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Cowboys All-Pro LB Micah Parsons (illness) expected to play vs. Bucs

Sun Dec 22 11:53am ET
Field Level Media

Dallas Cowboys All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons missed practice Friday because of illness but is expected to play Sunday night against the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers, NFL Network reported.

Parsons, who missed four games this season because of a high ankle sprain, showed up on Friday's injury report and is listed as questionable for the Cowboys (6-8) against the Buccaneers (8-6).

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones mentioned earlier in the week during his appearance on 105.3 The Fan that Parsons was having flu symptoms. Jones said he would be surprised if Parsons didn't play, however.

Parsons, 25, has 32 tackles (eight for loss), 8.5 sacks and 19 quarterback hits in 10 games (all starts) this season.

Dallas selected him 12th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Penn State. Parsons has 245 tackles (59 for loss), 49 sacks, eight forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries in 60 regular-season games (all starts).

He was a Pro Bowl selection in 2021 through 2023 and voted first-team All-Pro in his first two NFL seasons.

As for the Buccaneers, the team downgraded tight end Cade Otton from doubtful to out for Sunday night's game because of a knee injury.

Otton, 25, has started all 14 games for Tampa Bay and has 59 receptions on 87 targets for 600 yards and four touchdowns. The Bucs picked him in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Washington. He has 148 catches for 1,446 yards and 10 TDs in 47 regular-season games (42 starts).

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Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 16

Player Notes
Tyrone Tracy Jr. Dec 22 10:50am CT
Tyrone Tracy Jr.

New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (ankle) is officially active for Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons. He had been listed as questionable but was expected to suit up after being a limited participant in practice all week long. The rookie saw his four-game double-digit scoring streak (PPR) come to an end last week, but he still has fantasy appeal in his role as the Giants' primary running back. Even if his injury causes him to lose a couple of touches to Devin Singletary, Tracy should still be deployed as a strong RB3/FLEX option.

From RotoBaller

DeeJay Dallas Dec 22 10:50am CT
DeeJay Dallas

Arizona Cardinals running back DeeJay Dallas (illness) is officially active for Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers. He had been listed as questionable after missing practice on Friday but evidently recovered enough in time to play this weekend. Dallas will be tasked with handling a bigger workload as he backs up James Conner. His sudden rise up the depth chart comes after the Cardinals ruled out Trey Benson (ankle) and placed Emari Demercado (back) on injured reserve. Nevertheless, Dallas can be left on waivers in fantasy leagues with 14 or fewer teams.

From RotoBaller

Charlie Jones Dec 22 10:50am CT
Charlie Jones

Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. (leg) and wide receiver Charlie Jones (groin) are both inactive again for Week 16 against the division-rival Cleveland Browns on Sunday. This will mark Brown's third straight missed game and sixth overall this season since Week 9. With the 28-year-old out again, expect Cordell Volson to make another start at left tackle while protecting quarterback Joe Burrow's blind side. Jones, meanwhile, has not suited up for the Bengals since Week 8 due to his groin injury. The 26-year-old has played in eight games in his second season in the NFL in 2024 and has caught his only target for a five-yard gain. With Jones out yet again, Khalil Herbert and Isaiah Williams will handle return duties on special teams. Brown and Jones will try to get ready to return in what could be a pivotal contest in Week 17 against the Denver Broncos.

