Chicago Bears running backs D'Andre Swift (groin) and Roschon Johnson (concussion) both missed their second straight practice of the week on Friday. With just one more day of practice scheduled on Saturday, it's not looking good for either Swift or Johnson to be active on Monday night against the division-rival Minnesota Vikings. Travis Homer (head), the No. 3 back on the roster, is also on the injury report this week, but he's been practicing in full and should be ready for starting duties if both Swift and Johnson are unable to play. Johnson is less likely to play than Swift, but the 25-year-old Swift appears to be in real danger of sitting out. If both RBs are inactive, the Bears will most likely elevate Darrynton Evans from the practice squad to split the backfield with Homer. It would be a situation to avoid for most fantasy managers in the first week of the fantasy playoffs.

From RotoBaller

According to Greg Beacham of the Associated Press, Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee (knee) is expected to make his season debut in Week 16 against the New York Jets. Higbee has been able to return to practice but has yet to see action in a game. The veteran tight end suffered a torn ACL during last season's wild card match against the Detroit Lions. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progress during next week's practices but should expect him to return to the starting lineup. While he has been sidelined, Colby Parkinson has typically been operating as the No.1 tight end but has not shown much consistency. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should consider targeting Higbee on the waiver wire this weekend. He could be a viable TE1 in deeper 14+ team formats over the regular season's final weeks, playing on a potent Los Angeles offense.

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According to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times, Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (calf) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers. Walker was unable to suit up last weekend and has been unable to return to practice this week. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status over the weekend but should plan on finding an alternative option as the Michigan State product is facing an uphill battle to suit up. Last weekend, Zach Charbonnet was given the starting nod and performed exceptionally well, tallying 134 yards and two scores on 22 attempts. He added 59 yards on seven receptions through the air. If Walker cannot suit up, fantasy managers should view Charbonnet as a consensus top-12 option facing a Green Bay defense that has allowed the 12th-most PPR points to opposing RBs this season.

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Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (knee) was able to practice again on Friday and was removed from the final Week 15 injury report. He will suit up on Sunday when the team takes on the New England Patriots in the desert after upgrading to a full practice on Friday. McBride popped up on the injury report this week with a knee injury, but he never appeared to be in any danger of sitting out this weekend. That's music to his fantasy managers, who have been using him as a high-end TE1 all season. The 25-year-old enters Week 15 action as the TE3 in overall half-PPR fantasy scoring this year thanks to 80 catches on 106 targets for 851 yards. The fact that McBride has been a top-five fantasy TE without even scoring a single touchdown through 14 weeks just shows you how money he has been in 2024. Keep him locked into starting lineups against the Pats.

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Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard (ankle) returned to a limited practice participant on Friday but is listed as questionable for the Week 15 contest on Sunday against the visiting Cincinnati Bengals. Pollard missed the first two days of practice on Wednesday and Thursday but is expected to be active this weekend. Fantasy managers that are planning on starting the 27-year-old in the first round of the fantasy playoffs this weekend will want to check back on Sunday morning to see if Pollard is officially active, but he should be able to play. However, he could be in danger of ceding more work to change-of-pace option Tyjae Spears. Pollard has seen over 20 carries in two of the last three games, and in those contests he's gone over 100 rushing yards both times. If he's active, Pollard should see the majority of the backfield touches, making him an upside RB2 play in a good matchup against Cincy's soft defense.

