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High Stakes $250 - FFL: Playoff Week 2 | NFL: Week 16

Jameis Winston goes from QB1 to inactive for Browns

Sun Dec 22 12:42pm ET
Field Level Media

Jameis Winston won't be backing up new starting quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson for the Cleveland Browns at the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

The Browns (3-11) listed Winston on the inactive list as the emergency third quarterback. The quarterback was questionable on Friday's injury report with a right shoulder injury after being a full participant in practice on Wednesday and limited the following two days.

Winston is 2-5 as Cleveland's starter this season.

Bailey Zappe, who went 4-4 as a starter for the New England Patriots over the past two seasons, will back up Thompson-Robinson. Zappe hasn't played in a game with the Browns.

Tight end David Njoku is active without an injury designation. He was listed as questionable due to a hamstring injury on Friday's report.

Also out for the Browns on Sunday are wide receiver Cedric Tillman, cornerbacks Kahlef Hailassie and Chigozie Anusiem, and defensive linemen Shelby Harris and Cameron Thomas.

For the Bengals (6-8), standout defensive end Sam Hubbard is out Sunday due to a PCL injury that could end his season. Also inactive are quarterback Logan Woodside, wide receiver Charlie Jones, offensive lineman Orlando Brown Jr., tight end Tanner Hudson and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins.

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The Paur Report

Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 16

Player Notes
Kenneth Walker III Dec 22 11:40am CT
Kenneth Walker III

The Seattle Seahawks plan to announce Zach Charbonnet as their starting running back against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. Although Kenneth Walker III is healthy and cleared to play, the first snap of the game will likely belong to Charbonnet. This represents a change in the lineup from earlier in the season, but it's not much of a surprise given how well Charbonnet has played lately. Over the last two weeks, he has 188 rushing yards, eight catches, 71 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. He has averaged 24.1 fantasy points per game (PPR) while filling in for Walker this year. Meanwhile, Walker is averaging 16.7 points per contest. Both players have RB1 upside, but we'd rather start Charbonnet this week given that Seattle may be inclined to ride the hot hand against a stingy Minnesota run defense.

From RotoBaller

Kyler Murray Dec 22 11:40am CT
Kyler Murray

Carolina Panthers defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (knee, illness) is officially active for Sunday's Week 16 contest against the Arizona Cardinals. The veteran defender had been listed as questionable but was widely expected to play after logging a full practice on Friday. Clowney has appeared in 11 games this season, amassing 36 tackles and 3.5 sacks. This week, he'll be tasked with slowing down a Cardinals offense centered around Kyler Murray and James Conner.

From RotoBaller

Brian Branch Dec 22 11:30am CT
Brian Branch

Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch (calf) is active for Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears. Meanwhile, guard Graham Glasgow (knee) is inactive. Both players had been listed as questionable after being limited in practice on Friday. Branch has appeared in 13 games this season, making a big impact with his 84 tackles, four interceptions, and one forced fumble. Glasgow's absence is huge news for Detroit as he had not previously missed a single snap this season. He'll likely be replaced by Kayode Awosika at the left guard position.

From RotoBaller

Jeremy Chinn Dec 22 11:30am CT
Jeremy Chinn

Washington Commanders safety Jeremy Chinn (concussion) is officially active for Week 16 against the Philadelphia Eagles. He had been listed as questionable but was expected to play after logging a full practice on Friday. The 26-year-old has not yet missed a game this season, amassing 84 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and one interception.

From RotoBaller

Michael Carter Dec 22 11:20am CT
Michael Carter

New York Jets defensive lineman Quinnen Williams (hamstring) will not be active for the team's Week 16 matchup on Sunday against the visiting Los Angeles Rams. In addition to Williams, the Jets defense will also be without cornerback Michael Carter II (back) and defensive lineman Leki Fotu (knee). Despite missing practice all week, Williams was listed as questionable for this weekend. If the 27-year-old pass-rusher had suited up, he would have been on a scaled-back snap count against the Rams, making him avoidable for fantasy IDP leagues. With Williams sidelined, expect pass-rushers Solomon Thomas, Bruce Hector and Leonard Taylor to see more run on the defensive line for the Jets in Week 16. Against a Rams offense with two of the best receivers in the game and with Williams out, the Jets defense should be avoided in fantasy lineups.

