4 hours agoThe Baltimore Ravens claimed wide receiver
Steven Sims off waivers on Monday from the Houston Texans. The move to add Sims comes after the Ravens waived disgruntled wideout
Diontae Johnson late last week, who was ironically claimed by the Texans. The two teams will face off against each other on Christmas Day on Wednesday. The 27-year-old mostly served in a special teams role with the Texans the last two years. In only seven games played this year, Sims was not targeted at all in the passing game and had just one carry for no gain. The Ravens are likely just bringing Sims in as extra receiver insurance on a short week with both
Zay Flowers (shoulder) and
Nelson Agholor (concussion) banged up. Even if Flowers and Agholor are ruled out on Christmas Day, we'd be surprised if Sims played an immediate big role on offense for the Ravens.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Baltimore Ravens
4 hours agoPortland Trail Blazers guard/forward
Dalano Banton (hip) will be back in the lineup on Monday versus Dallas. He's available again after sitting out two contests with a hip injury. Banton adds a bit more quality to the Trail Blazers bench, with him averaging 9.8 points per game with 2.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 16.7 minutes across the season. However, he does not have much fantasy value with a healthy squad. In fact, this is a horrible matchup for the entire Portland bench, as the Mavericks give up the third-fewest points in the league to opposing second units.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Portland Trail Blazers
4 hours agoHouston Texans wide receiver
John Metchie III (shoulder) and tight end
Cade Stover (illness) were both upgraded to full practice participants on Monday after they were listed as limited for the first practice of Week 17 on Sunday. Metchie didn't practice at all last week and was ruled out of the Week 16 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday. However, a return to a full practice on Monday gives the 24-year-old pass-catcher a great shot at being active on Christmas Day on Wednesday for the Week 17 contest against the Baltimore Ravens. In addition to the Ravens defense being a great matchup for the Texans receivers, Metchie could have an expanded role if he's active this week now that
Tank Dell (knee) is out for the year. Still, fantasy managers playing for a championship shouldn't consider Metchie, who had a 13-146-1 line in five games before his shoulder injury.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Houston Chronicle - Jonathan M. Alexander
4 hours agoSan Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed on a conference call with the media on Monday that All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) will miss the team's final two games of the regular season. Williams hasn't played since Week 11 and will end up missing the final seven games of the 2024 campaign due to an ankle injury that took much longer to heal than the team was expecting. And with the Niners being officially eliminated from postseason contention on Sunday, there is no reason for the team to bring the veteran 11-time Pro Bowler back for meaningless games. The 36-year-old's injury-plagued season was one of many frustrating situations with the 49ers and some of their key players in 2024. Williams also dealt with the tragic death of his son this year.
Jaylon Moore will protect quarterback
Brock Purdy's blind side in the last two games.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Clayton Holloway
4 hours agoPortland Trail Blazers center
Robert Williams III (ankle) will skip Monday's meeting with Dallas. After missing nine contests because of a concussion, Williams III returned to the lineup for only three games before picking up another injury. For the season overall, we have seen Williams III suit up just 10 times for the Trail Blazers.
Deandre Ayton and
Donovan Clingan will work as Portland's lone centers in Monday's favorable matchup. Dallas gives up the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing fives.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Portland Trail Blazers
4
hours
agoSeattle
Seahawks
tight
end
Noah
Fant
(knee)
was
listed
as
limited
on
the
team's
estimated
practice
report
on
Monday.
The
Seahawks
didn't
actually
hold
a
practice
on
Monday,
so
Fant's
status
was
merely
an
estimation.
The
27-year-old
was
on
the
injury
report
last
read more...
