Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders (ankle) is going through "return to play" protocols on a daily basis. Sanders was placed on Injured Reserve in late November due to a sprained ankle, but it sounds like he has a shot to return to play in one of the final two games of the season for the Panthers. However, especially at this point in the year, the 27-year-old has no business being rostered in redraft fantasy leagues. He was eligible to come off IR and play in the Week 16 overtime win over the Arizona Cardinals. The Panthers have yet to open Sanders' 21-day practice window to return from IR, but that could come on Wednesday for the team's first practice of Week 17. If Sanders is able to return in the next two weeks, he'll be a clear backup to Chuba Hubbard and will likely see a limited role on offense.

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The Houston Texans claimed wide receiver Diontae Johnson off waivers from the Baltimore Ravens on Monday, according to sources. The move comes after the news that Texans wideout Tank Dell (knee) will miss the rest of the season after tearing his ACL and dislocating his knee in Saturday's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Johnson, whose short tenure with Baltimore didn't go well at all, will now face his former team this Wednesday on Christmas Day with the Texans. While Johnson is an intriguing weapon being added to Houston's offense with both Dell and Stefon Diggs (knee) out for the year, it would be foolish to expect the 28-year-old pass-catcher to be able to come in immediately and make a fantasy-relevant impact on a short week with his new team. However, Johnson could be a nice DFS play in postseason contests if he gets up to speed quickly and sees a big enough role.

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Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Xavier Legette (groin) is progressing, and head coach Dave Canales "likes the strides he's making." However, Canales also said Legette needs to make significant improvement to be ready to go for Week 17 against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. The Panthers want to get the rookie receiver back on the field, but they aren't going to rush him back, either. It's sounding like Legette could be fighting an uphill battle to be active in Week 17, but we'll have a better idea of his status once the team resumes practicing on Wednesday. The 23-year-old was injured in the Week 15 loss to the Dallas Cowboys and was inactive for the Week 16 win over the Arizona Cardinals. If Legette is able to return in Week 17, he should be avoided in fantasy lineups in championship matchups, as he hasn't been a top-50 wideout in his first year in the NFL in 2024.

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Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (oblique) "was limited during the (Vikings) game but signs are positive right now" that he can be a full-go in Week 17 on Thursday Night Football against the Chicago Bears, according to head coach Mike Macdonald. Charbonnet came out of Week 15 action with an oblique injury but ended up playing in the Week 16 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. However, backfield mate Kenneth Walker III (calf) also returned from a two-game absence and led the backfield by a wide margin. Walker had a 59% snap share and handled 16 touches for 59 scrimmage yards, while Charbonnet played a season-low 22% of the snaps and had three touches for 13 scrimmage yards. It was a disappointing development for fantasy managers that started the 23-year-old, but the good news is Walker suffered an ankle injury, which could thrust Charbonnet back into a starting role on Thursday.

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Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said that tight end David Njoku (knee) is undergoing an MRI exam for a knee injury that he suffered in the Week 16 loss to the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals. Njoku missed the Week 15 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs due to a hamstring injury he suffered the week prior, and now he could be in danger of missing Week 17 against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Dec. 29, depending on the results of his MRI. In his return against Cincy on Sunday, the 28-year-old tight end picked up right where he left off in quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson's first start of the year, catching eight of 10 targets for 66 yards in the 24-6 loss. Njoku led the team in targets, catches and receiving yards, so if his knee injury isn't too serious and he's able to play against Miami, he'll be clearly in the TE1 picture in fantasy championships. Jordan Akins isn't worth streaming if Njoku misses time.

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Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is hopeful that quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (calf) can start against the Miami Dolphins in Week 17 on Sunday despite picking up a calf injury in the Week 16 loss to the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. If healthy, Thompson-Robinson remains Cleveland's starter under center despite underwhelming in his first start of 2024 against the Bengals. The 25-year-old went 20-for-34 (58.8%) for 157 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions against a defense that has been among the worst in the league this year. Jameis Winston (shoulder) was inactive due to injury, so if DTR isn't able to play this weekend, the Browns would be down to Bailey Zappe under center in Week 17. Thompson-Robinson has more rushing upside than Winston -- he ran for 49 yards against Cincy -- but he's nothing more than a desperation low-end QB2 in fantasy the rest of the way.

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Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said on Monday that quarterback Jalen Hurts (concussion) is in the league's concussion protocol. Sirianni said he will get daily updates from the doctors on Hurts' progress throughout the week. Hurts took a hard hit in the first half in Sunday's Week 16 loss to the division-rival Washington Commanders and never returned. The Eagles next play on Sunday, Dec. 29, versus the division-rival Dallas Cowboys. We'll have a better idea of Hurts' status for Week 17 once the Eagles resume practicing on Wednesday, but for now, fantasy managers need to prepare for the worst-case scenario of not having the stud QB for fantasy championship matchups. Backup Kenny Pickett went 14-for-24 for 143 yards with a TD and interception in relief of Hurts. At least in single-QB leagues, Pickett won't be the answer for fantasy managers if Hurts can't clear the concussion protocol.

