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Browns fire OC Ken Dorsey after 3-14 season

Sun Jan 5 10:39am ET
Field Level Media

The Cleveland Browns fired Ken Dorsey, parting ways with their second offensive coordinator in as many seasons, multiple outlets reported Sunday.

Offensive line coach Andy Dickerson also was let go, per reports.

The Brows concluded their season Saturday with a 35-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, finishing 3-14. Their offense, hampered by rotating quarterbacks and another season-ending injury to running back Nick Chubb, mustered only an NFL-low 15.2 points per game.

Cleveland will finish last in the NFL in scoring with 258 points -- fewer than half the points scored by the Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski, who has a 40-44 record in five seasons with the Browns, is expected to be retained, NFL Network reported.

This is the second consecutive season that Dorsey, 43, has been fired. The Buffalo Bills dismissed him 10 games into the 2023 season amid perception the Josh Allen-led offense was underachieving.

In Cleveland, Dorsey replaced Alex Van Pelt, who was let go within days of the Browns getting routed 45-14 by the Houston Texans in the wild-card round of the playoffs last Jan. 13. The Van Pelt offense ranked 10th in the NFL in points per game (23.3).

It was expected Dorsey would take quarterback Deshaun Watson to the next level, but the Browns were 1-6 when Watson was lost for the season with a torn Achilles. Veteran Jameis Winston and second-year quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson took over at the position, with Bailey Zappe making his first start of the season in the loss on Saturday.

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Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 18

Player Notes
Alvin Kamara Jan 5 11:00am CT
Alvin Kamara

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (groin) is officially inactive for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This news does not come as much of a surprise given that Kamara had been listed as doubtful and did not practice this past week. The 29-year-old finishes the 2024 season with 950 rushing yards, 543 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns through 14 games. He was well on his way to his first-ever 1,000-yard rushing season before suffering a season-ending groin injury in Week 15. He'll come up 50 yards shy of that mark but still finishes 2024 as the overall RB8 in PPR leagues. With Kendre Miller (concussion) also sidelined, the Saints will rely on a combination of Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Jamaal Williams, and Jordan Mims out of the backfield in Week 18.

From RotoBaller

Austin Ekeler Jan 5 11:00am CT
Austin Ekeler

Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler (concussion) is officially active for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Dallas Cowboys. He had been listed as questionable but was widely expected to play after the Commanders activated him from injured reserve on Saturday. The 29-year-old spent the minimum of four games on injured reserve after suffering a scary head injury on special teams. He returns to his role as the No. 2 running back in Washington behind Brian Robinson Jr., but he'll still be able to carve out a significant workload. Through 11 games when healthy, Ekeler tallied 355 rushing yards, 346 receiving yards, and four touchdowns. Notably, he has scored a receiving touchdown in every season except 2024, so he'll have one last chance to extend that streak on Sunday. Ekeler will rank as a mid-range RB3 thanks to his pass-catching upside and Robinson's recent struggles.

From RotoBaller

Cade Otton Jan 5 11:00am CT
Cade Otton

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (knee) is officially inactive for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the New Orleans Saints. He had been listed as doubtful despite logging a limited practice on Friday. Otton finishes the 2024 regular season as the overall TE14 in PPR leagues, amassing 59 catches for 600 yards and four touchdowns through 14 games. He was one of the best tight ends in fantasy football when Mike Evans and Chris Godwin (ankle) were both sidelined, but his productivity dwindled as soon as Evans returned to the mix. Payne Durham will step up as the Buccaneers' top tight end in Week 18, ranking as a mid-range TE2 for fantasy purposes. Devin Culp, a rookie tight end out of Washington who saw his first career target last week and ended up catching three passes for 52 yards, should also remain involved.

From RotoBaller

Chigoziem Okonkwo Jan 5 11:00am CT
Chigoziem Okonkwo

Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (abdomen) is officially active for the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Houston Texans on Sunday. Okonkwo popped up on this week's injury report after putting in a limited practice on Thursday before sitting out on Friday. The 25-year-old will end up giving it a go in the team's final game of the season. He's been on a decent run of production of late with 22 catches on 28 targets for 182 yards and no touchdowns in the last three games, although that also coincided with Mason Rudolph taking over under center for the Titans. Tennessee is going back to quarterback Will Levis (at least to start) in Week 18, which should give fantasy managers some pause when considering Okonkwo as a TE streamer. He has 52 total catches on the year for 479 yards and only two touchdowns in 16 games.