From RotoBaller

K.J. Osborn Dec 22 10:50am CT
K.J. Osborn

Washington Commanders wide receiver K.J. Osborn (coach's decision) is a healthy scratch for Week 16 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Osborn was claimed off waivers from the New England Patriots earlier this month but has not yet made his Commanders debut. In fact, the 27-year-old has appeared in just seven games this year, catching seven passes for 57 yards and one touchdown. He can be avoided in all fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Tony Pollard Dec 22 10:50am CT
Tony Pollard

Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard (ankle) is officially active on Sunday against the division-rival Indianapolis Colts in Week 16 despite missing practice all week with an ankle injury. Pollard saw fewer snaps than normal in the Week 15 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, carrying the ball 17 times for 45 yards and a touchdowns, while backfield mate Tyjae Spears saw four carries for five yards and a touchdown, adding a season-high six catches for a season-high 87 yards and a second touchdown. The Colts are one of the best matchups for opposing RBs in the league in 2024, but given Pollard's injury and the chance he shares more work with Spears for a second straight week, fantasy managers may want to consider him more of a low-end RB2 in the fantasy semifinals in most leagues. In the first meeting with Indy back on Oct. 13, Pollard had 17 carries for 93 yards and a touchdown.

From RotoBaller

Jaylon Johnson Dec 22 10:50am CT
Jaylon Johnson

Chicago Bears left guard Teven Jenkins (calf) and cornerback Jaylon Johnson (illness) are active for Sunday's Week 16 divisional battle against the Detroit Lions. Both players had been listed as questionable. Jenkins was limited on Friday while Johnson did not practice. The former has appeared in 13 games this season. On Sunday, he'll be tasked with slowing down a Lions defense that has been impressive despite losing key players to injury. Meanwhile, Johnson has suited up for all 14 contests so far, amassing 40 tackles and two interceptions. Chicago's secondary has been dominant against opposing passers, but they'll get a tougher test this week in the form of Jared Goff and his star receiver, Amon-Ra St. Brown.

From RotoBaller

Greg Stroman Dec 22 10:43am CT
Greg Stroman

The New York Giants have declared OT Aaron Stinnie, DL Casey Rogers, QB Tim Boyle, CB Greg Stroman, WR Dee Williams and CB Divaad Wilson inactive for Week 16.

From TheHuddle

Travis Homer Dec 22 10:40am CT
Travis Homer

Chicago Bears running back Travis Homer (hamstring) is officially inactive for Week 16 against the Detroit Lions. He was a late addition to the injury report on Friday, fetching a "doubtful" designation after logging a limited practice.Darrynton Evanswill operate as the Bears' No. 3 running back behind Swift and Johnson.

From RotoBaller

David Njoku Dec 22 10:40am CT
David Njoku

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (hamstring) is officially active for the Week 16 game on Sunday versus the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals. Njoku injured his hamstring in the Week 14 loss to the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers and was unable to play in last week's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He did not practice on Wednesday and Thursday but returned to a limited showing on Friday and is now returning this weekend. Receiver Cedric Tillman (concussion) remains out for Cleveland, but Njoku isn't going to have the dependable high floor that he had for fantasy managers before his injury with the Browns moving from quarterback Jameis Winston to Dorian Thompson-Robinson in Week 16 and beyond. Also, the 28-year-old tight end could limited to fewer snaps if he's not 100 percent. Consider Njoku more of a shaky low-end TE1 option this weekend in fantasy in his return against Cincy.

From RotoBaller

Zach Ertz Dec 22 10:40am CT
Zach Ertz

Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (concussion, shoulder) is officially active for Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He had missed practice on Wednesday before finishing the week in a limited capacity. The veteran tight end was officially listed as questionable entering this weekend, but the expectation was that he'd be able to suit up. Ertz has appeared in 14 games this year, catching 54 passes for 526 yards and four touchdowns while ranking as the overall TE10 in PPR leagues. His best outing of the year came against the Eagles, so he'll look to replicate that big showing this week in Philadelphia. Ertz is a dependable mid-to-low TE1 option for fantasy purposes.

From RotoBaller

Michael Penix Jr. Dec 22 10:40am CT
Michael Penix Jr.

