Sat, Dec 21st 2:53pm EST
By Ari Koslow
The Falcons are expected to release Kirk Cousins before his $10 million roster bonus is due on March 17th. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: There are NFL executives who are expecting Cousins to be released. Michael Penix Jr. is getting his first career start on Sunday and it sounds like he is expected to keep the starting job. Atlanta is likely to cut ties with Cousins before his roster bonus is tie.
Russell Wilson said he would like to re-sign with the Steelers. (Source: NBC Sports)
Fantasy Impact: “Yeah, I love it. It’s awesome,” Wilson said when asked if he likes playing for the Steelers. He was later asked if he would like to re-sign with the Steelers. “Hopefully, I love it here," Wilson said. "It’s cool. Hopefully we’re going to win a Super Bowl.”
Mason Rudolph has been named Tennessee's starting quarterback for Week 16. (Source: James Palmer on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: The Titans recently made the decision to bench Will Levis, and now they have decided to name Rudolph as the new starter for Week 16 and presumably beyond. That's good news for some of Tennessee's fantasy options, namely Calvin Ridley and Tony Pollard.
San Francisco 49ers LB De'Vondre Campbell Sr. has been internally suspended by the team for "conduct detrimental to the team," stemming from an incident in Week 15's Thursday Night Football game. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: After Campbell exited Thursday's game early, leaving for the locker room in the second half after refusing to enter the game, the veteran linebacker received public backlash from the media, fans, and teammates. As a result, a suspension was considered likely, if not Campbell being cut outright. It's possible S.F. opted for a suspension in order to potentially recoup assets by filing to waive some of its payment on Campbell's deal, but regardless of the reasoning, Campbell's season appears to be over -- as is likely his career as a Niner.
Mon, Dec 2nd 11:53am EST
By Garrett Ball
Azeez Al-Shaair is expected to be suspended for his hit on Trevor Lawrence on Sunday. The length of the likely suspension is not known. (Source: Adam Schefter on X)
Fantasy Impact: Al-Shaair was immediately ejected from the game following the hit. Managers in IDP leagues will need to look elsewhere for the time being.
Rico Dowdle will be the clear-cut RB1 for the Dallas Cowboys moving forward. (Source: Clarence Hill on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: The Cowboys have been running a committee between Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliot all season long so far, but that is set to change. HC Mike McCarthy told reporters that Dowdle will be their lead back moving forward and emphasized that his focus is to get him the ball. That's good news for his fantasy value, but it remains to be seen if he will have many scoring opportunities with Dak Prescott (hamstring) out for the remainder of the season.
Cooper Rush will remain the starting quarterback for the Cowboys for the time being. (Source: Jon Machota on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Rush started in Week 10 in the absence of Dak Prescott, but he had a horrible showing and Dallas suffered a blowout at the hands of the Eagles. Regardless, HC Mike McCarthy told reporters that the team will be sticking with him as their starter for the time being. The Cowboys are in a tricky situation right now, and it seems unlikely that players like CeeDee Lamb or Jake Ferguson find strong fantasy value while catching passes from the veteran.
Baltimore Ravens WR Diontae Johnson will likely see an increase in snaps going forward with multiple practices now under his belt, says head coach John Harbaugh. (Source: Jeff Zrebiec on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Johnson was barely involved in the Ravens’ offense on Thursday night in Week 10, playing just five snaps. However, he did see two targets, proving an ability to earn them when on the field, albeit in a small sample size. The Ravens’ offense has been dominant, but it has proven to be capable of scoring through ancillary pieces, making its key pass-catching contributors volatile, including WR Zay Flowers. The situation with Johnson should be monitored, and it may be wiser to be a week late than to be a week early when starting him.
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll when asked if QB Daniel Jones is still the starter said the team is "evaluating things." (Source: Jordan Raanan on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Daboll's non-committal approach is telling as coaches rarely leave the door open unless there is a realistic chance that a change could be made at the top. Drew Lock signed with New York in the offseason and there were some reports he was brought in to compete for the job, but the Giants' staff stuck by Jones and reaffirmed his pole position heading into the year. With Jones' contract boasting injury guarantees, it has been speculated for a while that New York could opt to sit him late to avoid it conveying, so this is a situation to monitor closely. The Giants have an out on Jones' deal after the 2024 season.
