Guest of the League
Grand Ambitions Est. 2021
Dynasty $125 - FFL: Playoff Week 2 | NFL: Week 16

Cardinals RB James Conner (knee) banged up vs. Panthers

Sun Dec 22 7:44pm ET
Field Level Media

Arizona Cardinals standout running back James Conner injured his right knee during Sunday's 36-30 overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers.

Conner exited in the third quarter while enjoying a huge game with 166 scrimmage yards. He had 117 yards and one touchdown on 15 rushes and caught four passes for 49 yards.

Conner, 29, also reached 1,000 yards rushing for the second straight season. His total sits at a career-best 1,090.

Conner has topped 100 yards rushing in back-to-back games and six times this season.

Whether the two-time Pro Bowler will be healthy for Saturday's game against the host Los Angeles Rams isn't yet known.

Also, the Cardinals (7-8) were eliminated from playoff contention with the loss to the Panthers and that could prompt the team to hold Conner out for the final two games.

Conner recently signed a two-year, $19 million extension through the 2026 season.

Top Headlines
The Paur Report

Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 16

Player Notes
Jayden Daniels Dec 22 8:50pm CT
Jayden Daniels

The Philadelphia Eagles could not hold on late, falling to the Washington Commanders 36-33 in Week 16. The points allowed were a new season high for the unit, the most they've let up since Week 4 in a 33-16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Still, they were effective -- turning over the Commanders' offense on five separate occasions (three fumble recoveries). It wasn't enough, though, as a Jayden Daniels touchdown with ten seconds to go in the fourth quarter was enough to seal the deal against an Eagles offense missing quarterback Jalen Hurts (concussion). Philadelphia will line up against the Dallas Cowboys next weekend and is again a candidate for a viable fantasy performance. The unit had a massive outing against the same Dallas squad on the road in Week 10.

From RotoBaller

David Njoku Dec 22 8:40pm CT
David Njoku

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku caught eight of his 10 targets for 66 yards in a 24-6 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 16. In Dorian Thompson-Robinson's first start of the season, Njoku emerged as the young signal-caller's favorite target as he led the team in all receiving categories in the loss to Cincy. In even more positive news, Njoku appeared to emerge from the game without any setbacks to the hamstring injury that held him out of a Week 15 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Even though the quarterback switch from Jameis Winston to DTR is a downgrade for Cleveland's passing game, Njoku's production in Week 16 is encouraging for his fantasy outlook heading into a Week 17 home matchup against the Miami Dolphins.

From RotoBaller

Dustin Hopkins Dec 22 8:40pm CT
Dustin Hopkins

Cleveland Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins missed his lone extra-point attempt in a 24-6 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 16. Hopkins has struggled with his accuracy this season, so much so that the Browns made him inactive in Week 15 to give him a week to clear his head. It apparently didn't work as Hopkins missed his third extra-point attempt of the season, to go along with just a 64% field-goal success rate on 25 attempts. Hopkins will not be a recommended fantasy option heading into Week 17 against the Miami Dolphins, assuming he is still the team's kicker.

From RotoBaller

Brock Purdy Dec 22 8:40pm CT
Brock Purdy

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy came up short in a 29-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday. With the team down to its fifth-string option at running back, Purdy led the team in rushing with 26 yards on four scrambles and threw the football a career-high 40 times. He completed 26 passes for 313 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Purdy's touchdowns included a 16-yard Deebo Samuel Sr. catch-and-run through three tacklers and a two-yard toss to second tight end Eric Saubert. Late in the fourth quarter with San Francisco needing a touchdown for a chance to win, Purdy was hit as he threw to wideout Jauan Jennings and the football ended up in the hands of Miami nickelback Kader Kohou. Over his last four games, Purdy has alternated between two sub-five-point bad-weather games and two 20-plus-point performances in good weather. He'll get the Detroit Lions home in Santa Clara on Monday night in Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Myles Garrett Dec 22 8:40pm CT
Myles Garrett

The Cleveland Browns defense struggled in a 24-6 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 16. The Browns allowed Cincinnati to rack up 326 yards of total offense while notching four sacks and one turnover in the loss. On a bright note, Myles Garrett picked up the 100th sack of his career, making him the youngest player in NFL history to reach the milestone. Cleveland's defense will have another tough task on hand in Week 17 as they will host the Miami Dolphins.

