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Colts Pro Bowl C Ryan Kelly returns to practice

Wed Dec 11 1:32pm ET
Field Level Media

The Indianapolis Colts designated four-time Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly for a return from injured reserve on Wednesday, opening his 21-day practice window.

The Colts placed Kelly on IR with a knee injury on Nov. 6. The team also opened the practice window for rookie linebacker Jaylon Carlies, who was on IR with a fibula injury.

The expectation is that Kelly will play Sunday when the Colts (6-7) return from their bye week at Denver (8-5). He last played in Week 9 against the Minnesota Vikings.

However, starting right tackle Braden Smith (personal), who was inactive in Week 13, will not practice Wednesday and is unlikely to face the Broncos. Head coach Shane Steichen said he's unsure if Smith, 28, will play again this season.

Kelly, 31, has started all 121 regular season and postseason games of his nine-year career, all with the Colts. Kelly earned Pro Bowl honors in 2019-21 and 2023 and was a second-team All-Pro choice in 2020.

Carlies, 23, has 21 tackles and one sack in seven games (three starts) since being selected in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Steichen also said that wide receiver Josh Downs (shoulder) will practice on Wednesday after missing the Week 13 win at New England. Offensive lineman Tanor Bortolini (concussion) is also set to practice.

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Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 15

Player Notes
Myles Gaskin Dec 11 1:10pm CT
Myles Gaskin

The Jacksonville Jaguars signed free-agent running back Myles Gaskin to the practice squad on Wednesday, according to NFL.com. The former seventh-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Washington is set to join his fourth NFL organization. In 43 career games for the Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Rams, and Minnesota Vikings, he has rushed 364 times for 1,354 yards and seven touchdowns. He's also hauled in 102 receptions for 712 yards and six scores. However, he has not handled more than three touches in a season since 2022 and is not likely to make an impact for the Jaguars unless its running back room gets decimated by injury.

From RotoBaller

Malik Nabers Dec 11 1:00pm CT
Malik Nabers

New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers (hip) practiced on the side on Wednesday. At the very least, Nabers will be listed as limited on the first practice report of Week 15. The first-round pass-catcher missed practice last Friday with a hip-flexor injury and was questionable to play in Week 14 against the New Orleans Saints, but he ended up suiting up and caught five of his 10 targets for a healthy 79 yards while playing all but three offensive snaps. As long as the 21-year-old wideout doesn't suffer a setback with his hip in practice this week, he should be a good bet to play this Sunday versus the Baltimore Ravens. Nabers is expected to be taking passes from quarterback Tommy DeVito this weekend. In the loss to the Buccaneers on Nov. 24 with DeVito at the helm, Nabers caught six passes for 64 yards. Fantasy managers should keep Nabers in their lineups as long as he's active.

From RotoBaller

Aidan O'Connell Dec 11 12:40pm CT
Aidan O'Connell

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said that quarterback Aidan O'Connell (knee) will take part in the team's walkthrough practice on Wednesday. As far as O'Connell's availability for the Monday night game in Week 15 against the Atlanta Falcons, Pierce said it will depend on how O'Connell looks this week. The Raiders won't hold their first official practice until Thursday this week, but it's a good sign that O'Connell will be on the field on Wednesday after the Raiders initially feared he suffered a season-ending left-knee injury in the Week 14 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He's officially dealing with a bone bruise. If O'Connell plays on Monday night, he'll be a low-end QB2 with upside in superflex leagues against a Falcons defense that was torched by the Vikings in Week 14. If O'Connell is ruled out, Desmond Ridder would make his first start in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Jake Haener Dec 11 12:30pm CT
Jake Haener

The New Orleans Saints are down to quarterbacks Jake Haener and rookie Spencer Rattler with Derek Carr (concussion, hand) potentially done for the season. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler thinks Haener is well positioned to get the start in Week 15 against the Washington Commanders after replacing Carr in the Week 14 win over the New York Giants. The Saints have yet to make a decision on their starting QB for this Sunday, though, and want to gauge how both Haener and Rattler handle the practice week. New Orleans remains bullish on the future of Rattler after he started three games for an injured Carr earlier this season. However, Haener has more experience and knows how to move the ball downfield, which could give him the nod, at least this week. Either way the Saints go, their QB will be a low-end QB2 in superflex leagues, at best.

