Fantasy Football News

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Ben Skowronek (hip) didn't suit up for practice on Monday. Skowronek injured his hip during the first half of Saturday's loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He was cleared to return to the game, but clearly Skowronek is still dealing with the issue. He finished with two receptions on two targets for 25 yards. He has mainly been playing on special teams all season long, but has seen a few more chances on offense with George Pickens (hamstring) injured. However, Skowronek won't see enough snaps on offense to make him worth starting in fantasy formats this week.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (abdomen) was limited during Monday's practice session. This comes after Fields sat out of Saturday's loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He picked up an abdomen injury in Week 15 and appears to still be dealing with the issue. The absence of Fields doesn't mean much considering he has barely played since being benched for Russell Wilson. That being said, Kyle Allen would be the primary backup if Fields is unable to play during Wednesday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (hand) was a limited participant during Monday's practice session. It's worth noting that it's a estimated practice report, so fantasy managers shouldn't read too much into it. Anderson appears to have suffered a hand injury, but played his normal amount of snaps during Saturday's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. This could be the Texans just being cautious with Anderson to begin the week. The assumption is that he'll be fine in time for Wednesday's game against the Baltimore Ravens.

San Francisco 49ers rookie running back Isaac Guerendo (foot, hamstring) is expected to get back on the practice field on Thursday, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. The rookie back is dealing with multiple injuries that kept him out of last week's game against the Miami Dolphins. His absence resulted in the 49ers using a committee approach in the backfield with two other backs sidelined as well. The hope is that Guerendo will be able to return for the Week 17 matchup against the Detroit Lions. He could be a low-end RB2 if he's healthy in time for that contest.

Chicago Bears running back Travis Homer (hamstring) was absent from Monday's practice session. This doesn't come as much of a surprise after Homer missed Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions. The loss of Homer doesn't mean much for this offense considering he has only played in three games this season. He'll continue to serve as the third string back to D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson in the backfield. That being said, Homer is unlikely to have much of a role even if he's cleared in time for the Week 17 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said that the team will not rest quarterback Kyler Murray in either of the final two games of the season despite being officially eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday. The Cardinals have two divisional games remaining, at the Los Angeles Rams in Week 17 on Saturday night and at home versus the San Francisco 49ers in Week 18. Because of his dual-threat abilities at the QB position, Murray has been a top-12 fantasy player at his position in 2024, but he's had mixed results for his fantasy managers in recent weeks, including in the Week 16 overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers in which he had two TDs (one throwing, one rushing) but also two interceptions. The 27-year-old will remain a low-end QB1 option in fantasy this Saturday against a Rams team that he threw for 266 yards and three TDs against way back in Week 2.

Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill (concussion) was not able to practice on Monday for the second straight day this week. Hill suffered a concussion on Saturday in the team's Week 16 win over the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers and now is likely fighting an uphill battle to be available on a short turnaround in Week 17 against the Houston Texans on Christmas Day on Wednesday. Even if the 27-year-old takes part in practice on Tuesday, he'll need to gain clearance from an independent neurologist, which is unlikely to happen on a short week. Fantasy managers that have been using the pass-catching back in a flex spot should plan to be without Hill this week. Derrick Henry is Baltimore's clear lead back and will continue to be so on Wednesday, but if Hill is out, it will open the door for Keaton Mitchell and rookie Rasheen Ali to compete for change-of-pace work.

Baltimore Ravens wide receivers Zay Flowers (shoulder) and Nelson Agholor (concussion) were both listed as non-participants at Monday's practice for the second straight day. However, head coach John Harbaugh was "pretty optimistic" on Sunday that Flowers would play on Christmas Day on Wednesday in Week 17 against the Houston Texans. Flowers had a 100-yard performance on five catches in Saturday's win over the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday but also picked up a shoulder injury. Agholor, meanwhile, appears to be trending toward a second straight absence due to a concussion on another short week. If Flowers ends up being inactive on Thursday, Rashod Bateman would be Baltimore's No. 1 wideout, with tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely also seeing expanded roles. Flowers ultimately could draw a questionable tag, but if he plays, he'll be a WR3/flex in fantasy.

