🏆 Big News At Footballguys

Plus - Christian McCaffrey Will Not Play On Sunday  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 01/03/24 ​[Unsubscribe |]( [Read Online]() | [Join]( | [GO PRO](=)​ Howdy {NAME}[,](=)​ Welcome In and Buckle Up. Big news today as we're proud to announce my long-time friend Bob Harris is joining the Footballguys Staff. Bob's a Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Hall of Famer, the long-time force behind Pro Forecast Magazine, FootballDiehards.com, and a regular on Sirius XM Radio. I'm brokenhearted over the cause as his long-time site, FootballDieHards, has closed. Its owner, my friend Emil Kadlec, is dealing with health issues. But I knew Bob would not be unemployed for long. He'll be bringing the edge you need for fantasy football as only Bob can. Stay tuned. Now for the news and notes you need, our man Cecil Lammey has you covered. Let's Go. J Inside This Issue [] - [SF: Christian McCaffrey to miss Week 18](#article-1) - [CLE: Amari Cooper improving](#article-2) - [NO: Alvin Kamara day-to-day](#article-3) - [MIN: Coach not ready to name QB for Week 18](#article-4) - [BAL: Lamar Jackson's status for Week 18 uncertain](#article-5) - [LAR: Sean McVay will return](#article-6) - [NYJ: Dalvin Cook done in New York](#article-7) - [JAX: Trevor Lawrence making progress](#article-8) - [DEN: Greg Dulcich unlikely for finale](#article-9) - [LAR: Shoulder issue for Tyler Higbee](#article-10) - [ATL: Taylor Heinicke dealing with injury](#article-11) - [LAR: Kyren Williams powering through defenders](#article-12) - [BAL: Isaiah Likely making the most of his chances](#article-13) The Footballguys $10K Give-Back = Win or lose, Fantasy Football is awesome. And the Fantasy Football community is awesome. And we have an awesome way for you to say thanks and support some great causes. And here's the big news - Footballguys will help amplify your contribution by matching up to $10,000 in donations. You pick the charity, and we'll join you. We've partnered with our good friends Scott Fish and John Bosch at [Fantasy Cares](), and their company is handling all the administration. They're an accredited 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency, so all donations are tax-deductible. Maybe you want to say thanks to a favorite player who helped you win this year by donating to the player's favorite charity. Or maybe say thanks to Footballguys if we helped by donating to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Or even more likely, maybe you just want to celebrate a sweet 2023 Season of Fantasy Football by backing your favorite cause from the huge list of options we have. Again, your gift goes even further as all your donations in this Give Back campaign will be matched dollar-for-dollar by Footballguys, up to $10,000 total. Let's team up to show just how awesome our fantasy community is. [Donate Today](=) ​ [] 1. SF: Christian McCaffrey to miss Week 18 [Source: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner]() San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (calf) will not play in the Week 18 game because of a mild calf strain, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. Our view: The 49ers have the no.1 seed in the NFC wrapped up, so Shanahan will be resting some starters in Week 18. Without McCaffrey, the 49ers turn to Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason in the backfield. [Back to Top](#top) [] 2. CLE: Amari Cooper improving [Source: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot]( Cleveland Browns WR Amari Cooper (heel) is making good progress in his recovery from a heel injury, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski. Our view: Cooper was inactive for Week 17 due to this heel problem. The Browns are a team nobody wants to face in the postseason. Playoff positioning is up for grabs this weekend, so perhaps Cooper will be out there in Week 18. [Back to Top](#top) [] 3. NO: Alvin Kamara day-to-day [Source: NewOrleans.Football - Nick Underhill]() New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara (ankle) is considered day-to-day because of the ankle injury he suffered during the Week 17 game, according to a source. He has a chance to play in the Week 18 game. Our view: The Saints could turn to Jamaal Williams as their lead back if Kamara has to miss time. Rookie Kendre Miller could get more work if Kamara is out. The Saints have a 31 percent chance to make the postseason. [Back to Top](#top) [] 4. MIN: Coach not ready to name QB for Week 18 [Source: ESPN.com - Kevin Seifert]() Minnesota Vikings QB Jaren Hall and QB Nick Mullens both received playing time during the Week 17 game, but head coach Kevin O'Connell said he is not ready to name the starter for Week 18 even though he has made a decision on who will start. Our view: Vikings QB Jaren Hall was benched at halftime in Week 17 against the Packers. Nick Mullens replaced him and completed 13-of-22 passes for 113 yards and one touchdown. Neither are great options for the Vikings in the season finale. [Back to Top](#top) [] 5. BAL: Lamar Jackson's status for Week 18 uncertain [Source: ESPN.com - Jamison Hensley]() Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson's playing status for the Week 18 game has not been determined at this point, according to head coach John Harbaugh. Our view: The Ravens are rolling - and sometimes steamrolling opponents - and have wrapped up the no.1 seed in the AFC. There's a chance Harbaugh thinks Jackson could get some rest, even if it's for half the game, as the team gets ready for what many expect to be a run for the Super Bowl. [Back to Top](#top) [] 6. LAR: Sean McVay will return [Source: TheRams.com - J.B. Long](=) Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay