Guest of the League
Champions, Inc. Est. 2021
Dynasty $500 - FFL: Playoff Week 3 | NFL: Week 17

Eagles QB Kenny Pickett expects to be ‘ready to go’ vs. Cowboys

Thu Dec 26 6:31pm ET
Field Level Media

If Philadelphia Eagles star quarterback Jalen Hurts is unavailable for their Week 17 tilt with the rival Dallas Cowboys, they'll at least have Kenny Pickett at their disposal.

Hurts remains in concussion protocol while also dealing with a finger injury on his non-throwing hand. He did not practice on Thursday, but QB2 Pickett (ribs) was a full participant.

Pickett told reporters after practice Thursday that he expects to be able to play. He "tested out some different things padding-wise" in anticipation of being on the field Sunday against visiting Dallas, when the Eagles can clinch the NFC East title with a victory.

"It is what it is. Just something I'm going to have to deal with," Pickett said. "So, yeah, I'll be ready to go for Sunday."

Hurts was injured last Sunday in the Eagles' loss to the Washington Commanders. His head hit the turf while being tackled by Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner.

Hurts connected on just 1 of 4 passes for 11 yards before he exited the game. Pickett took over and produced 143 yards, one touchdown and one interception on 14-of-24 passing as Washington rallied to beat Philadelphia 36-33.

It was later revealed that Pickett hurt his ribs during the game.

"I think after a couple more days, getting a chance to kind of rest it a little bit more, go do some rehab, I'll be good for Sunday," Pickett said.

The only other quarterback on the Eagles' roster is Tanner McKee, a sixth-round pick in 2023 who has yet to play a snap for them. Philadelphia signed quarterback Ian Book to the practice squad earlier Thursday.

Top Headlines
The Paur Report

Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 16

Player Notes
Trey Benson Dec 26 6:40pm CT
Trey Benson

Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Trey Benson (ankle) was limited in practice all week and is considered questionable to play in Week 17 on Saturday night against the hosting division-rival Los Angeles Rams. Lead back James Conner (knee) was also limited in practice all week and questionable for Week 17. Head coach Jonathan Gannon said he's uncertain about the statuses of both Conner and Benson heading into Saturday night. Benson, who did not play in the team's Week 16 overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers, would only be worth a look in fantasy as an RB3/flex if he returns and Conner is ruled out. If both Arizona backs are unable to gain clearance, the Cardinals would likely split the backfield touches amongst DeeJay Dallas and Michael Carter. The 21-year-old Benson is averaging 4.6 yards per carry in his first 13 NFL games, but he's been afforded only 63 carries behind Conner.

From RotoBaller

Matt Prater Dec 26 6:40pm CT
Matt Prater

Arizona Cardinals kicker Matt Prater (knee) was limited in practice all week but was ruled out on Friday for the team's Week 17 divisional contest against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday night. Prater had his 21-day practice window opened to return from Injured Reserve last weekend and has been limited in six practices. However, the 40-year-old will not be activated from IR, and with the regular-season finale being next weekend with the Cardinals eliminated from the playoff picture, we have a suspicion that he will not play again this year. With Prater out again this weekend against the Rams, Chad Ryland will once again fill in as the starting placekicker. In an inconsistent Arizona offense now with nothing left to play for but pride, Ryland won't be a recommended fantasy starter in Week 17. The 25-year-old has made 25 of his 29 field-goal tries and all 21 of his extra points in 11 games with Arizona in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Blake Corum Dec 26 6:40pm CT
Blake Corum

Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum continues to be minimally involved every week in the Rams' rushing attack. The rookie from Michigan had five carries for 14 yards last week and also had a 32-yard run which was called back due to an illegal motion penalty. Corum does bring an element of explosiveness to the offense, but his role is still extremely limited. He typically plays a drive or two early in the game, and Kyren Williams handles the rest of the work. He has the potential to break out and is in a favorable matchup, but he is only RotoBaller's RB52 this week since his role is so limited and Williams has had so much success.

