3 days agoLos Angeles Lakers forward
LeBron James (foot) will play against the Kings. The nagging foot injury continues to bother the multi-time All-Star, although he had some time off over the last few weeks, which has helped. As usual, he's a must-start. However, his presence will likely mean
Dalton Knecht, who has averaged 14.3 points in 12 starts this season, will head back to the bench.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Trevor Lane
3 days agoSeattle Seahawks wide receiver
DK Metcalf (shoulder) was a full participant during Thursday's practice session. Metcalf sat out of practice on Wednesday, but that was likely just a rest day for the superstar wideout. That being said, Metcalf appears to be extremely likely to suit up for the Week 16 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. That is good news for fantasy managers, but Metcalf's value hinges on the status of
Geno Smith (knee). Smith has practiced in full each of the last two days, so hopefully he'll be removed from the injury report on Friday. If that happens, Metcalf can be started as a WR2 for this weekend.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: seahawks.com
3 days agoSeattle Seahawks running back
Zach Charbonnet (oblique) was a limited participant during Thursday's practice session. This is positive news after Charbonnet sat out of practice to begin the week. The 23-year-old picked up an oblique injury during last week's loss to the Green Bay Packers. Charbonnet has started each of the last two games, but figures to return to his backup role with
Kenneth Walker III (calf) likely returning this weekend. Walker practiced in full on Thursday and appears to be trending in the right direction ahead of the Week 16 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. If active, Charbonnet is unlikely to have much of a role, assuming Walker is back in the mix now.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: seahawks.com
3 days agoMilwaukee Bucks forward
Khris Middleton (illness) is expected to play in Friday's game against the Cavaliers. The Bucks defeated OKC on Tuesday to win the NBA Cup. However, Middleton wasn't out there for that one because of an illness. As expected,
Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) and
Damian Lillard (calf) handled most of the work on the scoring end. But
Gary Trent Jr. also came up big from off the bench, ending the night with 13 points. With that in mind, Lillard won't play, meaning Trent might remain involved. As far as Middleton is concerned, he's still not an ideal fantasy option, considering he has averaged only 7.0 points in 21.3 minutes (four games) since returning from bilateral ankle surgery.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
4 days agoPhiladelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (face) is questionable for Friday's game against Charlotte. Nick Nurse recently indicated that Embiid's sinus fracture isn't as bad as his previous two. However, he may need another game or two before he's ready to get back on the floor. The 30-year-old was starting to look like himself before going back on the shelf. But until Embiid is back on the floor.
Andre Drummond, most recently amassing nine points, 15 rebounds, two steals, and one block against the Hornets, is expected to remain in the middle.
Guerschon Yabusele should also see more action if Embiid doesn't suit up.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
4 days agoAccording to the Texas Rangers PR, right-handed pitcher
Roansy Contreras has been claimed by the Cincinnati Reds. The Rangers designated Contreras for assignment earlier this offseason after acquiring him in late October. The 25-year-old spent the 2024 campaign with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Los Angeles Angels. Across 68 1/3 innings, the right-hander held a 4.35 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. Contreras operated primarily out of the bullpen but did receive three starts. Under the hood, the right-hander generated a poor 4.94 xERA, 9.7% barrel rate and a 43.5% hard-hit rate. In addition he struggled to generate strikeouts at a poor 18.8% mark and had poor command with a high 10.4% walk rate. Fantasy managers should monitor his progress during Spring Training as he could contend for the final spot in the Cincinnati rotation and may enter low-enter streaming territory for NL-only formats.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Texas Rangers
4 days agoBaltimore Ravens quarterback
Lamar Jackson is fresh off of a humongous performance against the New York Giants in Week 15 where he threw five touchdowns. In Week 16, however, the Pittsburgh Steelers present a bigger challenge. The only week that Jackson finished outside QB1 territory this season was against the Steelers in Week 11. He averages one fumble and a bit over one interception (1.1) per game in seven starts against the Steelers to go along with 153.9 passing yards on a 56.97% completion percentage. While this doesn't mean fantasy managers should bench Jackson by any means, expectations shouldn't be as high as the rest of the year.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
4 days agoNew York Knicks forward
