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Colts rule out QB Anthony Richardson; Joe Flacco to start

Sat Dec 28 3:19pm ET
Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson was downgraded from questionable to out for Sunday's game against the New York Giants because of back and foot injuries.

Richardson did not practice during the week, but head coach Shane Steichen had fallen short of declaring his starter out until Saturday.

Veteran Joe Flacco is expected to make his fifth start of the season in Richardson's place.

As of early Saturday, the Colts (7-8) still have a shot at a playoff berth, but they'd need to beat the Giants (2-13) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12) in Week 18 -- and for both the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers to lose their games on Saturday -- to stay alive.

That Indianapolis even remained in the playoff hunt in Week 17 is surprising, given an unspectacular season from Richardson, who was taken by the Colts with the No. 4 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Richardson, 22, has completed just 47.7 percent of his pass attempts (126 of 264) for 1,814 yards and has thrown more interceptions (12) than touchdown passes (8). Still, he is 6-5 in 11 starts.

Richardson's back and foot injuries are not expected to rule him out of Week 18's matchup against the visiting Jaguars, according to ESPN sources on Saturday.

Flacco, who turns 40 next month, was 1-3 in four starts earlier this year amid both injury and ineffectiveness for Richardson. Flacco has completed 66.5 percent of his passes for 1,167 yards with nine touchdowns and five interceptions.

Two of the losses were to playoff-bound teams -- the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills.

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Bender's DFS Pickem Plays: Week 17

Player Notes
Kimani Vidal Dec 28 6:30pm ET
Kimani Vidal

Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back Kimani Vidal only ended up with five touches in a Week 17 blowout win over the New England Patriots. Vidal was thought to maybe have an increased role this week with J.K. Dobbins just returning from IR, but Dobbins resumed his every down role, leaving just five carries for 24 yards for Vidal. He was also targeted twice in the passing game but ended up unable to make any catches. He ultimately fell behind Hassan Haskins, who recorded eight carries and one catch.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Bass Dec 28 6:30pm ET
Tyler Bass

Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass has been busy over the last few weeks. Bass has connected on all 20 of his extra point attempts over the last four games. However, Bass is 3-for-5 on field goal attempts during that span. The Bills offense has been cruising so much recently that Bass hasn't seen many chances to kick field goals. Despite that, Bass continues to have decent value because of all the touchdowns that the Bills offense is scoring right now. This offense should continue rolling against the New York Jets in Week 17. Bass is one of the better kickers in the league and is worth starting in most formats.

From RotoBaller

Derius Davis Dec 28 6:30pm ET
Derius Davis

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Derius Davis scored another touchdown in a Week 17 win over the New England Patriots. Davis scored in Week 16 and followed that up with another trip to the end zone in this one. He made the most of his opportunity though, as he was not particularly heavily involved. He was targeted twice in the passing game, making both catches for a total of 29 yards. His touchdown came on a 23-yard pass from Justin Herbert in the first quarter to open the scoring. Davis also added one rushing attempt, but ended up losing three yards on the try. He's an exciting role player in the Bolts offense, but despite the two touchdown-scoring games in a row, he's unlikely to be consistent enough to provide fantasy value in leagues that continue for another week.

From RotoBaller

Stone Smartt Dec 28 6:30pm ET
Stone Smartt

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Stone Smartt made two catches in a Week 17 win over the New England Patriots. Smartt shared the tight end position with Will Dissly, who was able to return after a two game absence. Smartt was targeted twice, making both catches for a total of 23 yards. Dissly saw three targets in the game. With Dissly active, Smartt is difficult to count on for anything more than a non-zero floor.

From RotoBaller

Will Dissly Dec 28 6:30pm ET
Will Dissly

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Will Dissly (shoulder) returned from a two-game absence and was active in a Week 17 win over the New England Patriots. Dissly was targeted three times, making two catches for 21 yards total. He shared duties with Stone Smartt, who had taken over the starting role while Dissly was out. Smartt saw two targets and made two catches. With the Chargers involving 11 different pass catchers in their passing game, there wasn't much to go around for the tight ends. Both Chargers tight ends are non-zero floor guys without much of a ceiling.

From RotoBaller

J.K. Dobbins Dec 28 6:20pm ET
J.K. Dobbins

Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins returned from injured reserve and scored a touchdown in a Week 17 win over the New England Patriots. Dobbins missed the past four games with a knee injury, but he was activated earlier this week and ran the ball 19 times for 76 yards, including a two-yard scoring plunge in the fourth quarter. There were some questions about whether the Chargers would ease him in after his absence, but his 19 carries clearly showed that he's immediately back to lead back status.

