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CB Jaire Alexander leads cavalry of Packers back at practice

Wed Dec 11 4:05pm ET
Field Level Media

Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander is off the injury report and on the practice field in Green Bay.

Alexander was a full participant in practice on Wednesday.

Alexander last played Nov. 17 and has suited up in only seven of 13 games this season for the Packers (9-4), who visit the Seattle Seahawks (8-5) on Sunday night.

Alexander, 27, missed the past three games with a knee ligament injury. He was hurt Oct. 27 against the Jacksonville Jaguars and returned prematurely coming out of the bye week in a win over the Bears. Aggravating the injury in a cameo at Chicago put Alexander on the shelf for games against the 49ers, Dolphins and last Thursday at Detroit.

Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith is first in the NFC in passing yards with 3,474.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said Wednesday that linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, tight end Luke Musgrave and wide receiver Romeo Doubs all practiced in some capacity. Musgrave had left ankle surgery stemming from an injury Week 4. A starter as a rookie last season, Musgrave also required a stint on IR in 2023 because of a lacerated kidney.

Doubs (concussion) was hurt in Week 12 in the Packers' win over the 49ers. He didn't play against the Dolphins or Lions and remains in concussion protocol but LaFleur said he was a full participant Wednesday.

Cooper has missed the past three games with a hamstring injury sustained last month in practice days before the Packers beat the 49ers.

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Player Notes
Derek Carr Dec 11 3:10pm CT
Derek Carr

According to Matthew Paras of The Times-Picayune, New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (hand/concussion) is dealing with both a concussion and hand injury and is being treated as both "day-to-day and week-to-week." While Carr was already expected to miss several weeks, this update still leaves the door open for Carr to return sometime later this season. The veteran QB sustained these injuries last weekend during their victory over the New York Giants. While he has not yet been officially ruled out for Week 15's tilt against the Washington Commanders, fantasy managers relying on Carr should look for an alternative option as he will face a tough battle to suit up. While he has battled numerous injuries this season, Carr has tallied 16 total scores across ten games. While sidelined, either Jake Haener or Spencer Rattler will likely operate as the QB1 and should only be deployed in deep Superflex formats.

From RotoBaller

Romeo Doubs Dec 11 3:00pm CT
Romeo Doubs

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said that wide receiver Romeo Doubs (concussion) was able to practice in full on Wednesday. "We're making progress but he's still in the protocol," LaFleur said. Doubs suffered a concussion in the Week 12 win over the San Francisco 49ers and has missed each of the last two games. Although he still needs to pass through the NFL's concussion protocol, he appears to be well on his way this week and could return to game action this Sunday night versus the Seattle Seahawks. We won't know more on the 24-year-old's Week 15 status until later in the week, and fantasy managers could be presented with a difficult decision if he's questionable to play on Sunday night. Doubs currently ranks fourth in receiving yards on the team with 483 and third in receptions (34) while scoring two touchdowns in 10 games. If he's active, he'll be a touchdown-dependent WR4/flex in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Will Dissly Dec 11 2:50pm CT
Will Dissly

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said that he does not expect tight end Will Dissly (shoulder) to practice on Wednesday. Dissly injured his shoulder on the final play of the first half in the Week 14 loss to the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night and is expected to miss multiple weeks, so the fact he's not practicing on Wednesday is not a surprise at all. The 28-year-old has been dropped in many fantasy leagues already and almost certainly will be ruled out on Friday for the Week 15 game on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Dissly is likely to avoid Injured Reserve, though, which means he could return before the Week 18 regular-season finale versus the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders. Stone Smartt should operate as LA's top pass-catching TE for as long as Dissly is sidelined, putting him on the TE2 streaming map for fantasy managers.

From RotoBaller

Matthew Stafford Dec 11 2:50pm CT
Matthew Stafford

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has been on a nice roll lately, and he brings intriguing upside as he leads the Rams into a critical matchup with the 49ers on Thursday. Stafford has thrown multiple touchdowns with no interceptions in four straight games, totaling 10 touchdowns over that span. Since getting Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp back in Week 9, he has averaged 272 passing yards per game while posting at least 290 passing yards in four of those six games. He's up to 3,303 passing yards on the year coming into this matchup with San Francisco, who ranks in the top 10 at limiting fantasy production for QBs. Stafford is RotoBaller's QB20, but he has QB1 upside based on his current form.