From RotoBaller

Jerry Jeudy Dec 22 8:30pm CT
Jerry Jeudy

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy caught two of his three targets for 20 yards in a 24-6 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 16. The Browns' No. 1 receiver predictably busted following the team's decision to bench Jameis Winston in favor of Dorian Thompson-Robinson following Week 15, finishing fourth on the team in receiving yardage. Thompson-Robinson passed for only 157 yards on 34 pass attempts and took five sacks while throwing two picks in the lopsided loss to Cincy. Assuming Cleveland sticks with DTR under center, Jeudy remains borderline unplayable in fantasy heading into a home matchup against the Miami Dolphins in Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Elijah Moore Dec 22 8:30pm CT
Elijah Moore

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Elijah Moore caught two of his five targets for 21 yards in a 24-6 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 16. Moore and the rest of the Cleveland receivers struggled in Dorian Thompson-Robinson's first start of the season as most of the quarterback's 157 passing yards went to David Njoku (66 yards) and Jerome Ford (39). Moore has been held to 34 or fewer receiving yards in three straight games and will not be on the fantasy radar heading into a home matchup against the Miami Dolphins in Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Jake Elliott Dec 22 8:30pm CT
Jake Elliott

Philadelphia Eagles kicker Jake Elliott connected on 4-of-5 field goal attempts and nailed all three of his extra-point tries in Sunday's 36-33 loss to the Washington Commanders. The Memphis product converted kicks of 24, 40 (twice), and 50 yards on the afternoon, missing his longest attempt of the day -- a 56-yarder at the end of the first half. Still, Elliott was excellent in the semi-finals, pushing fantasy managers to victory with a huge day. It could have been a very different outing, too, considering quarterback Jalen Hurts (concussion) was forced from the contest and did not return. The 29-year-old is now 24-of-31 on the year on field goal attempts and has missed just one of his 41 point-after attempts. He'll square off against the Dallas Cowboys next Sunday in Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Grant Calcaterra Dec 22 8:20pm CT
Grant Calcaterra

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Grant Calcaterra was not targeted in his team's 36-33 loss to the Washington Commanders. It was a weird day for the Eagles in the upset loss. Quarterback Jalen Hurts (concussion) was forced from the contest early, leaving Kenny Pickett (ribs) manning the helm for the team. Pickett would attempt just 24 passes while running back Saquon Barkley chewed up 29 carries en route to another monster performance. Aside from wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, no other Philadelphia pass-catcher would garner more than a single target. It's a letdown for Calcaterra in an exploitable matchup, but the outlook of Philly's skill players all took a hit with the entrance of Pickett. The 26-year-old will get a slightly stiffer test next Sunday in a rematch with the visiting Dallas Cowboys. His fantasy outlook will hinge on who is calling signals for the Eagles.

From RotoBaller

Jerome Ford Dec 22 8:20pm CT
Jerome Ford

Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford carried the ball 11 times for 92 yards and a touchdown while catching all five of his targets for 39 yards in a 24-6 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 16. For the second straight game, Ford found the end zone as he provided the Browns their only points on a four-yard run in the third quarter. He has also shown his explosiveness of late, ripping off a 62-yard run against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15 and a 66-yard run against the Bengals in Sunday's loss. Ford is shaping up as a solid RB2 in fantasy heading into a home matchup against the Miami Dolphins in Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Kenneth Gainwell Dec 22 8:10pm CT
Kenneth Gainwell

Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenneth Gainwell rushed for seven yards on his four carries in Sunday's 36-33 upset loss to the Washington Commanders. He added six yards on his lone target and returned four kicks for 87 yards. The fourth-year back was minimally involved in Week 16 and inefficient even when he did touch the ball. Teammate Saquon Barkley, on the other hand, racked up 150 yards and two scores across his 29 totes. With quarterback Jalen Hurts (concussion) leaving this one early, Philly's offense wasn't its usual self sans Barkley. Backup quarterback Kenny Pickett (ribs) led the way after Hurts' exit and would fill in for the 26-year-old again if he missed more time unless Pickett can't play with his apparent rib injury. Regardless, any other signal-caller at the helm would result in a downgrade for the Eagles' offense as a whole. Gainwell won't be a recommended option when his team hosts the visiting Dallas Cowboys in the fantasy championships.

From RotoBaller

Blake Corum Dec 22 8:00pm CT
Blake Corum

Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum had five carries against the Jets on Sunday afternoon and totaled 14 yards on his five carries. He also had a run of 32 yards which was called back due to an illegal motion from tight end Hunter Long. Corum has shown explosive upside but has yet to have a breakthrough game while operating as the backup for Kyren Williams. Williams hasn't been breaking big plays but continually moves the chains and finishes with good totals. Corum has potential and has at least five carries in three of his last four games, but he isn't getting enough work to be viable in standard formats.

From RotoBaller

Travis Etienne Dec 22 7:50pm CT
Travis Etienne

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. was out-touched by teammate Tank Bigsby and didn't do much with the touches he got in a 19-14 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. The 25-year-old back finished with nine carries for 22 yards and two catches for 15 yards. Etienne Jr. was overshadowed by Bigsby, who received 12 carries, caught one pass, and averaged 4.2 yards per carry compared to Etienne Jr.'s 2.4 yards per carry. Etienne Jr. had been more involved in the passing game the last few games, but his involvement dropped across the board in Week 16. Given the hot-hand approach the Jaguars seem to be using, it is hard to trust him in any must-win fantasy matchup. Etienne Jr. will look to be more involved in Week 17 when the Jaguars face the Tennessee Titans.