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Pending one final health confirmation for Week 17, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (hamstring) is expected to play on Christmas Day on Wednesday versus the Kansas City Chiefs. Pickens has missed each of the last three games and said himself on Monday that he hasn't been cleared yet, but apparently the Steelers are expecting him to gain clearance from the doctors before Wednesday. "I feel good, but who make the decision is the coaches and the doctors. So just whatever they tell me to do I'm doing. Whenever you guys find out is when. I'll find out," Pickens said. The 23-year-old did individual drills in practice on Monday. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Tuesday for his final designation. If Pickens returns in Week 17, he should operate as Pittsburgh's top target, giving him WR2 upside in fantasy in championship matchups.

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Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh announced on Monday that the team is opening up the 21-day practice window for running back J.K. Dobbins (knee) to return from Injured Reserve. It means that Dobbins will be eligible to return to practice with the team this week, although it doesn't guarantee that he'll officially be activated from IR and return to the field for this Saturday's contest against the New England Patriots. Fantasy managers will want to keep a close eye on Dobbins' practice status this week. If the coaching staff likes what they see from Dobbins from Tuesday through Thursday, they could activate him on Friday. However, if Dobbins returns, he could be at risk of being eased in and sharing valuable backfield touches with both Gus Edwards and rookie Kimani Vidal. With fantasy titles on the line this week, we're not sure we'd recommend starting Dobbins in what could be a limited role if active.

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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (ankle) said he should be in a better place injury-wise with his ankle for the Christmas Day game in Week 17 against the Pittsburgh Steelers than he was in Saturday's win over the Houston Texans. The 29-year-old two-time MVP suffered a mild high-ankle sprain in the Week 15 win over the Cleveland Browns but didn't miss any practice time last week and played in the 27-19 win over Houston on Saturday. Mahomes wasn't 100%, but he was feeling good enough to run the ball five times for 33 yards and a touchdown. His ankle could be something he has to manage for the remainder of the season, including the playoffs, but his performance on Saturday should make fantasy managers comfortable at least using him as a QB2 in superflex leagues. The Chiefs are still trying to lock up a bye in the first round of the playoffs, so Mahomes won't be rested on Wednesday.

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Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said on Monday that wide receiver Marquise Brown's snap count will keep increasing. Brown needed surgery for a shoulder injury that he suffered in the preseason and didn't make his debut with the team until this past Saturday in the Week 16 win over the Houston Texans. In his first game of 2024, Hollywood played only 27 percent of the offensive snaps but came away with five catches on eight targets for 45 yards. The 27-year-old's line was certainly a pleasant surprise for any fantasy managers that have him stashed to close out the year, but Brown is still going to be a very risky flex play in fantasy championship matchups in Week 17 when the Chiefs take on a tough Pittsburgh Steelers defense. With that said, it was a good sign for KC's offense moving forward that Mahomes looked Brown's way eight times in his first game of the year.

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Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington reeled in all six of quarterback Mac Jones' targets for 54 yards in their 19-14 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. The Penn State product totaled 54 yards for the second week in a row but doubled his reception total from their loss to the New York Jets in Week 15. Despite low catch totals in his previous two outings, the 22-year-old has been decently involved in the Jags' offense -- racking up at least six targets in three of his last four contests. Jones hasn't been a world-beater but has been competent enough to support stud rookie wideout Brian Thomas Jr. and one other pass-catcher on a weekly basis. Washington will get a far tougher ask in Week 17 against the visiting Tennessee Titans. The Titans have been a chore for opposing wideouts, allowing the fewest fantasy points per game to the position in 2024 (18.3).

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Detroit Lions wide receiver Tim Patrick could not bring in his lone target in his team's 34-17 win over the Chicago Bears in Week 16. Patrick saw his snaps tick down in this one -- falling under 45 total for the first time since Week 12 (42). It was a disappointing effort from the 31-year-old in a high-scoring outing for his squad, particularly after picking up 15 targets and three touchdowns over his last two games. However, his services were not required, with Detroit jumping out to an early lead over their rivals. It's possible he'll be more involved next week in a meeting with the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football. Still, it's fair to wonder what their starting lineup will be like with San Fran being eliminated from playoff contention. The Lions, though, are still fighting for their division and first place in the NFC. They project to be out in full force for the contest.

