Team news: Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals WR Greg Dortch signed the restricted free-agent tender one-year, $3.3 million offer extended to him in March.

Related Players: Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson, Zay Jones

This doesn't preclude the Cardinals from adding another WR in the Draft, but it does give them some insurance if they miss out on anyone until later on Day 3. Dortch is still looking to build on a nice 52-462-2 sophomore season he had back in 2022, but shouldn't be on anyone's fantasy radar.

Cardinals RB James Conner (questionable, knee) is 'trending in the right direction' for Saturday vs. Rams, per source.

Related Players: Trey Benson

Benson also seems likely to play, which presumably leaves the rotation intact for Saturday. Consider Conner an RB2 if he's cleared by kickoff.

Make that another day of practice for Arizona Cardinals RBs James Conner and Trey Benson.

A good sign for their respective statuses this Saturday.

Related Players: Michael Carter

If both are cleared ahead of kickoff, we should assume a pretty standard split, with Benson probably taking a slight uptick in work. Consider them respective RB2 and RB4s if that is the case.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon did not rule out RBs James Conner or Trey Benson, adding they still have a chance to play this week.

Related players: Michael Carter

That being said, Carter would be in for a larger workload if they have to miss Saturday, the post went on to say. The Cardinals play on Saturday in the late game so owners will have plenty of time to make the decision on any of these players. Carter did get five carries for 18 yards and also caught five balls for 30 yards.

Gannon said the Cardinals will not rest Kyler Murray in either of the final two games.

Related players: Clayton Tune

The Cardinals have been eliminated from the playoffs but the good news for fantasy owners is they are going to continue to play Murray. Tune is the backup and doesn't necessarily offer the Cardinals a future option. Murray is coming off a decent fantasy game in Week 16, throwing for a TD and also running for another. Murray and the Cards are at the Rams on Saturday night in Week 17. They end the season at home against the 49ers in Week 18.

Cardinals TE Trey McBride (knee) is off the injury report and good to go for Sunday vs. the Patriots.

Related Players: Elijah Higgins

You know the drill by now. Start McBride absolutely everywhere.

S Jalen Thompson is a Thursday add with an ankle issue. RB James Conner remains limited with a finger injury.

Related Players: Trey Benson, Emari Demercado

Demercado has seen far more 2024 action than Benson, but you'd have to think the rookie would see more run if Conner misses Week 10. That said, both back-ups will likely be stay-aways in most fantasy formats against the Jets defense.

Patriots OC Alex Van Pelt says the team is going into the week open-minded about the QB situation.

Van Pelt says he's very hopeful that things keep going the way they're progressing with rookie QB Drake Maye in concussion protocol.

Otherwise, Van Pelt won't discuss injuries.

Related Players: Jacoby Brissett

Looks like they're going to run this down to the wire after it was announced that Maye is in "phase three" of the five-phase protocol yesterday. If Brissett gets the start, all New England fantasy options get a downgrade.

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said Saturday WR Marvin Harrison Jr cleared concussion protocol and will play Monday against the Chargers.

Harrison ends up not missing any time. He suffered the injury in Week 6 but was a full participant in practice Friday. The Chargers are a top-ten passing defense but as the top receiver for Kyler Murray, Harrison is still worthy of a WR2/WR3 spot.

Arizona announced on Tuesday that defensive lineman Bilal Nichols and kicker Matt Prater on IR.

Related players: Chad Ryland

Prater has been dealing with a knee injury, missing the last two games. With Prater out, Chad Ryland has been signed to the 53-man roster from the club’s practice squad. He’s connected on 5-of-6 field goal attempts and 2-of-2 extra points this season, the story said.