The Falcons are benching QB Kirk Cousins and going to QB Michael Penix, according to both NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and ESPN's Adam Schefter. Atlanta stuck with Cousins for too long, losing four of the last five and falling out of first place in the NFC South. They beat the Raiders on Monday night in spite of Cousins, who completed just 11 of 17 passes for 112 yards, one TD, and one INT. Penix obviously lacks Cousins' experience but should prove to be a big upgrade in terms of arm talent. We'd still expect the Falcons to be a run-heavy offense going forward, especially as big favorites over the Giants this weekend.
Steelers WR George Pickens (hamstring) did not practice on Tuesday. He hasn't practiced since hurting his hamstring the Friday prior to Week 14. We'll continue to keep you updated on Pickens' status, but fantasy owners should not be counting on him in Week 16 fantasy lineups.
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (ankle) was listed as a full participant in Tuesday's practice. It was likely a light workout just two days removed from the win over the Browns, but this obviously bodes well for Mahomes' chances of playing against the Texans on Saturday. The line on that game has moved from Texans - 2 to Chiefs -3 over the last 12 hours. We'll update Mahomes' status again tomorrow. If he does suit up vs. Houston, he'll be a shaky QB1 play at less than 100% against a quality defense.
Falcons HC Raheem Morris did not commit to QB Kirk Cousins as his starter going forward on Tuesday. "It's no secret. We didn't play well at the quarterback position," Morris said of Cousins' Week 15 performance. "We got to find ways to play better. So, you know, all those things we go over the course of the week." It's a change of tune from Morris, who's stuck by Cousins throughout the season. The veteran has thrown just one TD vs. nine INTs over his last five games. We'll see if the Falcons make the move to first-round rookie QB Michael Penix for Sunday's game vs. the Giants. He wouldn't be a viable QB1 but could be worth stashing in 2-QB and Superflex leagues.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that the Titans are expected to start QB Mason Rudolph against the Colts this weekend. QB Will Levis bottomed out (again) in the Week 15 loss to the Titans, completing 8 of 12 passes for 89 yards, 0 TDs, and 3 INTs in about 2.5 quarters of action. Rudolph went 21-of-26 for 209 yards, 2 TDs, and 1 INT the rest of the way. His completion rate (63.0%) and yards per attempt (6.6) are nearly identical to Levis' this season. Rudolph has a bad 3.2% INT rate -- but less bad than Levis' 4.2%. And he's crushing Levis in sack rate (3.8% to 12.4%) Rudolph brings a bit more stability to Tennessee's offense but isn't a significant upgrade.
Browns QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson will be the starting QB this week against the Bengals. QB Jameis Winston was benched against the Chiefs after throwing three interceptions, replaced by Thompson-Robinson. The Browns will get another look at the young QB this week.
Chiefs HC Andy Reid said QB Patrick Mahomes will try to practice on Tuesday. "We'll see how Pat does out there," Reid said this morning. "He's going to go through some stuff, and we'll see how it works out for him. And if he can't work, then Carson will take those reps that Pat doesn't. We have full confidence in Carson. If he has to step in and play, then I think everybody, coaches and players, have full confidence that he can go in and do a nice job." Said Mahomes: "If I feel like I can play and go out there and win a football game, I will." We’ll see how the week progresses, but there’s at least a chance that Mahomes suits up vs. Houston on Saturday.
Giants rookie S Tyler Nubin had surgery Monday to repair the ankle he injured in the Week 14 loss to the Saints. He landed on IR ahead of Sunday's loss to the Ravens but should be ready for the start of 2025.
Saints QB Derek Carr (hand) is "very likely" to miss the rest of the season, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. "Carr underwent further examination recently and he’s at least a few weeks away from being able to withstand contact," Rapoport adds. Carr can be dropped in all redraft leagues. We're projecting the Saints to go back to QB Spencer Rattler for Monday night's game against the Packers. But, whether it's Rattler or Jake Haener, you should stay away from Saints QBs in fantasy lineups.
Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald said Monday that he's "optimistic" QB Geno Smith (knee) will be able to practice this week and play against the Vikings on Sunday. "We’re fortunate," Macdonald said. "A lot of positive, optimistic signs coming out of the test. Geno’s a beast, man — he’s in here, working out in the morning, working through it. I know he’s still feeling it, but this guy’s tough as nails." We'll track Smith's status throughout the week. QB Sam Howell would be a tangible downgrade for the passing game if forced to start.
Raiders RB Sincere McCormick left Monday’s game vs. Atlanta with a left ankle injury. McCormick might have suffered a high-ankle sprain in the second quarter, but we should know more over the next 24 hours.
Raiders QB Aidan O'Connell (knee) is inactive as the emergency third QB for tonight's game vs. the Falcons. QB Desmond Ridder makes his first start of the season against the team that selected him in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Bears RB D'Andre Swift (groin) is active for tonight's game vs. the Vikings. He only got in a limited practice on Saturday and was listed as questionable, so it's safe to assume he'll be playing at less than 100% in this matchup against the league's fourth-ranked RB defense.
Lions HC Dan Campbell said Monday that RB David Montgomery needs season-ending surgery on the MCL he injured in the Week 15 loss to the Bills. It's a massive blow to a Detroit offense that's fueled by its running game. But Montgomery's absence figures to turn RB Jahmyr Gibbs into a league-winner. In three games without Montgomery last year, Gibbs averaged 18.0 carries, 5.7 targets, and 132 total yards per game.
The Ravens and WR Diontae Johnson have "mutually agreed" to excuse Johnson from team activities this week. He won't play against the Steelers on Saturday, and it's looking like he won't suit up for Baltimore again. His trade from Carolina was a total killer for his fantasy value. Johnson will hit free agency in March.
Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle's status for this weekend's game vs. the 49ers is uncertain, HC Mike McDaniel said Monday. Waddle suffered a knee injury in the Week 15 loss to the Texans. It's not considered major and won't require surgery, McDaniel said, adding that Waddle is "day-to-day." We'll keep tabs on his practice participation this week, but fantasy owners should be making other plans for Week 16.
Panthers WR Xavier Legette is considered "week-to-week" with the groin injury that knocked him out of the Week 15 loss to the Cowboys and is not expected to play vs. the Cardinals this weekend, HC Dave Canales said. It sounds like Legette might miss more than just one game. He's droppable from redraft rosters. Legette's absence should put WR Jalen Coker back in a full-time role, alongside WRs Adam Thielen and David Moore.
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes has been diagnosed with a "mild" right high-ankle sprain, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. "He's still considered week-to-week," Rapoport adds.
Lions RB David Montgomery injured his right MCL in Sunday's loss to the Bills and will be out indefinitely. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that it's a tear and that Montgomery might be out through the playoffs. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports it as a sprain but adds that Montgomery will have further testing. Whatever the specific diagnosis and return timeline, it seems a pretty safe bet that Montgomery will miss the rest of the regular season.
Playing his first game since Week 12, Packers WR Romeo Doubs led his team in routes (25) and TDs (2). He added 3 catches for 40 yards on an 18.5% target share vs. Seattle.
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