ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Thursday afternoon that Steelers QB Kenny Pickett (ankle) has been officially ruled out for Week 16 vs. the Bengals. Although Pickett had been able to log limited practice participation on Tuesday and Wednesday, it was widely anticipated that he would not make his return this week. HC Mike Tomlin had already named Mason Rudolph as the team's starter for Saturday several days ago, which lines up with our projections. Unless you are in desperation mode, it's best to leave Rudolph out of fantasy lineups. See where he lands in our current QB rankings.
Steelers QB Kenny Pickett (ankle) got in a limited practice on Tuesday. HC Mike Tomlin named QB Mason Rudolph the Week 16 starter on Monday but also didn't rule out Pickett being able to return. We'll keep an eye on his progress over the next few days, but hopefully you're not invested in this situation in fantasy lineups.
The Vikings are opening the 21-day practice window for LB Jordan Hicks this week. Hicks missed the past four games after needing surgery to relieve compartment syndrome following a shin injury on Nov. 12. it's not yet clear whether he'll be able to play this Sunday against the Lions, but that's at least a possibility. "Jordan is the heart and soul ... on our defense," HC Kevin O'Connell said Monday, according to the team website. "We've gotta get him some reps this week and see where he's at ... and if we can have him available, I think it'll be a real bonus for us this week." O'Connell also spoke about how good Hicks is at communicating the calls and ensuring everyone on the defense is in the right spot. That would seem to indicate he'll reclaim the green dot from LB Ivan Pace Jr. and take over calling plays in the defensive huddle. But O'Connell also said Pace has "been great" at filling in for Hicks there and talked about them working side by side. We'd bet the veteran Hicks will reclaim the playing-time lead at the position for a team fighting to reach the playoffs -- assuming he's physically ready to do so. We can't know for sure, of course, how Minnesota will sort out LB playing time until the next game that includes both Hicks and Pace -- or at least until coaches indicate the expected hierarchy. Hicks has scored as a top-10 LB in fantasy points per game this season, so he's worth a look if available on your waiver wire this week. Don't quit on Pace just yet, though, if he has been helpful in your format. And the undrafted rookie remains an upside dynasty asset.
Browns TE David Njoku continues to be QB Joe Flacco’s favorite target. The veteran pass-catcher ended Week 15’s win vs. the Bears with 10 catches on 14 targets for 104 receiving yards and a TD. Sunday’s contest is the second time in Njoku’s career that he exceeded the 100-yard mark (2021 Week 5). WR Amari Cooper was also heavily involved, hauling 4 of 8 targets for a team-high 109 receiving yards, including the 51-yard TD catch that tied the game up late in the fourth quarter. Both players are set up nicely to build on this success next week vs. the Texans (28th in pass-defense DVOA) and should be trustworthy starters in the fantasy playoffs.
Steelers WR Diontae Johnson (knee) is not listed on the final Week 15 injury report. He returned to a full practice on Thursday after being sidelined on Wednesday and should be ready for his usual role vs. the Colts on Saturday.
Steelers WR Diontae Johnson was added to the injury report with a knee and did not practice on Wednesday. His availability for Saturday's game vs. the Colts is suddenly in question. We'll look for more details on Johnson's knee issue and see how he's listed on the final injury report tomorrow.
Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot reports that Browns S Grant Delpit might land on IR this week for a groin injury that's expected to cost him multiple games. Going on IR, of course, would cost him at least the final four contests of the regular season. If the Browns elect not to place Delpit on IR, it'll indicate they want to leave open the possibility of him returning. Either way, his 2023 season looks done for redraft IDP rosters. If you're playing for a fantasy championship in Week 17, will you want to start Delpit in his potential first game back from a two-week groin injury? (Same question if you play into Week 18.) Ronnie Hickman was Cleveland's only full-time safety for Sunday's win over the Jaguars, filling in after Juan Thornhill got ruled out pregame with a calf injury. D'Anthony Bell filled in after Delpit left. Hickman, an undrafted rookie, tallied just 2 tackles and a pass breakup. Bell -- a 27-year old with 20 career tackles -- collected 3 solos. It's certainly possible either guy finds numbers this Sunday against the Bears. But this isn't the time of year to take a chance on near-complete unknowns in your fantasy football lineup. Look for a more-proven replacement if you're losing Delpit.
Update: The Browns placed Delpit on IR on Wednesday.