Joe Flacco will start in Week 11's matchup against the New York Jets. (Source: Mike Chappell on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Flacco will remain Indianapolis' starter for Week 11 against the Jets. The veteran threw three interceptions in a loss to the Bills in Week 10, but the team will continue to give him time to settle in before considering benching him. Him starting is good news for the fantasy value of players like Michael Pittman Jr. (back/finger) and Josh Downs on Sunday.
Will Levis is good to go for Sunday's game and will be Tennessee's starter against the Chargers. (Source: Jim Wyatt on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Levis has been out for multiple weeks due to a shoulder injury, but he has been cleared to play. The team has made the decision that he is going to start against the Chargers, which means that Mason Rudolph will head back to the bench. This is less than ideal for players like Calvin Ridley and Tony Pollard, who found increased success with Levis out of the lineup.
Jacksonville Jaguars QB Mac Jones is in line to start in Week 10 as Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) is considered day-to-day and “likely not to play” against the Minnesota Vikings. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Jones was an offseason trade acquisition by Jacksonville, who brought the former New England Patriots QB back to his hometown. After an up-and-down career that seemingly ran its course in Foxborough, Mass., Jones has a chance to re-establish himself with his first start as a Jaguar. He has averaged 203.3 passing yards per game in his career while throwing for 46 touchdowns and 36 interceptions in 44 games and 42 starts.
Bryce Young will remain Carolina's starting quarterback for Week 10. (Source: Ari Meirov on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: The Panthers will stick with Young starting, even though Andy Dalton is fully healthy and ready to play. They expressed little interest in trading the 23-year old at the trade deadline, and it's obvious that they still have hope for him and want to give him more opportunities to develop. For fantasy purposes, this is bad news for most of Carolina's skill position players.
Tue, Nov 5th 12:15pm EST
By Ari Koslow
The Chiefs and Commanders have shown interest in trading for Saints DB Marshon Lattimore. (Source: Jonathan Jones on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: This remains a situation to monitor with the trade deadline several hours away. Lattimore appears likely to be traded before the deadline.
Patriots WR K.J. Osborn has been involved in trade talks over the past couple of weeks. (Source: Jordan Schultz on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Osborn is a trade target for some teams ahead of Tuesday's deadline. He is likely to remain off the fantasy radar.
Dak Prescott is likely heading to IR due to a hamstring injury. (Source: Ari Meirov on X)
Fantasy Impact: Prescott sustained his injury in Week 9's loss to the Falcons, and if he is moved to IR, he will miss at least the next four games. This potential move will likely impact all skill-position players, especially if the inexperienced Trey Lance steps into the starting lineup ahead of Cooper Rush. Superstar CeeDee Lamb will likely still be fantasy viable, but his upside could be limited due to backup quarterback play. Fantasy managers should get a better sense of how the offense will run after Week 10's game against the Eagles.
Boston Scott has an upcoming workout with the Saints. The free agent running back is back to full health and is seeking a spot on a team.
Fantasy Impact: This comes soon after the Dennis Allen news so the new staff may be trying to install players of their liking but even so Boston likely remains a depth piece for them. He’s best left on waivers unless there is an injury or two ahead of him should he make the active roster.
Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson is receiving trade interest from teams around the league, though Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz says a trade is unlikely. (Source: Jordan Schultz on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: A team receiving calls is a completely different playing field than a team entertaining calls. While the Colts benched their young QB, that likely does not mean they are completely done with him, and a trade should not be considered likely. However, you can't blame other NFL teams for doing their due diligence and checking in with Indy on his availability, even if his production has been rough this season.
Brandon Aubrey is done with jury duty and is returning to practice for the Cowboys. (Source: Ralph Vacchiano on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Aubrey's practice participation was messed up last week after he got called to jury duty, but he is done with that now and is back at practice for the Cowboys. He should be good to go for Week 9 and should continue to be one of the best kickers in football.
Puka Nacua has the potential to return to the Rams lineup tonight against the Vikings after practicing this week and getting some optimistic reports from the team. He is currently listed as questionable. (Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Nacua has been out since Week 1 against the Lions with a knee injury. There’s an increasing likelihood he will be active tonight and play some snaps, but a full allotment is likely out of the question. Still, he’s in consideration as at least a WR3 given his ability even if on a snap count.