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According to Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan, he has not yet made a decision on his starting quarterback moving forward. Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com reported the news. Mason Rudolph got his fourth start of the year in Week 16 after taking over for a benched Will Levis the Sunday prior. Rudolph played relatively well, though he did toss three interceptions in their 38-30 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. "My goal is to put the QB on the field who gives us the best chance to win," said Callahan. With the head coach unwilling to dub the 29-year-old the team's starter moving forward, it leaves the door open for Levis to re-garner control of the offense with two weeks' worth of football left to play. Whoever is the starter in Week 17 will be primed for success in another exploitable divisional clash against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

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Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange hauled in 2-of-4 targets for 22 yards in Sunday's 19-14 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. He also coughed up a costly fumble just before halftime. The second-year pro was quiet in Week 16's loss, totaling just four targets one week after he commanded a ludicrous 12. Strange led the team in receptions a week ago but was a distant third option to wide receivers Brian Thomas Jr. (9/132/1) and Parker Washington (6/54) on Sunday. It's a letdown for fantasy managers relying on him in the fantasy semi-finals. He was again deployed primarily in the short area of the field but could not replicate his performance from the week prior. The 23-year-old will get a stiffer test next Sunday against his division-rival Tennessee Titans. Tennessee has allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends in 2024 (10.1).

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Per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston, Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) suffered a dislocated kneecap and torn ACL in Saturday's 27-19 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Oof. The second-year wideout was off to a ripping hot start in Week 16 with six receptions, 98 yards, and a touchdown before he got folded up on -- again sustaining a gruesome leg injury. Dell will now begin the long road to recovery. It's unfortunate news for the 25-year-old and the Houston Texans offense. With fellow wideout John Metchie III (shoulder) dealing with his own injury, Houston will deploy WRs Robert Woods, Xavier Hutchinson, and Jared Wayne at an elevated clip if Metchie can't suit up again in Week 17. Tight end Dalton Schultz should also pick up some more work with the offense down another pass-catcher.

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The Green Bay Packers are activating tight end Luke Musgrave (ankle) from Injured Reserve on Monday, and he will play against the New Orleans Saints, according to a source. Musgrave underwent surgery on his ankle in October and hasn't played since Week 3, so the Packers will ease him back in. The 24-year-old caught 34 of his 46 targets for 352 yards and one touchdown in his first 11 NFL games (nine starts) in Green Bay last year. In four games before injuring his ankle this year, Musgrave was barely involved behind Tucker Kraft, catching five of seven targets for 22 yards. He probably won't be all the field that much on Monday night in his first game back after a long layoff, and Musgrave will be a low-upside deep sleeper in DFS formats for the final three games of the regular season and in the playoffs for the Packers.

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Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said that wide receiver Cedric Tillman (concussion), who has missed the last four games due to a concussion, is still making his way through the league's concussion protocol. The second-year wideout suffered a concussion in the Week 12 win over the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers and hasn't played since. The 24-year-old had a productive three-game stretch from Weeks 7-9 in which he caught 21 of his 32 targets for 255 yards and three touchdowns with Jameis Winston at quarterback. He was becoming a weekly flex option for fantasy managers right before suffering a concussion. Now, with fantasy championship matchups in most leagues coming in Week 17, you can't trust Tillman in a lineup spot if he clears concussion protocol and is active against the Miami Dolphins this Sunday. It's especially true with Dorian Thompson-Robinson now at QB.

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After the Dallas Cowboys' win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football in Week 17, owner Jerry Jones praised head coach Mike McCarthy but also declined to comment on his future after this season when asked. The praise for McCarthy is notable since his contract expires at the end of this season, and the Cowboys' late-season surge without quarterback Dak Prescott (hamstring) could buy the head coach more time with the organization. Dallas has won four of its last five games. "All I can say is what a good job, how good a job he's doing," Jones said. "Don't have thoughts that I would share as to anything about what we do ... after we're through playing this year." Already eliminated from postseason contention, Dallas has two division games remaining -- at the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 17 and home versus the Washington Commanders in the Week 18 regular-season finale.

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New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson voiced his frustration after being targeted just three times in the first 55 minutes of the game by quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the Week 16 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. "I'd like to be involved, love to make an impact on the game, but people see it differently," Wilson said. "That's out of my control." Wilson praised passing-game coordinator Todd Downing for trying to get him the ball, so the pass-catcher could really be taking a shot at Rodgers. In the last five quarters, Wilson has only been targeted five times. In the same span, Rodgers' buddy, receiver Davante Adams, has been targeted 17 times. Even Allen Lazard (seven) saw more targets than Wilson. He finished with six catches for 54 yards on Sunday thanks to a late comeback attempt, but it wasn't enough to make Wilson happy. He's on the verge of his third 1,000-yard season, but there has been speculation that he could ask for a trade sooner than later.

From RotoBaller