Fri Dec 8 3:07pm ET
Field Level Media
The Los Angeles Rams appear ready to stay the course at kicker on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens despite signing veteran Mason Crosby to the practice squad this week.
"We haven't decided that yet," Rams head coach Sean McVay said Friday of possibly promoting Crosby to the 53-man roster. "More than likely we probably will not go that direction. But we'll see."
Crosby was a likely replacement for rookie kicker Lucas Havrisik, who has gone 7 of 10 on field-goal attempts in five games since taking over from Brett Maher. Despite a strong leg, Havrisik's kicks have drifted to the right in recent weeks and he has missed two field goals in the last two games.
The Rams (6-6) signed Crosby on Wednesday. A free agent since making 25 of 29 field goals with the Green Bay Packers in 2022, Crosby worked out for the Rams on Oct. 25, but Los Angeles signed Havrisik, 24, off the Cleveland Browns' practice squad instead.
Crosby, 39, kicked for the Packers from 2007-22 and is the franchise's all-time leading scorer (1,918 points). Crosby ranks 13th in NFL history with 395 made field goals.
McVay also said that tight end Tyler Higbee will be listed as doubtful heading into the weekend after he received a neck stinger in last Sunday's victory over the Browns.
Outside linebackers Michael Hoecht (knee) and Byron Young (knee) are listed as questionable, as is defensive back/safety Quentin Lake (hamstring). All three will be limited in practice Friday.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (illness) will play in Week 14 against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday despite dealing with an illness this week and missing practice on Thursday, according to head coach John Harbaugh. "He was feeling good -- full of life," Harbaugh said Friday. "He looked good out there. He was back. He's recovered." When healthy, Jackson has been great in 2023, and he's gone 14-3 (.824) in regular-season games in December and January when he's been on the field. He is unlikely to have tight end Mark Andrews (ankle) the rest of the way, but Jackson is nevertheless a high-end QB1 for fantasy managers because of his rushing ability. Leave him in all starting fantasy lineups in Week 14 as he gets set to face the Rams in Baltimore.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (hamstring) was absent from practice on Friday for the second straight day this week. Watson injured his hamstring late in the Sunday night win over the Kansas City Chiefs and is highly questionable to play on Monday night against the New York Giants. He does have one more day left to practice on Saturday, but this feels like an injury that will sideline the second-year wideout for at least one game. For what it's worth, Watson doesn't think this hammy injury is as serious as the one that sidelined him for the first three games of the 2023 season. Fantasy managers will have a tough decision to make if Watson is ruled questionable on the final Week 14 injury report. If he cannot play, Romeo Doubs and rookies Jayden Reed (chest) and Dontayvion Wicks would operate in three-receiver sets for the Packers in a great matchup.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers running backs Aaron Jones (knee) and AJ Dillon (groin) were both limited in practice on Friday for the second straight day. Head coach Matt LaFleur said the field-turf surface at MetLife Stadium in New York is not a consideration in whether Jones can return from a two-game absence due to an MCL sprain he suffered in Week 11. It's good news that Jones is practicing again this week, but he could still be a tough sell to fantasy managers if he's questionable to play this Monday night against the New York Giants. With Jones out the last two games, Dillon has served as Green Bay's primary back and saw 36 touches for 168 yards and no scores. If Jones does return in Week 14, we could very well see more of an even split between Jones and Dillon as Jones is eased back into the fold.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (hamstring) has been removed from the final Week 14 injury report and will make his return on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Vikings officially activated Jefferson from Injured Reserve last week. Sunday's game will be the 24-year-old All-Pro's first action since injuring his hamstring in Week 5. Despite the long layoff, fantasy managers need to get him back into their starting lineups this weekend as Minnesota's unquestioned No. 1 receiver when healthy. There is inherent risk in his first game back while working with quarterback Joshua Dobbs for the first time, but Jefferson is just too big of a game-changer to bench when he's active. Jefferson's return will inevitably mean fewer looks for rookie first-rounder Jordan Addison and tight end T.J. Hockenson.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee (neck) is listed as doubtful to play in Week 14's contest against the Baltimore Ravens this Sunday, according to head coach Sean McVay. Higbee has not practiced this week and is most likely not going to suit up this weekend for the Rams. It will make things more difficult for quarterback Matthew Stafford and the Rams offense against a formidable defense in Week 14. Higbee hadn't been drawing a ton of targets, but his pass-catching role will now fall to some combination of tight ends Hunter Long and Brycen Hopkins, neither of which should be used as streaming options at the position in standard-sized fantasy leagues. The 30-year-old Higbee has been a low-upside TE2 for most of 2023, catching 34 passes on 55 targets for 367 yards and two touchdowns.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (ankle), who popped up on the Week 14 injury report on Thursday with an ankle injury, was limited in practice on Friday and is questionable to play on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. However, head coach Zac Taylor said he feels good about Boyd playing this weekend, according to ESPN's Ben Baby. Boyd was able to get a good amount of repetitions in at practice on Friday. In Monday's upset win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in quarterback Jake Browning's second start, Boyd had five catches on seven targets for 37 yards. Browning was amazing in that game and could continue to have success throwing the ball, but Higgins being back from injury makes Boyd less intriguing as a deep-league flex option with Joe Burrow (wrist) done for the year.