From RotoBaller

Hassan Haskins Dec 26 6:30pm CT
Hassan Haskins

Los Angeles Chargers running back Hassan Haskins could have a larger role than usual in a Week 17 game against the New England Patriots. With Gus Edwards (ankle) ruled out and J.K. Dobbins (knee) questionable after missing the past four games, Haskins and rookie Kimani Vidal could split the backfield in a game in which the Chargers are favored. If Dobbins is able to play, Haskins likely won't have fantasy value, but if it gets down to just Haskins and Vidal, both should have decent floors with higher ceilings than usual.

From RotoBaller

Kyren Williams Dec 26 6:30pm CT
Kyren Williams

Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams continues to grind out big games every week, and he remains a strong starting option this week against the Cardinals on Saturday night. Williams has over 100 rushing yards in three of his last four games after finishing with 122 rushing yards and a touchdown in last week's win over the Jets. He also hauled in his only target for an additional seven yards. Williams' touchdown gives him 15 scores on the season, tied for fourth-most in the NFL. Williams will set a new career-high if he scores another touchdown this season, and he already set a personal best with 1,243 rushing yards. The Cardinals should be a good matchup for him this week since they have allowed 14 touchdowns and an average of 108.7 rushing yards per week to running backs this year. In such a good spot, Williams is RotoBaller's RB8 this week, making him a must-start in most formats for Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Tyreek Hill Dec 26 6:30pm CT
Tyreek Hill

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (wrist, rest) remained limited in practice for the second straight day this week on Thursday. Hill continues to be listed on Miami's injury report with a wrist injury that he's dealt with pretty much all year. He hasn't missed any games because of it, though, and that won't happen this Sunday in Week 17 against the Cleveland Browns. In all likelihood, the 30-year-old speedster will practice in full on Friday and be removed from the final injury report. In the Week 16 win over the San Francisco 49ers with Jaylen Waddle (knee) out, the Cheetah only caught three of his seven targets for 29 yards, but he also managed to find paydirt for the third time in the last four games. Regardless of whether Waddle plays this weekend, Hill should be considered a must-start high-end WR2/low-end WR1 for fantasy matchups in Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Ladd McConkey Dec 26 6:30pm CT
Ladd McConkey

Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey is set up for a strong performance in a Week 17 Saturday game against the New England Patriots. McConkey has been a top-25 fantasy receiver for five straight games (skipping Week 14, where he did not play), and should be right in those same rankings again this week. The Patriots defense has been pretty generous to opposing wide receivers, and McConkey should once again be the focal point of the Chargers offense, especially with injuries in the running game making it likely that the Bolts will need to pass early and often. McConkey has a high floor like usual with an even higher ceiling than most weeks.

From RotoBaller

Zach Ertz Dec 26 6:20pm CT
Zach Ertz

Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (shoulder, rest) returned to full practice on Thursday after he was rested in Wednesday's session. Ertz had a three-game stretch of finding the end zone in each game from Weeks 11-13, but in two games since the team's Week 14 bye, he's caught only three of four targets for 37 yards and no touchdowns. The 34-year-old will likely be removed from Friday's final injury report and should be active this Sunday when the team takes on the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday Night Football. Ertz will be looking to get more involved in the passing attack in that one against a Falcons defense that has surprisingly only allowed 8.3 full-PPR points per game to the TE position. As he has been pretty all season, Ertz checks in as a touchdown-dependent TE2 heading into Sunday night's game in Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Kimani Vidal Dec 26 6:20pm CT
Kimani Vidal

Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back Kimani Vidal could end up in the starting role in a Week 17 game against the New England Patriots. Starter J.K. Dobbins (knee) has missed four games and is listed as questionable for this matchup and fill-in starter Gus Edwards (ankle) has already been ruled out. There's a chance that Dobbins is able to return and if he does he'll likely lead the backfield, but if Dobbins is also ruled out or limited in the game, Vidal would rise to the top of the depth chart and share it with Hassan Haskins. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on pre-game warmup reports, if Dobbins can't suit up, Vidal could be a solid RB2 option with a rather high floor.

From RotoBaller

Dyami Brown Dec 26 6:20pm CT
Dyami Brown

Washington Commanders wide receiver Dyami Brown (hamstring) was listed as a DNP for the second straight day this week on Thursday. Brown injured his hamstring in the Week 16 win over the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles and will now need to practice on Friday in some fashion to avoid being ruled out in Week 17 as the team takes on the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night. Even if the 25-year-old pass-catcher is able to practice on Friday and suit up on Sunday against the Falcons, he won't be much of an upside play as a flex option in deeper fantasy leagues despite a plus matchup. In his fourth year with the Commanders, Brown has a career-high 27 receptions for 292 yards and one touchdown on his 36 targets over 15 games played (two starts). Olamide Zaccheaus will probably be the biggest beneficiary in the offense if Brown is unable to play this weekend.

