Chargers first-round rookie WR Quentin Johnston delivered one more garbage outing in Sunday's loss to the Chiefs. He managed just 2 receptions for 17 yards on 5 targets. That tied him for fourth among Chargers. He trailed WR Josh Palmer (10), RB Austin Ekeler (8), and TE Donald Parham (6) while tying the immortal Alex Erickson. Johnston finishes his debut season with just 36 receptions, 414 yards, and 2 TDs. He entered Sunday ranked 99th among WRs in PPR points per game. Johnston also sat just 22nd among 37 rookie WRs in yards per route, according to Pro Football Focus. He's not necessarily doomed as a fantasy prospect. But this rookie season has been bad enough to remove any optimism. We wouldn't drop Johnston from typical dynasty rosters. But you also shouldn't consider him a buy-low this offseason. If you have him and others come shopping, think about letting the potential bust go.
Eagles QB Jalen Hurts said that he's never experienced anything like the right middle finger injury he suffered in the Week 18 loss to the Giants. “It popped out," Hurts said, adding that he'll take things "day-by-day" this coming week. “He’s tough as heck," HC Nick Sirianni said of Hurts. "He came back and ripped it.” But Sirianni only said, "we'll see" when asked whether Hurts will be available for next weekend's Wild Card game vs. the Bucs. We should learn more about Hurts' injury and availability on Monday.
NFL Network's Mike Garafolo hears that Eagles WR A.J. Brown's knee injury is not believed to be serious. Brown was reportedly the first to greet players in the locker room after the loss to the Giants. It's all good news -- but doesn't necessarily mean that Brown will be available for next weekend's Wild Card game vs. the Bucs. We should learn more about his status on Monday.
Saints rookie RB Kendre Miller ran for 73 yards and a TD on 13 carries in Sunday's win over the Falcons. He trailed Jamaal Williams by a carry but beat the veteran by 47 yards (5.6 per carry vs. 1.9). Miller also trailed Williams in receiving, catching his only target for 6 yards. Williams caught all three of his targets but totaled only 8 yards. Williams closes out a season that saw him fall well short of his previous career lows in yards per carry, yards per catch, and rushing success rate -- among other categories. He has two more years on his contract, with 2024 likely locked in because of the potential dead money if New Orleans were to dump him. But Miller looks like the higher-upside player and could simply pass Williams on the depth chart this offseason. Miller endured a quiet rookie campaign thanks to a series of injuries. But that could make him a dynasty "buy" this offseason. Don't be afraid to price-check the 2023 third-round NFL Draft pick. And keep Miller in mind as a potential later-round value in early 2024 best ball drafting.
Saints QB Derek Carr finished a strong close to the season with 4 TDs on 22-of-28 passing in Sunday's 48-17 win over the Falcons. It was Carr's fifth straight game with 2+ TDs. He completed 74% of his passes over that span while throwing just 2 INTs. That season-ending stretch can only help Carr's job status, but his contract likely wouldn't allow New Orleans to move on anyway. According to Spotrac, Carr carries a $35.7 million cap hit for 2024, but cutting him would mean $52.8 million in dead money. That would be especially tough on a franchise projected to be nearly $76 million over the 2024 salary cap. Expect Carr to remain the starting QB for the 2024 Saints. And don't expect him to continue rolling the way he finished this season. Carr has showed us across 10 seasons with two teams that he's a limited real-life player and fantasy contributor. And he might return only Chris Olave and rookie A.T. Perry from the current WR corps.
Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle (ankle) is inactive for tonight’s game vs. the Bills. He’s expected back for next week’s Wild Card game. WR Cedrick Wilson stepped into a full-time role with Waddle out last week, catching two of four targets for 27 yards and a score.
Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert (knee, ankle) is inactive for tonight’s game vs. the Bills. He’s expected to be back for next week’s playoff opener. De’Von Achane should operate as Miami’s clear lead back tonight, with RB Jeff Wilson behind him.
Dolphins S Jevon Holland (knees) and LB Jerome Baker (knee) are active for tonight's game against the Bills. It's the second straight game for Holland after he returned last week from a four-game absence. Baker missed the past four games with his injury and remained limited in practice this week. We've added him to the Week 18 LB rankings and knocked David Long down.
Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin led a muted passing day with 6 receptions and 51 yards in Sunday's 9-0 win over the Panthers. That victory clinched the division title and a playoff spot for Tampa Bay, and Godwin will be a decent option for playoff fantasy contests. He might be more attractive for dynasty this offseason, though. Godwin will turn just 28 in February and has one year remaining on his contract. That year carries a $27.5 million cap hit, which could motivate an extension this offseason to spread out the charges. Godwin enjoyed an effective season, which included his most yards per catch and deepest average target depth since 2020. He also stayed mostly healthy, missing no games. If teammate Mike Evans leaves in free agency, Godwin could see even more target share in 2024. And the question of what Tampa Bay does at QB figures to keep the WR's fantasy cost down. Consider giving him a look in dynasty trades this offseason. (Godwin currently sits higher in our dynasty WR rankings than he does in the KeepTradeCut rankings.) We'll see where Godwin settles in early best ball drafting.
Buccaneers WR Mike Evans caught just three of a team-high 8 targets for 22 yards in Sunday's win over the Panthers. Tampa Bay managed just 137 passing yards and 9 points for the game, so there wasn't much offense for anyone. But the Bucs did close out the NFC South title. You can check our updated NFL playoff rankings this week to see where Evans lands if you're continuing the fantasy football season. Beyond that, though, Evans faces free agency this March ahead of his age-31 campaign. Spotrac projects the Buccaneers to carry about $48 million in cap space for 2024, so there could be room to re-sign the vet. But the team appeared to decide against extending Evans at the beginning of this season. We'd bet right now on Evans leaving town. His performance this year has shown Evans can still play. He averaged his most yards per target (9.2) since 2020 and most yards per catch since 2019. The uncertainty will add risk to Evans in early best ball drafting. But there could also be opportunity in those drafts and the dynasty trade market if uncertainty pushes Evans' price down. He'll be worth a look wherever he's valued as a mid-to-low WR3.
Eagles QB Jalen Hurts was pulled near the end of the first half of Sunday's game vs. the Giants. He injured his right finger earlier in the game, returned for a few series, and then was yanked with Philly down 24-0. We'll look for updates on that finger injury, but Hurts should be ready for next weekend's Wild Card game vs. the Buccaneers. QB Marcus Mariota will finish out this game for the Eagles.
Lions TE Sam LaPorta has been diagnosed with a hyperextended knee and a bone bruise, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. "He’s likely to miss some time, but as coach Dan Campbell said, not as bad as it could’ve been," Rapoport adds. We'll look for a more concrete timeline for LaPorta's return, but expect him to miss at least next weekend's Wild Card game. Detroit does not have a legitimate replacement on the roster. TEs James Mitchell and Brock Wright have combined for 56 career catches.
Giants WR Jalin Hyatt has been ruled out of Sunday's finale vs. the Eagles with a hamstring injury. He caught one of two targets for five yards before exiting and finishes his rookie campaign with 368 scoreless yards. Hyatt was considered a project coming out of Tennessee, so his development will be worth watching closely this offseason. He's a dynasty hold.
Here's what Lions HC Dan Campbell said about TE Sam LaPorta's knee injury after Sunday's win over the Vikings: "It’s not as bad as it looked, but it’s not good news. We’ll know more tomorrow." It certainly sounds like LaPorta is in serious danger of missing time. We should get an update on his status within the next 24 hours. LaPorta's absence would obviously be a huge blow to Detroit heading into the playoffs.
Packers WR Romeo Doubs is questionable to return to Sunday's game vs. the Bears with a chest injury. Stay tuned for an update.
Giants QB Tyrod Taylor is questionable to return to Sunday's game vs. the Eagles with a thumb injury. He's been replaced by Tommy DeVito. We'll update Taylor's status when we know more.
Update: Taylor returned early in the second quarter.
Eagles WR A.J. Brown suffered an apparent right knee injury in the first quarter of Sunday's game vs. the Giants. We'll update his status when we know more.
Update: Brown is officially questionable to return.
J.J. Watt reports that the injury to his little brother's knee isn't as bad as originally feared. He says Steelers Edge T.J. Watt sustained a mere Grade 2 sprain to his left MCL. That could still knock the younger Watt out of Pittsburgh's playoff opener. But it gives him a better chance to play than previous reports or a tear or Grade 3 sprain. We'll see about Watt's status heading into Wild Card weekend.
Eagles RB D’Andre Swift (illness) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Giants. RBs Kenneth Gainwell, Boston Scott, and Rashaad Penny are all active. We’re expecting Gainwell to lead the way – but that might depend on how motivated the Eagles are to win this one.
Packers TE Luke Musgrave (kidney) is active for today’s game vs. the Bears. It’ll be his first action since Week 11. It’s entirely unclear how snaps and routes will be divvied between Musgrave and TE Tucker Kraft, leaving both guys as shaky fantasy plays. If picking between the two, we’d use Kraft.
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