Steelers QB Kenny Pickett (concussion) will start this weekend's game vs. the Raiders, HC Mike Tomlin said Tuesday. It sounds like Pickett still has 1 more step to pass protocol, so we'll keep an eye on his practice participation this week. Vegas ranks 30th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to QBs, but Pickett hasn't shown enough this season to be more than a mid-range QB2 for Week 16.
The Eagles have activated TE Dallas Goedert from IR, putting him on track to play Sunday against the Cowboys. He returned to practice last week after sitting out since a Week 10 shoulder injury but didn't make it onto the roster ahead of the win at Chicago. We have projected Goedert in starter range in our Week 16 fantasy football rankings. We're all still waiting to see, of course, whether Jalen Hurts (shoulder) or Gardner Minshew will be throwing him passes.
A source tells The Philadelphia Inquirer's Jeff McLane that Eagles QB Jalen Hurts could miss the next 2 games with his sprained right shoulder. McLane confirms that the Eagles don't consider Hurts' injury a long-term issue. The Eagles need to win just 1 of their final 3 games to lock up the NFC's #1 seed, so they're not desperate at this point to get Hurts back out there. Fantasy owners need to prepare to be without him for both Week 16 and 17.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that Eagles QB Jalen Hurts' "status is in doubt" for Saturday's game against the Cowboys after he sprained his right (throwing) shoulder in Sunday's win over the Bears. Hurts sustained the injury in the 3rd quarter, which means he played through it the rest of the way. (Hurts didn't miss a snap.) We'll certainly be watching his status closely this week. If Hurts can't go, it'll be QB Gardner Minshew.
Giants RB Saquon Barkley performed well in Sunday's victory over the Commanders, logging 87 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries in addition to 5 receptions and 33 yards in the receiving game. The talented back rose to the occasion for fantasy managers in the playoffs. Barkley will once again be a top-10 RB option in Week 16 against the Vikings. The Vikings' D rank as a neutral matchup and with Barkley's consistent volume of touches, he should be in line for another quality outing next week.
Commanders WR Jahan Dotson roped in 4 of 6 targets for 105 yards and a touchdown in a loss against the Giants on Sunday. Dotson is starting to heat up again after a hamstring injury derailed his rookie season in October. The former Penn State product has now seen 15 targets in the Commanders' last 2 contests. Veteran Terry McLaurin also had a solid outing, hauling all 6 of his targets for 70 yards. Curtis Samuel saw muted success by comparison, though 3 receptions for 44 yards is a respectable stat line. The Commanders WR corps will face off against a 49ers defense that presents a middle-of-the-pack matchup in terms of adjusted fantasy points per game in 2022. That said, QB Taylor Heinicke's ability to deliver the ball will be diminished by the strength of the 49ers' stout defensive front, relegating all Commanders WRs into flex consideration at best with McLaurin being the favorite. It would be best to look elsewhere for WR help in Week 16 outside of deep leagues.
WRs A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith dominated Eagles receiving in Sunday's narrow win over the Bears. Brown led the team in targets (16), receptions (9) and yards (181). Smith added a 5-126 line on 8 targets. WR Quez Watkins was the only other Eagle to exceed 2 looks, catching 4 of his 6 for a mere 6 yards.
Eagles QB Jalen Hurts struggled a little passing in Sunday's win at Chicago. He threw 2 INTs in a game for the 1st time this season and went without a TD pass for the 1st time since Week 5. Hurts made up for that with 3 rushing scores, though, leading the team with 61 yards on 17 carries. He also wound up throwing for 315 yards. He'll continue to lead fantasy football lineups the next 2 weeks through matchups with the Cowboys and Saints.
Bucs WR Julio Jones (knee) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Bengals. That figures to leave Russell Gage as Tampa’s #3 WR, but he’d be a desperation fantasy play.
Bucs WR Julio Jones (knee) is not expected to play vs. the Bengals later today, although a final decision might not come until pregame warmups, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Jones obviously shouldn't be in fantasy lineups. Jones' absence figures to leave Russell Gage as Tampa’s #3 WR, but he’d be a desperation fantasy play.
Eagles TE Dallas Goedert (shoulder) was not activated on Saturday afternoon and won't play vs. the Bears tomorrow. He returned to practice this week and should tentatively be expected to return for Week 16. WRs A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith should continue to dominate targets against Chicago.
The Steelers downgraded QB Kenny Pickett (concussed) to out for Sunday's game vs. the Panthers and announced that QB Mitchell Trubisky will. Trubisky is a bottom-barrel QB2 but might be good news for WR Diontae Johnson, who drew a 27% target share from Trubisky last week and a 32% share with Trubisky over the first 3 weeks of the season.
Bucs WR Julio Jones (knee) is listed as questionable for this weekend’s game vs. the Bengals. He only got in a limited practice on Friday. Clearly not at 100%, Jones shouldn’t be in your Week 15 fantasy plans.
Steelers QB Kenny Pickett (concussion) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game vs. the Panthers. He was limited in practice this week, but the team evidently doesn't expect him to be cleared by Sunday. QBs Mitchell Trubisky and Mason Rudolph reportedly split reps in practice this week, and HC Mike Tomlin declined to name a starter on Friday. You, of course, shouldn't be messing with the situation in Week 15 fantasy lineups.
Giants RB Saquon Barkley said Thursday that he feels "a lot better" now than he did this time last week and doesn't expect to be limited vs. the Commanders on Sunday night. Barkley is off this week's injury report after being listed as questionable with that neck issue last week. The matchup is tough this week, but Barkley's projected volume should land him in most fantasy lineups. He posted an 18-63-1 rushing line and 5-18 receiving against Washington back in Week 13.
Steelers QB Kenny Pickett (concussion) remained limited in Thursday's practice. We'll get another update on his progress on Friday afternoon.
Giants RB Saquon Barkley isn't listed on the Week 15 injury report. He was limited last week and listed as questionable with a sore neck -- and then set season lows with a 31% snap rate and 11 touches in the loss to the Eagles. Barkley had slowed down even before the neck injury and gets a tough Washington defense on Sunday night. But we can at least project him to get back to a full workload.
Patriots WR DeVante Parker (concussion) did not practice on Wednesday. He's unlikely to play vs. the Raiders this weekend after being concussed on Monday night.
Steelers QB Kenny Pickett (concussion) got in a limited practice on Wednesday. That gives him a shot to be cleared in time for Sunday's game vs. the Panthers. QBs Mitchell Trubisky and Mason Rudolph reportedly split reps in Wednesday's practice, so it's unclear who will start this weekend if Pickett can't.
"Expectations" are that Eagles TE Dallas Goedert (shoulder) will return for Sunday's game vs. the Bears, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer's Jeff McLane. "And if not, almost certainly Christmas Eve at the Cowboys," McLane adds. So it sounds like Goedert isn't quite a lock to make it back for Week 15 fantasy lineups. We'll keep you updated on his status throughout the week.
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