Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. has been productive since taking on a bigger workload in Week 9. The third-year back has totalled 69 carries for 316 yards and four touchdowns while adding two catches (three targets) for 12 yards as a receiver. Rodriguez has been the head of a three-man committee in Washington's backfield, playing 43.1% of the snaps, with rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt (31.7%) staying involved on early downs and Jeremy McNichols (33.3%) handling passing-down duties. Rodriguez and Croskey-Merritt both found the end zone last week against the Eagles, but the Commanders' offense could be starting Josh Johnson at QB on Thursday against the Cowboys, with Marcus Mariota (hand, quadriceps) injured and uncertain to play. That downgrades the status of all Washington players in fantasy. Facing a Dallas defense that is allowing the sixth-fewest rushing yards per game since acquiring Quinnen Williams, Rodriguez profiles as a low-upside flex option in Week 17.

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Washington Commanders rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt has scored in back-to-back weeks for the first time this season. Croskey-Merritt, aka Bill, played only 11 snaps in last week's loss to the Eagles, but handled eight carries for 25 yards and a score. The rookie seventh-rounder was still firmly behind Chris Rodriguez Jr. in snaps and touches, but he earned more work on the goal line, outcarrying Rodriguez four to three inside the 10. The Commanders could be starting Josh Johnson at QB this week, with Marcus Mariota (hand, quadriceps) uncertain to play on a short week. That would limit the fantasy appeal for Croskey-Merritt. Plus, he has a tough matchup against a Dallas Cowboys defense that is allowing the sixth-fewest rushing yards per game since acquiring Quinnen Williams at the trade deadline. JCM projects as a desperation flex option for Week 17.

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Washington Commanders running back Jeremy McNichols has had a solid season as the team's primary third-down back, recording 42 carries for 220 yards and a touchdown to go with 21 catches (27 targets) for 176 yards in 15 games. The veteran handled a season-high 10 touches in Week 15 with Chris Rodriguez Jr. inactive, but he had only three touches with Rodriguez back last week against the Eagles. It will likely be a similar situation for McNichols on Christmas Day against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys, where the Commanders could be starting journeyman quarterback Josh Johnson with the status of Marcus Mariota (hand, quadriceps) in doubt. McNichols shouldn't be considered as a fantasy option in Week 17.

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Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin has provided a major lift to the passing game since returning in Week 13. McLaurin has compiled 16 catches on 26 targets for 259 receiving yards and two touchdowns, ranking 16th among wide receivers in yards over that span. The 30-year-old wideout has a golden matchup on Christmas Day against a Dallas Cowboys defense that is allowing a league-high 8.8 yards per pass attempt over the last five games. However, the Ohio State product could be catching passes from journeyman quarterback Josh Johnson, with Marcus Mariota (hand, quadriceps) uncertain to play after missing two straight practices to open the week. McLaurin still profiles as a solid start with upside in Week 17 as Washington's clear top target, ranking as RotoBaller's WR14 in PPR leagues.

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Cleveland Browns rookie running back Raheim Sanders had 11 carries for 42 yards in the 23-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 16. Sanders saw a role due to the season-ending leg injury to Quinshon Judkins. With Jerome Ford (shoulder) done for the season and Dylan Sampson (calf) unable to play in Week 16, Sanders led the team in carries. After Judkins went out, both Sanders and veteran Trayveon Williams split the backfield snaps (30%-30%). The Browns also face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17, who shut down Lions running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery last week. The injury status of Sampson will determine "Rocket's" fantasy value this week, but fantasy managers should be cautious about trusting this backfield in Week 17.

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Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter had 11 carries for 65 yards in the 26-19 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The Cardinals have been decimated by injuries this season, especially in their RB room. James Conner (ankle), Trey Benson (knee), and Bam Knight (ankle) are all on injured reserve, leaving Carter and Emari Demercado as the two lead backs. Carter played 54% of the snaps and led the team in carries, while Demercado played 30% of the snaps. Their Week 17 matchup brings some upside, as they face the Cincinnati Bengals, who have allowed the most fantasy points to running backs this season. While he entered the season as an afterthought in Arizona, he could determine fantasy championships this week and offers low-end RB2 value against this struggling Bengals defense.

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Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange hauled in five of seven targets for 93 yards and a touchdown in the 34-20 win over the Denver Broncos. Strange returned from a hip injury in Week 12 and hasn't looked back since, averaging 46 yards on 3.4 receptions and adding two touchdowns in the last five games. The third-year tight end is having a career-best season, averaging 9.2 PPR fantasy points per game and on pace to finish as the TE18. With the Jaguars heating up, winning seven of their last eight and scoring over 25 points in each of those games, Strange will have opportunities to produce, especially in the red zone. There are plenty of options at the tight end position entering Week 17, but Strange could beat them all given the Jaguars' offensive firepower.

