Team news: Buffalo Bills | Page 11

Wide receiver Keenan Allen may not be available for Giff Smith’s debut as the Chargers interim head coach.

Allen did not play in Brandon Staley’s final game as the team’s head coach because of a heel injury and he did not practice on Tuesday for the same reason.

Related players: Joshua Palmer, Quentin Johnston, Jalen Guyton

The Chargers will host the Bills on Saturday night, and owners should at least have plenty of notice for a backup plan if Allen doesn't play. As we said last week, the Bolts have no reason to rush Allen back into their lineup. Palmer could be a replacement option if he's on your wire, and had a big game in Week 15. However, the Chargers trailed the Raiders and had nothing to lose on the offensive side. The Bills proved to be a tough matchup against the Cowboys in Week 15 against the Cowboys.

The Steelers are benching QB Mitch Trubisky and going with Mason Rudolph this week, coach Mike Tomlin announced.

Related players: Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett

Rudolph will get to lead the Steelers sleigh just in time for Christmas. But, there likely isn't going to be a dramatic change in the offense when all is said an done. Rudolph got the call with about six minutes left in the game after Trubisky threw a bad interception with the team trailing 27-13 and needing a quick score. Rudolph was just 2 for 3 for three yards in his time. One thing to note is other reports say Tomlin said Pickett is improving and hasn't been ruled out. The Steelers play another Saturday game, this time against the Bengals at home.

Neither nickel corner Taron Johnson (ankle) or tight end Dalton Kincaid (thumb/shoulder) have an injury designation for Sunday's game vs. the Cowboys. Both are set to play despite being limited in practice all week.

Related Players: Dawson Knox, Khalil Shakir

The Kincaid/Knox tandem should continue to rule the gameplan as the Bills' "big slot" options, pushing Khalil Shakir down in playing time. Kincaid slides directly back into TE1 considerations.

The Chargers ruled out WR Keenan Allen for Thursday night vs. the Raiders. A key weapon missing for new starting QB Easton Stick.

Related Players: Joshua Palmer, Quentin Johnston

The Chargers offense is shaping up to be a full fade outside of Austin Ekeler. Joshua Palmer can be considered for FLEX spots, but this is also his first game action since Week 8.

Chargers WR Keenan Allen (heel) missed his second straight practice on the team’s estimated report.

Related players: Joshua Palmer, Quentin Johnston, Jalen Guyton

LA plays on Thursday night against the Raiders. With Justin Herbert out, and Easton Stick in at QB, things could get ugly for the Chargers on offense in Week 15. Palmer is off the IR and could very well serve as the team's WR1 with Johnston and Guyton also in the mix. Unfortunately for fantasy owners, the Chargers really don't have a reason to rush Allen back on the field at this point.

Steelers’ HC Mike Tomlin ruled out QB Kenny Pickett for Saturday’s game vs. the Colts. Mitch Trubisky starts again.

Trubisky threw for a TD and ran for another one last week against a tough Patriot defense that was coming off a stellar performance against the Chargers at home in Week 13. This week, Trubisky gets the Colts on the road on a Saturday game, which should at least be a better matchup on paper. However, Trubisky is a risky start in anything other than deeper, two QB or superflex leagues.

The Chargers are opening WR Joshua Palmer’s 21-day practice window. Some help on the way in the coming weeks for L.A.’s offense.

Related Players: Quentin Johnston, Jalen Guyton

Surprisingly, this could be a huge boost for the Chargers offense. The receiving group has not looked great, and Palmer was able to string together some really good performances before going down with his knee injury, including a 16-336-1 statline between Weeks 3-7. He should be rostered as a potential FLEX play if he is able to return during the fantasy playoffs.

Bills HC Sean McDermott says they are opening up the 21-day practice windows for TE Dawson Knox and CB Kaiir Elam, who are both on Injured Reserve.

As to whether or not either would play, McDermott preemptively said "We'll take it one day at a time."

Related Players: Dalton Kincaid

Still sounds like it's up in the air when we'll see Knox back on the football field, and it wouldn't be unheard of if they take it easy as they aim for a playoff spot. Kincaid has been fantastic in Knox's absence, sitting at a 56-474-2 stat line; a great achievement for any rookie tight end.

Steelers’ HC Mike Tomlin said QB Kenny Pickett underwent surgery on his high ankle sprain this morning and is out Thursday night vs. the Patriots.

Related players: Mitch Trubisky

The Steelers are hoping to have Pickett back at some point and still being in the playoff race when he's back in action. Initial reports said Pickett could miss 2-4 weeks, but the team hasn't updated that timetable following Sunday's loss and the surgery. Trubisky will get the start, but seems to have a tough task ahead of him with the New England defense on a short week.

Bills QB Josh Allen (right shoulder) and WR Stefon Diggs (back) are off the injury report and do not have game designations for Monday against the Broncos.

Allen was a full participant in practice all week while Diggs was limited Friday and Saturday, though that seemed more like the Bills just being cautious with their star wide receiver this week. Both are in good positions for fantasy this week, especially Diggs, our No. 1 wide receiver this week.