From RotoBaller

Harrison Butker Dec 11 12:20pm CT
Harrison Butker

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said that kicker Harrison Butker (knee) will return to practice on Wednesday, but his status for the Week 15 contest on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns is still up in the air. Butker's 21-day practice window to return from Injured Reserve is being opened, but the Chiefs don't necessarily have to activate him for this weekend. The 29-year-old has missed four games after having surgery on his left meniscus. His status for this weekend will depend on how he looks in practices this week. In Butker's absence, the Chiefs have used Spencer Shrader (hamstring), who is also on IR, and Matthew Wright, who was clutch in the Week 14 win over the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers by making all four of his field goals and an extra point. Whoever is the Chiefs' kicker in Week 15 will be worth a starting lineup spot in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Marshon Lattimore Dec 11 12:10pm CT
Marshon Lattimore

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said that cornerback Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) will be a full participant in practice on Wednesday coming out of the bye week. While nothing is official yet, a full practice to begin the week of preparation is a good sign that Lattimore could make his debut with the Commanders in Week 15 against his former team, the New Orleans Saints. The Commanders acquired Lattimore from the Saints at the trade deadline to beef up what had been a shaky secondary in the beginning of the year. However, the 28-year-old defensive back has missed five straight games and has yet to debut in D.C. Barring a setback this week, he'll have a good shot at returning this weekend, although the Commanders could ease him back in after he missed so much time. Regardless of Lattimore's status, the Commanders' D is a nice streaming play in Week 15 against the Saints.

From RotoBaller

Evan Engram Dec 11 12:10pm CT
Evan Engram

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (shoulder) will not practice with the rest of the team on Wednesday, but head coach Doug Pederson expects him to play in Week 15 against the New York Jets on Sunday. It appears that Engram's shoulder injury isn't serious enough to keep him out of action this weekend, but we'll keep a close eye on his status the rest of the week. As long as the 30-year-old veteran returns to practice in the next two days, he'll be on track to be active for fantasy managers against the Jets. With quarterback Trevor Lawrence (concussion, shoulder) out for the year, all of Jacksonville's offensive weapons will have a lower fantasy floor and ceiling for the final four games of 2024, including Engram. In the Week 14 win over the division-rival Tennessee Titans, Engram had four catches for 33 yards.

From RotoBaller

Joe Burrow Dec 11 12:10pm CT
Joe Burrow

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (knee) will practice this week. "Just sore," head coach Zac Taylor said. Burrow was seen wearing a sleeve on his surgically repaired left knee in Monday night's 27-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys. It's something to keep an eye on down the stretch of the season, but Burrow will practice this week and should be fine to start in Week 15 versus the Tennessee Titans. Despite facing a Titans defense that has been surprisingly good in 2024, Burrow should remain a top-five fantasy QB in Week 15 fantasy lineups. The 28-year-old has been dicing up opposing defenses most of the year and enters the week as the QB3 in overall fantasy points, behind only Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen. Burrow has a total of 3,706 passing yards and has thrown 33 touchdowns and only six interceptions in 2024. Leave him locked into your starting lineups.

From RotoBaller

Noah Brown Dec 11 12:00pm CT
Noah Brown

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said that wide receiver Noah Brown (ribs) is "going to be out for a while." Brown injured his ribs in the Week 13 win over the Tennessee Titans, but apparently the team's Week 14 bye wasn't enough time for him to heal up. The 28-year-old will miss practice on Wednesday and will most likely be ruled out later this week to play this Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. For however long Brown is sidelined, the Commanders will be hoping one of Olamide Zaccheaus, Dyami Brown and rookie Luke McCaffrey will be able to step up behind WR1 Terry McLaurin. None of the three really stand out as a waiver-wire pickup with Brown injured. Tight end Zach Ertz is most likely to be the biggest beneficiary in terms of targets and production with Brown set to miss time. In his first year in D.C., Brown has brought in 35 of his 56 targets for 453 yards and one touchdown in 11 games.