From RotoBaller

Ladd McConkey Dec 28 6:20pm ET
Ladd McConkey

Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey scored twice in a Week 17 blowout win over the New England Patriots. McConkey led the team in targets, catches, and receiving yards in another excellent game by the impressive first-year pass catcher. He was targeted 10 times, making eight catches for 94 yards. His first touchdown was on a six-yard pass in the second quarter and he followed that with a long 40-yard touchdown catch in the third. McConkey is having an excellent rookie season and quickly became the focal point of the Los Angeles passing game.

From RotoBaller

Greg Dortch Dec 28 6:20pm ET
Greg Dortch

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Greg Dortch hasn't been too impactful on the field lately. Last week, Dortch hauled in his lone target for 19 yards while rushing the ball once for eight yards. The 26-year-old hasn't seen a ton of the field lately. Dortch only saw 30 percent of the offensive snaps last week and played even less the week before that. It seems unlikely that Dortch is going to do anything on the field worth starting him against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Quentin Johnston Dec 28 6:20pm ET
Quentin Johnston

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston made five catches in a Week 17 win over the New England Patriots. Johnston was targeted eight times, making five catches for 48 yards. He had a long play of 19 yards. Like usual throughout his career, there was more there for Johnston to do but Ladd McConkey remained the first look and the leader of the Bolts passing game.

From RotoBaller

Justin Herbert Dec 28 6:10pm ET
Justin Herbert

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert threw three touchdowns in a Week 17 blowout win over the New England Patriots. Herbert completed 26 of his 38 passes for 281 yards and the three scores without turning the ball over. Two of Herbert's touchdowns went to rookie receiver Ladd McConkey and the other went to Derius Davis. Herbert also added 12 yards on the ground on three carries, and he did not take a sack. It was an impressive performance in the 40-7 win that clinched a playoff spot for the Bolts.

From RotoBaller

Dawson Knox Dec 28 5:10pm ET
Dawson Knox

Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox should not be relied upon for fantasy purposes this weekend when his team lines up against the New York Jets. The 28-year-old is back to a low-volume role in Buffalo's offense with the return of fellow tight end Dalton Kincaid. Since his return in Week 15, Kincaid has racked up eight receptions on 14 targets, to Knox's four catches on five looks. It'd be one thing if the second-year pro were out-producing him on a larger share of snaps, but Knox has led the duo in that regard over that stretch. On top of his diminished role, the Jets are giving up the eighth-fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends in 2024 (10.6) -- further hampering his chances at a viable fantasy output. The Ole Miss product ranks as RotoBaller's PPR TE34 ahead of Week 17's slate.

From RotoBaller

Kevin Austin Jr. Dec 28 5:00pm ET
Kevin Austin Jr.

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. will not be a viable fantasy option in his meeting with the Las Vegas Raiders this Sunday. The third-year wideout was the Saints' leading snap-getter at the position in last week's 34-0 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Still, it resulted in just 17 yards and one reception on four targets. That's been the story for the 24-year-old -- decent playing time but little production to show for it. He'll line up across from one of the better units in the league against fantasy WRs this Sunday. Las Vegas has allowed the eleventh-fewest points per game to wideouts (31.8) and the tenth-least passing yards per game in the NFL. Fantasy managers can undoubtedly find a better option than Austin Jr. ahead of championship weekend. He'll rank as RotoBaller's PPR WR92 in Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Cam Akers Dec 28 4:40pm ET
Cam Akers

Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers should not be started in this Sunday's divisional tilt against the visiting Green Bay Packers. The 25-year-old's workload has mostly been contingent on game script and the health of backfield mate Aaron Jones in 2024. Akers had gotten some extended run when Jones was dinged up or the game was safely at hand. However, this season, he's been less effective with a larger rush share. Since his move to Minnesota, the Florida State product has yet to run for more than 2.9 yards per carry when he receives ten or more attempts. This starkly contrasts the 6.68 he's averaged over the other 19 carries. The Vikings' meeting with Green Bay projects to be a good one, as both teams are vying for playoff spots -- so Akers does not figure to see an increase in workload unless Jones misses snaps or is loose with the football. He comes in as RotoBaller's PPR RB52 ahead of this week's slate of action.

