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NFL Player News for Week 17 - Weekend Edition
KC - QB Alex Smith out for Week 17
Source: KCChiefs.com - B.J. Kissel
Kansas City Chiefs QB Alex Smith (spleen) will not play in the team's Week 17 game after suffering a lacerated spleen.
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Chase Daniel gets the start with both teams' playoff hopes on the line. Daniel was serviceable as the Chiefs starter against a playoff bound Chargers team last year in Week 17, so Kansas City's offense might not drop off that much without Smith.
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SEA - Friday injury report
Source: Seahawks.com
Seattle Seahawks DE Demarcus Dobbs (ankle) and WR Jermaine Kearse (hamstring) have been ruled out for Week 17 against the St. Louis Rams. TE Cooper Helfet (ribs), WR Chris Matthews (hamstring), CB Tharold Simon (shoulder) and C Max Unger (knee, ankle) are questionable, while OT Russell Okung (chest) and TE Tony Moeaki (shoulder) are probable. Dobbs and Kearse didn't practice Friday, Dec. 26. Helfet, Matthews and Simon were limited, while the others practiced in full.
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Doug Baldwin becomes a better play with Kearse out. Rookie Paul Richardson should also get a lot more snaps with the starters on offense.
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DEN - RB Ronnie Hillman could return
Source: DenverBroncos.com - Andrew Mason
Denver Broncos RB Ronnie Hillman (foot) practiced in full for the third straight day Friday, Dec. 26, and is probable for Week 17 against the Oakland Raiders. 'He has good burst, good explosion, same things that you saw before the injury. He looks to be back in that form,' said head coach John Fox. 'We will see how it goes. He hasn't played football in about six weeks or so always get a little nervous about that but he has had a good week of preparation.' Fox said the team will know roughly 90 minutes before kickoff if Hillman will be active. Offensive coordinator Adam Gase said the team would play to Hillman's strengths if he's active.
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Juwan Thompson is banged up, so Hillman could get his touches against Oakland, but CJ Anderson is still the lead back and a great Week 17 play.
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DEN - WR Emmanuel Sanders questionable
Source: DenverBroncos.com - Andrew Mason
Denver Broncos WR Emmanuel Sanders (hip) was limited in practice for the third time this week Friday, Dec. 26, and is questionable for Week 17 against the Oakland Raiders.
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Sanders has been taking and playing through big hits all year. He'll be ok for the Week 17 tilt against the Raiders.
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HOU - WR Andre Johnson listed as probable
Source: NFL
Houston Texans WR Andre Johnson (non-injury) fully participated in practice Friday, Dec. 26, and is listed as probable for Week 17.
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Johnson has terrific chemistry with spot starter Case Keenum, so he could be a surprise stud in Week 17 against the vulnerable Jacksonville secondary.
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SF - Friday injury report
Source: CSNBayArea.com - Matt Maiocco
San Francisco 49ers RB Carlos Hyde (ankle), WR Stevie Johnson (knee) and S Eric Reid (concussion) have been ruled out for Week 17. CB Tramaine Brock (hamstring), LB Ahmad Brooks (thumb), CB Perrish Cox (shoulder) and WR Bruce Ellington (hamstring) are questionable. CB Chris Culliver (knee), WR Brandon Lloyd (groin), C Marcus Martin (illness) and DE Justin Smith (back) are probable.
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Frank Gore will get another full workload with Hyde out, but the Cardinals are one of the worst matchups in the league for running backs not named Marshawn Lynch.
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SF - WR Michael Crabtree listed as probable
Source: CSNBayArea.com - Matt Maiocco
San Francisco 49ers WR Michael Crabtree (knee) is probable for Week 17.
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Crabtree could play more snaps than he did last week against the Chargers, but he's still not a great play against Arizona. It will be fascinating to see how the free agent market handles the former top 10 pick.
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MIN - RB Matt Asiata listed as probable
Source: NFL
Minnesota Vikings RB Matt Asiata (foot) is listed as probable for Week 17.
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Asiata is an optimistic play again this week with the Minnesota offense coming together and the Chicago team unraveling.
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MIN - TE Kyle Rudolph questionable
Source: NFL
Minnesota Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph (ankle) is questionable for Week 17.
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Rudolph has been struggling with injuries for all of the 2014 season. Chase Ford and Rhett Ellison get more snaps if Rudolph can't go against Chicago.
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NE - WR Julian Edelman's status in question
Source: Patriots.com
New England Patriots WR Julian Edelman (concussion, thigh) was limited during practice Friday, Dec. 26, and is listed as questionable for Week 17.