From RotoBaller

Cooper Kupp Dec 22 7:50pm CT
Cooper Kupp

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp only had three catches on three targets Sunday for 24 yards in the Rams' win over the Jets on Sunday afternoon. The Rams relied heavily on Kyren Williams and the ground game, leaving Kupp with limited work while Matthew Stafford totaled just 110 passing yards. In his 11 games this season, Kupp has caught 66 passes for 681 yards and six touchdowns. It was a step forward from his performance last week without a catch, but he's gone quiet at the worst time for fantasy owners while Puka Nacua has taken over as the focus of the passing attack.

From RotoBaller

Noah Fant Dec 22 7:40pm CT
Noah Fant

Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant caught three of six targets for 50 yards in Week 16 against the Minnesota Vikings. Fant earned six targets after earning seven in Week 15. He did a lot more with his receptions this week than he has in recent weeks. It was great to see since Fant had not exceeded 26 receiving yards since Week 7. If you made it this far in the fantasy playoffs with a rag-tag rotation of tight ends, then Fant could be on the radar in Week 17 in Chicago. Still, he is realistically a TE2 due to his lack of touchdown upside and the usual lack of yardage. Tread lightly with Fant despite the solid effort.

From RotoBaller

Geno Smith Dec 22 7:40pm CT
Geno Smith

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith was solid for fantasy in Week 16 against the Minnesota Vikings. Smith tossed two interceptions, but he managed 314 passing yards and just his second three-touchdown game of the season. Smith also attempted 43 passes this week which was his highest total since Week 6. The volume led to fantasy fun for Smith and the various Seahawk pass catchers. The Vikings presented a great matchup for Seattle's passing game so the output is not surprising. However, the interceptions continue to be a problem for Smith. The two picks on Sunday marked his 14th and 15th of the season. It is a huge reason why the Seahawks are falling out of playoff contention. Still, Smith is a solid QB2 over the final weeks of the season. That is especially true in Week 17 when the Seahawks travel to face a Bears team that just got torched by Lions quarterback Jared Goff.

From RotoBaller

Kenneth Walker III Dec 22 7:40pm CT
Kenneth Walker III

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (ankle) was limited to 31 yards on eight carries in Seattle's Week 16 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. He also brought in an eye-popping eight receptions for 28 yards. Walker left the game in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury. He was tackled at the goal line and got his foot caught up in a pile of defenders. Walker was just returning from a calf injury that had sidelined him for two weeks. While not much is known about the injury, Walker was ruled out for the rest of the game relatively quickly. He is slated to undergo imaging on the injured ankle this week. Fantasy managers counting on Walker for championship weekend will need to pay close attention to this injury. If it is a minor ankle sprain, then Walker has a solid matchup in Week 17 against the Chicago Bears. If it is more severe, then fantasy managers may once again be looking for a replacement. Be prepared for another Zach Charbonnet game in Week 17. However, with the Seahawks in dire need of a win, Walker could push to play on the bum ankle.

From RotoBaller

Jaxon Smith-Njigba Dec 22 7:40pm CT
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba was excellent in Week 16 against the Minnesota Vikings. JSN caught eight of 12 targets for 95 yards and a touchdown. The effort earned him his first 1,000-yard receiving season of his career and bumped his touchdown total to six for the season. The effort marked a continued breakout for JSN this season. He enters fantasy championship weekend fresh off two straight 12-target games. That kind of volume will continue to bring excellent fantasy performances. The Seahawks are fighting for their playoff lives at this point and will need all hands on deck moving forward. They will travel to play the Chicago Bears in Week 17. The Bears are fresh off allowing Jared Goff to throw the ball all over the yard in Week 16. As such, the Seahawks' passing offense should have plenty of success this week. Expect JSN to continue this breakout next week.

From RotoBaller

D.K. Metcalf Dec 22 7:40pm CT
D.K. Metcalf

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf caught his first touchdown since Week 7 in Seattle's Week 16 loss to the Vikings. Metcalf got off to a fast start with 57 yards and the touchdown. However, he was quiet in the second half and was not heard from as quarterback Geno Smith started spreading the ball around. It looked momentarily as if Metcalf was headed towards a monster fantasy day. Even so, seeing Metcalf find fantasy relevance again was encouraging. He earned seven targets which was his highest since Week 9. Metcalf's poor catch percentage continues to be concerning though. He only caught three passes. He will look to improve upon this week in Week 17 when the Seahawks visit the Bears. Seattle is fighting for their playoff lives and will need all hands on deck.

From RotoBaller

Puka Nacua Dec 22 7:40pm CT
Puka Nacua

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua caught eight of his nine targets on Sunday in New York and led the team with 56 receiving yards. While that total isn't impressive overall, he did have 45.9% of Matthew Stafford's total of 110 passing yards on a down day for the Rams' offense in the cold. Nacua didn't get into the end zone or hit 100 receiving yards for the second straight week, but he continues to get enough receptions to remain a strong play in PPR leagues. He has totaled 861 yards on 69 catches in his 10 games this season. He and the Rams come home for matchups against the Cardinals and Seahawks to close out the season.

From RotoBaller