Zach Cunningham Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

The Eagles have agreed to a one-year deal with LB Shaquille Leonard. That gives the veteran LB a strong opportunity to reach the starting lineup. Philly already has LB Nakobe Dean (foot) on IR and missed LB Zach Cunningham (hamstring) in Sunday's loss to the 49ers. That left Nicholas Morrow as the position's only full-timer and Christian Elliss next at 75% snap share. We'd guess that opportunity was a key to Leonard choosing the Eagles, and we'll watch for word on his immediate role. Of course, Leonard hit the open market in part because his performance -- and fantasy production -- lagged well short of past seasons in Indianapolis. So don't get too excited about the veteran in your IDP league. But he's OK to pick up in deeper formats.

Eagles LB Nakobe Dean finished the week with a full Friday practice and looks ready to return from the foot injury that has kept him out since Week 1. The team still must officially activate him before 4 p.m. ET Saturday, but that seems likely. It's not yet clear whether Nicholas Morrow or Zach Cunningham will leave the lineup for Dean's return. But practice video showed Dean and Cunningham working together during the week. Cunningham was the starter next to Dean to open the season. You'll find Dean highest among Eagles LBs in our Week 6 rankings, though still projected cautiously for his first game back.

The Eagles are opening the 21-day practice window on LB Nakobe Dean this week. Dean spent the past four games on IR after suffering a foot injury in Week 1. We'll see how soon he's ready to return to game action, but it's obviously positive that he's ready to practice at his earliest eligibility. Dean opened the season wearing the green helmet dot and calling plays in the defensive huddle. We'd bet on the second-year LB returning to that full-time role as soon as he's physically ready. We'll see what that means for the playing time of LBs Nicholas Morrow and Zach Cunningham. Morrow began the year on the practice squad, with Cunningham starting alongside Dean. But Morrow has performed well in Dean's absence, grading out better than Cunningham in every category, according to Pro Football Focus. Cunningham previously played his way out of starting opportunities in Houston and Tennessee. Dean is worth grabbing this week on waivers if stashing him makes sense in your IDP league.

Eagles LB Nakobe Dean is expected to miss "multiple weeks" with the right foot injury that knocked him out of Sunday's win over the Patriots, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. He and ESPN's Jeremy Fowler each call Dean a candidate for short-term IR, which would cost the second-year LB at least four games. If Philly doesn't place Dean on IR this week, he might be back sooner. Zach Cunningham led LB playing time for the Eagles in Week 1, but LB Christian Elliss took over the green helmet dot and play-calling duties in relief of Dean. We'll have to see who stays on the field more between them while Dean is out. Both look like low-level IDP options against the Vikings and Buccaneers the next two weeks. Dean is OK to drop in most IDP leagues. But you can consider stashing him -- at least for now -- in deeper formats.

In another clear sign that the Titans are surrendering Thursday night's game to the Cowboys, the team announced Wednesday that basically the entire defense is out or doubtful. DT Jeffery Simmons, S Amani Hooker, EDGE Bud Dupree, LB Dylan Cole and LB Zach Cunningham are out. DL Denico Autry and CB Kristian Fulton are doubtful, which is really just a wishy-washy way of saying "out." LB Monty Rice, CB Roger McCready and S Andrew Adams like just about the only playable pieces for IDP leagues.

Titans LB Zach Cunningham came off IR to start Saturday's game against the Texans, but he left the game before halftime with more elbow trouble. Don't bet on the veteran being a factor for IDP lineups in Week 17. Monty Rice led Tennessee LBs with 91% playing time against Houston. Undrafted rookie Jack Gibbons also got 72% playing time, in a beat-up corps that previously lost LBs David Long and Dylan Cole.

The Titans have activated LB Zach Cunningham (elbow) from IR. He has been practicing since Dec. 14 and appears to be ready to jump back in Saturday vs. the Texans. We've added him to the Week 16 IDP rankings, though he doesn't make for an exciting option. Cunningham has just 3 games all season he didn't leave early. He tallied 7, 5 and 4 total tackles in those contests -- including just 1 solo and 3 assists in the 1st meeting with Houston.

The Titans have ruled DT Jeffery Simmons (ankle) out for Sunday's game against the Broncos, along with starters S Amani Hooker (shoulder), EDGE Bud Dupree (hip) and LB Zach Cunningham (elbow). Simmons is the biggest loss, both for the run defense and the pass rush. He had played through the sprain the past 2 games -- including for 81 snaps in last week's OT loss to the Chiefs. He said this week that he aggravated the ankle in that game. We'll see whether he can make it back for a Week 11 trip to Green Bay.

Titans EDGE Bud Dupree (hip), DL Jeffery Simmons (ankle), LB Zach Cunningham (elbow), S Amani Hooker (shoulder) and CB Kristian Fulton (hamstring) missed Thursday's practice. Simmons has played the past 2 weeks despite missing both practice weeks. His playing time increased last game vs. the 1 before. We'll see about the whole group Friday.

Titans S Amani Hooker (concussion), EDGE Bud Dupree (hip) and LB Zach Cunningham (elbow) are out for Sunday's game against the Commanders.

The Titans defense practiced without 3 starters Thursday. S Amani Hooker (concussion) sat out, just a day after putting in a limited workout. That seems to indicate he's not likely to play Sunday against the Commanders. EDGE Bud Dupree (hip) and LB Zach Cunningham (elbow) each missed a 2nd straight practice. These absences would only soften a defense that doesn't present a scary matchup at full strength.

Titans LB Zach Cunningham (elbow) is out for Sunday's game against the Colts. CB Roger McCreary (back) is questionable. We'll update his status Sunday morning.

Titans LB Zach Cunningham (knee) is active for today's game against the Raiders.

The Titans have ruled EDGE Bud Dupree (hip) out for Sunday's game against the Raiders. LB Zach Cunningham is questionable with a knee injury he suffered Thursday. That kept him off the field Friday. Neither should have factored significantly into your IDP plans. We'll check Cunningham's status Sunday.

Texans DE Jonathan Greenard (foot) is active for today's game against the Colts. He played through a questionable tag last week and should be in most IDP lineups. Houston made LB Zach Cunningham a healthy scratch, with Christian Kirksey back off IR. That clearly points to Kirksey regaining a full-time spot next to Kamu Grugier-Hill.

The Texans this week designated LB Christian Kirksey to return from IR, and he has practiced with the team. If his repaired left thumb is ready for Sunday's game against the Colts, the returning starter would destabilize LB Zach Cunningham's role. Cunningham had sunk to a reserve spot behind Kirksey and Kamu Grugier-Hill before Kirksey's injury. We'll watch for whether Kirksey makes it back to the active roster.

The Texans have ruled LB Christian Kirksey out for Sunday's game against the Dolphins with his fractured thumb. It's a little surprising after Kirksey played through the injury last week (after it occurred at the end of the Week 7 game). It's tough to know what the LB playing time will look like with Kirksey out. According to the Houston Chronicle, Neville Hewitt "was prepared to play in place of Kirksey last week," when Kirksey played with a "club" on his injured hand. So it appears Hewitt -- rather than Zach Cunningham -- will be the 2nd LB alongside Kamu Grugier-Hill.

The Texans on Friday placed LB Zach Cunningham and DL Ross Blacklock on the COVID list. That means neither guy will be available for Sunday's game against the Bills. Cunningham is a big loss for IDP lineups. Expect Kamu Grugier-Hill to start in his place. Christian Kirksey also gets an opportunity boost.