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There's no reason for the Patriots to risk Edelman's health with the #1 overall seed in the AFC and homefield advantage secured. He could play a few series to help the offense get back in synch, but it's just as likely that he sits to get three straight weeks off before New England's divisional round game.
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SD - QB Philip Rivers probable
Source: Chargers.com
San Diego Chargers QB Philip Rivers (chest, back) fully practiced Friday, Dec. 31, and is probable for the team's Week 17 game.
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Rivers doesn't have Keenan Allen, but he'll put the Chargers offense on his back in an attempt to secure a playoff berth. He's a good Week 17 play.
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NE - RB LeGarrette Blount questionable
Source: Patriots.com
New England Patriots RB LeGarrette Blount (shoulder) was limited during practice Friday, Dec. 26, and is listed as questionable for Week 17.
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Jonas Gray is out so Blount could get the start. But the Patriots first-team offense probably won't play the entire game.
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NE - RB Jonas Gray will miss Week 17
Source: Patriots.com
New England Patriots RB Jonas Gray (ankle) did not participate in practice Friday, Dec. 26, and has been ruled out for Week 17.
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LeGarrette Blount could start, but the Patriots first-team offense probably won't play the entire game. Brandon Bolden and rookie James White could also see work before this one is over.
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CAR - RB Jonathan Stewart the starter in Carolina
Source: ESPN.com - David Newton
Carolina Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart will be the team's starting running back in Week 17 against the Atlanta Falcons despite RB DeAngelo Williams (hand) being listed as probable for the game. Stewart has ran for 437 yards in the last four games with Williams out, which is more than any other running back in the NFL in that span. 'I'm not going to sit here and divulge what my plan is with my players,' head coach Ron Rivera said. 'I don't want to get up here and tell you exactly what we're going to do with our players. Why do I want to give the opponent any insight into what we're going to do?' There are no guarantees that Williams will play, since there are concerns about his ability to block with his hand injury.
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Stewart has played some of the best football of his career as the Panthers have made their improbable playoff push the last three weeks. He's still a great daily fantasy and RB2 play for Week 17.
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CLE - Connor Shaw to start
Source: NationalFootballPost.com - Jason Butt
Cleveland Browns QB Connor Shaw will officially start the season finale versus the Baltimore Ravens Sunday, Dec. 28. QBs Brian Hoyer (shoulder) and Johnny Manziel (hamstring) were both injured last week and are not expected to play.
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Shaw is mobile and tough like Johnny Manziel, but he was much less accomplished during his time in the SEC. He probably can't be worse than Manziel was the last two weeks, as he is playing to upgrade his status in the NFL's eyes and keep the Ravens out of the playoffs.
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ATL - More reps for Devonta Freeman, RB Jacquizz Rodgers
Source: ESPN.com - Vaughn McClure
Atlanta Falcons RBs Devonta Freeman and Jacquizz Rodgers are expected to see more repetitions in Week 17 against the Carolina Panthers with RB Steven Jackson (quadriceps) unlikely to play. However, head coach Mike Smith hasn't officially ruled Jackson out yet. The team is anxious, though, to see how Freeman will perform with more touches. RB Jerome Smith, who was promoted from the practice squad this week, will be active against the Panthers.
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Freeman has more upside in what the heck flex Week 17 plays and daily league bargain plays, but Rodgers will certainly get his share of work against the tough Panthers front seven.
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KC - RB Jamaal Charles questionable
Source: KCChiefs.com
Kansas City Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles (ankle, hamstring) was limited during practice Friday, Dec. 26, and is listed as questionable for Week 17.
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Charles will be relied upon heavily with Chase Daniel in at quarterback, but he hasn't been a strong fantasy play since Week 14, so his daily fantasy price might not be justified.
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KC - WR Dwayne Bowe's status in question
Source: KCChiefs.com
Kansas City Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe (shoulder) was limited during practice Friday, Dec. 26, and is listed as questionable for Week 17.
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Bowe is the second best fantasy play in a wide receiver corps that hasn't scored a touchdown this year. He missed the Week 17 game that Chase Daniel started last year.
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DET - RB Joique Bell probable
Source: DetroitLions.com
Detroit Lions RB Joique Bell (Achilles') is probable for Week 17 against the Green Bay Packers.
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Bell's availability seemed to be in question earlier this week, but he's good to go in the NFC North/1st round bye bowl in Green Bay Sunday.
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JAX - RB Toby Gerhart listed as probable
Source: Jaguars.com
Jacksonville Jaguars RB Toby Gerhart (ribs) was limited during practice Friday, Dec. 26, and is listed as probable for Week 17.
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Gerhart has been a solid flex play since taking over in the Jacksonville backfield, and this week against Case Keenum and Houston certainly qualifies.
