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FFL: Playoff Week 1 | NFL: Week 16

Commanders TE Zach Ertz clears concussion protocol, will play vs. Eagles

Sun Dec 22 11:21am ET
Field Level Media

Washington tight end Zach Ertz has cleared concussion protocol and will play on Sunday against one of his former teams, the Philadelphia Eagles, Commanders coach Dan Quinn told ESPN.

Ertz, 34, was listed as questionable because of a concussion and a shoulder issue that limited him at practice this week. He suffered a concussion during Washington's 20-19 victory last Sunday at New Orleans.

Washington signed Ertz as a free agent in March. The three-time Pro Bowl selection (2017-19) has started all 14 games for the Commanders and has 54 receptions on 77 targets for 526 yards and four touchdowns.

Philadelphia selected Ertz in the second round (35th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft out of Stanford. He has 763 career receptions for 7,960 yards and 50 touchdowns in 165 regular-season games (127 starts) for the Eagles (2013-21), Arizona Cardinals (2021-23) and Commanders.

Washington (9-5) is hosting NFC East leader Philadelphia (12-2) with three regular-season games remaining and also is contending for a wild-card spot.

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The Paur Report

Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 16

Player Notes
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

Braelon Allen Dec 22 10:00am CT
Braelon Allen

New York Jets running back Braelon Allen (back) has been cleared to play ahead of the Week 16 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. Allen was questionable coming into this game, but has now been cleared and will serve as the backup to Breece Hall in the backfield. Allen is unlikely going to offer much fantasy value with Hall back in the picture. Fellow back Isaiah Davis should also be in the mix, but Hall is the only player here worth starting in Week 16. Allen hasn't done enough in his backup role to be trusted in important fantasy playoff games.

From RotoBaller

Brandon McManus Dec 22 9:50am CT
Brandon McManus

Green Bay Packers kicker Brandon McManus has been perfect on all his kicks over the last four games. It appears that the Packers have finally found a reliable kicking option. Last week, McManus connected on all three of his field goal attempts and all three extra point attempts in the win over the Seattle Seahawks. McManus has been active lately and should continue to see plenty of work with the way this offense is playing right now. They head into a plus-matchup against the New Orleans Saints defense in Week 16. Fantasy managers looking for a streaming option in Week 16 should consider using McManus.

From RotoBaller

Zach Ertz Dec 22 9:13am CT
Zach Ertz

Washington Commanders TE Zach Ertz (concussion, shoulder) is trending towards playing in Week 16's game versus the Philadelphia Eagles, according to a source.

Fantasy Spin: Ertz had been listed as questionable on the injury report after participating in two out of the team's three practice sessions during the week on a limited basis. If he receives clearance to play this afternoon, he can be deployed as a low-end TE1 option in fantasy lineups.

From TheHuddle

D'Onta Foreman Dec 22 9:10am CT
D'Onta Foreman

Cleveland Browns running back D'Onta Foreman could see more snaps in the backfield with lead back Nick Chubb (foot) done for the season. Jerome Ford takes over as the primary back with Pierre Strong Jr. and Foreman to be the backups. It's worth noting that Foreman hasn't rushed the ball since Week 8, but with Chubb gone he could be more in the mix. However, a three-back committee is not a fun situation for fantasy managers. It's hard to imagine Strong or Foreman being a viable option ahead of the Week 16 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.

From RotoBaller

Zach Ertz Dec 22 9:00am CT
Zach Ertz

Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (concussion) has been cleared to play in Sunday's Week 16 contest against the Philadelphia Eagles. Ertz suffered a concussion last week, but has been trending in the right direction. Now, Ertz has been officially cleared to suit up, according to head coach Dan Quinn. The veteran tight end has hauled in three touchdowns in his last four games. Ertz also has two six-catch games during that span. Fantasy managers should consider Ertz a TE1 for this Week 16 contest.

From RotoBaller

Jameis Winston Dec 22 8:53am CT
Jameis Winston

Cleveland Browns QB Jameis Winston (shoulder) is likely to serve as the emergency quarterback for Week 16's game versus the Cincinnati Bengals, according to a source. QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson will be the starter.

Fantasy Spin: Winston had been listed as questionable on the injury report after logging one full practice session and two limited sessions during the week. He had lost his job as Cleveland's starter earlier in the week to Thompson-Robinson because of his high turnover rate. Thompson-Robinson should not be considered as anything more than a low-end QB2 option in deeper fantasy leagues.

From TheHuddle