Carolina Panthers rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders is not a viable option in Week 17 when he faces the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Over his past three contests, Sanders has seen just two targets across and did not bring in any of them. However, earlier in the season, Sanders saw a solid 4.1 targets per game, during Weeks 5 through 12. During this span, he tallied 8.2 PPR points per game and found the end zone one time. The Panthers will be without top running back Chuba Hubbard (knee), which could force them to rely on Bryce Young to push the ball downfield to keep up with a potent Tampa Bay offense. However, given Sanders' unreliable target share of the past month, fantasy managers should not consider starting him in any format.

From RotoBaller

According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard (ankle/illness) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Pollard was unable to practice all week due to an ankle injury and came down with the flu on Saturday. It was reported earlier that Pollard was not going to travel with the team, and now he will set his sights on returning in Week 18 to face the Houston Texans. Pollard has been dealing with this lingering ankle injury over the past two weeks and has averaged a mere 40.0 yards per game over this span. As a result, Tyjae Spears will get the starting nod and should be viewed as a high-end RB2 in all formats facing a Jaguars defense that has allowed the second-most PPR points to opposing RBs this season.

From RotoBaller

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker projects to be a risky flex option in deeper formats in a Week 17 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Last weekend, Coker caught only two of his five targets for a mere eight yards. However, in Week 15, Coker tallied 110 yards and a score on four receptions. During Weeks 5 through 10, Coker saw 4.2 targets per game and has continued to see a slight increase in opportunities as the season has progressed. In addition, No.2 wideout Xavier Legette (hip) is listed as questionable and could open up more targets for Coker if he cannot suit up. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to the inactive report before kickoff as Coker could move up the depth chart prior to the game. In addition, No.1 running back Chuba Hubbard (knee) has been ruled out which could encourage Carolina to rely on their passing attack more often. Despite this, fantasy managers in deeper 3WR formats should only consider starting Coker as a desperation flex option given his unstable production this season, even in a favorable matchup against the Tampa Bay secondary that has allowed the sixth-most PPR points to opposing wideouts.

From RotoBaller

Carolina Panthers wide receiver David Moore should be viewed as a desperation flex option in deeper formats in Week 17 when he faces the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While he has seen a solid 6.2 targets per game over his past four contests, Moore has only averaged 3.2 receptions per game. During this span he has tallied just 40.8 yards per game while being deployed as the No.3/No.4 wide receiver in this offense. However, with Xavier Legette (hip) listed as questionable, Moore could have a path to be a starting option this weekend. In addition, with top running back Chuba Hubbard (knee) on the IR, the Panthers may need to rely on their passing attack to keep up with Tampa Bay. Facing a weak Tampa Bay Secondary that has allowed the sixth-most PPR points to opposing wideouts still makes Moore a risky flex option given his placement on the depth chart.

From RotoBaller

According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard (ankle, illness) has the flu, which could put him in danger of missing Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Fowler noted that Pollard will not travel with the team. In addition, Pollard was unable to practice all week with an ankle injury but was planning on "playing through that." Pollard carried a questionable tag into last weekend's game but played and ceded a majority of the snaps to Tyjae Spears. Fantasy managers should continue to keep a close eye on Pollard's status leading up to Sunday's game. If Pollard is unable to play, Spears would be viewed as a must-start, high-end RB2 in all formats while facing a Jaguars defense that has allowed the second-most PPR points to opposing running backs this season.

From RotoBaller

According to the team, New England Patriots defensive back Christian Gonzalez (concussion) has been ruled out for the remainder of Saturday's game due to a concussion. Gonzalez suffered this injury during the second quarter. Before exiting, the 22-year-old tallied one solo tackle. Jonathan Jones should be expected to see an uptick in playing time during the remainder of the game. Through 15 games this season, Gonzalez tallied 58 tackles with 11 deflections and two interceptions.