4 hours agoLos Angeles Clippers center
Ivica Zubac (calf) will remain in the lineup on Monday versus Memphis. He was initially considered iffy for the contest due to a calf strain. However, Zubac will maintain his proud record of featuring in every game this season, starting alongside
James Harden,
Kris Dunn,
Norman Powell, and
Derrick Jones Jr. Memphis' frontcourt features
Jaren Jackson Jr., the 2023 Defensive Player of The Year award winner, and the Grizzlies have the second-best rebounding rate in the league, so this is a tough matchup for Zubac.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Los Angeles Clippers
4 hours agoIn the team's estimated practice report on Monday, the Seattle Seahawks listed running back
Kenneth Walker III (ankle) as a non-participant after he injured his ankle in Sunday's loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16. Walker missed the previous two games due to a calf injury but returned last weekend, only to be pulled in the second half with a new injury. The 24-year-old took over lead-back duties immediately against Minnesota over backfield mate
Zach Charbonnet (elbow), but it only amounted to eight carries for 31 yards. However, he salvaged his fantasy day with a season-high-tying eight catches for 28 yards. Sunday's game cemented the fact that Walker is still Seattle's preferred backfield option when healthy. The problem is Walker isn't healthy again and faces a short week to get right before a Thursday night game in Week 17 against the Chicago Bears. Right now, Charbonnet is the better bet to play on Thursday.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Brady Henderson
4 hours agoMemphis Grizzlies guard
Marcus Smart (finger) will be absent from Monday's game against the Clippers. After recovering from a shoulder injury, Smart hurt his right index finger at the weekend and must come out of the lineup again. Luckily for the Grizzlies,
Ja Morant (back) is back in the mix, and
Desmond Bane (illness) remains in the lineup.
Scotty Pippen Jr. might see additional action due to Smart's absence, but Morant's presence severely limits his fantasy appeal.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
4 hours agoGreen Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) will be inactive again on Monday Night Football against the New Orleans Saints, according to a source. The 27-year-old Pro Bowl cornerback was able to practice in full all of last week, but the Packers are being cautious with the veteran defensive back, and he'll end up missing his fifth straight game. Hopefully, Alexander will be available for a big divisional matchup on Sunday, Dec. 29, in Week 17 against the Minnesota Vikings at home. With Alexander out yet again, Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine and Eric Stokes will remain the team's corners in an excellent matchup against a Saints offense with very little experience at the receiver position thanks to injuries. New Orleans will also be starting rookie QB
Spencer Rattler, making the Packers' defense/special teams unit in fantasy an attractive streaming option in Week 16.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
4 hours agoMemphis Grizzlies point guard
Ja Morant (back) will return to action on Monday versus the Clippers. A back problem kept Morant sidelined for Saturday's contest against Atlanta, but the team has removed him from the injury report ahead of Monday's contest. The Grizzlies superstar gets a difficult matchup on Monday, as only six teams have given up more fantasy points to opposing point guards than the Clippers, who are ranked sixth in defensive efficiency.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
4
hours
agoNew
Orleans
Saints
wide
receiver
Marquez
Valdes-Scantling
(chest,
illness)
is
inactive
for
Monday's
game
against
the
Green
Bay
Packers.
Valdes-Scantling
did
not
practice
on
Thursday
and
Friday
due
to
a
chest/illness
and
was
listed
as
questionable
for
Monday
Night
football.
The
30-year-old
was
read more...
4 hours agoMemphis Grizzlies guard/forward
Desmond Bane (illness) has been cleared to face the Clippers on Monday night. He landed late on the injury report with an illness, but the team has upgraded Bane from questionable to available. Bane has not been the best version of himself this season, settling for 14.9 points in 28.0 minutes. The Clippers have a top-six defense in the league, so it might be another quiet night offensively for Bane on Monday.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Memphis Grizzlies PR
5 hours agoToronto Raptors guard/forward
RJ Barrett (illness) will rejoin the action on Monday against the Knicks. He's missed two games because of an illness and was initially considered questionable for Monday's contest. However, Barrett has been upgraded to available and will start against his former team. Barrett only recently cooked up a 30-point game against the Knicks and should be eager to repeat the performance on Monday night. Ja'Kobe Walter,
Jamison Battle, and
Jamal Shead will likely lose minutes with Barrett's return.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Toronto Raptors
5 hours agoWashington Wizards forward/center
Alexandre Sarr (back) has been ruled out ahead of Monday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The rookie big man was listed as questionable coming into this contest, but will ultimately sit out due to a back issue. It's worth noting that Sarr missed time earlier in the month due to the same issue. His absence should mean increased playing time for
Jonas Valanciunas on Monday. The veteran big man has been quiet lately, but is worth a look as a streaming choice with additional playing time. Last time he played over 20 minutes, Valanciunas finished with 20 points and 14 rebounds.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Varun Shankar
5 hours agoWashington Wizards guard
Bilal Coulibaly (groin) has been ruled out ahead of Monday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. His absence shouldn't come as a huge surprise considering Coulibaly was listed as doubtful heading into this game. The absence of Coulibaly will open up significant playing time considering he's averaging 34 minutes per game this season.
