Footballguys #252 - 12/27 - News And Notes From Around The League

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J [] INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. [PHI - TE Zach Ertz to miss Week 17](#1) 2. [TEN - Full practice for RB Derrick Henry](#2) 3. [PIT - RB James Conner ruled out Week 17](#3) 4. [GB - RB Jamaal Williams to sit Week 17](#4) 5. [CLE - Ill WR Odell Beckham Jr. questionable](#5) 6. [OAK - RB Josh Jacobs expected to miss finale](#6) 7. [NO - WR Antonio Brown visiting Saints](#7) 8. [MIN - RB Alexander Mattison listed as questionable](#8) 9. [IND - Day off for WR T.Y. Hilton](#9) 10. [NYG - WR Darius Slayton a full participant](#10) 11. [HOU - Houston's Week 17 injury report](#11) 12. [BAL - RB Mark Ingram ruled out](#12) 13. [BAL - Baltimore's Week 17 injury report](#13) 14. [IND - RB Jordan Wilkins to miss Week 17](#14) 15. [GB - QB Aaron Rodgers gets early bonus](#15) 16. [CAR - WR D.J. Moore to miss Week 17](#16) 17. [WAS - WR Terry McLaurin to miss finale](#17) 18. [PHI - RB Jordan Howard way down pecking order](#18) 19. [ATL - ATL brass staying intact](#19) 20. [ATL - Raheem Morris promoted to DC](#20) 21. [MIA - QB Ryan Fitzpatrick open to playing](#21) 22. [NYJ - Le'Veon Bell could be moved this offseason](#22) 23. [IND - QB Jacoby Brissett still affected by knee injury?](#23) 24. [MIA - De'Lance Turner to be busy?](#24) 25. [LAR - TE Tyler Higbee has trust of QB](#25) 26. [OAK - Vote of confidence for QB Derek Carr](#26) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 1. [PHI - TE Zach Ertz to miss Week 17]() Source: PhiladelphiaEagles.com Philadelphia Eagles TE [Zach Ertz]( (back, ribs) did not participate in practice Friday, Dec. 27, and has been ruled out for Week 17. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Dallas Goedert should be the top target against the Giants, with Greg Ward the main wide receiver in the passing game. Miles Sanders and Boston Scott should also get more targets than usual with Ertz sidelined. He had nine catches for 91 yards and two scores in the first matchup. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 2. [TEN - Full practice for RB Derrick Henry]( Source: TitansOnline.com Tennessee Titans RB [Derrick Henry]( (hamstring) fully participated in practice Friday, Dec. 27, and is not on the injury report for Week 17. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Henry should be in a lot of Week 17 DFS matchups. He should get all of the work he can handle against the Texans. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 3. [PIT - RB James Conner ruled out Week 17]() Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter Pittsburgh Steelers RB [James Conner]( (quadriceps) on Friday, Dec. 27, was ruled out of the team's Week 17 game against the Baltimore Ravens. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Kerrith Whyte, Jaylen Samuels, and Benny Snell will split the work in his stead. It's possible the team looks to free agency or the draft to bolster the backfield despite spending picks at the position in each of the last three drafts. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 4. [GB - RB Jamaal Williams to sit Week 17]( Source: Green Bay Press-Gazette - Ryan Wood Green Bay Packers RB [Jamaal Williams]( (shoulder) will not play in Week 17 against the Detroit Lions, according to head coach Matt LaFleur. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Rookie sixth round pick Dexter Williams will get a chance to back up Aaron Jones and perhaps close out the game that locks the Packers in as the #1 seed in the NFC. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 5. [CLE - Ill WR Odell Beckham Jr. questionable](=) Source: NFL.com - Nick Shook Cleveland Browns WR [Odell Beckham]( Jr. (groin, illness) sat out practice Friday, Dec. 27, with an illness and is listed as questionable for the team's Week 17 game at the Cincinnati Bengals. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Beckham could sit this week if he's anything less than 100% because of this illness. It has been a disappointing year for him and the whole Browns offense outside of Nick Chubb. It is still uncertain if Beckham will be a Brown come Week 1 of the 2020 season. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 6. [OAK - RB Josh Jacobs expected to miss finale]( Source: NFL.com - Kevin Patra Oakland Raiders RB [Josh Jacobs]( (shoulder) is not expected to play in Week 17, according to information obtained from a source Friday, Dec. 27. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] DeAndre Washington will get the start and Jalen Richard will back him up as both try to leave an impression for teams that might want to sign them this offseason in free agency. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 7. [NO - WR Antonio Brown visiting Saints](=) Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport Free-agent WR [Antonio Brown]( (Patriots) is visiting the New Orleans Saints Friday, Dec. 27. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Brown will end up on the commissioner's exempt list if he is signed before the investigation into a sexual assault lawsuit is complete. This could be a sign that the investigation is closer to a close, or perhaps just that the Saints are interested in Brown's services once it is, even if that isn't until the offseason. Despite his antics in one of the most unbelievable chains of events in one year for a player, Brown will likely find employment in the NFL again in the future if legal matters don't keep him out of the league permanently. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 8. [MIN - RB Alexander Mattison listed as questionable](=) Source: Vikings.com Minnesota Vikings RB [Alexander Mattison]( (ankle) was limited during practice Friday, Dec. 27, and is listed as questionable for Week 17. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The Vikings will err on the side of caution with Mattison and any other player than is less than 100% or crucial to their efforts. Look for Ameer Abdullah to lead the backfield in touches against the Bears. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 9. [IND - Day off for WR T.Y. Hilton](=) Source: Colts.com Indianapolis Colts WR [T.Y. Hilton]( (non-injury) did not participate in practice Friday, Dec. 27, but is not on the injury report for Week 17. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Hilton is a low ceiling option in Week 17, but it is good that he is back on the field for the end of his most injury-marred season of his career. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 10. [NYG - WR Darius Slayton a full participant]( Source: Giants.com New York Giants WR [Darius Slayton]( (knee) fully participated in practice Friday, Dec. 27, and is not on the injury report for Week 17. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Slayton was a Week 16 landmine because of a knee injury, but it sounds like he'll be ready for the attempt to stop the Eagles from making the playoffs. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 11. [HOU - Houston's Week 17 injury report](=) Source: HoustonTexans.com Houston Texans WR [Will Fuller]( (groin) did not practice all week and has been ruled out for Week 17 against the Tennessee Titans. WR [DeAndre Hopkins]( (illness) did not practice Friday, Dec. 27, and is listed as questionable. S Jahleel Addae (Achilles), LB Jake Martin (knee), WR [Kenny Stills]( (knee), OT Laremy Tunsil (ankle), QB [Deshaun Watson]( (back) and CB Bradley Roby (hamstring) were limited in practice Friday and are also listed as questionable. LBs Brennan Scarlett (Achilles) and Benardrick McKinney (concussion) practiced in full Friday and no longer appear on the injury report. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Hopkins and Watson being questionable opens the door to them sitting or playing only a token drive or two. The Steelers can't be feeling good about having their hopes ride on the Texans this week. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 12. [BAL - RB Mark Ingram ruled out]() Source: BaltimoreRavens.com Baltimore Ravens RB [Mark Ingram]( (calf) did not participate in practice Friday, Dec. 27, and has been ruled out for Week 17. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Gus Edwards and Justice Hill will split the work against the stout Steelers run defense. Both are what the heck flex plays for Week 17. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 13. [BAL - Baltimore's Week 17 injury report]( Source: BaltimoreRavens.com Baltimore Ravens RB [Mark Ingram]( (calf) did not practice all week and has been ruled out for Week 17 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. WR [Marquise Brown]( (illness) and S Earl Thomas (knee, hand) did not practice Friday, Dec. 27, and are listed as questionable. TE [Mark Andrews]( (ankle) and CB Jimmy Smith (groin) were limited Friday and are also listed as questionable. CB Marcus Peters (chest) was upgraded to a full practice Friday and is listed as questionable as well. CB Brandon Carr (non-injury), DT [Brandon Williams]( (non-injury) and DT Chris Wormley (non-injury) practiced in full Friday and no longer appear on the injury report. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Andrews and Brown haven't been singled out as starters who will sit in Week 17 despite the Ravens having nothing to play for, but they aren't 100% and could certainly use two weeks of rest. They are unlikely to play for more than a token series if they play at all. Hayden Hurst and Miles Boykin should get longer looks in the passing game this week. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 14. [IND - RB Jordan Wilkins to miss Week 17](=) Source: The Herald Bulletin - George Bremer Indianapolis Colts RB [Jordan Wilkins]( (ankle) on Friday, Dec. 27, was ruled out of Week 17. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Jonathan Williams will be backing up Marlon Mack in a game that should be very good for the Colts running game. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 15. [GB - QB Aaron Rodgers gets early bonus]() Source: ProFootballTalk.com - Josh Alper Green Bay Packers QB [Aaron Rodgers]( had 14.26 million of his scheduled $19.5 million 2020 roster bonus converted into a signing bonus Friday, Dec. 27. The move drops Rodgers's cap hit for the 2020 season by $11.4 million, but he is still signed through the 2023 season. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The Packers have had a very successful 2019 regular season and this will give them a better chance of keeping this team together for 2020. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 16. [CAR - WR D.J. Moore to miss Week 17]() Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter Carolina Panthers WR [D.J. Moore]( (concussion) on Friday, Dec. 27, was ruled out of the team's Week 17 game against the New Orleans Saints with a concussion. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Chris Hogan and Jarius Wright will see more playing time and targets with Moore sidelined. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 17. [WAS - WR Terry McLaurin to miss finale]() Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter Washington Redskins WR [Terry McLaurin]( (concussion) on Friday, Dec. 27, was ruled out of the team's Week 17 game against the Dallas Cowboys. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Steven Sims will be the de facto #1 receiver against the Cowboys with Kelvin Harmon also getting a start as he and Cam Sims try to make their case as a long term piece of the passing game in Washington with more additions at their position likely coming this offseason. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 18. [PHI - RB Jordan Howard way down pecking order]( Source: NFL Network - James Palmer Philadelphia Eagles RB [Jordan Howard]( will be third running back in Week 17 behind RB [Miles Sanders]( and RB [Boston Scott](. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Howard will be getting back to game condition now that Miles Sanders has emerged as a more than capable every down back. He could be a more important tactical piece against the Seahawks or 49ers in the wild card game next week if the Eagles can beat the Giants with Howard playing a small role. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 19. [ATL - ATL brass staying intact]() Source: AtlantaFalcons.com Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff have been retained for the 2020 season and will report directly to Falcons president and CEO Rich McKay. Owner Arthur Blank will retain oversight of football operations, and McKay will report directly to him on all football matters. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The team beat San Francisco and New Orleans on the road in the second half of the year, which shows the level they were playing at after Quinn was reportedly on the hot seat. With better injury luck the Falcons should be right back in the playoff mix next year. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 20. [ATL - Raheem Morris promoted to DC]() Source: AtlantaFalcons.com Atlanta Falcons secondary coach Raheem Morris has been named defensive coordinator, effective at the end of the 2019 season. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Morris has been part of the second half turnaround for the Falcons defense along with Jeff Ulbrich. The Falcons are choosing to try to carry over that success to next year instead of making larger changes. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 21. [MIA - QB Ryan Fitzpatrick open to playing]( Source: The Miami Herald - Adam H. Beasley Miami Dolphins QB [Ryan Fitzpatrick]( said he is open to playing in 2020, but he would make the decision in the offseason. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] An NFL without Ryan Fitzpatrick is just less entertaining. Here's hoping he's back next year, and not just because he creates excellent fantasy football outcomes for his receivers. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 22. [NYJ - Le'Veon Bell could be moved this offseason]( Source: ESPNNewYork.com - Rich Cimini New York Jets RB Le'Veon Bell is likely to be traded during the offseason, in the opinion of ESPN's Rich Cimini, who believes the team will agree to pay some of his remaining salary to facilitate a deal. Cimini thinks a mid-round selection, perhaps in the fourth round, will likely be the return for Bell. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Bell's contract is not very team-friendly, but a third day pick to take it on isn't outlandish. There will only be a few teams that will consider it, and David Johnson will also be on the market for perhaps less draft compensation. The Jets don't really have a running back of the future on the roster and should be in the market in the draft and free agency. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 23. [IND - QB Jacoby Brissett still affected by knee injury?]() Source: The Athletic - Stephen Holder Indianapolis Colts QB [Jacoby Brissett]( has had his footwork affected by his knee injury, in the opinion of offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni, who says that Brissett's drops haven't been the same since the knee injury, which could affect his accuracy. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] This is just one of the considerations the Colts will weigh when deciding whether to sign, trade for, or draft another quarterback, or just concentrate their efforts on developing Brissett as their quarterback of the present and future. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 24. [MIA - De'Lance Turner to be busy?](=) Source: The Miami Herald - Barry Jackson Miami Dolphins RB De'Lance Turner has made a 'lot of improvements' this season, according to head coach Brian Flores, and Flores said Turner should play more in Week 17 against the New England Patriots. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The Dolphins running back situation is wide open for 2020. Turner probably won't play a large role in any event, but he can make a case for a roster spot with a good Week 17. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 25. [LAR - TE Tyler Higbee has trust of QB](=) Source: ESPN.com - Lindsey Thiry Los Angeles Rams QB [Jared Goff]( said he trusts TE [Tyler Higbee]( 'as much as anybody' in the offense. 'He does have that big frame, that big wingspan,' Goff said. 'I can kind of throw it anywhere near him he's got great hands, he's shown all that. We do like using him on stuff where I can miss a little bit at times. He can make that play.' [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Higbee had as good a run as a fantasy tight end as we've seen all year once Gerald Everett got hurt. He was signed to a long term extension earlier this year, but Everett will be back next year for the last year of his rookie deal, so Higbee's 2020 fantasy outlook will be tough to determine. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 26. [OAK - Vote of confidence for QB Derek Carr]( Source: ESPN.com - Paul Gutierrez Oakland Raiders QB [Derek Carr]('s performance this season was praised by head coach Jon Gruden. 'He's done a lot of good things,' Gruden said 'I know there's a lot of swirling reports out there, but Derek's done a great job. He's done a heck of a job for us.' [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Carr can be released with only five million dollars in dead cap money, but the Raiders probably won't go into their first year in Vegas with uncertainty at quarterback. They could use a draft pick to groom a potential successor and this quarterback market will be intriguing, but Carr is likely to be the Raiders Week 1 starter. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and thanks for being part of Footballguys. We'll see you tomorrow with the Update. Peace, J Thank you for subscribing to our Footballguys Daily Update Email! Get your 3 Free Downloads [here](=). You're subscribed as {EMAIL} To unsubscribe, click [here](. * Footballguys.com * PO Box 937 * Cabot, AR 72023-0937 * News Items Powered By: =