During his weekly appearance on Seattle Sports 710AM, Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald noted that quarterback Geno Smith (knee) "seemed optimistic" regarding his injury when the two exchanged texts on Monday morning. "He seemed optimistic this morning texting with him, so we've got that going for us," Macdonald said. The head coach also reported that, as of now, there's a possibility Smith could play in Week 16 when Seattle hosts the visiting Minnesota Vikings. The good news is that the 34-year-old has no breaks, and his knee is structurally intact. However, Macdonald was still awaiting test results at the time of his appearance on air. Quarterback Sam Howell filled in for the veteran in the team's loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 15 and would do so again if Smith weren't healthy enough for the meeting with Minnesota. Expect an update on him shortly.

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According to interim head coach Darren Rizzi, New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (groin) is dealing with a "groin abductor situation" that he sustained in Sunday's 20-19 loss to the Washington Commanders. Saints beat writer Ross Jackson reported the news. Per Jackson, Rizzi declined to note the severity of the injury and expects more tests for the 29-year-old. It's an unfortunate situation for Kamara and fantasy managers, though he hasn't been ruled out yet, which is at least a silver lining. With more testing on the way, keeping tabs on Kamara ahead of the team's Week 16 meeting with the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football is recommended. Backfield mate Kendre Miller figures to step in for the veteran if he's required to miss more time, with Jamaal Williams working as a change-of-pace option.

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According to Joe Person of The Athletic, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette (groin) will likely be inactive for Sunday's meeting with the Arizona Cardinals and is considered week to week. The rookie wideout was forced from Week 15's loss to the Dallas Cowboys in the second half and did not return. In addition to his most recent ailment, Legette has also been dealing with a wrist injury that stems from his 2021 collegiate season. Reportedly, he's expected to have surgery to repair ligaments in his wrist after the regular season. While it apparently has yet to affect his play, being hurt rarely ever boosts your productivity. With the 23-year-old probably sitting out in Week 16, wide receivers Deven Thompkins and David Moore project to pick up extra snaps.

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Per Kole Musgrove of USA Today, Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald is hopeful that Kenneth Walker III (calf) will be able to return for next Sunday's outing against the Minnesota Vikings. The third-year back has been shelved for a few weeks now since injuring his calf and ankle in Week 13's win over the New York Jets. While Walker has dropped the ankle injury, he is still working through the former. Backfield mate Zach Charbonnet has been effective in the 24-year-old's stead, piling up 259 yards and three touchdowns over the last two weeks. Charbonnet would be in store for a large workload again this weekend if Walker isn't able to suit up for the home tilt against the visiting Vikings, with teammates George Holani and Kenny McIntosh backing him up.

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Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said he's "hopeful" that wide receiver Cedric Tillman (concussion) can return and play in Week 16 against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals this coming Sunday. Stefanski said that Tillman is "getting better" after sustaining a concussion in the team's Week 12 upset win over the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers. The 24-year-old second-year wideout has not played since, although he appears to be getting close to clearing the NFL's concussion protocol. We'll keep a close eye on Tillman's practice status this week. If he does make it back to play this weekend, it might be quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson running the offense after Jameis Winston was benched in the Week 15 loss to the Chiefs. Tillman had a nice run from Weeks 7-9 (21-255-3 line), but his fantasy value could be negatively affected by a QB change in Cleveland upon his return.

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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (ankle) has been diagnosed with a mild high-ankle sprain following tests on Monday and is still considered week-to-week after being injured late in the Week 15 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, according to sources. With the Chiefs facing the Houston Texans on Saturday in Week 16 and then with another short turnaround in Week 17 with a Christmas Day game the following Wednesday versus the Pittsburgh Steelers, it wouldn't be a surprise if Mahomes misses a game or two to make sure he's fully healthy heading into the postseason. Fantasy managers still alive in the playoffs that have been starting Mahomes need to formulate a backup plan quickly. If the two-time MVP misses any time, backup Carson Wentz would be thrust into starting duties for the Chiefs.

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Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said he's "hopeful" that tight end David Njoku (hamstring) can play in Week 16 against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals. Stefanski said that Njoku is "getting better" after he was forced to sit out of the Week 15 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs after injuring his hamstring the previous week in the loss to the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers. The 28-year-old's fantasy value had received a boost with quarterback Jameis Winston under center -- he had 16 reception on a whopping 30 targets for 94 yards and three touchdowns in his last two games. However, Winston was benched in the 21-7 loss to the Chiefs on Sunday, so it could be Dorian Thompson-Robinson under center against the Bengals this weekend, which could make Njoku a shakier TE1 option for fantasy managers if he returns to the field.