From RotoBaller

Tommy DeVito Dec 11 11:50am CT
Tommy DeVito

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll said that quarterback Drew Lock (heel) is dealing with a heel injury and is in a walking boot. As a result, Tommy DeVito is expected to make the start this Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 15. DeVito made his first start of the year in the Week 12 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and underwhelmed, going 21-for-31 for 189 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. He also picked up a right-forearm injury and was inactive the following week. Lock similarly underwhelmed in his two starts at QB and is now banged up, so the G-Men will turn back to DeVito, who is apparently recovered from his forearm injury. The Ravens defense has allowed lots of big plays in the passing game this year, but it's unclear if DeVito and the Giants offense will be able to take advantage. At best, DeVito is a desperation low-end QB2 option in superflex fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Dustin Hopkins Dec 11 11:40am CT
Dustin Hopkins

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Wednesday that kicker Dustin Hopkins will kick for the team this weekend in Week 15 against the Kansas City Chiefs. With Hopkins struggling mightily for most of the year, the Browns signed Riley Patterson to their practice squad this week. "Dustin's our kicker but we'll work through it this week," Stefanski said. The 34-year-old veteran will start this Sunday, but if he struggles again, the Browns could decide to make a change going into Week 16 against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals. Hopkins missed two field goals in last week's loss to the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers and has made just 16 of his 25 field-goal attempts this year. Especially in a tough matchup against the Chiefs' stingy defense, fantasy managers should be avoiding Hopkins as their kicker in Week 15.

From RotoBaller

Jaylon Carlies Dec 11 11:40am CT
Jaylon Carlies

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said the team will open the 21-day practice window on Wednesday for center Ryan Kelly (knee) and linebacker Jaylon Carlies (leg) to return from Injured Reserve. While both players will be eligible to return to practice on Wednesday, it doesn't mean that they will be active for the big Week 15 contest in Denver versus the Broncos. Neither player is fantasy relevant, but Kelly is a key player on Indy's offensive line that they would love to have back in a pivotal game this weekend. The 31-year-old veteran is confident that he can return in 2024 after having arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. Kelly went on IR before Week 10, so this weekend is the first game he'll be eligible to return for. His availability for Sunday's contest will likely depend on how he looks in practice from Wednesday through Friday.

From RotoBaller

Dalton Kincaid Dec 11 11:30am CT
Dalton Kincaid

Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee) logged a full practice in Wednesday's walk-through. This is an encouraging sign for Kincaid, as he has missed the last three games due to a knee injury. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his practice participation throughout the rest of the week. In Week 15, the Buffalo Bills (10-3) take on the Detroit Lions (12-1) in a matchup between two of the best teams in the NFL. The over/under for Sunday's game is 54.5 points, and having all of Josh Allen's weapons available to him will go a long way in helping the Bills pull off the upset (2.5-point underdogs) on the road. On the season, Kincaid has disappointed many fantasy managers with 34 catches for 356 yards and two touchdowns over 10 games. Still, the 25-year-old has the skill set and the high-powered offense that could help him finish the fantasy season on a high note. Fantasy managers can start Kincaid as a low-end TE1 if he plays this week.

From RotoBaller

David Njoku Dec 11 11:30am CT
David Njoku

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (hamstring) will not take part in the first practice of the week on Wednesday as the team prepares to face the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15. DNPs are not a good sign to start the week, but Njoku is considered day-to-day and has two more days to get back on the practice field. However, fantasy managers need to be prepared to go in another direction if the 28-year-old is unable to practice the next couple days and is ruled out for the weekend. He's been amazing for his fantasy managers in recent weeks with receiver Cedric Tillman (concussion) sidelined, catching 16 passes for 94 yards on 30 targets while finding the end zone twice in the last two games. If Njoku is able to play, he should be a locked-in TE1 against KC. If he doesn't practice the rest of the week and is ruled out, Jordan Akins would be in line for a bigger role on Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Josh Downs Dec 11 11:20am CT
Josh Downs

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (shoulder) will practice on Wednesday. He suffered a right shoulder injury in the fourth quarter of the Colts' Week 12 loss to Detroit and missed Week 13's contest against the New England Patriots. With Downs practicing on Wednesday, he is trending in the right direction toward being active for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos. The Colts are a few games out of the last playoff spot, so they must finish the season strong to have a chance to play in January. Downs production has been boom-or-bust this season. The 23-year-old has 53 catches for 594 yards and four touchdowns over 10 games in 2024. However, in a game script that may have the Colts playing from behind, Downs should see targets in Week 15, making him a viable WR3 if he's active in Week 15.