New York Giants edge rusher Brian Burns (ankle, neck) is officially active for Week 16 against the Atlanta Falcons. It seemed unlikely that Burns would suit up after missing two practices, but he was able to improve his status by logging a limited practice session on Friday. The star defender entered this weekend listed as questionable, and in the end, he'll be able to suit up against Atlanta. Burns has appeared in all 14 games so far this year, making an impact with his 58 tackles, eight sacks, and two forced fumbles. His presence will be key as the Giants look to irritate Michael Penix Jr. in his first career NFL start.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Higbee Dec 22 10:33am CT
Tyler Higbee

Los Angeles Rams TE Tyler Higbee (illness, knee) will make his season debut in Week 16's game versus the Los Angeles Rams. He is expected to have a limited role this afternoon and is likely to be on the field for 20-25 offensive plays, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.

Fantasy Spin: Fantasy owners should probably see how Higbee does in his first game back before considering him for their lineups, especially since he will not have his normal workload.

From TheHuddle

Kwon Alexander Dec 22 10:33am CT
Kwon Alexander

The Detroit Lions have declared RB David Montgomery, LB Kwon Alexander, DL Brodric Martin, OT Giovanni Manu, DE Jonah X. Williams, OG Graham Glasgow and OT Colby Sorsdal inactive for Week 16.

From TheHuddle

Nick Folk Dec 22 10:33am CT
Nick Folk

The Tennessee Titans have declared LB Jerome Baker, LB Luke Gifford, WR Jha'Quan Jackson, CB Gabe Jeudy-Lally, RB Joshua Kelley, CB Tre Avery and PK Nick Folk inactive for Week 16.

From TheHuddle

Sheldon Rankins Dec 22 10:33am CT
Sheldon Rankins

The Cincinnati Bengals have declared DE Sam Hubbard, QB Logan Woodside, DL Sheldon Rankins, TE Tanner Hudson, WR Charlie Jones and OT Orlando Brown inactive for Week 16.

From TheHuddle

Zach Ertz Dec 22 10:23am CT
Zach Ertz

Updating a previous report, Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said that TE Zach Ertz (concussion, shoulder) will play in Week 16's game versus the Philadelphia Eagles, according to ESPN's Sal Paolantonio.

Fantasy Spin: Ertz had been listed as questionable on the injury report after being a limited participant in two of Washington's practice sessions during the week. He should be viewed as a low-end TE1 option in fantasy leagues.

From TheHuddle

Josh Allen Dec 22 10:23am CT
Josh Allen

Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen (hand) has been playing with a fractured left hand he suffered during the Week 1 game, according to sources.

Fantasy Spin: Allen has not missed any time because of the injury and has been one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL this season. He is a must-start option in all fantasy leagues.

From TheHuddle

Justice Hill Dec 22 10:10am CT
Justice Hill

Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill (concussion) was forced to exit early during Saturday's win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Hill suffered a concussion after landing on his head during that second quarter. He was taken to the locker room and ruled out shortly after that. Afterwards, head coach John Harbaugh didn't sound optimistic about Hill being ready in time for their Christmas Day game on Wednesday. Honestly, it's tough to imagine Hill is going to get cleared from concussion protocol by Wednesday. Fantasy managers who were planning on using Hill should look elsewhere for help. Rasheen Ali would end up being the primary backup if Hill is unable to go. However, there's not many touches available with Derrick Henry being the workhorse back.

From RotoBaller

Tyreek Hill Dec 22 10:03am CT
Tyreek Hill

Miami Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill (wrist) is expected to play in Week 16's game versus the San Francisco 49ers, according to a source.

Fantasy Spin: Hill had been listed as questionable on the injury report after logging one full practice session and one limited session during the week. If he is active for the game, he can be viewed as a WR2 option in fantasy leagues.

From TheHuddle

David Moore Dec 22 10:03am CT
David Moore

Carolina Panthers WR David Moore (concussion) is expected to play in Week 16's game versus the Arizona Cardinals, according to a source.

Fantasy Spin: Moore had been listed as questionable on the injury report after logging two limited practice sessions and one full session during the week. He has been targeted at least four times in each of the last seven games and could be a flex option in deeper fantasy leagues.

From TheHuddle