The Baltimore Ravens claimed wide receiver Steven Sims off waivers on Monday from the Houston Texans. The move to add Sims comes after the Ravens waived disgruntled wideout Diontae Johnson late last week, who was ironically claimed by the Texans. The two teams will face off against each other on Christmas Day on Wednesday. The 27-year-old mostly served in a special teams role with the Texans the last two years. In only seven games played this year, Sims was not targeted at all in the passing game and had just one carry for no gain. The Ravens are likely just bringing Sims in as extra receiver insurance on a short week with both Zay Flowers (shoulder) and Nelson Agholor (concussion) banged up. Even if Flowers and Agholor are ruled out on Christmas Day, we'd be surprised if Sims played an immediate big role on offense for the Ravens.

Houston Texans wide receiver John Metchie III (shoulder) and tight end Cade Stover (illness) were both upgraded to full practice participants on Monday after they were listed as limited for the first practice of Week 17 on Sunday. Metchie didn't practice at all last week and was ruled out of the Week 16 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday. However, a return to a full practice on Monday gives the 24-year-old pass-catcher a great shot at being active on Christmas Day on Wednesday for the Week 17 contest against the Baltimore Ravens. In addition to the Ravens defense being a great matchup for the Texans receivers, Metchie could have an expanded role if he's active this week now that Tank Dell (knee) is out for the year. Still, fantasy managers playing for a championship shouldn't consider Metchie, who had a 13-146-1 line in five games before his shoulder injury.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed on a conference call with the media on Monday that All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) will miss the team's final two games of the regular season. Williams hasn't played since Week 11 and will end up missing the final seven games of the 2024 campaign due to an ankle injury that took much longer to heal than the team was expecting. And with the Niners being officially eliminated from postseason contention on Sunday, there is no reason for the team to bring the veteran 11-time Pro Bowler back for meaningless games. The 36-year-old's injury-plagued season was one of many frustrating situations with the 49ers and some of their key players in 2024. Williams also dealt with the tragic death of his son this year. Jaylon Moore will protect quarterback Brock Purdy's blind side in the last two games.

Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (knee) was listed as limited on the team's estimated practice report on Monday. The Seahawks didn't actually hold a practice on Monday, so Fant's status was merely an estimation. The 27-year-old was on the injury report last week as well with a minor knee injury before playing through it on Sunday and securing only three of his six targets for 50 yards in the loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16. He's probably not going to get much practice work in on a short week, but barring a setback with his knee, Fant should be available for Thursday night's clash against the Chicago Bears. Fant logged 75 percent of the offensive snaps against the Vikes and will continue to operate as a low-ceiling TE for fantasy managers this week behind receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba, DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Fant has only cleared 50 receiving yards three times in 2024 and doesn't have a TD.

In the team's estimated practice report on Monday, the Seattle Seahawks listed running back Kenneth Walker III (ankle) as a non-participant after he injured his ankle in Sunday's loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16. Walker missed the previous two games due to a calf injury but returned last weekend, only to be pulled in the second half with a new injury. The 24-year-old took over lead-back duties immediately against Minnesota over backfield mate Zach Charbonnet (elbow), but it only amounted to eight carries for 31 yards. However, he salvaged his fantasy day with a season-high-tying eight catches for 28 yards. Sunday's game cemented the fact that Walker is still Seattle's preferred backfield option when healthy. The problem is Walker isn't healthy again and faces a short week to get right before a Thursday night game in Week 17 against the Chicago Bears. Right now, Charbonnet is the better bet to play on Thursday.

Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) will be inactive again on Monday Night Football against the New Orleans Saints, according to a source. The 27-year-old Pro Bowl cornerback was able to practice in full all of last week, but the Packers are being cautious with the veteran defensive back, and he'll end up missing his fifth straight game. Hopefully, Alexander will be available for a big divisional matchup on Sunday, Dec. 29, in Week 17 against the Minnesota Vikings at home. With Alexander out yet again, Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine and Eric Stokes will remain the team's corners in an excellent matchup against a Saints offense with very little experience at the receiver position thanks to injuries. New Orleans will also be starting rookie QB Spencer Rattler, making the Packers' defense/special teams unit in fantasy an attractive streaming option in Week 16.