From RotoBaller

Matt Prater Dec 11 11:20am CT
Matt Prater

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon still is holding out hope that kicker Matt Prater (knee) can return from Injured Reserve this season. Prater has been on IR since undergoing surgery to fix the meniscus in his left knee back in October, missing the team's last nine games. The 40-year-old veteran placekicker hasn't had his 21-day practice window opened yet, though, to return from IR, but there are still four games remaining in the regular season. He's unlikely to be available this weekend when the team takes on the New England Patriots, but Prater's return could come in Week 16 against the Carolina Panthers. Until/if Prater is able to return down the stretch, Chad Ryland will continue to kick for the Cardinals. Before his knee injury, Prater hit all six of his field-goal tries and all 10 of his extra points in four games.

From RotoBaller

Keon Coleman Dec 11 11:10am CT
Keon Coleman

Buffalo Bills rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman (wrist) was a full participant in the team's first official practice (a walkthrough) of the week on Wednesday, signaling that he could finally be ready to return for a Week 15 showdown in Detroit against the Lions. The 21-year-old is battling a wrist injury that he suffered in Week 9. He was limited in practices last week and was questionable on the final injury report, but Buffalo eventually played it safe and kept him out of the Week 14 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. A full practice to begin the week is a good sign that he's trending in the right direction to return this Sunday, although nothing is guaranteed yet. With tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee) also practicing in full, the Bills could be at full strength offensively for what could be another high-scoring contest in Detroit. Coleman, if active, will be a shaky WR4/flex play in fantasy after a long layoff.

From RotoBaller

Cedric Tillman Dec 11 11:10am CT
Cedric Tillman

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman (concussion) is expected to return to the practice field on Wednesday, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski. Tillman was still in the league's concussion protocol as of Monday, but it appears the 24-year-old second-year wideout is making some progress with a head injury that he suffered in the Week 12 upset win over the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers. He hasn't played since and will need to be cleared by an independent neurologist later this week if he's going to be active this Sunday for a showdown in Philadelphia against the Eagles. In Tillman's absence the last few weeks, receivers Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore have been much more involved and had several big games, as has tight end David Njoku. A Tillman return would lower their ceilings somewhat, while Tillman would be a shaky WR4/flex for fantasy managers in the first round of the playoffs.

From RotoBaller

Brian Thomas Jr. Dec 11 11:00am CT
Brian Thomas Jr.

New York Jets star defensive back Sauce Gardner (hamstring) is expected to suit up in Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Gardner missed last week's game against the Miami Dolphins due to a hamstring injury he suffered in Week 13 versus the Seattle Seahawks. Per Zack Rosenblatt, Gardner is good to go for Week 15, which will be a nice boost for the Jets' defense. With the Jets eliminated from the playoffs, Gardner feels close to 100%, as it seems unlikely New York would play him if he were not at full strength. Gardner will likely line up against the speedy Brian Thomas Jr. in his first game back in action. The Jaguars' passing attack has not been known to tear up opposing defenses, so the Jets' defense will be a top option for fantasy managers in Week 15. RotoBaller has the Jets DST as the No. 3 ranked fantasy defense in the latest Week 15 rankings.

From RotoBaller

Breece Hall Dec 11 10:50am CT
Breece Hall

New York Jets running back Breece Hall's (knee) status for Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars is uncertain. According to Zach Rosenblatt of The Athletic, Hall is "struggling a bit," and his status for Week 15 is unclear. The Jets are (3-10) but do not plan to shut down Hall for the season despite missing last Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins. As a result in Week 14, Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis carried the workload, and a similar approach is expected heading into Week 15 if Hall is ruled out. Last week, Allen logged a 54% snap share, while Davis handled the remaining 46%. Allen rushed 11 times for 43 yards while catching four of five targets for 38 yards, while Davis rushed 10 times for 40 yards and a touchdown while catching three of six targets for 27 yards in the Week 14 loss to the Dolphins. Both delivered respectable performances and should be considered flex options for fantasy managers if Hall is unavailable in Week 15.

From RotoBaller