Josh Hart (personal) won't play on Thursday night versus the Minnesota Timberwolves. The former Villanova Wildcat has had a stellar year, averaging 14.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.5 steals. Unfortunately, he'll miss his first game of the 2024-25 campaign due to personal reasons. Without question, the void left by Hart's absence won't be easy to fill, although
Miles McBride and
Precious Achiuwa should see more minutes, making them both viable fantasy assets.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
4 days agoAccording to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com, the Arizona Diamondbacks have signed outfielder
Cristian Pache to a non-roster invite. Pache spent the 2024 campaign playing in Philadelphia, Baltimore and Miami. Across 88 games, Pache posted a .200/.273/.279 slash line with eight doubles, one home run, and one stolen base. Across 48 games in 2023, he held a slightly higher .238/.319/.417 line. Through 169 games at the Triple-A level, the 26-year-old posted a .260/.325/.401 line with 33 doubles and 13 stolen bases. Pache will likely compete for a roster spot during Spring Training. Pache should not be on your fantasy radar heading into the 2025 season given his lack of consistent production in the big leagues.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Steve Gilbert
4 days agoNow that Houston Texans running back
Joe Mixon (ankle) is officially off the Week 16 injury report, fantasy managers can comfortably pencil him in as an RB2 option against the Kansas City Chiefs. The veteran back has had a nice first year as a Texan, but faces a Chiefs defense that ranks first in the NFL against fantasy running backs. Kansas City sits second in the league in yards per attempt allowed and is among the five teams allowing under 100 overall rushing yards per game. Mixon is still starting worthy, especially with 32 catches in 11 games played, but managers should think of him more as a second option in fantasy given the tough matchup.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
4 days agoAccording to Andy Martino of SNY, the New York Mets met with free-agent starting pitcher Roki Sasaki on Thursday. Sasaki was officially posted earlier this month from Nippon Professional Baseball. Last season, the hard-throwing right-hander struck out 129 batters across 111 innings of work. He posted a strong 2.35 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP. The 23-year-old is viewed as one of the top pitchers on the current free-agent market. Earlier this offseason, the Mets added right-handed pitcher
Clay Holmes, who is expected to transition to the starting rotation. They also added
Griffin Canning, who will likely compete for the No. 5 spot. Given
Kodai Senga's injury history, adding Sasaki would not only bolster this rotation, but also add some much-needed depth. Fantasy managers should closely monitor where Sasaki signs, as he will likely be drafted as a high-end SP3 this offseason.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Andy Martino
4 days agoAccording to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, the Philadelphia Phillies have signed free-agent outfielder
Max Kepler to a one-year contract. Kepler has spent his entire 10-year MLB career playing with the Minnesota Twins. Last season, he saw his campaign cut short due to left-knee tendinitis he suffered in early September. Across 105 games in 2024, the veteran outfielder posted a .253/.302/.380 slash line with 21 doubles, eight home runs, 42 RBI and one swiped bag. Under the hood, he generated a below-average 36.8% hard-hit rate and 6.2% barrel rate. In addition, he posted a low .301 xwOBA, which was his lowest mark since the 2019 season. Fantasy managers should expect Kepler to operate as a depth outfielder in Philadelphia who will contend for a starting role in spring training.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Todd Zolecki
4 days agoAccording to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Washington Nationals have signed right-handed pitcher
Michael Soroka. Soroka spent last season pitching for the Chicago White Sox and operated as both a reliever and a starter. Across 79 2/3 innings of work, the right-hander held a 4.74 ERA and 1.38 WHIP with an 0-10 record. However across 7 1/3 innings of relief in September, he held a perfect 0.00 ERA with a stellar 0.55 WHIP. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to how the Nationals plan to deploy Soroka as he flashed decent upside when operating out of the bullpen. If he does find a permanent spot in the bullpen, he could eventually earn a high-leverage role given the lack of proven options in the Nationals bullpen with
Kyle Finnegan currently testing free agency.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Ken Rosenthal
4 days agoLos Angeles Clippers forward
Derrick Jones Jr. (hamstring) will return from a two-game absence on Thursday versus Dallas. The 27-year-old suffered a right hamstring strain on Dec. 8 but has made a quick recovery. Jones Jr. has been a regular starter for the Clippers all year, averaging 10.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.3 steals in 25.0 minutes. However, the high-flying forward will have a limited role against his former team, so managers won't get full value out of Jones Jr. on Thursday.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Tomer Azarly
4 days agoThe struggling Houston Texans' passing game combined with the blitz-happy Kansas City Chiefs should have fantasy managers dialing back expectations for quarterback