From RotoBaller

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (back/foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the New York Giants. Richardson was unable to participate in practice all week and will set his sights on returning in Week 18 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. As a result, veteran Joe Flacco will get the starting nod. Over his past five games Richardson has been very productive from a fantasy standpoint tallying 23.1 PPR points per game and finding the back of the end zone nine times over this stretch. Flacco has been productive when given opportunities this season. Across five games, he has averaged 233.4 passing yards per game with a 9:5 TD:INT ratio. He is a solid QB2 in Superflex formats facing the Giants who have allowed the 17th-most PPR points to opposing QBs this season.

From RotoBaller

According to the New England Patriots, rookie quarterback Drake Maye (head) has returned to Saturday's game. Maye left the field after their first offensive drive after taking a hard hit to the head. He was seen in the blue medical tent and eventually went to the locker room. However, Maye was able to return and missed only one offensive drive. Veteran Jacoby Brissett went 0-for-1 on his lone passing attempt in relief.

From RotoBaller

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (hip) has been downgraded to doubtful for Sunday's match against the Cleveland Browns. Tagovailoa was initially listed as questionable on Friday's final injury report after logging three straight limited sessions during the week. Schefter noted that Tagovailoa is still pushing to play, but if he cannot turn the corner, than Tyler Huntley would get the starting nod. The 26-year-old missed four games earlier this season due to a concussion. After tallying 337.5 passing yards per game during Weeks 12 through 14, Tagovailoa has struggled over the past two weeks throwing for a mere 205.5 passing yards per game. If Tagovailoa is able to turn the corner in time to play, he should be viewed as a high-end QB2. If Huntley gets the start, he should only be started in deep Superflex formats.

From RotoBaller

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (head) is questionable to return to Saturday's clash with the Los Angeles Chargers. The signal-caller didn't last long before taking a hard shot, completing his only pass attempt for one yard. With the Patriots not going anywhere near the postseason, it may not make sense for Maye to return, especially if he's undergoing a concussion evaluation. But while he is sidelined, Jacoby Brissett will handle things under center, potentially for the remainder of Week 17.

From RotoBaller

New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said on the radio that running back Antonio Gibson will start over Rhamondre Stevenson in the Week 17 contest against the visiting Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday. It shouldn't come as much of a surprise given Stevenson's fumbling issues. Stevenson only played 32 of the team's 73 plays on offense in last week's loss to the division-rival Buffalo Bills and finished with 60 yards and a touchdown, but he also lost his third fumble of the year. Gibson saw a 59 percent snap share , had 10 carries for 28 yards and recovered his fumble. Even though Gibson will be the "starter" in Week 17, we'd expect Stevenson to still be involved. At best, fantasy managers playing for a title this weekend should consider Gibson an RB3/flex in a bad matchup. The Bolts defense has only allowed seven touchdowns to RBs through 15 games in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Carolina Panthers second-year quarterback Bryce Young has looked much better late in the season after being benched early on for veteran Andy Dalton. While Young is on the rise heading into a Week 17 divisional matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, he'll be without star running back Chuba Hubbard (calf, knee), who was placed on Injured Reserve. Outside of that, though, Young is set up nicely in his second meeting against a Tampa defense that has allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing QBs in 2024, including 4,004 passing yards and 24 total touchdown passes. In the first meeting against the Bucs on Dec. 1, Young had a season-high 298 passing yards and a touchdown in the overtime loss. In the last five weeks, Young has been a top-10 fantasy QB with 1,255 passing yards, six touchdowns and three picks. He's still a QB2 in fantasy, but there's reason to believe he could have another decent game.

From RotoBaller

The Carolina Panthers placed lead running back Chuba Hubbard (calf, knee) on season-ending Injured Reserve on Saturday, meaning that Raheem Blackshear will now be elevated to a prominent role in Carolina's backfield for the final two weeks of the season. The 26-year-old is currently the only healthy RB on the Panthers' roster, but the team will surely elevate Mike Boone from the practice squad for the Week 17 contest on Sunday against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Fantasy managers that had been riding Hubbard's excellent season could now pivot to Blackshear, although he shouldn't be viewed as much more than a last-minute RB3/flex pivot in a matchup against a Tampa defense that has allowed the fewest half-PPR points to RBs in the last five weeks. Blackshear's role will grow for sure, but he could also be splitting valuable touches with Boone.

