Shark Bites are the latest fantasy football news & NFL updates. Draft Sharks has been in business since 1999. And when we started, redraft was the dominant form of fantasy football. Check out what we've learned about this most basic form of fantasy football along the way.
NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports that Browns WR Amari Cooper "should be able to go" tonight against the Jets, barring any setbacks with his heel issue in pregame warm-ups. We've been expecting that to be the case, but Cooper's clearly operating at less than 100%. Add the league's worst scoring matchup for WRs, and Cooper certainly falls short of being a must-start in Week 17 fantasy football lineups. Be sure to check your Team Intel page to see whether Cooper makes sense for your lineup.
Browns WR Amari Cooper (heel) is "hopeful" he can play vs. the Jets tonight, but "his status remains up in the air," according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. "The short week is tough," Pelissero adds. "Cooper knows his body well. They’ll get a better sense closer to kickoff." We'll look for further updates on Cooper and get Cleveland's inactives around 6:45 pm ET tonight. It's clear that Cooper won't be at 100% if he ends up playing. Toss in the matchup against the Jets' top-ranked WR defense, and Cooper is a much shakier Week 17 fantasy play than his big Week 16 would suggest. See where he currently sits in the Week 17 WR Rankings.
Browns WR Amari Cooper is listed as questionable for Thursday night's game vs. the Jets. He's on the injury report with "rest" and a heel. We'll look for more information on Cooper and get Cleveland's inactives around 6:45 pm ET tomorrow. Cooper, of course, is coming off a monster Week 16 but draws the league's No. 1 WR defense on Thursday.
The Texans have claimed S Kareem Jackson off waivers from the Broncos. Denver dumped the twice-suspended veteran, opting to continue with P.J. Locke next to S Justin Simmons. Jackson could see immediate time for a Houston defense that lost Jimmie Ward to a quad injury against the Browns. It's not yet clear how long Ward will be out. We'll watch for specifics on Jackson's Week 17 role.
Eagles LB Nicholas Morrow (abdomen) is inactive for today's game against the Giants. That leaves Philly down its top two LBs, with Zach Cunningham already ruled out. Expect Shaquille Leonard to lead the position in playing time. Undrafted rookie Ben VanSumeren looks like the next guy up. He has yet to play a snap on defense this season, though, so shouldn't be in anyone's IDP plans. Leonard makes for a solid LB3-level play.
Browns WR Amari Cooper exploded in Week 16 vs. the Texans, hauling in 11 of 15 targets for a career-high 265 receiving yards and 2 TDs. The veteran’s yardage total on Sunday ranks as the highest recorded mark in 2023, and his 51.5 PPR points stand as the second-highest score single-game score this season. TE David Njoku didn’t post the same kind of eye-popping numbers as Cooper did in this contest (6 catches, 44 yards), though he did find the end zone and extended his TD streak to three games. Both players will have their work cut out for them in Week 17 against the Jets (third in pass defense DVOA), but the strong rapport they’ve built with QB Joe Flacco should be enough to propel fantasy managers toward securing a championship. Start Cooper and Njoku next week confidently.
Bills RB James Cook carried 20 times for 70 yards in Saturday’s win over the Chargers. He didn’t see a target, as Josh Allen attempted only 21 passes. Cook also lost a fumble late in the game, although he wasn’t benched. Leonard Fournette mixed in for 5 carries (0 targets) in his 2023 debut. Fournette – and Latavius Murray – each handled one goal line carry, matching Cook’s total. But it was Allen who popped in a pair of short-range rushing scores. A solid New England run D awaits in Week 17, but Cook will remain a near must-start.
Bills RB Ty Johnson (shoulder) is inactive for tonight's game vs. the Chargers. RB Leonard Fournette is making his Buffalo debut in this one, joining James Cook and Latavius Murray in the backfield. Cook remains a strong fantasy play. Fournette and Murray are only options on the Saturday DFS slate.
RB James Cook was the Bills' offense in the Week 15 win over the Cowboys, accounting for 221 of the team's 360 total yards (61%). Cook gashed the Dallas run defense all game, turning 25 carries into 179 yards (7.1 YPC) and a score. He added two catches for 42 yards, including an 18-yard TD on a corner route to the front pylon. Cook was the best player on the field in this game -- and the Bills wisely rode him. QB Josh Allen finished with just 94 passing yards on 15 attempts. Don't expect another game like this from the Bills or Cook the rest of the way. But Cook has clearly been the biggest winner from the OC change to Joe Brady. He's now averaged 17.0 carries and 4.8 targets for 141 total yards in four games under Brady. Week 16 brings an excellent matchup vs. the Chargers' 20th-ranked RB defense. The sledding will be tougher in Week 17 against New England, but Cook's passing-game role will keep him a must-start for that one.