From RotoBaller

Matt Gay Dec 22 11:10am CT
Matt Gay

Indianapolis Colts kicker Matt Gay (neck) is officially active for the Week 16 divisional contest on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans. Gay missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday due to his neck injury but returned to a full practice session on Friday and will serve as the starting placekicker this weekend. At best, Gay is a deep-league streaming option in the fantasy playoffs for a Colts offense that has struggled to move the ball consistently all year behind second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson. The 30-year-old veteran booter has been solid for the Colts this season, though, making 24 of his 27 field-goal attempts and all 23 of his extra-point opportunities. While Gay has been solid from an efficiency standpoint, his lack of volume on field-goal tries makes him more of a low-upside fantasy kicking option.

From RotoBaller

Ashton Dulin Dec 22 11:10am CT
Ashton Dulin

Indianapolis Colts tight end Mo Alie-Cox (hip) and wide receiver Ashton Dulin (ankle) are both active on Sunday and will suit up against the division-rival Tennessee Titans in Week 16. Neither player is worth attention in fantasy in starting lineups, though. Alie-Cox hasn't missed a regular-season game since 2020. The 31-year-old veteran tight end is used mostly as a blocker for the Colts, although he'll occasionally see some red-zone looks. He cannot be trusted in fantasy with only 11 catches for 132 yards and one touchdown in 14 games in 2024. Dulin could actually see more of the field on Sunday with Alec Pierce out with a concussion, but he's still a long shot to stand out in the box score at the end of the day. The 27-year-old pass-catcher will still likely struggle for targets. He hasn't caught a pass since Week 2.

From RotoBaller

Nick Folk Dec 22 11:00am CT
Nick Folk

Tennessee Titans kicker Nick Folk (abdomen) is officially inactive in Week 16 against the division-rival Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Folk was unable to practice on Wednesday and Thursday before putting in a limited session on Friday, but he will not be active for Tennessee this weekend. Instead, rookie Brayden Narveson was signed from the practice squad to the 53-man active roster on Saturday in order to take over kicking duties in Tennessee for the week. Fantasy managers that had been using the 40-year-old Folk will obviously need to look in another direction. You can probably do better than Narveson, who made 12 of his 17 field-goal attempts and all 16 of his extra-point chances in six games with the Green Bay Packers earlier this year in his first NFL action.

From RotoBaller

Jalen Coker Dec 22 11:00am CT
Jalen Coker

Carolina Panthers wide receivers Jalen Coker (quad) and David Moore (concussion) are active for Sunday's Week 16 game against the Arizona Cardinals. Both players had been listed as questionable. Coker returned from an injured reserve stint last week and made an impact right away, totaling four catches, 110 yards, and one touchdown on an 87 percent snap share. With Xavier Legette (hip) sidelined, Coker should operate alongside Adam Thielen, giving him significant WR3/FLEX appeal. Meanwhile, Moore cleared concussion protocol this week. He hasn't missed a game all season, catching 28 passes for 286 yards and one touchdown. He, too, should handle an increased workload, but he'll likely be behind both Thielen and Coker in the pecking order.

From RotoBaller

Will Levis Dec 22 11:00am CT
Will Levis

Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (shoulder), who was listed as questionable for the Week 16 tilt on Sunday against the division-rival Indianapolis Colts, is active and will serve as the backup to starter Mason Rudolph. After another poor showing in the Week 15 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in which he threw three more interceptions, the Titans made the move to bench Levis in favor of Rudolph in Week 16. It's unclear if Rudolph will start all three of the final three games of the regular season, but Levis' fantasy stock in superflex and dynasty/keeper leagues is obviously trending down toward the end of the year. In 11 starts in his sophomore season, Levis has completed 63.7% of his passes for 1,916 yards, 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Heading into his third season in the NFL, he could be battling for a backup job in 2025.

From RotoBaller

David Njoku Dec 22 10:53am CT
David Njoku

Cleveland Browns TE David Njoku (hamstring) is officially active for the Week 16 game.

Fantasy Spin: Njoku did not do much during practice this week but should be a popular target for Dorian Thompson-Robinson this week. He can be a starting option in all fantasy leagues.

From TheHuddle

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