From RotoBaller
The Kansas City Chiefs have ruled out starting running back Isiah Pacheco (shoulder) for Sunday's Week 14 contest against the Buffalo Bills due to a shoulder injury that kept him sidelined in practices all week. This is a big blow for fantasy managers and the Chiefs alike in a big game this weekend against the visiting Bills. The 24-year-old has been the RB10 in half-PPR scoring in 2023 as KC's unquestioned lead back. Jerick McKinnon (groin) has been out for the last two games due to a groin injury, but he was able to practice in full on Thursday and would be in line to see increased volume in the Chiefs' backfield if he's active on Sunday now. Clyde Edwards-Helaire could be KC's primary back on early downs now that Pacheco is being forced to sit this one out.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Mack Hollins (ankle) was able to practice in full all week but is still questionable to play in Week 14 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. Hollins has not played since Week 9, but the fact that he was a full-go all week in practice means he is on the right side of questionable to play this weekend. However, the 30-year-old probably won't be on the field all that much as receiver depth for the Falcons behind Drake London and Van Jefferson. Hollins has racked up only 17 receptions for 247 yards and has not found the end zone in 2023 for Atlanta, so fantasy managers should have plenty of better options in deep leagues for their flex spot in Week 14.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White (foot) and defensive back Jamel Dean (ankle, foot) have both been ruled out for Week 14 versus the Atlanta Falcons. Meanwhile, linebacker K.J. Britt (back) and defensive tackle Vita Vea (toe) are questionable, so Tampa's defense could be short-handed once again this weekend at some key positions. The good news is outside linebacker Lavonte David (groin) practiced in full all week and will play following his absence in the Week 13 win over the Carolina Panthers. The 25-year-old White will miss his second straight game. David should be able to pick up some of the slack, but Tampa's run defense could suffer again, which is good news for Falcons rookie running back Bijan Robinson.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears running back Khalil Herbert ran only six times for 24 yards in the team's Week 12 game, even with D'Onta Foreman missing due to an ankle injury. The 25-year-old played just 21% of the snaps and ceded most of the work to rookie Roschon Johnson, who could see an expanded role following the bye. While Herbert has demonstrated his ability with over 100 rushing yards in a game this season, he's unlikely to feature much in the passing game with Johnson in the mix. In Week 11, Herbert ran 16 times for just 35 yards against the Lions. The Bears face the Lions in Week 14, who allow the fourth-fewest points per game to running backs this season. With Foreman healthy and Johnson progressing weekly, Herbert is better suited for benches until there's greater clarity on the Bears' backfield distribution.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen has officially ruled out running back Jonathan Taylor (thumb) from the Week 14 game this Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. Taylor had surgery on his right thumb last week and will now miss his second straight game after missing another full week of practice. Fantasy managers must keep the 24-year-old lead back stashed for now, but he's expected to miss anywhere from three to five weeks, so there remains a chance that he won't be available at all to teams as they try to win a fantasy title in 2023. In the meantime, Zack Moss will operate as Indy's lead back. He'll be a must-start RB1 for fantasy lineups this weekend in a great matchup against the Bengals.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears running back D'Onta Foreman, sidelined in Week 12 with an ankle injury, is set to return after the bye week. The 27-year-old has consistently produced at least 65 yards in games where he received significant touches, yet the emergence of Roschon Johnson and the presence of Khalil Herbert may limit his workload. Johnson is expected to handle the bulk of the receiving work while still seeing some handoffs, with Herbert and Foreman sharing the rushing attempts. While Foreman is likely to remain involved near the goal line, relying solely on touchdowns carries inherent risks. Facing the Lions in Week 14, who allow the fourth-fewest points per game to running backs this season, adds another layer of caution. It's advisable to keep Foreman out of lineups until there's clarity on his role moving forward, navigating the potential complexities in the Bears' backfield distribution.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper (concussion) is listed as questionable to play in Week 14 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Cooper didn't practice on Wednesday or Thursday but returned to the practice field on Friday. However, the 29-year-old pass-catcher has yet to clear the league's concussion protocol and is still in danger of missing this Sunday's contest. Cooper has been injured in back-to-back weeks now and has just five catches (11 targets) for 50 yards in those games. He's looking to be a pretty shaky fantasy option for Week 14 lineups, especially if you need a win to get into the playoffs. If Cooper is unable to clear the protocols in time for Sunday's game, Elijah Moore figures to be heavily targeted by quarterback Joe Flacco. Cedric Tillman, David Bell and tight end David Njoku would have bigger roles as well.