Arizona Cardinals Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

Cardinals RB James Conner (knee, shin) didn't practice on Wednesday. We'll be sure to track the status of Conner in anticipation of Week 18 vs. the 49ers on Sunday.

Cardinals HC Kliff Kingsbury conceded Wednesday that QB Kyler Murray (knee) "probably" won't be ready for the start of the 2023 season. Murray underwent surgery Tuesday to reconstruct his ACL and repair meniscus damage in his right knee. We're just about 8 months from the start of the 2023 campaign; this is an injury that usually takes 9+ months to return from. Early fantasy drafters should be operating under the assumption that Murray misses at least the first few games. The PUP list, which would cost him the first 6 games, is a real possibility. Kingsbury also said that QB Colt McCoy isn't playing this weekend to protect him from injury, suggesting that he might be Plan A to replace Murray early next season. McCoy is signed for 2023 with a reasonable $5 million cap hit.

Cardinals HC Kliff Kingsbury said Monday that X-rays on RB James Conner's shin came back clean and that the injury is "nothing major." It sounds like Conner has a shot to play in this weekend's finale vs. the 49ers -- although it's certainly possible that he's held out of a game that means nothing to Arizona. Conner's absence would leave the Cardinals' backfield to Corey Clement and Keaontay Ingram.

Broncos RB Marlon Mack will miss Sunday's finale vs. the Chargers with the hamstring injury he suffered in Week 17, according to insider Mike Klis. That'll leave Denver's backfield to Latavius Murray and Chase Edmonds. Murray tallied 12 carries and 6 targets to Edmonds' 7 carries and 3 targets in last week's loss to the Chiefs.

Eagles EDGE Josh Sweat went to the hospital after leaving Sunday's loss to the Saints on a stretcher with a neck injury. He was treated and released by the end of the night, though. He said afterward via Twitter that he expects to return this season. HC Nick Sirianni didn't offer details at his Monday press conference, saying the team is taking it day-by-day with Sweat's injury. We wouldn't bet on him making it back for the Week 18 game against the Giants, which Philly still needs to land the top playoff seed and a Round 1 bye.

Cardinals RB James Conner suffered a shin injury in the 2nd half of Sunday's game vs. the Falcons. He never returned – although he did remain on the sideline and was allowed to speak to the media afterward. That suggests the injury isn’t serious, but Conner said he wasn’t sure if he’ll be able to play vs. the 49ers next weekend. Stay tuned to Shark Bites for updates on his status for that one.

Ravens DL Calais Campbell (knee) is inactive for tonight's game against the Steelers. The knee was deemed unready after he tested it in pregame warmups.

Cardinals TE Trey McBride racked up 7 catches for 78 yards and the team's only TD in Sunday's narrow loss to the Falcons. He tied WR Greg Dortch for the team target lead (10), with QB David Blough making his 1st start -- Arizona's 4th different starting QB this year. The rookie TE topped his previous highs by 3 receptions and 23 yards, finding the end zone for the 1st time as a pro. McBride will be an interesting fantasy prospect for 2023. Veteran TE Zach Ertz has 1 year left on his contract, but he also carries a $12 million salary vs. $4 million in dead cap space if the team releases him. We'll see what the Cards do this offseason and where McBride settles in early best-ball drafts.

Cardinals RB James Conner ran for 79 yards on 16 carries (4.9 per rush) in Sunday's narrow loss to the Falcons, adding 31 yards on 3 receptions. He watched TE Trey McBride claim the team's only TD, in a game that also included 4 Matt Prater FGs. Conner closes out the season with a difficult matchup against the 49ers, for those playing fantasy through Week 18.

Cardinals RB James Conner suffered a shin injury in the 2nd half of Sunday's game vs. the Falcons and is officially questionable to return. We'll update his status when we know more.

Broncos RB Marlon Mack hurt his hamstring in the 1st quarter of Sunday's game vs. the Chiefs and is questionable to return. His absence leaves Denver's backfield to Latavius Murray and Chase Edmonds.

Eagles EDGE Josh Sweat suffered a scary head/neck injury in the 1st quarter of Sunday's game against the Saints. Trainers strapped him to a board and took him off the field on a cart. Sweat did slightly raise a thumb up before reaching the tunnel. We'll watch for updates on his condition. He's obviously out for the rest of Week 17.

Cardinals QB Colt McCoy had his concussion symptoms return Friday and will not play Sunday against the Falcons, HC Kliff Kingsbury told reporters. The team will instead turn to QB David Blough for the Week 17 start. The former Lions backup opened this season on the Vikings practice squad, but Arizona plucked him for its active roster on Dec. 14. The Cardinals now clearly believe him to be the better option than Trace McSorley. Blough won't be a meaningful fantasy option, and he's likely a downgrade vs. McCoy for Arizona pass-catchers -- if only because he hasn't been with the team as long. Of course, we'll also see about the status of WR DeAndre Hopkins, who is now dealing with knee trouble.

Cardinals QB Colt McCoy has cleared the concussion protocol and is expected to start Sunday's game vs. the Falcons, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. McCoy is no savior, of course. But he's a significant upgrade over QB Trace McSorley. McCoy's return is good news for RB James Conner and WRs DeAndre Hopkins and Marquise Brown.

Cardinals DE J.J. Watt announced Tuesday morning that he'll be retiring at the end of this season. That will end a 12-year career that included 5 All-Pro selections, 3 Associated Press defensive player of the year honors and a spot on the Hall of Fame's All-2010s team. We'll see how Arizona replaces him for 2023 after what's been a strong rebound season for Watt.

Cardinals S Budda Baker suffered a shoulder fracture in Sunday night's OT loss to the Buccaneers, according to multiple reports. He managed to play through the injury in the game but will miss the team's final 2 contests. Veteran S Chris Banjo is likely to take Baker's place next to Jalen Thompson in the lineup.

Cardinals WR Greg Dortch led the team in targets (11), receptions (10) and receiving yards (98) in Sunday night's OT loss to the Buccaneers. He and RB James Conner were the only 2 Arizona players to exceed 3 catches with QB Trace McSorley behind center. We'll see whether QB Colt McCoy is back for a Week 17 meeting with the Falcons.

Cardinals RB James Conner rushed 15 times for 79 yards and a TD in Sunday night's OT loss to the Buccaneers. It was Arizona's only TD for the game. Conner added 7 catches for 41 yards among 8 targets. Conner gets a high-upside Week 17 matchup with the Falcons, who rank 7th most friendly to RBs by adjusted fantasy points allowed.

Jets RB Michael Carter was the closest thing to an offensive bright spot on a night that saw the team total just 227 yards and pull its 1st-round QB for the 2nd time this season. Carter led the team with 5 catches and 44 yards, though he added just 6 rushing yards on 2 carries. RB Zonovan Knight rushed 6 times for minus-2 and caught his lone target for 15 yards. RB Ty Johnson worked in for 7 yards on 2 carries. WR Garrett Wilson led the team with 9 targets but managed just 4 catches for 30 yards. Practice-squad QB Chris Streveler entered in the 2nd half and wound up leading the team in rushing (54 yards). We'll see who's piloting this offense for a Week 17 trip to Seattle. That matchup is currently battling Houston for friendliest in the league to RB scoring, according to our adjusted fantasy points allowed.

The Ravens have ruled DL Calais Campbell (knee) and CB Marcus Peters (calf) out for Saturday's game against the Falcons.