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JAX - QB Blake Bortles probable
Source: Jaguars.com
Jacksonville Jaguars QB Blake Bortles (foot) fully participated in practice Friday, Dec. 26, and is listed as probable for Week 17.
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Bortles is prone to interception and sack fests, so the Texans defense still playing for a playoff berth is one of the best plays of Week 17.
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WAS - QB Robert Griffin III expected to play
Source: Redskins.com
Washington Redskins QB Robert Griffin III (shoulder) fully participated in practice Friday, Dec. 26, and is listed as probable for Week 17.
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Griffin should have a good shot at a good game against a Cowboys team that has little to play on Sunday. He has been playing better during his third stint as the Washington QB this year.
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IND - WR T.Y. Hilton questionable
Source: Colts.com
Indianapolis Colts WR T.Y. Hilton (hamstring) was limited in practice Friday, Dec. 26, and is questionable for Week 17.
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Hilton will likely play in a bid to help the Colts get the bad taste of last week's blowout out of their mouths, but Indianapolis probably won't risk him for long because of the risk of re-injury of hamstring issues.
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CIN - WR A.J. Green listed as probable
Source: Bengals.com
Cincinnati Bengals WR A.J. Green (arm) fully participated in practice Friday, Dec. 26, and is listed as probable for Week 17.
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Green had a goose egg in Week 16, but he should be good to go to help Cincinnati in their bid for a division title and home playoff game Sunday night.
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IND - TE Dwayne Allen ruled out
Source: Colts.com
Indianapolis Colts TE Dwayne Allen (knee) has been ruled out for the team's Week 17 game. Allen did not practice Friday, Dec. 26.
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Coby Fleener will get the majority of the TE targets, which has made him a great play a few times earlier this year.
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CAR - RB DeAngelo Williams a full go
Source: Panthers.com
Carolina Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams (hand) fully practiced Friday, Dec. 26, and is probable for Week 17.
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Williams won't be a good fantasy play, but he might take enough touches away from Jonathan Stewart to hurt his ability to be a good daily fantasy play this week.
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NYJ - WR Percy Harvin listed as questionable
Source: ESPNNewYork.com - Rich Cimini
New York Jets WR Percy Harvin (ribs) was limited in practice Friday, Dec. 26, and is listed as questionable for the team's Week 17 game.
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Harvin has been gritting his teeth through injuries, perhaps in an attempt to built his resume against durability questions as he very likely will get his release and trip to free agency this offseason.
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ATL - RB Steven Jackson questionable
Source: AtlantaFalcons.com
Atlanta Falcons RB Steven Jackson (quadriceps) will be listed as questionable for the team's Week 17 game.
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There haven't been any strong signs that Jackson will play this week, and he has tended to be a slow healer later in his career. Look for Jacquizz Rodgers and Devonta Freeman to split the work in the Falcons backfield Sunday.
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ARI - QB Drew Stanton had knee surgery
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Arizona Cardinals QB Drew Stanton (knee) had arthroscopic surgery to fight an infection in his knee, according to a league source. Stanton may be done for the year.
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The Cardinals are very likely starting Ryan Lindley in a playoff game next week. The Cardinals could look into signing Dennis Dixon, who knows the Bruce Arians offense from their time together in Pittsburgh and earlier this year on the Arizona roster, or perhaps look to another veteran free agent to set up a storybook narrative for the wild card game at the NFC South champ next week.
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DAL - RB DeMarco Murray expected to practice
Source: ESPNDallas.com - Todd Archer
Dallas Cowboys RB DeMarco Murray (illness, hand) is expected to practice Friday, Dec. 26, after sitting out practice Thursday with an illness.
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The Cowboys stuck with their starters longer than any expected last week, so Murray could be a solid play despite a high likelihood of the Cowboys getting the #3 seed in the playoffs and having little to gain in this contest.
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ATL - WR Julio Jones practicing
Source: ESPN.com - Vaughn McClure
Atlanta Falcons WR Julio Jones (oblique) is participating in practice Friday, Dec. 26.
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Jones could be one of the best daily fantasy plays of Week 17 despite not being 100%. He'll have to have a big game if the Falcons are going to beat the Panthers and advance to the playoffs.
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HOU - WR DeAndre Hopkins' wrist still an issue
Source: NFL.com
Houston Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (wrist) was a limited participant in practice Thursday, Dec. 25.
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Hopkins is banged up, and Andre Johnson appears to have much better chemistry with Case Keenum going back to their time together last year, so Hopkins is the lesser play of the Texans wide receivers this week.
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Source: footballguys.com
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Originally Posted by Grits n' Gravy