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Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. returned from injury in Week 16, taking 15 carries for 63 yards and a touchdown in the 29-18 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Although there was concern that rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt would be more of a factor after his big Week 15 outing, Rodriguez returned to his usual workload. He played a season-high 56% of the snaps, while Croskey-Merritt played 22% and Jeremy McNichols played 24%. He faces the Dallas Cowboys, who may be without star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. The Cowboys ranked as the worst run defense in the NFL before they acquired Williams at the deadline, and with him out last week, Omarion Hampton had 95 yards and a touchdown on 17 attempts. While there are concerns about the Commanders' quarterback situation this week, look for them to run it a ton against this Cowboys defense, where Rodriguez could be a league-winner in Week 17.

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New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill turned back the clock in Week 16, which might be his final game in the Superdome. Hill led the team in carries, with 12 for 42 yards, and added 36 receiving yards on four receptions. He wasn't done either, throwing a 38-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Chris Olave in the fourth quarter. The veteran playmaker scored 15.3 fantasy points in Week 16, and there's a legitimate reason he could improve his fantasy production in the final two weeks. He dominated the carries with Alvin Kamara (knee/ankle) and Devin Neal (hamstring) inactive, outcarrying Audric Estime and Evan Hull combined, 12-5. The Saints' offense has been solid as well, averaging 24.3 points per game and winning three straight games. With a legitimate RB1 workload if Kamara is unable to return, Hill should be a must-start at the tight end position.

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New Orleans Saints rookie quarterback Tyler Shough has been playing really well of late, scoring 17 or more fantasy points in five of his last six starts. What is providing him a safe floor during this stretch is that he is averaging five rush attempts per contest and has built an excellent rapport with wide receiver Chris Olave and tight end Juwan Johnson. For the season (nine games), Shough has thrown for 1,792 yards, completing 66 percent of his passes, thrown for seven touchdowns and five interceptions, and has rushed for 146 yards and two touchdowns. Depending on his matchup for the week, he is borderlining the QB1 ranks, but given his limited experience and upside, he usually finds himself in the QB2 ranks. Shough is a solid Superflex (two-quarterback play) and should be viewed as a higher-end QB2 in Week 17 against the Tennessee Titans, who are vulnerable against the passing game.

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Ian Rapoport spoke on Good Morning Football on Wednesday and said Detroit Lions star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee) should play on Thursday against the Minnesota Vikings. St. Brown has dealt with a few injuries over the past few weeks, including knee and ankle injuries, but still has played through them, even if he has not been at 100%. Still, given his progression throughout the short week, it's great news that he is expected to play, and fantasy managers should confidently fire him up in their lineups this week, regardless of the situation or matchup. The Vikings' defense has been stellar of late and tough against opposing wide receivers and quarterbacks. Still, the Lions are in a must-win situation to keep their playoff hopes alive, and shouldn't hold anything back against the Max Brosmer-led Vikings on Thursday.

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Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington is coming off a career day in Week 16, where he caught six of nine targets for a career-high 145 yards and a touchdown. The Denver Broncos' defense had no answer for him and rising star Trevor Lawrence. With the Broncos' top cornerback, Patrick Surtain, following Brian Thomas Jr. most of the afternoon, that allowed Washington to find openings and carve up the stellar Broncos defense. Although it's unlikely he repeats this type of production in Week 17, he remains a decent option for Lawrence, and his 10 targets from Week 16 shouldn't be overlooked. The Jaguars take on the Indianapolis Colts in Week 17, who just got carved up against the San Fransico 49ers on Monday Night Football, and the Jaguars' offense should have one of the higher implied team totals on the week, making all of Brian Thomas Jr., Jakobi Meyers, and Washington fantasy value. For teams with three wide receiver slots or multiple flex spots, Washington should be in consideration.

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Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson (hand) is in line to see more volume upon his return, following the injury to teammate Quinshon Judkins (leg, knee) in Week 16 against the Buffalo Bills. Sampson is dealing with injuries of his own, but according to Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski, he reported on Tuesday that Sampson is improving by the day. Sampson has not played since Week 14, and when healthy, was still involved in the offense primarily as a receiver in passing situations. Still, with Judkins placed on the Injured Reserve, Sampson could earn the RB1 carries and should provide RB3 fantasy value in Week 17 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who, although they have been better against opposing running backs of late, would still be on the fantasy radar and a decent option in Week 17 for fantasy managers. At this time, it's unclear how involved Trayveon Williams or Raheim Sanders would be; however, Sampson has been the only running back involved since the start of the season, giving him the upper hand should he be active.