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New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi said that running back Alvin Kamara (illness) practiced in full on Friday and will carry no injury designation into Sunday's Week 15 contest versus the Washington Commanders. Rizzi said it was his decision to keep Kamara out of Thursday's practice as a precaution since Kamara was pretty sick earlier in the week. Despite two missed practices, Kamara will be good to go this weekend. Especially with quarterback Derek Carr (concussion, hand) not expected to play this week, Kamara should be even more of a focal point for the offense as they try to pull the upset over Washington. The 29-year-old has seen double-digit carries in all but one game in 2024. For the volume alone, Kamara has RB1 upside every week, although with Jake Haener under center in Week 15, the upside could be limited.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially ruled out wide receiver George Pickens (hamstring) for the Week 15 game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. Pickens was expected to miss his second straight game earlier this week, so fantasy managers should have already moved him to their benches. It's a tough blow for the Steeler heading into a hostile environment and for fantasy managers in the first round of the playoffs. The team's top wideout will now try to get healthy for a Week 16 tilt against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens. With the 23-year-old sidelined again, Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III, Mike Williams and Scotty Miller will all have elevated roles, but tight end Pat Freiermuth might be the biggest beneficiary from a fantasy standpoint. In last week's win over the division-rival Cleveland Browns, Freiermuth and Jefferson both found the end zone.

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Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (hamstring) said his hamstring has been tight this week, but he's still hoping to play in Week 15 on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. Njoku was considered unlikely to play all week and didn't practice at all, but he was listed as questionable on Friday's final injury report and has yet to be officially ruled out. At the very least, he will try to plead his case to the coaches to be active during a pre-game workout on Sunday. There's a glimmer of hope, but fantasy managers should be preparing as if Njoku won't play. Receiver Cedric Tillman (concussion) has already been ruled out, so both Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore could be targeted often if Njoku is ruled inactive on Sunday morning. If the 28-year-old is out, Jordan Akins would move into a bigger role at TE but still wouldn't be a great fantasy target. Njoku has been a strong TE1 choice with Jameis Winston under center for the Browns.

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New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte is not a reliable fantasy option entering Week 15 against the Arizona Cardinals. While Boutte had three-plus catches in three of the last four games prior to the Patriots' bye, the second-year receiver's upside will be limited this week as he takes on the Cardinals. Boutte has played 89.8 percent of his snaps out wide, and Arizona has allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to receivers operating out wide in 2024. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere such as Boutte's teammate and Patriots slot receiver DeMario Douglas for fantasy production in the WR3/FLEX position this week.

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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs (concussion) has cleared the league's concussion protocol ahead of the Week 15 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. It appears Doubs is ready to go after missing each of the two weeks due to a concussion. Doubs hasn't been a great fantasy option lately with four or less receptions in each of his last four games. He does have a plus matchup against the Seahawks secondary this weekend, but is more of a flex option than anything else for Week 15.

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New York Jets running back Breece Hall (knee) appears to be heading in the right direction ahead of the Week 15 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Hall sat out of last week's game, but is expected to make a return to the field this weekend, according to interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich. Fantasy managers are certainly glad to see this news with many leagues starting their playoffs this week. Hall is expected to be a full-go, assuming he doesn't suffer any setbacks before Sunday. Hall should be treated as a strong RB1 against a struggling Jags defense for Week 15.

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Buffalo Bills rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman (wrist) practiced in full on Friday, according to head coach Sean McDermott, and will not carry an injury designation into Sunday's Week 15 showdown against the Detroit Lions. It will be Coleman's first game back after missing the last four contests. In addition to Coleman, the Bills are also expecting tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee) to return despite his questionable tag. It means there will be more competition for aerial targets for receivers Amari Cooper and Khalil Shakir, although they could still have hefty roles in a game that should feature plenty of offensive fireworks on both sides. The 21-year-old Coleman had 22 catches for 417 yards and three touchdowns on 36 targets in his first nine NFL games. After a long layoff, though, Coleman could struggle to get involved on Sunday, making him a shaky WR4/flex in the fantasy playoffs.

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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (knee) was removed from the injury report ahead of the Week 15 matchup against the New York Giants. Bateman suffered a knee injury in Week 13, but it sounds like it was a minor issue as he's ready to go after the bye week. He has been practicing in full this week and looks fully healthy heading into Sunday's game. He'll be a boom-or-bust flex option heading into a plus-matchup against the Giants secondary.