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Carolina Panthers wide receiver David Moore didn't stand out at all in the Week 15 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, catching two of his four targets for 19 receiving yards. In a game in which the Panthers offense struggled against the rejuvenated Cowboys defense, Moore failed to capitalize after rookie receiver Xavier Legette left the game with a groin injury. Rookie Jalen Coker led the team with 110 receiving yards and a touchdown thanks to an 83-yard touchdown reception. All four of Moore's targets came in the fourth quarter with Legette on the sidelines. If Legette is forced to miss time, Moore should enter the starting lineup alongside Coker and veteran Adam Thielen, potentially giving him deep-league flex value in Week 16 against the Arizona Cardinals. Moore caught 11 of 19 targets for 121 yards and a TD in Weeks 12 and 13 with Coker sidelined.

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Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski was non-committal on the team's starting quarterback for their upcoming Week 16 contest versus the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals. "Anything related to Cincinnati I'll update you guys as we get into the week," Stefanski said. The Browns benched Jameis Winston in the fourth quarter of their 21-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday after he went 16-for-25 for 146 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions. The 30-year-old was also sacked five times against a stout Chiefs defense. He was replaced by Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who went 4-for-9 for 18 yards while carrying the ball three times for 16 yards. If Cleveland turns to DTR, it will be his first start in 2024 and just his fourth career start since debuting in 2023. The Bengals defense presents a nice matchup, but Thompson-Robinson would only be a desperation low-end QB2 play in superflex leagues.

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Buffalo Bills wide receiver Mack Hollins snapped a two-game touchdown streak in the 48-42 win over the Detroit Lions on the road in Week 15 on Sunday. Hollins was targeted just three times in the high-scoring affair and was able to come down with one grab for a gain of seven yards. The dud performance coincided with both rookie wideout Keon Coleman and tight end Dalton Kincaid returning from their respective injuries. Coleman and Kincaid combined for five catches on nine targets. Meanwhile, running back Ty Johnson surprisingly led the team with five receptions for 114 yards through the air. The 31-year-old Hollins had five catches on seven targets for 64 yards and two touchdowns the previous two games, but that may be the high point of his production this year now that Coleman and Kincaid are healthy. Hollins is a nice red-zone target, but he won't be a recommended flex play moving forward.

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Given how well quarterback Sam Darnold has played in 2024, the Minnesota Vikings have not ruled out offering him a contract for next season despite widespread belief that they will let Darnold walk and hand the job to J.J. McCarthy (knee), who was drafted in the first round in April, according to sources familiar with the team's thinking. Darnold is in the midst of a career season and has thrown for 1,158 yards, 11 touchdowns and no interceptions in the last four games. In that span, he's led three game-winning drives and has led the NFL in completions on passes of at least 15 air yards. Darnold is on pace for a 4,100-yard, 35-touchdown season. "There's no other place I'd rather play. Just so grateful to be a Viking," Darnold said earlier this month. It remains to be seen where Darnold will be playing in 2025, but right now he has been a solid QB1 in fantasy heading into a Monday night game against the Bears.

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Updating a previous report, Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (knee) suffered a torn MCL in the Week 15 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday and could miss the rest of the season, including the playoffs, according to sources. Montgomery is undergoing further testing on Monday and will also receive a second opinion to confirm the injury, but the Lions and fantasy managers are looking at not having Monty the rest of the way. At least in fantasy leagues, which typically end with the championship in Week 17, Montgomery won't be available for the rest of the year. It makes sense now why the 27-year-old only had five carries for four yards in Sunday's loss to Buffalo, adding four catches for 31 yards. Jahmyr Gibbs should now see the lion's share of touches in Detroit's backfield moving forward, with Craig Reynolds spelling him when needed.

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Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Desmond Ridder is expected to make his first start of the season on Monday night against his old team, the Atlanta Falcons, according to sources. Aidan O'Connell (knee) is listed as questionable with a bone bruise in his knee. He's expected to work out before the game to test his knee, but the expectation is that the Raiders will go with Ridder in this one. The Raiders initially feared that O'Connell suffered a season-ending injury in last week's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but it ended up just being a bone bruise, which means he could return in Week 16 to face the Jacksonville Jaguars if he can make more progress in practice on a short week. Ridder went 12-for-18 for 101 yards without a TD or interception in relief of O'Connell against the Bucs. The turnover-prone signal-caller has a good matchup against Atlanta but has limited fantasy upside as a low-end QB2 on Monday evening.

