Fantasy Football News

Liam Coen’s offense, which is loaded with principles from his four seasons with Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay, was always going to take time to implement with the Jaguars. Before the season, a source with knowledge of the system predicted it would take at least half the year before Trevor Lawrence felt comfortable, and that his trajectory might not truly begin to soar until 2026. Considering Coen’s success in 2024 with quarterback Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, along with the impression he left with two seasons at Kentucky, there was confidence Lawrence’s progress would be worth the wait.

The author pointed out the trend up may carry right through 2026 before we see the final result. It will be worth nothing for fantasy owners who may already be looking ahead to next season's draft rankings. Lawrence is very likely to climb QB ranks heading into drafts next summer. The story pointed out the trade for Jakobi Meyers and the return of TE Brenton Strange has helped everyone in the offense, even Brian Thomas Jr. who has mostly struggled this season. While the Jags are not dominating the run game, the author said the commitment to the run and the balance have helped the offense. Lawrence is also being used as a designed runner.

San Francisco tight end George Kittle didn’t sound overly concerned about his ankle injury after Monday night’s win over the Colts, but he didn’t appreciate either the way he was tackled on the play, or the quality of the field in Indianapolis he was playing on.

“My concern level? I don’t think it’s a high-ankle sprain, so we’ll take it one day at a time and go from there,” Kittle said.

Kittle said he suffered the injury on what he believes was an illegal hip-drop tackle in the second quarter. He also said the artificial turf at Lucas Oil Stadium was an issue, according to the story. That aside, fantasy owners counting on him in the finals will have to monitor his progress at practice this week, on what is a short week. On top of that, the Niners won't play until Sunday night, at home in a big game against the Bears. Kittle owners may want to have a backup plan just in case.

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is day-to-day with the right foot injury he suffered in the team's win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, coach Sean McDermott said on Monday.

Allen did not miss a play during the game but did leave the field before halftime and had an X-ray done on his foot. He was cleared to return to the game.

When asked if he anticipated Allen being available for Sunday's game against the visiting Philadelphia Eagles, McDermott said, "As far as I'm aware, yes."

Allen may be limited during practice this week. McDermott added Allen is sore, but that there were no setbacks and that he is not aware of any further testing needing to be done, according to the story. It's good news for Allen owners, assuming they survived his fantasy performance from last week and moved on in the playoffs.

The Chiefs listed four players as out of practice on Monday’s estimated report.

Wide receiver Rashee Rice (concussion), cornerback Trent McDuffie (knee), wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (concussion) and cornerback Jaylen Watson (groin) were listed as non-participants.

The Chiefs certainly aren't going to rush Rice back into the lineup at this point, but either way, he'll need to be cleared before his Christmas Day game if he's going to play. Even if Rice is a go, he'll be a risky fantasy start given the Chiefs QB situation.

Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy left Sunday’s win over the Giants with a right hand injury and he would have missed practice on Monday for the same reason.

The Vikings turned in an estimated injury report ahead of Thursday’s game against the Lions and it showed McCarthy as a non-participant. X-rays of the hand were negative, but more tests were planned for Monday to determine the extent of McCarthy’s injury.

Running back Jordan Mason (ankle) and center Ryan Kelly (concussion) also would have missed practice after being injured on Sunday. Tight end T.J. Hockenson (shoulder) and right tackle Brian O’Neill (heel) were the other Vikings listed as out of practice.

Running back Aaron Jones (ankle) and defensive lineman Javon Hargrave (thigh) were listed as limited. Tight end Gavin Bartholomew (back), running back Ty Chandler (knee), and linebacker Austin Keys (ankle) were listed as full participants.

Related players: Max Brosmer, Zavier Scott, Ty Chandler

Jones was limited at running back but if he and Mason would happen to be out, it would leave the RB duties to Scott and Chandler. Brosmer would be in line to start if McCarthy can't go at QB.

The NFL’s precedent when it comes to player interaction with fans has been to impose a fine. Sunday’s behavior by Steelers receiver DK Metcalf was largely unprecedented.

And so the league has suspended Metcalf for two games without pay. Per the NFL, the punishment is for “conduct detrimental to the NFL for initiating a physical confrontation with a fan during Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions.”

Related players: Jonnu Smith, Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Kenneth Gainwell, Calvin Austin III, Ben Skowronek, Scott Miller, Adam Thielen, Marquez Valdes-Scantling

From the league’s press release: “Metcalf’s actions violate league policy, which specifies that ‘players may not enter the stands or otherwise confront fans at any time on game day and . . . if a player makes unnecessary physical contact with a fan in any way that constitutes unsportsmanlike conduct or presents crowd-control issues and/or risk of injury, he will be held accountable.” If the suspension is upheld, Metcalf will miss the Week 17 game at Cleveland and the regular-season finale against the Ravens. From a fantasy standpoint, without Metcalf, the Steelers would seem more likely to involve their TEs to take those targets, and perhaps especially Gainwell from the running back spot.

WR Davante Adams, hamstring, is making progress toward turn but will be monitored through week, McVay said.

Adams seemed like he was making progress last week as well before being ruled out, so it seems he may have a shot to play in Week 17. The bad news is it's a Monday night game so owners will be potentially risking a lot if they wait on Adams and he's ultimately ruled out. Now is the time for a backup plan if you need to wait it out with Adams.

Chargers RB Kimani Vidal, who left Sunday's win over the Cowboys early, was diagnosed with a neck strain and is considered day-to-day, source says after the MRI.

Related players: Omarion Hampton, Hassan Haskins

Vidal could miss time, but the belief is that it's not serious, the post went on to say. He'll be worth monitoring this week in practice, but it looks like Hampton could see a bigger workload with Haskins mixing in as the team's RB2.

Quarterback Gardner Minshew got some positive news on the knee injury he suffered during Sunday’s loss to the Titans. But Kansas City is still adding another quarterback.

According to multiple reports, further testing revealed that Minshew did not, in fact, tear his ACL as initially feared on Sunday.

Related players: Steve Buechele, Chris Oladokun

Minshew is still set to miss time, but he avoided a worst-case scenario after going down early during Week 16, the story said. The team signed Buechele to the 53-man roster off of the Bills’ practice squad, and he'll backup Oladokun.

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson tried to do what he could to return to Sunday night’s game, but was unable to do so after he was kneed in the back late in the second quarter.

But he told reporters after the loss that his goal is to play Saturday’s Week 17 matchup against the Packers.

Jackson is getting an MRI Monday. He said in the story his legs felt great, but was unable to continue because of the back injury. He tried to throw in the locker room but was in too much pain.