confirmed he'll return as the team's coach in 2024. Our view: McVay was talking about retirement not that long ago. Then, he decided to make one more run with QB Matthew Stafford in 2023. The Rams drafted extraordinarily well in 2023, and they have a strong young core of playmakers around their veteran quarterback. So long as Stafford is playing, the Rams (with McVay) can be playoff-relevant. [Back to Top](#top) Help Footballguys Get Even Better in 2024 I've long said there's not a smarter group of Fantasy GMs on the planet than our Footballguys Premium Subscribers. We'd like to hear from you about your experience with our in-season tools and features. We'll put your insights to work as we improve our offerings for the 2024 season. And as a thank you, we'll randomly pick five people who complete the survey who and give them a 2024 Footballguys Hall Of Fame Subscription. [Take the Survey](=) ​ [] 7. NYJ: Dalvin Cook done in New York [Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero]( New York Jets RB Dalvin Cook was waived on Tuesday, Jan. 2. Our view: Cook didn't do much with the Jets this year (67 carries for 214 yards). The two sides agree to part ways so Cook can latch on with a playoff team if someone out there wants to pick up the veteran back. [Back to Top](#top) [] 8. JAX: Trevor Lawrence making progress [Source: NFL.com](=) Jacksonville Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) is making progress in his recovery, and the team will see how he later in the week. Our view: The Jaguars have not yet locked up a playoff spot, but they have a 77 percent chance of doing that entering Week 18. Lawrence had to miss the game in Week 17, but he might be feeling better for the season finale. The Jaguars travel to face the Titans on Sunday. [Back to Top](#top) [] 9. DEN: Greg Dulcich unlikely for finale [Source: Denver Gazette - Chris Tomasson](=) Denver Broncos TE Greg Dulcich (foot, hamstring) is not expected to be available to play in the Week 18 game. Our view: Dulcich has been battling this hamstring injury since he came into the league. We believe he's spent five times on IR with various hamstring injuries throughout two seasons. Anything he does in the future should be considered as a bonus, and we expect the Broncos to try and upgrade the tight end position this offseason. [Back to Top](#top) The best things sent in the Footballguys Group Chat today: - 😵‍💫 Now what? [All there is left to do now is wait.]()​ - 🤯 We still can’t [get over this throw from Lamar Jackson.]()​ - 👏 Everyone is invited to [join the Joe Flacco Fan Club.]()​ - 😳 Note to self: [Don’t ask Mike Vrabel about losing.]()​ - 💪 He’s definitely right. OBJ says this [Ravens team is the best team he’s ever played for.]()​ ​ [] 10. LAR: Shoulder issue for Tyler Higbee [Source: TheRams.com - Stu Jackson]( Los Angeles Rams TE Tyler Higbee (shoulder) suffered a shoulder injury during the Week 17 game and will be evaluated during the week, according to head coach Sean McVay. Our view: It's a disappointing injury given that Higbee is coming off a season-high six catches against the Giants in Week 17. Having already secured a Wild Card spot, the Rams could give Higbee some rest in Week 18 if they think this shoulder injury needs time. [Back to Top](#top) [] 11. ATL: Taylor Heinicke dealing with injury [Source: NFL.com](=) Atlanta Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke (ankle) is dealing with an ankle injury, and his availability for Week 18 will not be known until later in the week, according to head coach Arthur Smith. Our view: The Falcons have had Heinicke in and out of the lineup this year. Now, he might have to miss the season finale due to this ankle injury. QB Desmond Ridder will start if Heinicke is unavailable to play. At this time, the Falcons have just a 10 percent chance of making the postseason. They'll need to win in Week 18 and get a lot of help if they're going to make the playoffs. [Back to Top](#top) [] 12. LAR: Kyren Williams powering through defenders [Source: ProFootballReference.com]() Los Angeles Rams RB Kyren Williams has been credited with 22 broken tackles during the 2023 season - a mark that ranks third in the league - according to Pro Football Reference. Our view: Williams is not flashy, but he's an efficient runner who picks up yards after contact. He doesn't waste motion as a runner, and Williams does a good job of keeping his legs driving while he's taking a hit. His play has been key for the Rams' success in 2023. [Back to Top](#top) [] 13. BAL: Isaiah Likely making the most of his chances [Source: ProFootballReference.com](=) Baltimore Ravens TE Isaiah Likely has caught 28 of his 38 targets for 380 yards and four touchdowns this season. The subsequent 140.2 passer rating on throws in his direction is the highest in the league among qualified pass-catchers for the 2023 season. Our view: Likely is a talented tight end who was waiting for his opportunity behind TE Mark Andrews. When Andrews was lost for the season, Likely stepped into the starting role and he's thrived as a favorite target of QB Lamar Jackson. [Back to Top](#top) That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and thanks for being part of the Footballguys Family. We'll see you tomorrow with the Update. Peace, J [avatar] Joe Bryant Guide ​ ​ [[twitter]​]([[facebook]​](=)[[discord]​]([[youtube]​]([[instagram]​]( = Written By Joe Bryant. News by Sigmund Bloom and Cecil Lammey Was this email forwarded to you? [Sign Up here](​ ​[Advertise with us](and get your brand in front of 600,000+ football fans [GO PRO](=) [PODCASTS]() [COMMUNITY]( [SHOP]( [CONTACT US]( You’re subscribed as [{EMAIL}](=) . 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