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New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne is not a reliable fantasy option entering Week 15 against the Arizona Cardinals. While Bourne combined for 11 catches, 139 yards, and one touchdown in three games prior to the Patriots' bye, the 29-year-old's upside will be limited this week as he takes on the Cardinals. Bourne has played 78.5 percent of his snaps out wide, and Arizona has allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to receivers operating out wide in 2024. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere such as Bourne's teammate and Patriots slot receiver DeMario Douglas for fantasy production in the WR3/FLEX position this week.

From RotoBaller

New England Patriots wide receiver DeMario Douglas is back on the fantasy radar as a dependable WR3/FLEX option in Week 15 against the Arizona Cardinals. Douglas caught four passes for just 20 yards in his last game, but he averaged a solid five catches and 51.5 yards in the four weeks prior to that. The second-year receiver typically operates out of the slot, making him a dependable safety valve for Drake Maye in short-yardage scenarios. Fortunately for Douglas, the Cardinals struggle to defend slot receivers, allowing the fifth-most fantasy points per game to the position. New England's 24-year-old pass catcher is a dependable WR3 option as the fantasy playoffs get underway this week.

From RotoBaller

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (hip) has been cleared to play ahead of the Week 15 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Nabers has been dealing with a hip issue since last week, but still ended up suiting up last weekend. He hauled in five of his 10 targets for 79 yards in the loss to the New Orleans Saints. Nabers appeared to be fine during that game but was limited in practice to start this week. Quarterback Drew Lock (elbow) is doubtful to play, so Tommy DeVito is likely to be under center. Regardless, Nabers should still be a reliable fantasy option for this weekend.

From RotoBaller

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker (quad) has been removed from the injury report ahead of the Week 15 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. The rookie wideout hasn't played since Week 10 while he recovers from a quad injury. It now appears that Coker will be back in the mix this weekend. However, it's uncertain what kind of role Coker is going to have with Adam Thielen healthy and playing well right now. Coker might end up falling into the WR4 role which isn't going to offer much fantasy value. Coker will be a desperation flex option for Week 15.

From RotoBaller

New England Patriots kicker Joey Slye warrants consideration in deeper fantasy leagues ahead of his Week 15 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. The 28-year-old ranks 21st among kickers in fantasy points this year, but he's coming off an impressive performance in which he made three field goals, including one from beyond 50 yards. Very few kickers have demonstrated as much pure kicking power as Slye, but he's been held back by some short-range accuracy issues, as well as the Patriots' reduced scoring output on offense. With that said, we like his upside this week against the Cardinals, who have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points and third-most total field goals to opposing kickers. Even with bye weeks in the past and the fantasy playoffs underway, Slye is a fringe top-12 option, which means managers can justify starting him in leagues with at least a dozen teams.

From RotoBaller

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (knee) will not suit up for practice on Friday. This is now back-to-back missed practices for O'Connell as he heads into Monday's game against the Atlanta Falcons. The hope is that O'Connell will be able to play as long as he can get in a limited practice session on Saturday. If he sits, Desmond Ridder would be tasked with making his first start of the season. O'Connell suffered a bone bruise last week, so it's uncertain if he'll even be 100 percent healthy by Monday. Fantasy managers who planned on using O'Connell might want to start looking for a backup plan.

From RotoBaller

The New England Patriots defense/special teams is not a dependable option as the fantasy playoffs begin in Week 15. New England ranks 25th among D/ST units in terms of fantasy points this year, struggling even against subpar teams like the Jets and Jaguars. This week, they take on the Arizona Cardinals, who have allowed the 16th-most fantasy points to opposing defenses in 2024. The Cardinals have a flashy playmaking core of Kyler Murray, James Conner, Trey McBride, and Marvin Harrison Jr., making it tough for the Patriots to slow them down. Murray himself has thrown just eight interceptions through 13 games, and the Patriots' defense has had a tough time forcing turnovers this year. Managers should bench New England in Week 15.

From RotoBaller