Bills TE Dawson Knox returned Sunday after missing the previous five games following wrist surgery. His return didn't hurt TE Dalton Kincaid's playing time, though. Kincaid still ran a route on 87.8% of Josh Allen's dropbacks. His 8 targets ranked second on the team, and his 5 receptions tied for the Buffalo lead. Kincaid managed just 21 yards (4.2 per reception), but short targets have been a staple all season. We'll take that issue if it comes with strong reception volume. Sunday marked the seventh straight game of 5+ receptions for Kincaid.
Bills TE Dawson Knox (wrist) is active for today’s game vs. the Chiefs. We’ll see exactly how big a role he plays in his first action since Week 7. Knox averaged 4.0 targets per game over the first seven weeks of the season to TE Dalton Kincaid’s 4.5. We’re expecting that gap to be wider in Week 14 and beyond.
Browns WR Amari Cooper (concussion, ribs) is active for today’s game vs. the Jaguars. He should be ready to play his usual role. Cooper notably out-targeted WR Elijah Moore five to one before exiting last week’s game with a concussion.
Bills TE Dawson Knox (wrist) has been activated to the 53-man roster. That puts him in line to play vs. the Chiefs on Sunday for the first time since Week 7. Knox would be a desperation fantasy start, but his return dings TE Dalton Kincaid's target projection. It also takes WR Khalil Shakir out of the picture even in deep fantasy leagues.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Browns WR Amari Cooper has cleared the concussion protocol and will play Sunday against the Jaguars. WR Elijah Moore dominated targets (12) in last week's loss to the Rams, which Cooper left early. Cooper drew 5 targets on just 32% snap share. We'd bet on him returning to the lead among Cleveland WRs this week. Check our Week 14 WR rankings for updated projections on both guys.
Bills TE Dawson Knox (wrist) is listed as questionable for this weekend’s game vs. the Chiefs. He was a full-go in practice all week, and HC Sean McDermott said Friday that Knox "has a good chance" to play Sunday. We currently have him projected in, which dings TE Dalton Kincaid’s fantasy outlook. The rookie averaged 7.4 targets over the last five games without Knox vs. 4.5 with Knox over his first six outings.
Browns WR Amari Cooper (concussion, ribs) is listed as questionable for this weekend’s game vs. the Jaguars. He didn’t return to practice until Friday, so it’s tough to imagine him being cleared in time for Sunday. Cooper should remain on fantasy benches for now. We’ll keep you updated on his status.
Bills TE Dawson Knox (wrist) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice. That puts him in line to return for this weekend's game vs. the Chiefs. Knox isn't a bankable fantasy play, but his return could certainly impact TE Dalton Kincaid. The rookie averaged 7.4 targets over the last five games without Knox vs. 4.5 with Knox over his first six outings. It's tough to imagine Kincaid's usage returning to those previous levels considering how good he's been lately. But Knox's return adds some downside risk to Kincaid's Week 14 fantasy profile.
Browns WR Amari Cooper (concussion, ribs) did not practice on Wednesday. He's unlikely to clear the concussion protocol in time to play vs. the Jaguars this weekend. Cooper's absence would leave WR Elijah Moore and TE David Njoku as the clear top-two targets in Cleveland's passing game.
Bills TE Dawson Knox (wrist) has been designated to return from IR and will practice on Wednesday. HC Sean McDermott when asked whether Knox will play vs. the Chiefs this weekend only said, "We'll take it one day at a time." We'll keep tabs on Knox's status for that one. He's not a fantasy option, but his return would put a dent in TE Dalton Kincaid's fantasy value. Kincaid averaged 7.4 targets over the last five games without Knox vs. 4.5 with Knox over his first six outings.
Browns WR Amari Cooper exited in the second quarter of Sunday's game vs. the Rams for a concussion check. We'll pass along an update when we get one.
Update: Cooper has been diagnosed with a concussion and ruled out. We'll track his progress through the protocol this week, but consider him unlikely to be cleared in time for Week 14's game vs. the Jaguars.
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