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson has struggled to find a consistent role in 2023, but he's coming off season-high usage in their last game in Week 12. The rookie rushed 10 times for 35 yards and caught all five targets for 40 yards, playing on 74% of the snaps. Before Week 12, Johnson had never played more than 45% of the snaps and saw a drastic increase with D'Onta Foreman (ankle) out. Rookies typically receive larger roles following the bye, and Johnson could maintain a similar workload for the rest of the season. Foreman isn't on the injury report ahead of Week 14, set to return, and Khalil Herbert is likely to get touches. The Bears face the Lions in Week 14, who allow the fourth-fewest points per game to running backs this season. While Johnson may not see much work near the goal line, his receiving usage makes him an intriguing but risky option for Week 14.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers tight ends Tommy Tremble (hip) and Stephen Sullivan (shoulder) are both listed as questionable to play on Sunday in the Week 14 game versus the Saints in New Orleans. Hayden Hurst (concussion) will also miss his fourth straight game, so it's possible that Ian Thomas serves as the team's top pass-catching tight end this weekend. Tremble was unable to play in the Week 13 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but if he's given the green light to play on Sunday, he'll be the best bet for fantasy managers desperate for a tight end streamer in the deepest of leagues. In 11 games in 2023, Tremble has only 13 receptions for 84 yards, although he's found the end zone three times. The smart move is to look elsewhere for a fantasy tight end.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet showcased a strong rebound in Week 12, amassing seven catches for 43 yards after enduring two consecutive games with less than 10 PPR points. The 24-year-old has consistently received at least six targets in seven out of the 11 games this year, establishing himself as a reliable option in the Bears' offense, irrespective of the quarterback situation. Currently ranked as TE7 in PPR formats, Kmet maintains an average of 11.2 points per game. As the Bears gear up to face the Lions in Week 14, who allow the ninth-most points to tight ends this season, Kmet is poised for another impactful performance. In their Week 11 clash, the Notre Dame alum caught three of four targets for 20 yards, a result of the Bears maintaining a lead for most of the game. With his recent consistency, Kmet stands as a solid starting tight end option for Week 14.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders interim head coach Antonio Pierce said that he expects All-Pro pass-rusher Maxx Crosby (knee) to play on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. Crosby and the Raiders are coming off their bye, but the 26-year-old did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday. Before the bye, Crosby was doubtful to play in Week 12 before surprisingly suiting up and recording another sack on a season-low 82 percent of the defensive snaps. Crosby has been a must-start defensive end in all IDP fantasy leagues because of his 11.5 sacks on the year, but he could be a more volatile play again this weekend against Minnesota if his snaps are dialed back again by the Raiders coaching staff.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears wide receiver Darnell Mooney has faced challenges throughout the year, managing just three games with at least 50 yards. The 26-year-old has been touchdown-less since Week 1 and experienced a dip in performance with less than five PPR points in three consecutive games. Despite playing 81% of the snaps in Week 12, Mooney caught only two of his three targets for a mere six yards. This disappointing display marked the eighth time this season that Mooney had two or fewer receptions, with five instances of gaining 20 or fewer yards. Heading into Week 14 against the Lions, who allow the 11th-most points to wide receivers this season, Mooney's outlook remains uncertain. In their Week 11 encounter, he managed just one catch for 24 yards. Considering the recent struggles, it's advisable to keep Mooney on benches in most leagues for Week 14.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore has been dominant this year with Justin Fields, posting at least 22 PPR points in each of the last four full games with his starting quarterback. The star receiver had 11 catches for 114 yards in Week 13, marking the first time he scored at least 20 points without a touchdown. The former Panther has seen at least nine targets in the last four full games with Fields under center, demonstrating that he is the clear go-to option in the team's passing attack. In Week 14, the Bears face the Lions, who allow the 11th-most points per game to receivers this season. In their Week 11 meeting, Moore put up seven catches for 96 yards and a touchdown despite the Bears protecting a lead for most of the game. Moore ranks as a high-end WR2 for Week 14.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers tight end Hayden Hurst (concussion) has officially been ruled out for the Week 14 game on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. Hurst actually returned to practice this week on a limited basis, but he was diagnosed with post-traumatic amnesia from the concussion he suffered in Week 10 and will now miss his fourth straight game. Hurst said his head injury isn't career-threatening, but this is not a matter he nor the Panthers will take lightly. Tommy Tremble (hip) missed the Week 13 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and is questionable to play this weekend, as well as Stephen Sullivan (shoulder), so the Panthers could be down to Ian Thomas as their starting tight end against the Saints. Fantasy managers should continue to avoid Carolina's tight end situation.
From RotoBaller