Steelers QB Kenny Pickett (ankle) is out for Saturday's game vs. the Colts, HC Mike Tomlin said Monday. The fact that Pickett has been ruled out this early in the week means he's nowhere close to returning. QB Mitchell Trubisky gets another start this weekend after a miserable showing vs. the Patriots this past Thursday.
Browns TE David Njoku recorded his first career multi-TD game in Week 14 vs. the Jaguars. The veteran ended the contest with 6 receptions on 8 targets for a team-high 91 receiving yards. Though he flopped last Sunday vs. the Rams, Njoku has been on a roll of late and has seen at least 6 catches and 50 receiving yards in four of his last five games. He should be locked into fantasy lineups as a TE1 next week going up against the Bears (fifth-best TE matchup per our adjusted fantasy points allowed).
Browns HC Kevin Stefanski named QB Joe Flacco the starter for the rest of the season after Sunday's win over the Jaguars. No surprise. Flacco has given the Browns their best QB play of the season the past two weeks (and that includes Deshaun Watson). He followed a 254-2-1 passing line last week with 311 yards, three TDs, and one INT in the Week 14 win. Flacco gets doable matchups the next two weeks vs. the Bears and Texans but is really only in play in 2-QB and superflex leagues. Flacco's solid play is good news for Cleveland's skill-position players, though.
The Dolphins have placed LB Jerome Baker (knee) on IR. That means he'll miss at least the next four games, which mark the final four weeks in most fantasy football seasons. So feel free to drop Baker, if you haven't done so already. David Long should lead Miami's non-edge LBs in playing time over the next month. LB Duke Riley checked in second after Baker left the Week 13 win over Washington.
The Browns have elevated QB Joe Flacco from the practice squad and waived QB P.J. Walker. We'd guess that points to Flacco starting again, though the team has declined to name Sunday's starter yet. Dorian Thompson-Robinson would be the other option. Cleveland's WRs have to be hoping it won't go that way.
Browns TE David Njoku (knee) is not listed on the final Week 14 injury report. He only got in a limited practice on Friday but is evidently good to go for this weekend’s game vs. the Jaguars.
Browns TE David Njoku (knee) missed his second straight practice on Thursday. He's taken every Wednesday off since Week 8, but this is the first time he's also missed Thursday. We'll see if Njoku gets on the field tomorrow and how he's listed on the final injury report for this weekend's game vs. the Jaguars.
Dolphins LB Jerome Baker suffered an MCL injury in Sunday's win over Washington. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Baker's considered "week to week at this point." That's not generally the way you describe a guy with a good chance to play this week. Assume Baker won't be available for next Monday's matchup with Tennessee. David Long led Miami LBs in playing time against Washington, with Duke Riley following. The team will also reportedly host LB Reuben Foster for a workout Wednesday, another bad sign for Baker's outlook.
On Sunday evening, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette tweeted that Steelers QB Kenny Pickett is scheduled to undergo ankle surgery on Monday. He is expected to miss 2-4 weeks, effectively making backup Mitchell Trubisky the starter. The Steelers are set for a quick turnaround, with their next game coming Thursday night vs. the Patriots. Consider Trubsiky as a low-end QB2 option.
Steelers QB Kenny Pickett will miss an "extended period" with his ankle injury, according to The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac. We'll look for a more detailed diagnosis and timetable for Pickett's return, but it sounds like it'll be QB Mitchell Trubisky under center for the Steelers for the foreseeable future. He's completed 63.8% of his passes at 6.7 yards per attempt over the past two seasons in Pittsburgh. Trubisky will be a bottom-barrel QB2 in fantasy football but probably won't be a significant downgrade from Pickett for the offense.
Dolphins LB Jerome Baker left Sunday's game against the Commanders with a knee injury and has been ruled out. We'll see about his status heading into next Monday night's home date with the Titans. David Long is likely to lead the LB corps in playing time while Baker is out.
Steelers QB Kenny Pickett hurt his ankle in the second quarter of Sunday's game vs. the Cardinals and is questionable to return. We'll update his status when we know more. QB Mitchell Trubisky will replace Pickett.
Update: Pickett has been ruled out. He's on the sidelines with his right foot in a walking boot.
Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy (groin) is not listed on the final Week 13 injury report after putting in a full practice on Friday. He should be ready for his usual role vs. the Texans this weekend.
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