CHI - QB Jay Cutler likely will start
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler is expected to be the starting quarterback in Week 17 with QB David Fales being the No. 2 quarterback.
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Oh boy, here we go again. A week after getting benched, Cutler gets back into action because of the Jimmy Clausen concussion.
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GB - QB Aaron Rodgers does some work
Source: NFL.com
Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (calf) was able to do some work Monday, Dec. 22, and is sore, according to head coach Mike McCarthy.
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The team should take it easy on Rodgers during this week of practice. McCarthy said the team will see what Rodgers will be able to do Tuesday, Dec. 23. With a win over the Lions in Week 17, the Packers will secure a first-round bye in the playoffs.
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NE - WR Danny Amendola plays heavy snaps
Source: ESPNBoston.com - Mike Reiss
New England Patriots WR Danny Amendola played 44 of the team's 61 offensive snaps in Week 16 against the New York Jets with WR Julian Edelman (concussion) sidelined. Amendola played a season-low 12 offensive snaps in Week 15. The team's receivers struggled to gain consistent separation with Edelman out of the lineup.
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Amendola was able to get more time and targets because of the injury to Edelman. When Edelman returns, Amendola will go back to being an afterthought in the game plan for the Patriots.
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ARI - QB Drew Stanton won't play in Week 17
Source: ESPN.com - Josh Weinfuss
Arizona Cardinals QB Drew Stanton (knee) will not be ready to start in Week 17 against the San Francisco 49ers, according to head coach Bruce Arians.
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We'll see strong-armed rookie Logan Thomas as the starter this week. The team is hoping that Stanton can be ready to play in the team's first playoff game, whether it's in the wild card or divisional round. Stanton had some swelling in his right knee after a practice last week, but the swelling went down quickly.
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MIN - TE Kyle Rudolph may play
Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune - Matt Vensel
Minnesota Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph (ankle, knee) will be active for the team's Week 17 game if he is healthy enough to play, according to head coach Mike Zimmer.
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The Vikings are looking towards next year, so there's no need to rush Rudolph out there if he's not at full strength.
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NYJ - WR Percy Harvin has sore ribs
Source: New York Daily News - Manish Mehta
New York Jets WR Percy Harvin (ribs) is extremely sore, according to head coach Rex Ryan. Harvin left the team's Week 16 contest and did not return.
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Harvin has been banged up quite a bit since he was added by the Jets. We'll likely see him limited in practice this week, and his status for Week 17 is up in the air right now.
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KC - WR Dwayne Bowe has sprained shoulder
Source: ESPN.com - Adam Teicher
Kansas City Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe (shoulder) is dealing with what the team is calling a sprained shoulder, and his availability for Week 17 against the San Diego Chargers is in question. However, head coach Andy Reid is optimistic that Bowe will be able to play in the season finale. Bowe missed all of practice last week while dealing with the flu and still caught six passes for 57 yards in Week 16. “Knowing Dwayne, he doesn’t miss much,' Reid said. “I think he’ll be OK once it’s all said and done here. We’ve got a little different schedule because of Christmas and we’ll practice tomorrow. It will be a stretch for him to practice to be able to do that tomorrow but as the week goes on, he’ll be there.'
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Bowe may not play in Week 17...and fantasy owners won't notice. Bowe is an unexciting fantasy option, and he's unlikely to see many lineups even if he does play against the Chargers this week.
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SD - QB Philip Rivers' injury not career-threatening
Source: ESPN.com - Eric D. Williams
San Diego Chargers QB Philip Rivers (back), who is playing with a bulging disc in his back, isn't dealing with a career-threatening injury if he continues to play, according to head coach Mike McCoy. Rivers is expected to play in Week 17 against the Kansas City Chiefs, but he may sit out of practice Monday, Dec. 22, and Tuesday, Dec. 23, to rest.
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Rivers was on fire in Week 16. We should see him limited during practice this week, but he should be able to play against the Chiefs in Week 17. The Chargers could sneak into the playoffs with a win over the Chiefs, so Rivers could be on fire again this week.
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SD - WR Keenan Allen, RB Ryan Mathews could return
Source: ESPN.com - Eric D. Williams
San Diego Chargers WR Keenan Allen (shoulder, ankle) and RB Ryan Mathews (ankle) could return to the lineup for Week 17 against the Kansas City Chiefs, according to head coach Mike McCoy. Mathews has missed the last two games with a severe ankle sprain, and he hasn't practiced at all since his injury.
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Getting both players back would be huge for the Charges. Allen is the team's best receiver, and he gives the team a threat on the outside. Mathews is their best running back, and his punishing style can soften up an opposing defense.