From RotoBaller

Justin Herbert Dec 26 6:10pm CT
Justin Herbert

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has a good matchup against the New England Patriots defense in Week 17. The Bolts and Pats will play on Saturday afternoon in New England, where Herbert will look to build on his overall QB7 against the Broncos in Week 16. Herbert looked much healthier last week, showing much more mobility on his injured ankle. He did not appear on the injury report at all heading into this game, his first time totally off the report in weeks. With running backs Gus Edwards (ankle) out and J.K. Dobbins (knee) questionable at best, the Chargers may need to rely on the passing game even though they are favored in this game. Herbert has a nice ceiling in this one and a fairly high floor as well.

From RotoBaller

Cooper Kupp Dec 26 6:10pm CT
Cooper Kupp

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp will look to bounce back against the Cardinals after posting back-to-back down weeks at the worst possible time for his fantasy investors. He was shut out in Week 15 and managed just three catches for 24 receiving yards in Week 16 against the Jets. Kupp has taken a backseat to Puka Nacua over the last few games and only has a total of six targets in the last two weeks, compared to 17 targets for Nacua over that span. Kupp's season numbers are still solid, and he has stepped up when called upon. However, he's hard to trust in a reduced role. He left the Rams' first game against the Cardinals with an ankle injury after four catches for 37 yards. He'll try to help the Rams avenge that Week 2 loss in a favorable matchup this week. The Cardinals have allowed four WR touchdowns in the last four weeks and rank in the middle third of the NFL in fantasy points allowed to the position on the season. Kupp is RotoBaller's WR19 this week, making him a fringe WR start in most formats on Saturday night at home with a good ceiling but also a low floor since his volume has dropped off so sharply.

From RotoBaller

Puka Nacua Dec 26 6:00pm CT
Puka Nacua

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua continues to establish himself as one of the top fantasy wide receivers on a weekly basis due to his heavy volume and high ceiling, regardless of game script. The former BYU Cougar has at least seven catches in six of his last seven games and has totaled 15 catches for 153 yards the last two weeks, even though the Rams have been in low-scoring run-heavy contests. Nacua has at least eight targets in every full game he has played this season and should be heavily involved as the Rams come home to face the Cardinals. He didn't face Arizona earlier this season, but the Cardinals have allowed four WR touchdowns in the last four weeks and an average of 144.1 receiving yards per game to the position. Nacua is RotoBaller's WR4 this week, making him a must-start in most formats on Saturday night.

From RotoBaller

Kenny Pickett Dec 26 5:50pm CT
Kenny Pickett

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett (ribs) was a full participant in Thursday's practice. Meanwhile, starter Jalen Hurts (concussion) missed his second straight day of practice this week. Pickett said he doesn't expect to have any limitations for Sunday's Week 17 contest against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys. "Something I'll have to deal with," Pickett said. The former Steelers QB could have to deal with it in his first start of the season if Hurts is eventually ruled out with his concussion. The 26-year-old wasn't terrible in relief of Hurts last week, but he wasn't able to lead the team to a win against the division-rival Washington Commanders, going 14-for-24 for 143 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Pickett shouldn't be considered as anything more than a low-end QB2 in fantasy if he's forced to start, but he at least has some high-end offensive weapons to work with.

From RotoBaller

Matthew Stafford Dec 26 5:50pm CT
Matthew Stafford

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford leads the Rams into a big divisional matchup on Saturday night against the Arizona Cardinals. Stafford has had back-to-back down games but led the Rams to low-scoring road wins over the 49ers and Jets. In his last home game, he lit up the Bills for 320 passing yards and two touchdowns and is averaging 252.8 passing yards per game in his seven home games this season. On the year, the veteran has 20 passing touchdowns and just eight interceptions and has reached over 3,500 yards. He only managed 216 yards and no touchdowns in Week 2 against the Cardinals, but the Rams' offense is in a much healthier place coming into this rematch. The Cardinals have allowed eight quarterback touchdowns in the last four weeks and have been eliminated from playoff contention. While he isn't a locked-in must-start option anymore, Stafford is RotoBaller's QB13, making him a fringe starter in standard formats for Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Terry McLaurin Dec 26 5:50pm CT
Terry McLaurin