Justin Champagnie,
Corey Kispert, and
Johnny Davis should all see bigger roles on Monday. Champagnie posted a dud his last time out, but remains the best streaming option between the three ahead of Monday's game.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Varun Shankar
5 hours agoOn one hand, Houston Texans quarterback
C.J. Stroud has a nice matchup on Christmas Day against a Baltimore Ravens passing defense that has struggled this year. But on the other, the circumstances surrounding the second-year quarterback leave a lot to be desired. Two of his top three receivers in
Tank Dell (knee) and
Stefon Diggs (knee) are out for the year, his patchwork offensive line will face a Ravens unit that has the second-most sacks in the league, his running game will face the best rushing defense in the NFL, and the Texans very well could be running on fumes with a third game in 11 days. Though Baltimore ranks an attractive 27th against fantasy quarterbacks, Stroud hasn't had a top-10 finish since Week 4. He should be saved only for Superflex formats.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
5 hours agoHouston Texans running back
Joe Mixon will face another difficult matchup in Week 17 when his team takes on the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas Day. The 28-year-old has cooled off after being one of the top-performing fantasy running backs in the middle of the season, ranking outside the top 25 two weeks in a row, and now comes a Baltimore defense that ranks eighth against fantasy running backs and has allowed the fewest yards per attempt in the NFL. With wide receivers
Stefon Diggs (knee) and
Tank Dell (knee) out for the year, it's possible Houston can involve Mixon in the passing game, which would be beneficial, especially in PPR formats. But given the tough matchup, the veteran should be considered a solid RB2/high-end flex this week.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
5 hours agoAlready his team's best wide receiver,
Nico Collins of the Houston Texans could be due an even bigger target share on Christmas Day against the Baltimore Ravens. The fourth-year veteran is the lone healthy member of Houston's talented receiver trio now that
Stefon Diggs (knee) and
Tank Dell (knee) are both out for the year. Additionally, he'll take on a Baltimore defense that has allowed a ton of points to fantasy wide receivers, ranking 30th against the position. Although Houston added another receiver to the fold in Dionate Johnson and has struggled at times this season as an offense, Collins has been regularly productive and should be considered a WR1 again in this matchup.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
5 hours agoMiami Heat point guard
Terry Rozier (knee) will not play against Brooklyn on Monday. He was initially expected to feature in the contest, as the team gave Rozier a probable designation on the injury report, but knee inflammation will keep Rozier sidelined. Miami also won't have
Jimmy Butler (illness), so
Tyler Herro and
Bam Adebayo will be expected to carry the offense, with
Duncan Robinson and
Jaime Jaquez Jr. also chipping in. Additionally,
Dru Smith also becomes an interesting fantasy target with Rozier out. He's already had a handful of strong performances lately, going for 10-plus points in four of the last five games.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Miami Heat
5 hours agoDallas Mavericks guard
Luka Doncic (heel) is available ahead of Monday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. Doncic will make his return to the court after missing each of the last two games due to a left heel contusion. There is no word on Doncic being limited, so fantasy managers should expect him to have a full workload on Monday. The return of Doncic should shift
Spencer Dinwiddie back to the bench. The move back to the bench will probably mean the end to most of Dinwiddie's streaming appeal.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Kevin Gray Jr.