From RotoBaller

Sterling Shepard Jan 5 11:00am CT
Sterling Shepard

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard (hamstring) is officially active for Sunday's Week 18 game against the New Orleans Saints. He had been listed as questionable. The veteran receiver has been productive through 13 games in a depth role this season, catching 31 passes for 323 yards and one touchdown. He has served as a reliable target for Baker Mayfield, especially after Chris Godwin (ankle) suffered a season-ending injury. With that said, Shepard is off the fantasy radar as long as he remains behind Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan on the depth chart.

From RotoBaller

Juwan Johnson Jan 5 11:00am CT
Juwan Johnson

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (knee) is officially active for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He had been listed as questionable after logging three consecutive limited practices. Johnson has operated alongside Foster Moreau all season long, catching a career-high 44 passes for 468 yards and three touchdowns through 16 games. He ranks as the overall TE22 in PPR leagues this season, making him a mid-to-low TE2 option for the final week of the 2024 regular season.

From RotoBaller

K.J. Osborn Jan 5 11:00am CT
K.J. Osborn

Washington Commanders wide receiver K.J. Osborn (illness) is officially inactive for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Dallas Cowboys. Osborn had been listed as questionable with an illness, but it's also possible that his absence is non-injury-related and merely a coach's decision, as has been the case most weeks since Washington claimed him off waivers from New England. Terry McLaurin remains the Commanders' primary receiver with Olamide Zacchaeus thriving in a complementary role. Dyami Brown, Luke McCaffrey, and Jamison Crowder are depth pass-catching options for Sunday's regular-season finale.

From RotoBaller

Will Shipley Jan 5 10:50am CT
Will Shipley

Philadelphia Eagles running backWill Shipley(concussion) is officially active for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the New York Giants. He had been listed as questionable but was trending in the right direction after he logged a full practice on Friday. Shipley has taken a backseat toSaquon BarkleyandKenneth Gainwellthis season, but with Barkley inactive for Week 18, the rookie out of Clemson has a chance to earn increased opportunities. The 22-year-old has been mostly used as a ball carrier this season, rushing 20 times while failing to command a single target. He's likely headed for a change-of-pace role in Week 18, but with his exact involvement unknown, Shipley is tough to trust in fantasy football. He ranks as a low-end RB4 and should be avoided in most leagues.

From RotoBaller

Tanner McKee Jan 5 10:50am CT
Tanner McKee

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee will start against the New York Giants in Week 18 despite Kenny Pickett (ribs) being active, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Pickett and Ian Book will handle depth roles for the Eagles on Sunday, though it's unclear which quarterback is the backup and which is the third-string. McKee got his first taste of NFL action last weekend, coming off the bench to throw three completions for 54 yards and two touchdowns against the Dallas Cowboys. Philadelphia fed Saquon Barkley and Kenneth Gainwell in that contest, but they might let McKee throw a little more this weekend with Barkley (coach's decision) inactive. Of course, A.J. Brown (coach's decision) and DeVonta Smith (coach's decision) are also resting, leaving Dallas Goedert, Jahan Dotson, and Johnny Wilson as McKee's top targets. The second-year signal-caller out of Stanford ranks as a mid-range QB3 for fantasy purposes.

From RotoBaller

Tony Pollard Jan 5 10:50am CT
Tony Pollard

As expected, Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard (ankle) is officially active on Sunday in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Houston Texans. After practicing on a limited basis all week, Pollard will return for the final game of the season after he sat out the Week 17 loss to the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars. Tyjae Spears (concussion) was ruled out, so Pollard could see a near full workload in his return as the Titans close out a disappointing season. The 27-year-old can earn an extra $250,000 if he racks up 83 rushing yards on the year for 1,100 yards on the season. If he scores twice on Sunday, he'd earn an extra $200,000, so Pollard could be busy and has plenty at stake for fantasy managers debating on whether to throw him into their starting lineups. He has clear RB2 upside for Week 18.

From RotoBaller

Miles Sanders Jan 5 10:50am CT
Miles Sanders

Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders (ankle) is officially active for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Atlanta Falcons. He had been listed as questionable but was widely expected to play after being activated from injured reserve on Saturday. The 27-year-old will lead Carolina's backfield with Chuba Hubbard (calf, knee) on injured reserve. Sanders, who totaled 237 yards and one touchdown through 10 games earlier this season, will take over the backfield from Raheem Blackshear. He ranks as a mid-to-low RB3 in fantasy football against the Falcons.