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New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson could potentially see most of the running back opportunities on Sunday due to TreVeyon Henderson (head) getting injured in Week 16, and is currently working his way through the concussion protocol after leaving the game early in Week 16 against the Baltimore Ravens. Since Stevenson's return from injury in Week 12, his snap share has increased each week, from 31 percent to 58 percent, 67 percent, and 84 percent, respectively. Combine that with Henderson potentially being out on Sunday, Stevenson would climb up the RB ranks and become a borderline RB1 against the New York Jets, who have been reeling of late and are allowing the fourth most points on the season to the running back position. Regardless of Henderson's status for Week 17, Stevenson will provide fantasy value given the matchup.

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Dynasty | The Jets have placed quarterback Justin Fields on injured reserve. Dynasty Analysis: And that's likely going to end his tenure in New York. Fields starting out fine but ran out steam this year before being benched and dealing with some overall knee soreness. He ends his season with 1,259 passing yards, 383 rushing yards, 11 total touchdowns and just one interception. However, those numbers are pretty misleading. Fields failed to reach even 100 passing yards in four of his nine games and averaged under 140 passing yards per contest. In short that's just good enough. Fields will likely land somewhere else this off-season but surely as a backup. His dynasty candle is just about burned out.

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Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis (shoulder) was listed as a limited participant on Tuesday's estimated injury report. Head coach Matt LaFleur said that Willis was "pretty sore" after injuring his shoulder while filling in for an injured Jordan Love (concussion) during Saturday night's loss to the Chicago Bears. The 2022 third-rounder finished the game, but there's a possibility that Willis won't be able to play in the Week 17 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. Willis was excellent in relief of Love, completing nine of 11 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown while adding 10 carries for 44 yards as a runner. If Willis and Love can't go, the Packers would be forced to elevate Clayton Tune from the practice squad to start against the Ravens.

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Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (shoulder, concussion) was listed as a limited participant on Tuesday's estimated injury report ahead of Saturday's game against the Baltimore Ravens. Love exited early during Green Bay's loss to the Bears last Saturday after suffering a concussion and is still in the league's concussion protocol. The star quarterback's status for the Week 17 game remains uncertain until he clears protocol. The 27-year-old has put together the best season of his career so far through 15 games, completing 66.3% of his passes for 3,381 yards, 23 touchdowns, and six interceptions while posting a career high 72.9 QBR. With backup QB Malik Willis (shoulder) also getting injured in the game against the Bears, the Packers could have to resort to promoting Clayton Tune from their practice squad to the active roster to start Saturday's game against the Ravens. More will be known about Love's and Willis' statuses in the next few days of practice.

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Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence has completed 60.8% of his passes for 1,082 yards and 12 touchdown passes while adding 112 yards and a couple of scores on the ground in the hottest four-game stretch of his career. Lawrence also hasn't turned the ball over in a career-best four straight games, which have all been wins. "He's able to just go out and play freely," head coach Liam Coen said, "now that he's more comfortable with the operation." The former first overall pick threw three touchdowns and ran one in during the impressive 34-20 victory in Denver against the Broncos on Sunday. The Jags have averaged 33 points per game since Week 9, second-most in the league during that span. "We haven't changed a single thing from the moment we started coaching him," Coen said. "Sometimes, it just takes time to click." Now that he's clicking in Coen's offense, Lawrence will look to keep his hot streak going in Week 17 against the division-rival Indianapolis Colts, where he'll be a midrange QB1 in fantasy football.

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Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (knee, ankle) was listed as limited on Tuesday's estimated injury report ahead of Saturday's matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports. Jacobs suited up for last Saturday's matchup against the Chicago Bears but had his playing time managed, splitting touches and snaps with Emanuel Wilson. Wilson outsnapped Jacobs 33 to 28 and outgained him 82 to 48 on the same number of carries (14). It's a positive that the 27-year-old workhorse came out of the game without a setback, and he should be expected to handle a bigger workload on Saturday versus the Ravens if everything goes well in practice this week. Jacobs could carry a questionable tag for the third straight week going into Saturday's contest, but he should be able to play through it, barring a setback with his knee in practice on Wednesday.

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Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver Pat Bryant (concussion) was a non-participant in practice on Tuesday. For the second straight day, Bryant was absent from practice and is trending in the wrong direction to play on Christmas night on Thursday against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs. The rookie third-rounder was released from the hospital on Monday after suffering a scary injury during Denver's loss to the Jaguars in Week 16 on Sunday. It seems unlikely that he'll be able to clear the league's concussion protocol in time to play on Christmas Day. Without Bryant, the Broncos will lean more on receivers Troy Franklin, Marvin Mims Jr., and Lil'Jordan Humphrey behind Courtland Sutton for Thursday's game against the Chiefs.

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