From RotoBaller

The Carolina Panthers placed running back Chuba Hubbard (calf, knee) on season-ending Injured Reserve on Saturday, meaning both Mike Boone and Raheem Blackshear will be splitting the backfield work for the final two games of the season. Boone is currently on the team's practice squad, but he'll surely be promoted to the active 53-man roster before Sunday's contest against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 17. The 29-year-old Boone has only seen seven carries for 22 yards in the four games he's been active with Carolina this year. While he's now going to see much more run the final two weeks, desperate fantasy managers shouldn't expect much out of him the close things out, especially with the Panthers facing a Buccaneers defense this weekend that has allowed the fewest half-PPR points to RBs in the last five weeks.

From RotoBaller

New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (ankle, quadriceps) is officially active on Saturday as the team gets prepared to face the visiting Los Angeles Chargers in Week 17. Meanwhile, free safety Jabrill Peppers (hamstring) has been ruled out. Dugger continues to play through an ankle injury and recently picked up a quad issue, but he will be active as the Pats look to pull the upset on a Chargers team looking to lock themselves into a wild-card spot in the AFC. The 28-year-old Dugger has 70 tackles (47 solo), one sack, eight tackles for loss, four pass breakups and a forced fumble in 11 starts for the Pats this year and is in play as a starting defensive back in IDP fantasy leagues this weekend now that he's officially active. Peppers will be missing his second straight game and will give way to Dell Pettus and Marte Mapu in New England's secondary.

From RotoBaller

As expected, Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins (knee) is officially active for the Week 17 game on Saturday at the New England Patriots after he was activated from Injured Reserve on Friday. In addition to Dobbins coming back, the Chargers will be without Gus Edwards (ankle). Edwards being out is good news for Dobbins, although the Bolts could still ease Dobbins back into the flow alongside rookie Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins. The 26-year-old Dobbins has operated as LA's clear lead back when healthy, though, and has a team-best 766 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on a career-high 158 carries already in 2024 through 11 games. Dobbins is returning to a favorable matchup as well, with the Patriots defense being a top-10 matchup for opposing RBs this year. He'll be more risky in his first game back from a four-week absence, but Dobbins should at least be in play as an RB3/flex in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Will Dissly (shoulder) is active for the Week 17 game against the New England Patriots on Saturday, but fellow tight end Hayden Hurst (illness) has been ruled out. Both tight ends were questionable on the final Week 17 injury report. Dissly will return after missing the last two games due to a shoulder injury. Hurst has mainly been a blocking TE for the Bolts, so him being out shouldn't really open up a ton more targets for Dissly. Dissly hasn't really been on the fantasy radar in 2024, outside of being a TE streamer during bye weeks, so fantasy managers playing for a championship this week should probably avoid him as a TE2. He could be eased back into the offense and will most likely being sharing playing time with Stone Smartt. Dissly only has one touchdown on the year and is averaging 5.3 half-PPR points per game, which makes him the TE31 in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

The Los Angeles Chargers have declared LB Denzel Perryman, OT Trey Pipkins, QB Easton Stick, OG Jordan McFadden, RB Gus Edwards, DE Justin Eboigbe and TE Hayden Hurst inactive for Week 17.

From TheHuddle

The New England Patriots have declared OG Sidy Sow, OG Ben Brown, RB Terrell Jennings, QB Joe Milton III, OG Tyrese Robinson and SS Jabrill Peppers inactive for Week 17.

From TheHuddle

In addition to a wrist injury, Miami Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill has also been dealing with an ankle injury this season, according to wide receivers coach Wes Welker.

Fantasy Spin: Hill has experienced a significant decline in production this year due to health issues, with just 70 receptions for 834 yards and six touchdowns, after posting back-to-back seasons of at least 1,700 receiving yards in 2022 and 2023. He is listed as questionable for Week 17's game against the Cleveland Browns after being a limited practice participant throughout the week and should be viewed as a WR2 option in fantasy leagues if he suits up alongside QB Tua Tagovailoa (hip). However, if Tagovailoa is held out of action, Hill would be a shaky flex option at best.

From TheHuddle