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (ankle) returned to a limited practice on Thursday after he was a non-participant in the first practice of the week on Wednesday. McLaurin might need to practice in full on Friday to avoid an injury designation for the weekend, but he has a pretty good shot to play now on Sunday in the Week 17 contest versus the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday Night Football. The 29-year-old pass-catcher needs to stay in all fantasy lineups as well. He'll carry a four-game touchdown streak into this Sunday's contest. In that same span, he's caught 25 of his 30 targets for 308 yards and six total touchdowns. In the last five weeks in half-PPR scoring, McLaurin ranks as the WR10 overall. McLaurin has been thriving in 2024 as impressive rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels' No. 1 target.

From RotoBaller

A.J. Brown Dec 26 5:40pm CT
A.J. Brown

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (knee, rest) was listed as a limited practice participant on Thursday. Brown injured his left knee in practice last Thursday and was spotted wearing a soft brace on it after practice. As long as the 27-year-old can practice again on Friday, though, there's a good chance he'll be removed from the final injury report entirely. Fantasy managers shouldn't really be all that concerned about Brown's knee, but rather quarterback Jalen Hurts' head, as he remains in the concussion protocol and is in danger of missing this weekend's game. Brown's value as a high-end WR1 in fantasy could take a significant hit if backup QB Kenny Pickett (ribs) is forced to make his first start of the year against Dallas. Still, even after Hurts left last Sunday's loss to the division-rival Washington Commanders early, he still finished with eight catches on a season-high 15 targets for 97 yards and a touchdown.

From RotoBaller

Marquez Valdes-Scantling Dec 26 5:30pm CT
Marquez Valdes-Scantling

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (chest) put in a second straight limited practice on Thursday this week. Valdes-Scantling might need to upgrade to a full practice on Friday to avoid a questionable designation on the final injury report, but he still has a pretty good chance of being active this Sunday to take on the visiting Las Vegas Raiders in the Big Easy. MVS had a three-game stretch that came out of nowhere from Weeks 10-13 where he had seven catches on 10 targets for 232 yards and four touchdowns, but that small hot streak came to a quick end once quarterback Derek Carr (hand) was injured in Week 14. He caught two of seven targets for 64 yards with rookie Spencer Rattler starting in Week 15 before he was inactive this past Monday in the loss to the Packers. With Chris Olave (concussion) on track to make his return this week, MVS should be ignored if he's back in Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Davante Adams Dec 26 5:30pm CT
Davante Adams

New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams (hip) missed practice for the second straight day this week on Thursday. Adams is now firmly in danger of missing the Week 17 contest against the division-rival Buffalo Bills on Sunday, but he'll have a shot of suiting up if he can return to the practice field on Friday. The good news for fantasy managers is that Adams and the Jets play in the early window on Sunday, so we should know early that day whether he'll be active. The 32-year-old veteran has hit his stride in the last four games, scoring in each contest while bringing in 30 of his 48 targets for 441 yards and five total touchdowns as quarterback Aaron Rodgers' clear favorite target. So if Adams is active this weekend, there's no reason you should be benching him in most formats despite fellow wideout Garrett Wilson clamoring for more targets.

From RotoBaller

Derek Carr Dec 26 5:20pm CT
Derek Carr

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (hand) was listed as a non-participant in practice yet again on Thursday. Carr fractured his left (non-throwing) hand in the Week 14 win over the New York Giants but has missed the last two contests. The 33-year-old veteran signal-caller is battling hard to try and play before the end of the regular season, but with just two games left, it's unlikely we'll see Carr again. Rookie Spencer Rattler has been in over his head the last two weeks as the replacement for Carr, but to be fair, he has very little to work with on a banged-up offense. Rattler is on track to make his third straight start this Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders if Carr is ruled out, which he likely will be on Friday's final injury report. If Carr doesn't make it back the next two weeks, he'll finish with a disappointing 2,145 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and five interceptions in 10 starts.

From RotoBaller