From RotoBaller

Kenneth Walker III Dec 11 2:50pm CT
Kenneth Walker III

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said that running back Kenneth Walker III (calf) is considered day-to-day. There have been positive signs for Walker, and his injury isn't considered long-term. Walker will not undergo anymore tests, which will give him a chance to play in Week 15 against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football after he was inactive for the Week 14 win over the division-rival Arizona Cardinals. The 24-year-old's availability for this Sunday will likely come down to how much he can do in practice this week, so check back on his status. Seattle shouldn't be in a rush to get him back on the field after backup Zach Charbonnet went off for 137 rushing yards and two touchdowns while adding seven receptions for 59 yards last week against Arizona. If Walker does return to face the Packers, he'll be a much riskier RB2 in fantasy at risk of losing more touches to Charbonnet.

From RotoBaller

Justin Herbert Dec 11 2:40pm CT
Justin Herbert

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said that quarterback Justin Herbert (ankle, leg) is dealing with a leg contusion in addition to an "ankle injury." "He'll be doing everything and anything in his power to play on Sunday. We'll see about (practice) today," Harbaugh said. Herbert took a shot to his leg in the Week 14 loss to the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night but only ended up missing one play and downplayed the injury after the game. The 26-year-old is also dealing with an ankle injury, though, and his status should be closely monitored heading into Sunday's tilt against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Herbert is one of the toughest QBs in the league, so we'd expect him to be out there in Week 15, but his practice reps could be limited this week and he might not be as mobile outside the pocket against Tampa. He'll be on the QB1/2 borderline in Week 15 if he's active.

From RotoBaller

Cooper Kupp Dec 11 2:30pm CT
Cooper Kupp

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp is in a tough matchup in a divisional road game on Thursday Night Football against the 49ers. He had a good game last week with seven catches on seven targets for 80 yards and a touchdown. That total was a big bounce-back performance for Kupp after he totaled just 77 yards in his two previous games. He is averaging 9.3 targets per game in his last six games and has scored four touchdowns in his last four games, so he does have potential WR1 upside if he finds the end zone. However, he's clearly behind Puka Nacua in terms of targets in the Rams' offense, and with all 32 teams in play, he ranks outside the top 10 this week against the 49ers, who have allowed the fourth-fewest points to wide receivers this season.

From RotoBaller

Puka Nacua Dec 11 2:20pm CT
Puka Nacua

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua has established himself as one of the most elite fantasy receivers in the NFL, and he is a must-start in all formats as he faces the 49ers on Thursday Night Football. Last week against the Bills, he caught 12 of 14 targets for 162 receiving yards and a touchdown while also getting a second touchdown as a rusher and totaling 16 rushing yards on five carries. His five rushes were all plays where he went in motion and then caught a lateral, and it was clear that coach Sean McVay was committed to getting the ball in his playmaker's hands. Nacua has four touchdowns in his last four games and has averaged 12.5 targets and carries in his six complete games this season. The 49ers are a tough matchup for receivers, but Nacua's high volume and touchdown ability keep him an elite play.

From RotoBaller

Jalen Coker Dec 11 2:10pm CT
Jalen Coker

Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Jalen Coker (quadriceps) was listed as a full participant for the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday. Coker also began last week with a full practice on Wednesday before being limited on Thursday and sitting out on Friday. The 23-year-old then missed his third straight game in the Week 14 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. If he can avoid a setback this week, he could return to action this Sunday against the visiting Dallas Cowboys. Even if the first-year pass-catcher avoids setbacks later this week and is active for Week 15, fantasy managers will want to avoid him as a starting lineup option. Coker did have a season-high eight targets in his last game played in the Week 10 win over the New York Giants in London, but he's been minimally involved in his first NFL season and has only 17 total catches (26 targets) for 263 yards and one touchdown in seven games played.

