11 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
11 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
11 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
11 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
11 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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11 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
11 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
11 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
11 months agoIn the Cardinals' 27-16 loss to the Bears, Arizona tight end Trey McBride continued to be a reliable target, securing 6-of-8 targets for 31 yards. McBride has been a consistent force since quarterback Kyler Murray's return in Week 10, amassing an impressive 38-425-1 stat line on 45 targets over the past five contests. Although he fell short of 40 receiving yards for only the third time in nine outings, McBride remains a vital part of Arizona's passing game, serving as a safety blanket for Murray. Looking forward to the Week 17 matchup against the Eagles, McBride's steady performance and reliable target share position him as a reliable TE1, especially against an Eagles defense that has shown vulnerability to opposing tight ends. Fantasy managers can continue to trust McBride as a valuable asset heading into fantasy championship week.Source: ESPN.COM
11 months agoIn the Cardinals' 27-16 loss to the Bears, Greg Dortch showcased his playmaking abilities, securing 2-of-5 targets for 45 yards and a touchdown. The highlight was a quick pass that turned into a dazzling 38-yard score in the fourth quarter, displaying Dortch's agility and elusiveness. Despite the loss, Dortch's performance solidifies his presence in the WR4 conversation. Looking ahead to Week 17 against Philadelphia, Dortch's ability to make explosive plays positions him as a potential fantasy option, especially if he continues to capitalize on opportunities and remains involved in the Cardinals' passing attack. Fantasy managers should monitor his potential impact in what could be a favorable matchup, especially if teammate Marquise Brown (heel) remains sidelined.Source: ESPN.COM
11 months agoIn the Cardinals' 27-16 loss to the Bears, Arizona Running back James Conner displayed versatility, compiling 12 carries for 45 yards on the ground and making an impact in the passing game with five catches for 67 yards and a touchdown. Although this marked his first game of the year with less than 4.0 yards per carry, Conner's dynamic receiving performance more than compensated. His five targets included a 16-yard catch-and-run touchdown, helping to contribute to his game-high of 20 yards. Despite a quieter day on the rushing end, Conner achieved 100-plus yards from scrimmage for the fourth time this season. Looking ahead to Week 17 in Philadelphia, Conner will aim to maintain his solid momentum and remain an RB2 play.Source: ESPN.COM
11 months agoIn the Cardinals' 27-16 loss to the Bears, Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray showcased his dual-threat prowess, going 23-for-37 with 208 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. He orchestrated a nine-play, 75-yard drive culminating in a touchdown pass to James Conner late in the second quarter. Notably, eight of the Cardinals' initial nine drives struggled to surpass 30 yards, while Murray's 32 yards on five carries mirrored his weekly rushing average. Operating without top receiver Marquise Brown (heel), Murray faced challenges, yet his two touchdown passes marked a season-high. Looking ahead to Week 17 against the Eagles, Murray's performance may improve with the potential return of Brown, adding an optimistic outlook for fantasy managers. As such, Kyler remains a QB2 for Week 17.Source: ESPN.COM
11 months agoIn Week 15, Matt Prater delivered a standout performance, connecting on 3-of-3 field goal attempts (58, 43, 28) and 2-of-2 extra point attempts against the 49ers. This marked a significant uptick in Prater's production, with five total kicks, including three field goals, after seeing limited opportunities in his previous three games. Despite the improved offensive outlook for the Cardinals, Prater remains a risky fantasy kicker, ranking outside the top 25 at his position in scoring with 85 total points. However, his ability to convert kicks from 50-plus yards, including a 62-yarder earlier in the season, adds an element of upside. Fantasy managers considering Prater for Week 16 should weigh the potential for long-range kicks against the overall scoring limitations.Source: ESPN.COM
11 months agoAfter the Week 15 shellacking at the hands of divisional foe San Francisco, the Arizona Cardinals travel to Chicago to take on the Bears in Week 16. The Cardinals have allowed 26.0 points per game (31st) while posting just 32 sacks (23rd) and 15 takeaways (24th). In turn, their ceiling is low in most matchups. However, they're set up well against the Bears, who have given up 24 turnovers (25th) this year while QB Justin Fields has been sacked on a whopping 10.6 percent of dropbacks. Facing an offense prone to turnovers and a quarterback under constant pressure, the Cardinals' defense could find opportunities to capitalize. While their overall season performance raises concerns, this Week 16 matchup presents a favorable scenario for fantasy managers.Source: ESPN.COM