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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (foot) was limited in practice for the second straight day on Thursday. Johnson may need to be a full-go on Friday to avoid a questionable tag on the final Week 17 injury report, but he has a pretty good shot of being active this Sunday when the team hosts the Las Vegas Raiders. The 28-year-old has been on the injury report for weeks with his foot injury but hasn't missed any time, so it's obviously not all that serious. The last two weeks with rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler running the offense, Johnson has caught only four passes on five targets for 39 yards and no touchdowns. The Saints have a plus matchup this weekend against the Raiders, but with Derek Carr (hand) trending toward missing a third straight game, we can't realistically recommend Johnson as a TE1 play in one of the worst offenses in football.

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New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (groin) was listed as a non-participant in practice again on Thursday. Kamara injured his adductor back in the Week 15 loss to the Washington Commanders and hasn't practiced or played since. Although the 29-year-old does want to return in the final two weeks of the regular season, the Saints have no incentive to push their star RB back onto the field, so fantasy managers still battling for a trophy in 2024 shouldn't expect to have him available this Sunday in Week 17 when the team takes on the Las Vegas Raiders. Kendre Miller served as the lead back on Monday night but did very little in a loss to the Green Bay Packers in which the Saints couldn't score at all. Kamara will need to practice in some fashion on Friday to avoid being ruled out for a second straight week. We wouldn't count on it.

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According to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, Green Bay Packers tight ends Tucker Kraft (hip) and Luke Musgrave (ankle) remained limited during Thursday's practice. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on their status during Friday's final injury report, as it will likely clarify their availability heading into the weekend. Kraft suffered this hip injury during Monday evening's victory over the New Orleans Saints, but seeing him continue to participate in a limited capacity is a positive sign. Musgrave returned from his ten-game absence on Monday evening and is continuing to have his practice snaps monitored. In his return, Musgrave saw just one target, as Kraft continued to operate as the TE1 in Green Bay. If either tight end cannot suit up, Ben Sims would move up the depth chart but would not be a viable option in the fantasy playoffs. If Kraft can avoid an injury designation, he should be viewed as a low-end TE1 facing the Minnesota Vikings.

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Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange (shoulder) remained a limited participant during Thursday's practice session. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on his status during Friday's session as Strange may carry an injury designation into the weekend if he cannot update to full participation. After enjoying an impressive 11-catch 73-yard performance in Week 15 against the New York Jets, Strange had a disappointing showing last Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders as he brought in just two of his four targets for 22 yards. If Strange can suit up on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, fantasy managers should view him as a high-end TE2 as the Titans have defended opposing tight ends quite well, allowing the sixth-fewest PPR points to the position this season.

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New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) logged his second straight full practice of the week. Olave has been on the injured reserve since suffering his second concussion of the season during Week 9. Olave returned to practice last week but was only a limited participant. However, seeing him open the week as a full participant in back-to-back sessions puts him in a good position to return to action on Sunday. Fantasy managers should monitor his status during Friday's session, as he may be able to avoid an injury designation. Despite battling numerous injuries this season, Olave tallied at least 80.0 receiving yards in four of the eight games he played in. If he can suit up, he should be viewed as a decent flex option, given that he will be the lone proven pass-catching option in a depleted New Orleans offense.

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Tennessee Titans WR Tyler Boyd (foot), PK Nick Folk (abdomen), S Amani Hooker (shoulder), RB Tony Pollard (ankle), OL Dillon Radunz (shoulder) and LB Otis Reese (ankle) did not practice on Thursday, Dec. 26. Also, WR Colton Dowell (knee) and WR Bryce Oliver (knee) were limited and LB Luke Gifford (concussion) practiced in full.

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New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara (groin) did not take part in practice once again on Thursday, Dec. 26.

Fantasy Spin: At this point, it would make no sense for the Saints to bring Kamara back at the end of what is a lost season. At very least, it looks like he'll miss another game, which means more work for Kendre Miller, Jordan Mims and Jamaal Williams, none of whom are suggested lineup options in Week 17, especially if Spencer Rattler starts again.

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Arizona Cardinals S Joey Blount (ribs) and CB Elijah Jones (ankle) did not participate in practice Thursday, Dec. 26, and have been ruled out for Week 17. PK Matt Prater (knee) was limited during practice but has been ruled out. RB Trey Benson (ankle), OG Evan Brown (neck), LB Baron Browning (neck) and RB James Conner (knee) were limited during practice and are listed as questionable. DE Darius Robinson (calf) was limited during practice but is not on the injury report. P Michael Palardy (illness), OT Kelvin Beachum (non-injury) and LB Mack Wilson (concussion) fully participated in practice and are not on the injury report.

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New Orleans Saints WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (chest) was a limited participant in practice once again on Thursday, Dec. 26.

Fantasy Spin: Valdes-Scantling turned in limited practices last week before being ruled out, so he remains up in the air. Even if he does play, Valdes-Scantling won't be a lineup option if Derek Carr doesn't play. If Carr does suit up, the veteran wideout would be a flex option after showing a good connection with the veteran signal-caller weeks back.

From TheHuddle

According to David Furones of the Sun Sentinel, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (hip) remained a limited participant during Thursday's practice session. Fantasy managers should monitor his status in case he cannot update to full participation on Friday. Tagovailoa has been dealing with this hip injury for a few weeks but has yet to miss any time due to it. After throwing for 300+ yards in each game during Weeks 12 through 14, Tagovailoa has struggled over his past two games, averaging just 205.5 yards per game. Given his current struggles, fantasy managers should consider finding an alternative option, especially during the fantasy championships. He has a tough matchup ahead of him on Sunday afternoon against the Cleveland Browns, who have allowed the 11th-fewest PPR points to opposing QBs.

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