From RotoBaller

Demarcus Robinson Dec 11 2:00pm CT
Demarcus Robinson

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (shoulder) is practicing on Wednesday after missing the last two practices with a shoulder injury. The veteran has been banged up over the last few weeks, but his return to practice suggests he could play against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Night Football. Robinson has hauled in 28 receptions for 433 yards and seven touchdowns this season. His lack of volume makes him a touchdown-or-bust flex option every week, but the 49ers have allowed the ninth-fewest fantasy points per game to wideouts. With no teams on a bye, most fantasy managers can likely find better options to flex, even if he's active.

From RotoBaller

Luke Musgrave Dec 11 1:50pm CT
Luke Musgrave

Green Bay Packers tight end Luke Musgrave (ankle) returned to practice on Wednesday after having his practice window opened to return from Injured Reserve. The 2023 second-round pick has not played since Week 4 after suffering an ankle injury that required surgery. The Packers will now have 21 days to activate him to the roster. Even if Musgrave returns before the regular season wraps up, he's unlikely to be on the fantasy football radar after the emergence of fellow second-year tight end Tucker Kraft. Kraft was playing more snaps than Musgrave before his injury, so we should expect that to continue into the late quarter of the season. So far this year, Musgrave has totaled just five receptions for 22 yards. That said, his usage will be worth monitoring, and he could make an impact in the NFL postseason.

From RotoBaller

George Pickens Dec 11 1:50pm CT
George Pickens

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (hamstring) is not practicing on Wednesday ahead of the Week 15 game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Pickens picked up a hamstring injury last week and was a surprise inactive ahead of last week's win over the Cleveland Browns. Given his lack of practice participation to begin the week, he's at real risk of missing another contest. Since Russell Wilson has taken over at quarterback, Pickens has hauled in 29 passes for 487 yards and three touchdowns in six games. He's been a strong option for fantasy football, so his potential absence is not ideal with the playoffs set to start in Week 15. Assuming he's out, Mike Williams or Calvin Austin III can be considered in flex spots, but in 12-team setups, there are likely better available options. The Eagles are one of the stingiest defenses against fantasy wideouts.

From RotoBaller

Alexander Mattison Dec 11 1:30pm CT
Alexander Mattison

Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison (ankle) is likely to return to action in Week 15 to face the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football, according to head coach Antonio Pierce. However, Pierce said Sincere McCormick is the new starting running back, and Mattison will serve as his backup. Zamir White (quad) is out for the season after being placed on Injured Reserve. This likely marks the end of Mattison as a viable fantasy option, though he has been underwhelming to this point. Mattison has averaged just 9.5 fantasy points per game in half-PPR setups behind 97 carries for 320 yards and three touchdowns to go along with 25 receptions for 245 yards and a score through the air.

From RotoBaller

Sincere McCormick Dec 11 1:30pm CT
Sincere McCormick

Las Vegas Raiders running back Sincere McCormick is the new starter in the backfield even when Alexander Mattison (ankle) returns, according to head coach Antonio Pierce. "He deserves it," Pierce said. "He has run his tail off." The second-year back out of UTSA has rushed 32 times for 175 yards in four games this season. His 5.5 yards-per-carry average outpaces both Mattison and Zamir White (quad) by over two full yards. While this is an exciting development for the young player, fantasy expectations should be tempered. Las Vegas has one of the worst offensive in the NFL, and McCormick's Week 15 matchup (Atlanta Falcons) has allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs. That said, he draws better matchups against the Jaguars and Saints in Weeks 16 and 17.

From RotoBaller

Patrick Mahomes Dec 11 1:20pm CT
Patrick Mahomes

Kansas City Chiefs left tackle D.J. Humphries (hamstring) will not practice on Wednesday after suffering a hamstring injury in Week 14's win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Humphries was picked up by the Chiefs on November 25 and made his first start for the team last week. The nine-year NFL veteran was brought in to fill an important position and protect Patrick Mahomes' blind side, but he could be at risk of missing the Week 15 game against the Cleveland Browns. If he can't go, Wanya Morris will likely draw another start.

From RotoBaller

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