Fantasy Football News

Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair is inactive for today's game against the Raiders, with ankle and knee injuries. That should position Henry To'oTo'o as Houston's lead LB, with E.J. Speed likely running No. 2. CB Derek Stingley Jr. is active after entering the day questionable with an oblique injury.

E.J. Speed has agreed to a one-year deal with the Texans. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that it's worth $3.25 million, with incentives that could push it to $5 million. Speed spent the past six seasons with the Colts, mostly as a reserve. He started 11 games in 2023, though, and held a full-time role throughout last season. He'll turn 30 in June.

Colts LB E.J. Speed is active for today's game against the Giants. He managed just one practice this week after missing Week 16, but it was a full Friday workout. We've added Speed in LB2 territory of the Week 17 rankings. His activation likely slices playing time for rookie LB Jaylon Carlies.

Colts LB E.J. Speed will miss Sunday's game against the Titans with a knee injury.

Colts LB E.J. Speed is active for today's game against the Jets. He entered the day questionable with a knee issue but finished the week with a full Friday practice. Use him as planned in IDP lineups.

The Colts have downgraded LB E.J. Speed (knee) to doubtful for Sunday's game against the Dolphins. This is a surprising turn after Speed advanced to a full practice Friday. Jaylon Carlies has run as Indy's third LB and figures to see his role elevated. The rookie hasn't made more than 2 solo tackles or 4 total tackles in a game yet, though. There's IDP upside -- especially against a Tyler Huntley-led Dolphins offense. But there's also risk that Carlies doesn't take on Speed's full role. Segun Olubi and Grant Stuard are other options. Neither has played a defensive snap yet this season.

The Colts have downgraded LB Zaire Franklin to doubtful for Sunday's game against the Panthers for the knee injury that kept him out of practice all week. That should leave Shaquille Leonard and E.J. Speed as the top two LBs for Indy in this game. Check our Week 9 LB rankings to see how high each has risen.

Colts LB Zaire Franklin missed his third straight practice Friday with a knee injury. Mike Chappell of Fox 59 in Indianapolis reports that Franklin will be a game-time decision. Unfortunately, that game carries a 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff. So we might not know Franklin's status until after the first set of Sunday games has begun. On top of that, Franklin figures to carry some re-injury risk even if active. It'll be scary to sit fantasy's No. 2 scoring LB (in most formats) for anyone if he's active. But we're moving Franklin down the Week 9 LB rankings for those risk factors. E.J. Speed would likely see full or near-full playing time if Franklin goes inactive.

Colts LB Zaire Franklin missed his second Thursday with a knee injury he sustained in Sunday's loss to the Saints. He returned quickly, though, and missed just two of Indy's defensive snaps for the game. That makes his practice absences a bit surprising. Friday should tell us whether they were more maintenance days of if Franklin is in danger of missing Sunday's clash with the Panthers. E.J. Speed would likely pick up more playing time if Zaire Franklin can't go and makes sense as a stash right now in deeper IDP leagues.