Washington Commanders Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

49ers WR Deebo Samuel (ankle, knee) logged limited practice on Thursday according to the official team website. Various reports indicate that Samuel logged full participation, so we're a bit hazy on the veteran's availability for Week 18 vs. the Cardinals. It's certainly looking likely that Samuel's return to NFL action is on the horizon though. We'll circle back on this tomorrow.

Commanders RB Brian Robinson (knee) didn't practice on Thursday. It's not looking good for the rookie at this point, but Friday will give him a chance to participate in a limited fashion perhaps. RB Antonio Gibson was placed on IR already, and the team elevated RB Jaret Patterson from the practice squad in a corresponding move. This messy situation doesn't bode well for any fantasy manager trying to decipher this situation for Week 18 vs. the Cowboys. Check in tomorrow once we have a more concrete idea of what to expect from the Commanders' backfield.

According to Michael Phillips of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Commanders HC Ron Rivera said this week that he'll play WRs Terry McLaurin and Curtis Samuel for "at least a portion of the game" Sunday. The notion here is that the coach will give rookie QB Sam Howell some time to work with the team's top options in his NFL debut. Of course, the fantasy read is that Rivera likely doesn't plan to play McLaurin or Samuel the entire game. That could change if Howell delivers and the team stays tight with the Cowboys. But the uncertainty -- including that brought by a 5th-round rookie QB in his 1st pro action -- should make you wary of starting McLaurin in Week 18 fantasy football lineups. We'll keep updating our Week 18 fantasy football rankings for anything else we learn on this and other situations.

49ers WR Deebo Samuel (ankle, knee) practiced fully on Wednesday. It's looking good for Samuel to make his return to NFL action since getting hurt in Week 14 vs. the Buccaneers. We'll continue to monitor the veteran's status in advance of Week 18 vs. the Cardinals.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler ran for 122 yards and 2 TDs in Sunday's win over the Rams. Ekeler carried just 10 times for the game, adding 4 catches for 39 yards. The team also mixed in RB Joshua Kelley for 9 carries and RB Larry Rountree for 10. Rountree's use came in the 2nd half, perhaps motivated by a knee issue that limited Ekeler to start the practice week. The Chargers finish the regular season at Denver. Ekeler went for limited yardage -- 83 total on 14 carries and 16 targets -- in the 1st meeting. That came back in Week 6, though, against a much different Broncos defense.

Commanders RB Brian Robinson logged 24 carries for 87 rushing yards in Week 17's loss to the Browns. RB Jonathan Williams stepped up in the absence of teammate Antonio Gibson, carrying the ball 9 times for 30 yards in addition to 3 receptions for just as many yards through the air. Robinson has now totaled 20+ carries in 3 of his last 4 games. Fantasy managers playing into Week 18 will see the rookie go up against a fairly stout Cowboys defensive front next Sunday. Robinson carries RB2 status on volume alone.

Saints CB Marshon Lattimore is active for today's game against the Eagles. It will be his 1st game action since Week 5 internal injuries that included a lacerated kidney. It's tough to know how effective he'll be, but New Orleans has clearly been cautious with the veteran. And he carried no game status on the final injury report of the week, despite remaining limited in practice. The long layoff will likely lessen any hesitation the Eagles might have about challenging Lattimore in coverage, which would help his target count. Lattimore will be a risk-reward play in IDP lineups for Week 17.

49ers Deebo Samuel (ankle, knee) has been ruled out for Week 17 vs. the Raiders. HC Kyle Shanahan had hoped to get the crafty wideout back before too long, but it looks like they'll have to wait another week. This effectively ends Samuel's 2022 fantasy season unless you're a manager who plays into Week 18.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (knee) fully participated in practice on Friday and doesn't carry an injury tag for Week 17 vs. the Rams. The Chargers have already clinched a playoff berth and don't have a ton to play for this week. As such, we can't really say how much involvement Ekeler or the other key starters will have vs. the Rams. But unless we have reason to believe his work will be limited, fantasy managers can trust Ekeler as a bonafide RB1 as they have all season. Keep your ear to the ground for any whispers to suggest he'll be lightly utilized just in case.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (knee) logged limited participation again on Thursday. A full practice on Friday would inspire hope for the veteran's ability to play in Week 17 vs. the Rams. We'll check back in on this tomorrow in case something changes.

49ers WR Deebo Samuel (ankle, knee) returned to team practice in a limited fashion on Thursday. After sitting out since Week 14 vs. the Buccaneers, fantasy managers might get the dynamic wideout back for championship week. We'll keep an eye out for news tomorrow regarding Samuel's status for Week 17 vs. the Raiders.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (knee) was listed as a limited practice participant on Wednesday. Check back tomorrow for updates regarding his status ahead of Week 17 vs. the Rams.

49ers HC Kyle Shanahan said last week that WR Deebo Samuel (ankle, knee) has a shot at being available for Week 17 vs. the Raiders. The team is being cautious with their star wideout as they prepare for a postseason run. It's unsurprising that Samuel opened the week without activity, but it'll be worth keeping an eye on. Check back in tomorrow for more information.

Commanders RB Brian Robinson (quad) was listed as a full participant at practice on Wednesday. Fellow RB Antonio Gibson (foot, knee) did not participate. We'll continue to track how the health of this backfield shakes out in advance of Week 17's matchup vs. the Browns.

Cowboys WR Noah Brown (foot) was again listed as a full practice participant on Tuesday. It looks like Brown will be healthy for Week 17 vs. the Titans. Though the Titans are the best matchup for opposing WRs in fantasy points allowed this season, Brown is not a viable fantasy option outside of the deepest of leagues. His spot in the pecking order of the Cowboys' passing attack is simply too low to trust in your fantasy championship game(s).

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler scored both of his team's TDs in Monday night's win over the Colts. He logged his 2nd most carries of the season (18) for 67 yards (3.7 per rush), adding 4 catches for 12 yards among 4 targets. RB Joshua Kelley chimed in 9 carries for 33 yards and a 9-yard reception. Ekeler has now drawn double-digit carries in 4 straight games, the 1st stretch this year that has seen him do so. A Week 17 meeting with the Rams holds a defense that has played the run tougher than the pass, but that has been true of the past 3 opponents as well. Ekeler, of course, shouldn't be a candidate to sit out of your Week 17 fantasy football lineups.

Cowboys WR Noah Brown (foot) was listed as a full participant on the team's estimated practice report on Monday. We'll keep you updated if anything changes on this front. As of now, it seems Brown will be healthy for Week 17 vs. the Titans. Brown is likely not a viable fantasy option outside of extremely deep leagues. However, the Titans are the best matchup for opposing WRs in fantasy points allowed this season. Something worth considering at a minimum.

Commanders RB Brian Robinson Jr. got 22 carries in Saturday's loss to the 49ers, but he managed just 58 yards (2.6 per attempt). It was a predictably tough matchup, with the opposite coming in Week 17. Robinson will carry upside then, against a Browns defense that entered Week 16 as the 4th most friendly to RB scoring.

Saints CB Marshon Lattimore (abdomen) is inactive for today's game against the Browns. S Marcus Maye (shoulder) is active.

49ers WR Deebo Samuel (ankle, knee) has been ruled out for Week 16's game vs. the Commanders. Samuel wasn't expected to play on Saturday to begin with. Nothing really out of the ordinary here. Check back next week for his availability in Week 17.