10 months agoArizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (illness) is expected to play in Week 17 despite being listed as questionable, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Murray had missed back-to-back practices before returning in a limited capacity on Friday, though head coach Jonathan Gannon was clearly optimistic about his quarterback's availability for the Cardinals' penultimate regular-season contest. Murray has impressed over the course of six games this season, accruing 1,305 passing yards, six passing touchdowns, and four interceptions while adding an additional 187 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. He'll rank as a fringe QB1 in most fantasy leagues this week.Source: Ian Rapoport
10 months agoAs Week 17 approaches, Arizona Cardinals backup quarterback Clayton Tune looms as a potential starter if Kyler Murray is sidelined due to illness. However, facing a formidable Eagles defense, Tune doesn't project as a reliable fantasy option. For fantasy managers deliberating whether to wait for Murray's status or pivot to Tune, the decision hinges on the urgency of securing a starting quarterback. If the waiver wire offers more favorable options, the risk of Tune's uncertain performance may outweigh the potential reward. With a challenging matchup against the Eagles defense, fantasy managers may be better served exploring alternative quarterback options for Week 17. With Murray expected to play, fantasy managers rostering him should keep a close eye on his health updates leading up to kickoff to make an informed decision regarding Tune's fantasy viability.Source: ESPN.COM
10 months agoAs the Arizona Cardinals prepare to face the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 17, veteran kicker Matt Prater emerges as a reliable fantasy option. In the recent matchup against the Bears, Prater showcased his long-range prowess by converting a 55-yard field goal, setting an NFL record with six such makes this season. Despite a relatively quiet game, Prater's ability to contribute from deep distances has been a crucial asset for the Cardinals. With two more makes from 50-plus yards, he could tie another league record. As the Cardinals gear up for a crucial clash with the Eagles, fantasy managers can anticipate Prater to be a valuable asset, potentially capitalizing on additional opportunities to add to his impressive long-range record. In addition, there is a real possibility Arizona may have difficulty moving the football consistently, potentially giving Prater more opportunities. For those in need of help at the kicking position, Prater is worth the start.Source: ESPN.COM
10 months agoAs the Arizona Cardinals defense prepares to face the Philadelphia Eagles in a crucial Week 17 matchup, fantasy managers should approach this cautiously. The Cardinals' defensive unit, with only 33 sacks on the season, ranks among the lower echelons of the league in terms of quarterback pressure. Their pass defense stands at a mediocre 16th, while their run defense languishes at the 29th position, hinting at vulnerability against the rush. The Eagles, with the seventh-highest points scored in the league, pose a formidable offensive challenge. Furthermore, D'Andre Swift and the Eagles' potent run game could exploit the Cardinals' run defense weaknesses. Fantasy managers relying on the Cardinals' defense should explore alternative options for Week 17, given their potential challenges against a dynamic Eagles offense. As such, the Arizona defense shouldn't be a viable starting option in fantasy championships.Source: ESPN.COM
10 months agoAs we gear up for the pivotal Week 17 of the fantasy season, Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride emerges as a must-start option against the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite a quieter showing in the recent loss to the Bears, McBride has been on fire since quarterback Kyler Murray's return. Over the last five contests, he boasts an impressive 38-425-1 line on 45 targets, cementing his role as a crucial target in the Cardinals' passing game. With Murray leading the charge, McBride has been nothing short of exceptional, leading all tight ends with a remarkable 25.6% target share. He also ranks second in yards per route run (YPRR) at 2.36, first in first-read share (31.2%), and first in fantasy points per game at 15.9. Facing an Eagles defense that has allowed the eighth-highest catch rate (75.3 percent) to opposing tight ends, McBride is poised for a resounding rebound in Week 17. Fantasy managers heading into championship week are strongly advised to start McBride, as he remains a set-it-and-forget-it TE1.Source: ESPN.COM
10 months agoArizona Cardinals third-year receiver Rondale Moore faces off against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 17, a team that currently ranks 12th against the pass. In the Cardinals' recent loss to the Bears, Moore showed his big-play potential with a 22-yard gain on two receptions, though he totaled only 30 yards. With teammate Marquise Brown now on Injured Reserve due to a heel issue, Moore becomes an intriguing fantasy stash. While he remains a big-play-dependent WR4, the increased opportunities stemming from Brown's absence could elevate Moore's role in the passing game. However, with Week 17 being championship week in most leagues, there are most likely better starting options available for those playing in the title game. As such, Moore remains nothing more than a Week 17 bench stash.Source: ESPN.COM
10 months agoHeading into Week 17, rookie receiver Michael Wilson faces the Philadelphia Eagles, currently ranked 12th against the pass. In the two games since his return from injury, Wilson hasn't found the end zone, failing to catch any of the seven targets thrown his way. With teammate Marquise Brown now on IR for the remainder of the season (knee) Wilson remains in the WR4 conversation, showcasing the potential for a breakthrough performance. The matchup could be the catalyst for Wilson to break his recent streak and offer fantasy owners a promising end to the season. However, unless managers have no other options for their championship games, Wilson isn't reliable enough to start and should remain on the fantasy bench.Source: ESPN.COM