From RotoBaller

Mack Hollins Dec 28 4:30pm ET
Mack Hollins

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Mack Hollins won't be on the fantasy radar for his meeting with the division-rival New York Jets in Week 17. The veteran wideout has broken free for a few big plays in 2024 but has generally been an unreliable option regarding fantasy. Despite participating on the most snaps for a Bills WR, Hollins clocks in at fourth in total receptions on the squad (26) -- averaging just 1.73 catches and 21.3 yards per reception in 15 appearances. Additionally, the Jets have been one of the worst matchups for wideouts this season, allowing the third-fewest fantasy points per game to the position (29.9). Outside of a dart-throw DFS shot, the 31-year-old holds little lineup appeal as RotoBaller's PPR WR85 in this week's rankings.

From RotoBaller

Ray Davis Dec 28 4:10pm ET
Ray Davis

Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis will not be a viable fantasy option in Sunday's divisional clash with the New York Jets. The rookie back has been used sparingly over the last few weeks and is mostly uninvolved when Buffalo is in a close game. He's been effective with his touches when he has seen the field but has generally been the third backfield option behind teammates James Cook and Ty Johnson. Davis hasn't met or exceeded the 20-snap mark since Week 6's matchup with New York (40) when Cook was dealing with a toe injury. The 25-year-old erupted for 152 total yards on 23 touches in that meeting -- flashing his upside. However, fighting for reps with his backfield mates hurts his value despite picking up snaps in an elite offense. He lands as RotoBaller's PPR RB45 ahead of fantasy championship weekend.

From RotoBaller

Tommy Tremble Dec 28 4:00pm ET
Tommy Tremble

Carolina Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble should not be started in an formats in Week 17 when he faces the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tremble logged two limited practice sessions during the week due to shoulder and back injuries but is no longer listed on the injury report. Over his past three games, Tremble has seen just 2.3 targets per game while splitting opportunities with rookie Ja'Tavion Sanders. Over this three-game stretch he has tallied just 16.7 yards per game. Over his past five games, Tremble has surpassed 40+ receiving yards just once. Given his lack of consistent production, fantasy managers should keep him out of all lineups despite facing a weak Tampa Bay secondary that has allowed the sixth-most PPR points to opposing tight ends this season.

From RotoBaller

CeeDee Lamb Dec 28 3:50pm ET
CeeDee Lamb

According to the team, the Dallas Cowboys have placed wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) on the injured reserve, officially ending his 2024 season. Earlier this week, the Cowboys announced that Lamb would miss the remainder of the season. The 25-year-old has delt with a lingering AC joint injury throughout the season. Lamb will finish the campaign with 101 receptions, 1,194 yards and six scores. He added 70 yards on 14 attempts. Over his past three games, Lamb was very productive averaging 21.4 PPR points per game. As a result, fantasy managers should expect Brandin Cooks, Jalen Tolbert, and Jake Ferguson to lead the passing attack during the final two weeks of the season. Ferguson should be viewed as a low-end TE1 this weekend while Cooks and Tolbert enter flex territory in deeper formats.

From RotoBaller

Joseph Ossai Dec 28 3:30pm ET
Joseph Ossai

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Joseph Ossai (illness) and safety Geno Stone (illness) are both active for Saturday's matchup against the Denver Broncos. Ossai was unable to practice on Wednesday and Thursday while Stone popped up on the injury report on Thursday. However, both were able to turn the corner in time for kickoff. Ossai has tallied 12 tackles and three sacks over his past four contests. Stone is currently riding a three-game interception streak and has tallied nine tackles over this stretch. Both should continue to see starting opportunities on the Cincinnati defense.

From RotoBaller

Josh Palmer Dec 28 3:30pm ET
Josh Palmer

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer (heel) is questionable to return to Saturday's game with a heel injury. The wideout sustained this injury during the third quarter of the game. Before exiting, Palmer brought in four of his six targets for 41 yards. His longest reception of the game went for 19 yards. At the time of departing, he had the third-most targets on the team, behind only Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston.

From RotoBaller

Isaac Guerendo Dec 28 3:10pm ET
Isaac Guerendo

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, San Francisco 49ers rookie running back Isaac Guerendo (hamstring/foot) is expected to play on Monday evening. The rookie running back was unable to suit up last weekend and has logged two limited practice sessions earlier this week. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on his status on Saturday's final injury report as a full practice session may help him avoid an injury designation. While sidelined, Patrick Taylor Jr. was given the starting nod and tallied just 24 yards on eight attempts. Guerendo has averaged a solid 19.1 PPR points per game during Weeks 14 and 15 and should be viewed as an RB2 if he is able to suit up on Monday, despite facing a tough Detroit run defense that has allowed the fourth-fewest PPR to the position.

From RotoBaller