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (chest, illness) is inactive for Monday's game against the Green Bay Packers. Valdes-Scantling did not practice on Thursday and Friday due to a chest/illness and was listed as questionable for Monday Night football. The 30-year-old was eventually ruled out about an hour before Monday's kickoff. MVS has put up modest numbers recently, catching eight of 17 targets for 151 yards and a touchdown over his last three weeks. Valdes-Scantling's next chance to return will be in the Week 17 matchup versus the Las Vegas Raiders. With MVS out, look for Kevin Austin Jr., Mason Tipton, Dante Pettis, and Cedrick Wilson Jr. to lead the Saints wide receivers in Week 17. Saints tight ends Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau should also see an uptick in usage against the Green Bay Packers. Fantasy managers shouldn't trust any of these Saints targets for the fantasy football semi-finals outside of deep leagues as the Saints offense is downgraded as a whole with Alvin Kamara (groin) inactive and Spencer Rattler starting for the injured Derek Carr (concussion, hand).

On one hand, Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has a nice matchup on Christmas Day against a Baltimore Ravens passing defense that has struggled this year. But on the other, the circumstances surrounding the second-year quarterback leave a lot to be desired. Two of his top three receivers in Tank Dell (knee) and Stefon Diggs (knee) are out for the year, his patchwork offensive line will face a Ravens unit that has the second-most sacks in the league, his running game will face the best rushing defense in the NFL, and the Texans very well could be running on fumes with a third game in 11 days. Though Baltimore ranks an attractive 27th against fantasy quarterbacks, Stroud hasn't had a top-10 finish since Week 4. He should be saved only for Superflex formats.

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon will face another difficult matchup in Week 17 when his team takes on the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas Day. The 28-year-old has cooled off after being one of the top-performing fantasy running backs in the middle of the season, ranking outside the top 25 two weeks in a row, and now comes a Baltimore defense that ranks eighth against fantasy running backs and has allowed the fewest yards per attempt in the NFL. With wide receivers Stefon Diggs (knee) and Tank Dell (knee) out for the year, it's possible Houston can involve Mixon in the passing game, which would be beneficial, especially in PPR formats. But given the tough matchup, the veteran should be considered a solid RB2/high-end flex this week.

Already his team's best wide receiver, Nico Collins of the Houston Texans could be due an even bigger target share on Christmas Day against the Baltimore Ravens. The fourth-year veteran is the lone healthy member of Houston's talented receiver trio now that Stefon Diggs (knee) and Tank Dell (knee) are both out for the year. Additionally, he'll take on a Baltimore defense that has allowed a ton of points to fantasy wide receivers, ranking 30th against the position. Although Houston added another receiver to the fold in Dionate Johnson and has struggled at times this season as an offense, Collins has been regularly productive and should be considered a WR1 again in this matchup.

Following two serious injuries ahead of him, wide receiver Robert Woods of the Houston Texans could find himself as a popular, but not recommended, waiver-wire addition going into a Christmas Day meeting against Baltimore. The Texans have had awful wide receiver luck, losing both Stefon Diggs (knee) and Tank Dell (knee) for the year, leading them to claim Diontae Johnson off waivers on Monday. While top target Nico Collins remains the clear No. 1 option, Woods drew a season-high six targets after Dell's injury in Week 16. Additionally, the Ravens have been one of the worst defenses in the league against fantasy receivers at 30th overall. But ultimately, starting a receiver who has just 16 catches in 15 games at this stage of the fantasy playoffs is an unnecessary risk.

Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz should be considered a high-end TE2 candidate ahead of the Texans' Christmas Day game against the Baltimore Ravens. The Houston offense has seen dramatic changes to its pecking order now that wide receivers Tank Dell (knee) and Stefon Diggs (knee) are both out for the season, leaving the veteran tight end as the team's likely second option behind leading receiver Nico Collins. Baltimore ranks 22nd against fantasy tight ends, providing a solid matchup, but the former Dallas Cowboy has been reliant upon touchdowns for top-10 finishes. This year, Schultz has far more finishes outside of the top 20 (nine) than touchdowns (two), so managers should reserve him only for formats that play two tight ends.