10 months agoHeading into Week 17, Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner is enjoying a bit of a resurgence, showcasing his versatility with 16.8 touches and 79 total yards per game since his return. His involvement in the passing game has been on the rise, logging at least three targets in three of his last four outings. This season has arguably been Conner's best on a per-touch basis, ranking impressively in explosive run rate, missed tackles forced, and yards after contact. Week 17 presents a promising matchup against a faltering Philadelphia run defense, allowing the sixth-most rushing yards since Week 11. Despite a slightly subdued performance in Week 16, Conner's multi-faceted contributions make him a solid fantasy option, with optimistic expectations for a standout performance against Philadelphia. He should be viewed as an RB2 with RB1 upside for Week 17.Source: ESPN.COM
10 months agoArizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray heads into Week 17 with a questionable designation due to an illness that kept him out of practice earlier in the week. The Cardinals' official site reports that he returned on Friday as a limited participant, and coach Jonathan Gannon expects him to play. Murray's season has been a tale of dualities – excelling as the QB1 in half his starts, primarily fueled by his impressive rushing stats, while struggling in passing metrics. Facing the Eagles, who have been vulnerable through the air recently, presents an opportunity for Murray to exploit their 12th-ranked defense against the pass. Fantasy managers can cautiously rely on his dynamic playmaking, and as Murray continues his recovery, optimistic eyes are set on a positive performance in the Week 17 matchup. Assuming he plays, Kyler can safely be viewed as a QB2 for championship week.Source: ESPN.COM
10 months agoArizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (illness) practiced in a limited capacity on Friday and is officially questionable to play against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 17. He had been unable to practice on Wednesday and Thursday, so this latest development should be viewed as a step in the right direction. Nevertheless, Murray's availability for Sunday will depend on his condition and how he feels. Managers invested in his status should stay tuned for the Cardinals' official list of inactives, which will be released 90 minutes before kickoff. If Murray is inactive, rookie Clayton Tune would draw the start in his place.Source: Arizona Cardinals
10 months agoArizona Cardinals wide receiver Marquise Brown (heel) has been placed on Injured Reserve, according to head coach Jonathan Gannon. It means that Brown will miss the final two games of the 2023 season after aggravating a heel injury in Week 15. Injuries were obviously partly to blame, but the 26-year-old had the worst season of his career in 2023, finishing with 51 catches for 574 yards and four touchdowns on 101 targets in 14 games. He ended up playing only three full games with quarterback Kyler Murray this year and only had one notable performance while working with Murray. There will be a lot of changes coming for the Cardinals franchise this offseason, and Brown could very well find himself playing somewhere else in 2024, especially since he'll be an unrestricted free agent in March.Source: ESPN.com - Josh Weinfuss
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10 months agoArizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (illness) was present during the period of practice open to the media on Thursday, but he was in street clothes and it looks like he still has a "holiday bug" that head coach Jonathan Gannon described on Wednesday. Murray has been under the weather this week, but he should return to practice on Friday and play on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles on the road. Although the Cardinals' signal-caller may be without top wideout Marquise Brown (heel) for a second straight game, he'll have low-end Q1 appeal against an Eagles defense that has been a great matchup for opposing quarterbacks in fantasy this year. The 26-year-old has been a top-12 fantasy QB in the six games he's played in 2023 after getting a late start while recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in 2022.Source: ESPN.com - Josh Weinfuss
10 months agoArizona Cardinals wide receiver Marquise Brown (heel) was listed as a non-participant in the team's practice on Wednesday. Brown aggravated an ongoing heel injury in Week 15 and didn't practice last week or play in the Week 16 loss to the Chicago Bears. It doesn't look like the 26-year-old is on track to play this Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles and he hasn't caught a pass since Week 12, so fantasy managers shouldn't be planning on relying on him as they battle for a championship this weekend. There's really no reason for the Cardinals to bring Brown back for the final two regular season games if he's not fully healthy. Another absence from Brown would create more opportunities for tight end Trey McBride and wideouts Rondale Moore, Greg Dortch and rookie Michael Wilson.Source: AZCardinals.com - Darren Urban
10 months agoArizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (illness) has a "holiday bug" and won't practice on Wednesday, according to head coach Jonathan Gannon. However, there isn't any concern about Murray's availability the rest of the week or for the Week 17 game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The 26-year-old signal-caller has enough time to rest up and get his energy back up for Sunday's contest. Murray threw for 230 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the Week 16 loss to the Chicago Bears without his top receiver in Marquise Brown (heel) in a tough matchup. He got a late start to the 2023 season while recovering from a torn ACL in his knee, but since making his season debut in Week 10, Murray is averaging 18.2 fantasy points per game, which is tied for 12th at the position this year.Source: ESPN.com - Josh Weinfuss