Team news: Minnesota Vikings | Page 7

Tests results indicated Patrick Mahomes is dealing with a high ankle sprain and there's a "possibility" he could miss Week 16.

Related players: Carson Wentz

Rapoport's messaging in this clip can be taken a couple of different ways. The positive view is Mahomes "possibly" missing this week can almost be taken there's a better chance he plays. The situation reminded Rapoport of the playoff game against the Jags a few years ago, where Mahomes didn't finish the game the week before, but came back and played the following week. Rapoport added that, long-term, Mahomes will be fine, and that Mahomes' body is "built differently," so it won't be the normal 4-6 week recovery time for a high ankle sprain. We're a long way from Saturday's game, but if Mahomes can't play, Wentz would get the start against the Texans. Mahomes owners should probably be thinking of a backup plan now in case he's unable to play, so picking up Wentz may not be a bad idea if you own Mahomes in deeper leagues, or two-QB and superflex leagues.

Injury Update: RB Sincere McCormick (ankle) is OUT.

Related players: Alexander Mattison, Ameer Abdullah

McCormick left the game with just eight yards rushing and two catches for 17 yards. McCormick was named the team's RB1 even with the return of Mattison, but it now remains to be seen if he'll be good for Week 16. Mattison fumbled in the game and only had 21 rushing yards on seven carries with two catches for three yards. Abdullah may be the back to own in this offense. He only carried three times for eight yards, but did catch seven balls for 58 yards and a TD. On top of that, the Raiders host the Jags in Week 16 in the later slate of games on Sunday. Abdullah could be a nice, although risky, play in a good matchup for those who may be looking for a running back on their fantasy playoff roster.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes was diagnosed with a mild high-ankle sprain following tests

Related players: Carson Wentz

The timing doesn't come at a great time for the Chiefs and Mahomes fantasy owners. The post said Mahomes is still considered week-to-week leaving his status for Week 16 in doubt. As was also stated, the schedule could make it tough for Mahomes to get in the lineup. The Chiefs have a Saturday game against the Texans, which is then followed by a quick turnaround for Christmas against the Steelers. The Chiefs currently have the one seed, but also have the Bills hot on their tails. Wentz will get the start if Mahomes is unable to play.

Sam Darnold has played well enough to leave the Vikings more open-minded about their 2025 plans than many realize, according to sources familiar with the Vikings' thinking. They have not ruled out offering him a contract for next season, despite widespread assumptions they will let him sign elsewhere in free agency and hand the job to J.J. McCarthy, who has spent his rookie season recovering from a torn meniscus in his right knee.

Related players: Daniel Jones

The story added the Vikings have also prepared to move on from Darnold, especially if he receives a more lucrative offer from another QB-needy team. Darnold agreed to wear a modified camera on his helmet during practices and walk-throughs to help McCarthy during his recovery process, the story said. McCarthy uses the video to simulate practice reps via virtual reality. The Vikings also signed Jones, who was released by the Giants, to their practice squad last month, a move widely viewed as an early look at a potential candidate to replace Darnold next season as the veteran alongside McCarthy.

Antonio Pierce stated that Sincere McCormick will remain the team’s starting running back even with Alexander Mattison nearing a return this week.

“He deserves it. … He has run his tail off.”

Related Players: Ameer Abdullah

At 2-11, the Raiders would be silly to not see what they have in McCormick, with 31-year-old Abdullah and Mattison, who is on a one-year contract, only there to give the former UDFA a breather. Consider McCormick a volume-based RB3.

The Raiders used up their temporary practice squad elevations for running back Sincere McCormick, so they made a more lasting roster move on Tuesday.

McCormick has been signed to the 53-man roster in Las Vegas. Wide receiver D.J. Turner was placed on injured reserve in a corresponding move.

Related players: Alexander Mattison, Zamir White, Ameer Abdullah

McCormick played in the last two games for the Raiders as they were missing Mattison and White due to injuries. McCormick ran 12 times for 64 yards in last Friday’s loss to the Chiefs and he had five carries for 33 yards against the Broncos in Week 12, the story said. McCormick led the way for the Raiders against the Chiefs with 12 carries to Abdullah's 10. McCormick may be worth a pickup and stash at this point, as the Raiders are trying to figure out their roster for 2025. Mattison, White and Abdullah don't necessarily offer much future upside at the position, so it's possible the team will see what they have with McCormick going forward. However, keep an eye on the injury statuses of Mattison and White. The Raiders are at Tampa Bay in Week 14.

The Vikings have started the clock on getting a couple of special teamers back in the lineup.

The team announced on Tuesday that kicker Will Reichard and long snapper Andrew DePaola have been designated for return from injured reserve.

Related players: Parker Romo

Romo has gone 11-of-12 on field goals and 7-of-8 on extra points with Reichard out of the lineup. It's not yet clear which kicker will be in action this week. The Vikings are in the early Sunday window at home against the Falcons.

Per Kyle Shanahan, 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey us going back on IR with his PCL injury.

Related players: Isaac Guerendo, Deebo Samuel, Jordan Mason

It’s a 6 week recovery time for CMC, the post went on to say. It's possible he could return if the Niners make a long playoff run, but for this fantasy season, McCaffrey is done. Sandler, in a separate post, mentioned that Mason will also go on IR with a high ankle sprain, leaving Guerendo as the assumed RB1. The Niners will have to make a move to bring in more running backs, but the team did trade up in the fourth round to pick Guerendo, so it's possible they give him a legit chance the rest of the season. He should be a popular pickup off the wire this week.

Here are the Raiders’ inactives for today’s game:

RB Zamir White
RB Alexander Mattison
CB Nate Hobbs
G Cody Whitehair
WR Ramel Keyton
TE Harrison Bryant
DT Matthew Butler

Related Players: Ameer Abdullah, Sincere McCormick, Dylan Laube

The Raiders backfield is a mess, and it's going to be difficult to fire up any of the remaining options. Abdullah is the best bet to score fantasy points but shouldn't be considered more than an RB4.

CB Jakorian Bennett was placed on the IR, out for at least the next 4 games.

Nate Hobbs and Zamir White out tomorrow against the Chiefs, Alexander Mattison questionable.

Chiefs kicker Spencer Shrader is out.

Related Players: Ameer Abdullah, Sincere McCormick, Dylan Laube

The Raiders backfield is a mess, and it's going to be difficult to fire up Mattison, even if he does play. Consider him, or whichever eventual starter, a fringe RB3/4.