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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (ankle) is unsure if he'll be available for the Week 16 contest this coming Saturday against the Houston Texans after injuring his right ankle in the Week 15 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Head coach Andy Reid said Mahomes' ankle isn't broken, but it's believed he's dealing with a high-ankle sprain after going down midway through the fourth quarter in the eventual 21-7 win. Reid said Mahomes could have stayed in the game, but "there was no need for that." The superstar QB finished 19-for-38 for 159 yards and two touchdowns before leaving. He was replaced by backup Carson Wentz, who would be in line to start on Saturday against Houston if Mahomes isn't cleared by then. Fantasy managers relying on Mahomes need to formulate a backup plan in case the two-time MVP cannot play in Week 16.

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Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (knee) injured his MCL in the Week 15 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday and is now out indefinitely, according to sources. Montgomery is undergoing additional testing on Monday and will also get a second opinion, but he could be lost for the remainder of the season. It's a huge blow to the Lions and for fantasy managers that have advanced to their semifinal matchups. It remains to be seen if Monty will be available for the postseason, but this injury will most likely sideline him for at least the three remaining regular-season contests. It means that backfield mate Jahmyr Gibbs will now see as many touches as he can handle in Detroit's backfield, giving him even more fantasy upside in a high-octane offense. Meanwhile, Craig Reynolds will bump up to the No. 2 option in Detroit's backfield to help spell Gibbs.

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams put up a dud in Sunday's 27-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Williams saw two targets and hauled in one catch for 15 yards. In a game where the Steelers were (+5.5) underdogs and expected to throw more playing from behind, they could only muster up 128 yards through the air. There was some optimism for a stronger performance from Williams because George Pickens (hamstring) was sidelined, but he couldn't deliver. The Steelers will try to re-group and prepare for a pivotal divisional matchup in Week 16 at the Baltimore Ravens. Williams is not a recommended start moving forward. He does not see the consistent targets and opportunities fantasy managers seek. Williams is a FLEX option at best in deep-league formats versus the Ravens in Week 16.

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Detroit Lions defensive lineman Alim McNeill (knee) suffered a knee injury in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game and was immediately ruled out. After the game, head coach Dan Campbell didn't reveal any specifics about the injury and just said it "didn't look good." According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, McNeill suffered an ACL injury and will miss the remainder of the 2024 campaign. It was an awful injury for this struggling Lions defense, as they are already without defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (leg) and a laundry list of other defensive players. The Lions hit the road for a few games against the Chicago Bears and the San Francisco 49ers before ending the season at home against the Minnesota Vikings. The Lions' defense has been reeling lately, allowing 48 points to the Bills last week and 31 to the Green Bay Packers the week before. The Lions will need to search for answers on the defensive side to keep their Super Bowl hopes alive.

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Detroit Lions cornerback Carlton Davis (jaw) will undergo surgery on his broken jaw, which will sideline him indefinitely. The Lions' list of defensive injuries continues to pile up after their Week 15 loss against the Buffalo Bills. The Lions have ruled Alim McNeill (knee) out for the season. Khalil Dorsey (ankle) is dealing with an injury, and now Davis is sidelined indefinitely. With three games left in the regular season, the Lions will have to search for answers on the defensive side of the ball. They have been reeling late, allowing 31 points to the Green Bay Packers in Week 14 and 48 last week to the Bills.

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Although it wasn't the best fantasy day for Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz in the 31-13 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday in Week 15, he did extend his streak of perfection to four straight games. Lutz nailed his lone field-goal attempt on the day from 44 yards out and was also successful on all four of his extra-point opportunities to send the Broncos to 9-5. The 30-year-old veteran has made 90 percent of his 30 field-goal tries in 14 games in his second year in Denver, with two of his three misses on the year being a blocked kick and a try from over 60 yards out. Lutz has been money in the bank, and with Denver's offense picking things up under rookie quarterback Bo Nix in the second half of the season, Lutz has become a top-10 fantasy kicker. Heading into a Thursday divisional showdown against the Los Angeles Chargers, he should once again be considered a top-10 option at the position.

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Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington had a respectable performance in Sunday's 32-25 loss against the New York Jets. He hauled in three of his six targets for 54 yards. With Evan Engram (shoulder) sidelined, there was optimism that Washington would receive an increase in targets and workload heading into Week 15. There is room for improvement heading forward, as Brenton Strange and Brian Thomas Jr. had 26 targets combined. On the bright side, quarterback Mac Jones threw for 294 yards, and the Jaguars (3-11) will likely be in pass-heavy game scripts for the remainder of the year. This will allow plenty of targets and opportunities for Washington and the Jaguar receivers. Washington will be on the FLEX radar heading into Week 16 as the Jaguars travel to Las Vegas to take on the Raiders.

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