses looked gassed. With yet another strong performance on Monday night, Lutz now ranks third among all kickers in 2024 in overall fantasy points and has double-digit fantasy points in back-to-back contests. The Broncos will head on their bye in Week 14 before facing the Colts at home in Week 15, where Lutz should remain a top-10 option for fantasy managers at the kicking position. The 30-year-old has missed just three of 29 field-goal tries and made all of his 31 extra points.

From RotoBaller

Michael Burton Dec 3 9:10am CT
Michael Burton

Denver Broncos fullback Michael Burton surprisingly scored just the second touchdown of his career in Monday night's 41-32 shootout win over the Cleveland Browns at Empower Field in Denver. Burton had only one carry on the night, but he made it count, plunging into the end zone from one yard out for the Broncos' second rushing score of the evening in a game that featured big plays all night. It was the 32-year-old's sixth carry of the year in 13 games, and Burton has only run for five yards all season on his six carries. In addition to his six carries, Burton has caught all seven of his targets for 46 yards (6.6 yards per reception). Burton will continue to operate as Denver's fullback the rest of the season, but he's nowhere near the fantasy radar and mainly contributes on special teams.

From RotoBaller

Devaughn Vele Dec 3 9:10am CT
Devaughn Vele

The Monday night game between the Denver Broncos and visiting Cleveland Browns featured plenty of explosive plays on offense and defense, but rookie wide receiver Devaughn Vele wasn't involved in any of them. Vele only caught one of his four targets for a 16-yard pickup early in the first half that set the Broncos up near the goal line. It was a disappointing outing for the 26-year-old seventh-rounder out of Utah after he had six receptions for a season-high 80 yards in last week's win over the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders. He was looking like Denver's No. 2 behind Courtland Sutton in recent weeks, but his four targets on Monday night tied him for third on the team against Cleveland. Vele is going to stay involved in Denver's ascending offense, but with Josh Reynolds (hand) likely back after the Week 14 bye, he could have even more competition for targets for the final four games of the regular season.

From RotoBaller

Elijah Moore Dec 3 6:00am CT
Elijah Moore

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Elijah Moore caught eight of his 14 targets for 111 yards in a wild 41-32 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 13's Monday night game. Moore finished second on the team in targets, behind only David Njoku, while posting his best yardage total of the season for the Browns. The veteran slot receiver has been reinvigorated since the Browns turned to Jameis Winston as their starting quarterback, elevating him to every-week WR3 status in fantasy leagues. He will now prepare to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road in Week 14.

From RotoBaller

David Njoku Dec 3 6:00am CT
David Njoku

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku caught nine of his 17 targets for 52 yards and two touchdowns in a 41-32 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 13's Monday night game. Njoku set a career-high with his 17 targets while scoring on eight and four-yard receptions in the first half. The veteran tight end now has caught 49 passes for 397 yards and four touchdowns in nine games this season. A locked-in TE1 in fantasy the rest of the way, Njoku will now prepare to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road in Week 14.

From RotoBaller

Dustin Hopkins Dec 3 6:00am CT
Dustin Hopkins

Cleveland Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins made one of his two field-goal attempts and added three extra points in a 41-32 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 13's Monday night game. Hopkins' lone field goal came from 45 yards out while he misfired on a 47-yard attempt in the first quarter. The veteran kicker has struggled with his accuracy this season as he's hit just 16 of his 23 attempts through 12 games. Hopkins will look to bounce back in Week 14 against the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road. He made his lone attempt, a 34-yarder, back when these two teams met in Week 12.

From RotoBaller

Jerry Jeudy Dec 3 5:50am CT
Jerry Jeudy

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy caught nine of his 13 targets for 235 yards and a touchdown in a 41-32 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 13's Monday night game. Jeudy set a career-high in receiving yards while also setting an NFL record for the most receiving yards against a former team in the wild loss. The veteran wideout got things started early with a 44-yard reception on Cleveland's first drive. It could have been an even bigger game for Jeudy, who got wide-open in the second quarter and would have likely scored a touchdown if Jameis Winston hadn't badly overthrown him. Jeudy now ranks fifth in the NFL with 880 receiving yards after his huge performance on Monday night. Now an every-week must-start in fantasy, Jeudy will look to keep it rolling in Week 14 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jeudy caught six passes for 85 yards back in Week 12 when these two teams met.

From RotoBaller

Nick Chubb Dec 3 5:40am CT
Nick Chubb

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb carried the ball nine times for 21 yards while adding two catches for 24 yards and a touchdown in a 41-32 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 13's Monday night game. Chubb struggled to get much going on the ground in the high-scoring loss, which prompted the Browns to air it out in the second half. The veteran running back was fortunately able to salvage his fantasy outing with a five-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter, tying the game at 31-31. Chubb has struggled on the ground in his six games, averaging just 3.0 yards per carry, but he has shown a nose for the end zone in scoring four all-purpose TDs. He will be a high-end RB3 in Week 14's road matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He scored twice back when these two teams faced off in Cleveland in Week 12.

From RotoBaller