5 hours agoFollowing two serious injuries ahead of him, wide receiver
Robert Woods of the Houston Texans could find himself as a popular, but not recommended, waiver-wire addition going into a Christmas Day meeting against Baltimore. The Texans have had awful wide receiver luck, losing both
Stefon Diggs (knee) and
Tank Dell (knee) for the year, leading them to claim
Diontae Johnson off waivers on Monday. While top target
Nico Collins remains the clear No. 1 option, Woods drew a season-high six targets after Dell's injury in Week 16. Additionally, the Ravens have been one of the worst defenses in the league against fantasy receivers at 30th overall. But ultimately, starting a receiver who has just 16 catches in 15 games at this stage of the fantasy playoffs is an unnecessary risk.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
5 hours agoHouston Texans tight end
Dalton Schultz should be considered a high-end TE2 candidate ahead of the Texans' Christmas Day game against the Baltimore Ravens. The Houston offense has seen dramatic changes to its pecking order now that wide receivers
Tank Dell (knee) and
Stefon Diggs (knee) are both out for the season, leaving the veteran tight end as the team's likely second option behind leading receiver
Nico Collins. Baltimore ranks 22nd against fantasy tight ends, providing a solid matchup, but the former Dallas Cowboy has been reliant upon touchdowns for top-10 finishes. This year, Schultz has far more finishes outside of the top 20 (nine) than touchdowns (two), so managers should reserve him only for formats that play two tight ends.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
5 hours agoAn already great fantasy season for Houston Texans kicker
Ka'imi Fairbairn has a chance to be even better with a superb matchup against Baltimore in Week 17. The 30-year-old is the overall No. 3 at his position, and in the Super Bowl week for many fantasy leagues, he'll take on a Ravens team that ranks 29th against fantasy kickers. Fairbairn has a whopping 11 top-10 finishes among kickers this year and already has set the NFL record for most made field goals from beyond 50 yards. There's never a guarantee with kickers, but managers have to like this strong matchup at a great time.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
5 hours agoThe Houston Texans defense/special teams is not recommended for fantasy managers deep in the fantasy playoffs in Week 17 against the Baltimore Ravens. There's a lot to dislike: Houston will be playing its third game in 11 days, do-it-all-safeties Jalen Pitre (chest) and Jimmie Ward (foot) are out for the season, Ravens quarterback
Lamar Jackson is devastatingly effective as a runner, and a Baltimore's overall offense ranks in the top five in the league in scoring percentage, turnover percentage, passing touchdowns, penalties drawn, and net yards per passing attempt. With the waiver wire less and less competitive as teams get eliminated, there's no practical reason to risk playing the Texans when there are better matchups available.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
5 hours agoAtlanta Hawks guard/forward
Bogdan Bogdanovic (lower leg) will not suit up for Monday's matchup against Minnesota. Entering Monday, he was already listed as questionable for the contest, so it's not unexpected that Bogdanovic exits the lineup once again. The Serbian veteran has been limited to only 14 appearances this season, averaging 11.3 points in 25.4 minutes.
De'Andre Hunter should get extra scoring opportunities off the bench on Monday, with
Vit Krejci and
Garrison Mathews potentially soaking in some of Bogdanovic's minutes.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Atlanta Hawks
5 hours agoAccording to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, Houston Rockets forward
Dillon Brooks (ankle) won't play against the Hornets due to right ankle soreness. Brooks is a late scratch, as he wasn't listed on Monday's team injury report earlier.
Amen Thompson could be a serviceable fantasy option with Brooks sidelined, as he will likely see more opportunities. The 21-year-old is averaging 11.8 points and 6.8 rebounds across 28 outings this season.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: Jonathan Feigen
5 hours agoAtlanta Hawks point guard
Trae Young (heel) will be active against Minnesota on Monday. He returns from a one-game absence after missing Saturday's matchup against Memphis with a heel problem. The Hawks star has been a double-double machine throughout the season, averaging 21.6 points and a league-high 12.2 assists. However, Monday's game could be one of the most challenging matchups of the season for Young, as the Timberwolves give up the third-fewest fantasy points in the league to point guards.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Atlanta Hawks
5 hours agoChicago Bulls forward
Torrey Craig (Achilles) is available ahead of Monday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Craig will make his way back to the court after missing each of the last eight games. His return is good timing with the Bulls being shorthanded for Monday's game. Both
Josh Giddey (ankle) and
Lonzo Ball (illness) are out, so Craig might see additional run. The veteran forward is only averaging 11 minutes per game this season. He might see a few more minutes on Monday, but he's not a recommended streaming option on Monday's busy slate.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: KC Johnson
5 hours agoChicago Bulls guard
Josh Giddey (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of Monday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. This marks the third game in a row that Giddey has been forced to miss due to a right ankle sprain. Fellow guard
Lonzo Ball (illness) is also sidelined which means the Bulls are going to be shorthanded at the guard spot.
Ayo Dosunmu,
Coby White, and
Talen Horton-Tucker should all see increased run with Giddey on the sideline. Both Dosunmu and White should be solid fantasy options for Monday's slate.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: KC Johnson
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