C.J. Stroud in Week 16. The second-year quarterback has been sacked the fifth-most times in the league this year, which is not a great sign against a Kansas City defense that knocks down quarterbacks and blitzes at the second-highest rate in the NFL. Last year's Rookie of the Year hasn't logged a top-10 quarterback finish since Week 4 or passed for 300 yards since Week 5. The fantasy playoffs and a game at the defending champs probably is not the time or place to bet on a rebound for managers in one-QB formats.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
4 days agoMemphis Grizzlies guard
Marcus Smart (shoulder) will not play against the Warriors on Thursday. After initially listing him as doubtful, the team has ruled Smart out for the content. This should result in
Scotty Pippen Jr. having a more significant role in the rotation. As a reserve, Pippen Jr. has struggled with providing consistent production this month, averaging 5.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. However, his lone December outing with 20-plus minutes ended with a double-double for Pippen Jr.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Memphis Grizzlies PR
4 days agoThe Houston Texans' offense has been a bit of a letdown this season, but wide receiver
Nico Collins has been every bit as good as advertised, maintaining his WR1 status against Kansas City in Week 16. The Michigan Man has played at least 70% of Houston's snaps in seven games and finished in the top 15 among receivers in five of them. Even when things have gone awry, he has produced, as evidenced by last week's game in which he had a season-low 17 yards, but still scored two touchdowns. This week, he'll take on a Kansas City defense that blitzes the second-most of any team, but ranks 12th against fantasy receivers. Managers should feel confident knowing that Collins has delivered in challenging settings before and can do it again.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
4 days agoSeattle Seahawks running back
Kenneth Walker III (calf) went from missing practice on Wednesday to practicing in full on Thursday, signaling he could be ready to return from a two-game absence to face the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday in Week 16. Meanwhile,
Zach Charbonnet, who missed Wednesday with an oblique injury, was limited on Thursday. The way things are currently trending, it could be a worst-case scenario for fantasy managers that have one of or both Walker and Charbonnet rostered. Charbonnet saw 30 carries for 188 yards (6.27 yards per carry) and three touchdowns while adding eight catches for 71 yards the last two weeks with Walker sidelined. If Seattle has both Walker and Charbonnet active against Minnesota, this backfield could easily be split more in half with Walker returning, potentially lowering both RB's fantasy upside in an already bad matchup.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Michael-Shawn Dugar
4 days agoEven by boom-or-bust standards, Houston Texans wide receiver
Tank Dell has been an extreme case this year, making him a low-end WR4 option in Week 16 against Kansas City. The second-year receiver has failed to surpass 50 yards receiving eight times in 13 games and logged just one top-15 finish among receivers all season. This week, he goes up against a Kansas City defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest total yards and knocked down the quarterback at the second-highest rate in the NFL. Attached to a Houston passing game that has looked out of sorts for large portions of the season, Dell shouldn't be relied upon in standard formats.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
4 days agoAccording to Sean Cunningham of Fox 40 Sacramento, Sacramento Kings forward
Keegan Murray (ankle) is available to suit up for Thursday's matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers. Murray missed his first game of the season on Monday and didn't practice Wednesday due to a sore left ankle. In the last 10 games, the 24-year-old has been a key contributor on the floor, averaging 12.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, and 1.0 assists across 35.2 minutes.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: Sean Cunningham
4 days agoDespite a favorable matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans tight end
Dalton Schultz should be considered a TE2 in Week 16. The former Dallas Cowboy is reliably playing 80% of Houston snaps and averaging three catches per contest, but rarely delivering big performances, finishing in the top 10 for fantasy tight ends just once in 14 games. The Chiefs' otherwise strong defense has been most vulnerable against tight ends, allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to them this year. Managers rostering Schultz, however, are likely having a difficult time trusting him to make a difference in the fantasy playoffs. He should be saved only for formats that play more than one tight end.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
4 days agoDallas Mavericks guard
Kyrie Irving (shoulder) has been downgraded from questionable to out on Thursday night and will not suit up against the Los Angeles Clippers. The Mavs will be without both Irving and
Luka Doncic (heel) so
Spencer Dinwiddie and
Quentin Grimes may both move into the starting five.