From RotoBaller

Darnell Mooney Jan 5 10:50am CT
Darnell Mooney

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney (shoulder) is officially inactive for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Carolina Panthers. He had been listed as questionable but had an unfavorable outlook after NFL Network's Ian Rapoport noted that Mooney faced an uphill battle to suit up this weekend. His absence should lead to an increased role for Ray-Ray McCloud III, who is the overall WR54 in PPR leagues with 58 catches, 620 yards, and one touchdown through 16 games. McCloud has quietly put together the best season of his career and possesses WR3/FLEX upside in his increased role Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Darius Slay Jan 5 10:43am CT
Darius Slay

The Philadelphia Eagles have declared WR A.J. Brown, OG Landon Dickerson, QB Jalen Hurts, OT Lane Johnson, DL Jalen Carter, CB Darius Slay, RB Saquon Barkley, WR DeVonta Smith, OT Jordan Mailata, LB Nakobe Dean and LB Zack Baun inactive for Week 18.

From TheHuddle

Ronald Darby Jan 5 10:43am CT
Ronald Darby

The Jacksonville Jaguars have declared CB Ronald Darby, DE Tyler Lacy, LB Ventrell Miller, DE Esezi Otomewo, DE Josh Hines-Allen and OT Walker Little inactive for Week 18.

From TheHuddle

Josey Jewell Jan 5 10:43am CT
Josey Jewell

The Carolina Panthers have declared QB Jack Plummer, CB Lonnie Johnson, CB Jaycee Horn, WR Deven Thompkins, RB Velus Jones Jr., OT Robert Hunt and LB Josey Jewell inactive for Week 18.

From TheHuddle

Derek Carr Jan 5 10:43am CT
Derek Carr

The New Orleans Saints have declared WR Mason Tipton, RB Alvin Kamara, QB Derek Carr, RB Kendre Miller, DT Khristian Boyd, LB Pete Werner and LB Willie Gay inactive for Week 18.

From TheHuddle

Trey Lance Jan 5 10:40am CT
Trey Lance

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance will start against the Washington Commanders in Week 18, according to insider Patrik Walker. Cooper Rush, who tallied 1,844 yards, 12 touchdowns, and five interceptions while filling in for Dak Prescott (hamstring), heads to the bench for Sunday's season finale. This move is not a reflection of Rush's performance but rather gives the Cowboys an opportunity to get extra game film on Lance as they continue to evaluate the quarterback position going forward. Both Rush and Lance are free agents in March, and it's likely that Dallas will only keep one (or zero) of them as Prescott's backup in 2025. In the short-term, Lance, a former No. 3 overall pick, gets a chance to showcase his talents against a Commanders team that intends to play all of its starters. The ex-49er has just 22 passing yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception through limited action in 2024. He ranks as a mid-to-high QB3 in Week 18 with some extra upside thanks to his rushing ability.

From RotoBaller

Saquon Barkley Jan 5 10:40am CT
Saquon Barkley

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (coach's decision) is officially inactive for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the New York Giants. He had been listed as doubtful, so his absence this weekend was widely expected. After all, the Eagles' plan to rest many key starters has been well-documented. The 27-year-old finishes his first season with the Eagles just 100 rushing yards shy of Erick Dickerson's single-season record. Although he didn't break the record, Barkley still had a phenomenal season with 2,005 rushing yards, 278 receiving yards, and 15 touchdowns, making him the clear RB1 in fantasy football. Kenneth Gainwell will lead Philadelphia's backfield in Week 18.

From RotoBaller

DeVonta Smith Jan 5 10:40am CT
DeVonta Smith

Philadelphia Eagles wide receivers A.J. Brown (coach's decision) and DeVonta Smith (coach's decision) are officially inactive for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the New York Giants. Both players had been listed as doubtful, so their absence this weekend was widely expected. After all, the Eagles' plan to rest many key starters has been well-documented. Brown's season ends with 67 catches, 1,079 yards, and seven touchdowns through 13 games. His WR17 finish (PPR) represents his worst ranking since 2021, but he certainly would have ranked higher if he had not missed four contests. The same could be said of Brown, who was the WR24 this year with 687 catches, 833 yards, and eight touchdowns through 13 games. Jahan Dotson and Johnny Wilson will operate as the Eagles' top wide receivers on Sunday afternoon.

From RotoBaller

Jalen Carter Jan 5 10:40am CT
Jalen Carter

Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (coach's decision) and linebacker Zack Baun (coach's decision) are officially inactive for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the New York Giants. Both players had been listed as doubtful, so their absence this weekend was widely expected. After all, the Eagles' plan to rest many key starters has been well-documented. Carter finishes the regular season with 42 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles through 16 games. Meanwhile, Baun was one of the NFL's top tacklers and premier IDP weapons with 150 tackles, 3.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one interception. ThomasBooker IV and Oren Burks are candidates to replace Carter and Baun, respectively.

From RotoBaller