Klay Thompson will likely need to step up in the scoring department as well. Dinwiddie and Grimes are both more likely to be available as streamers, but they both have more appeal in DFS lineups.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Tomer Azarly
4 days agoHouston Texans kicker
Ka'imi Fairbairn is yet again a top kicking option with his team set to take on the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday. The UCLA product is coming off back-to-back perfect weeks, has not missed an extra point this season, and is the overall No. 2 at his position for fantasy points. Kansas City ranks a sturdy fourth against fantasy kickers, but 13 of Fairbairn's 33 made field goals have come from beyond 50 yards this season, making him fantasy relevant week-in and week-out. He's a worthy starting option for managers in the playoffs.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
4 days agoPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver
DeVonta Smith (back) upgraded to a full practice session on Thursday a day after he was limited on Wednesday. Smith was just being rested in the first practice of the week on Wednesday and should be just fine to play in Week 16 against the division-rival Washington Commanders on Sunday. The 26-year-old disappointed in Weeks 10 and 11 with a combined six catches for 43 yards on nine targets. He then missed Weeks 12 and 13 due to a hamstring injury. In two games since returning in Weeks 14 and 15, Smith has caught 15 of 18 targets for 146 yards and two touchdowns. He had his first 100-yard game of the year in the Week 15 win over the Steelers and is riding high into Week 16, albeit against a Washington defense that has allowed the fourth-fewest PPR points to receivers in the last five weeks. Smith will be in play as a WR2/3 for fantasy managers.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Philadelphia Eagles
4 days agoToronto Raptors guard
Davion Mitchell (shoulder) will not be available for Thursday's meeting with Brooklyn. The defensive specialist was a late addition to the injury report with a shoulder problem and has been officially ruled out ahead of tip-off. With Toronto battling injuries throughout the campaign, Mitchell has been a significant part of the rotation, averaging 6.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in 26.8 minutes. Mitchell's absence will likely boost
Jamal Shead's playing time on Thursday. He's coming off a good performance, as Shead recorded 10 points, four rebounds, six assists, and one steal in Monday's 122-121 loss to Chicago.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
4 days agoAtlanta Hawks guard
Trae Young (Achilles) will suit up as expected and play against the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night. He was already considered probable, but has officially been upgraded to available and will certainly be in everyone's fantasy lineup regardless of format. The superstar point guard has posted a rough shooting percentage (.389) thus far but leads the league in assists at 12.1 per game. He's also contributed 1.3 steals per game making him a big-time contributor in category leagues.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
4 days agoAccording to Keith Smith of Spotrac.com, Boston Celtics forward/center
Xavier Tillman Sr. (illness) will not play against the Chicago Bulls on Thursday due to an illness. Tillman's absence shouldn't impact the Celtics' rotation, as he's averaged just 8.6 minutes across 17 games so far in this year's campaign. With Tillman and
Sam Hauser (back) both out, players like
Neemias Queta and
Jordan Walsh could soak up a few extra minutes on Thursday.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: Keith Smith
4 days agoPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver
A.J. Brown (knee, rest) was listed as a limited participant in practice on Thursday. Brown was rested on Wednesday, but his knee injury wasn't listed. It's a reminder that Brown tweaked his knee during a tackle in the Week 15 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday. It's something to keep an eye on, but it's an issue that shouldn't compromise his availability for the Week 16 matchup against the division-rival Washington Commanders on Sunday. We'd be surprised if Brown wasn't available to play this weekend. The 27-year-old reportedly hasn't been happy with the Eagles' lack of a passing attack this year, so naturally Philly fed him the ball last Sunday. Brown had season-highs of catches (eight) and targets (11) while going for 110 yards and a score. Look for the Eagles to continue feeding him this Sunday, giving him WR1 upside in fantasy.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Philadelphia Eagles
4 days agoMemphis Grizzlies point guard
Ja Morant (back) appears good to go for Thursday's matchup against
Stephen Curry and the Warriors. Per ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk, Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins has said Morant is expected to play on Thursday. A back problem gave Morant a questionable tag on the injury report. Morant has crushed it in his most recent three appearances, averaging 26.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Ohm Youngmisuk
4 days agoDetroit Pistons guard
Jaden Ivey (knee) has been downgraded to out on Thursday as expected. The third-year guard was originally considered doubtful while he dealt with knee inflammation.
Malik Beasley and
Tim Hardaway Jr. should both see extra minutes in the starting five while
Ron Holland II will remain in a reserve role. Beasley stands out as the better streaming option, especially after dropping 28 points, four assists, three rebounds, and one block in their last game against the Miami Heat.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
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