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SD - Dontrelle Inman rises to the occasion
Source: Chargers.com - Ricky Henne
San Diego Chargers WR Dontrelle Inman caught the first seven catches of his career for 79 yards in the team's Week 16 win over the San Francisco 49ers with WR Keenan Allen (shoulder, ankle) sidelined. The team is confident in the youngster, as evidenced by QB Philip Rivers' decision to throw to him on a fourth down with the game on the line.
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Inman came out of Virginia undrafted in 2011. The Jaguars gave him a look, but Inman went to the CFL where he was a standout player for the Toronto Argonauts for two years. Inman has good size (6'3") and the concetration to make tough catches.
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ARI - Logan Thomas named starter
Source: ESPN.com - Josh Weinfuss
Updating a previous report, Arizona Cardinals QB Logan Thomas has been named the starting quarterback for Week 17, according to head coach Bruce Arians.
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Thomas has a rocket arm, but he has little control as a passer. He's incredibly athletic and can pick up plenty of yards as a rusher. We're not expecting much from the Cardinals offense with Thomas as the starter.
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CLE - QB Johnny Manziel done for the year
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Cleveland Browns QB Johnny Manziel (hamstring) is out for the rest of the year due to a hamstring injury suffered in Week 16, according to head coach Mike Pettine.
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Not a way to end your rookie season. Manziel looked bad in two starts for the Browns. He finishes 2014 going 18-of-35 passing for 175 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. Manziel also chipped in with nine carries for 29 yards and one rushing touchdown. We'll see if he puts in the time and dediction to improve his craft. Manziel is a long way from contributing at a high level, and the Browns could be interested in taking another quarterback in the 2015 NFL draft.
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CLE - Connor Shaw could start this week
Source: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot
Cleveland Browns QB Connor Shaw could start the final week of the season with QBs Brian Hoyer (shoulder) and Johnny Manziel (hamstring) nursing their respective injuries. The first step would be for the team to activate Shaw from their practice squad.
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Wow....just wow. Shaw was a decent college quarterback at South Carolina, but we don't think he's ready for the NFL. Shaw is an athletic quarterback who does a good job on short/timing throws. He lacks the arm strength to threaten a defense deep, and too often Shaw lets himself take massive hits in the pocket.
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ATL - RB Steven Jackson undergoes MRI
Source: ESPN.com - Vaughn McClure
Updating a previous report, Atlanta Falcons RB Steven Jackson (quadriceps) is believed to have underwent an MRI to determine the severity of his injury.
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With a win, they're in the playoffs. The Falcons have a huge game against the Panthers in Week 17. The initial reports are that the injury is not serious, so expect to see Jackson in the lineup.
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CLE - QB Brian Hoyer nursing shoulder injury
Source: CBSSports.com - Jason La Canfora
Cleveland Browns QB Brian Hoyer (shoulder) will be evaluated on a day-to-day basis with a shoulder injury he suffered in Week 16.
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It's looking like Connor Shaw will be the starter for the Browns in Week 17.
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ARI - WR Larry Fitzgerald not fully healthy
Source: AZCardinals.com - Darren Urban
Arizona Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald's (knee) knee is only 70 percent at this point, according to head coach Bruce Arians.
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Fitzgerald has been a trooper in playing through this injury. Watching him each week, it's clear to see that he's nowhere near full strength.
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ARI - QB Drew Stanton expected to practice
Source: AZCardinals.com - Darren Urban
Arizona Cardinals QB Drew Stanton (knee) is expected to receive some practice time this week, according to head coach Bruce Arians.
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The team is hopeful that Stanton can return for the playoffs. He's their best shot in the postseason, but rookie Logan Thomas will be the starter in Week 17.
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WAS - Redskins looking for wins from QB
Source: ESPN.com - John Keim
Washington Redskins QB Robert Griffin III was benched earlier in the season in part because head coach Jay Gruden is looking for a quarterback that could lead the team to wins. 'That is the No. 1 factor, and that is it,' Gruden said. 'Obviously you look at the production and all that stuff, and what he could've done maybe, but winning football games is the only thing that matters to me for a quarterback. And it doesn't matter if they go 12-for-24 for 80 yards and we win, or if they go 28-for-35 for 400 [yards] and we lose, you'd rather have the 12-for-24. The ability to manage a game, stay away from the big turnovers and get the W is all that counts.'
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If that was the case, Tim Tebow would be a Gruden favorite. Quarterbacks are ultimately judged by their win/loss record, but much more goes into playing--and succeeding--at the position. Griffin gives the team their best shot to win, and Washington may give him another season to prove himself as the starter. There's a chance they could also decide to look for quarterback help through the NFL draft or free agency this offseason.
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PHI - QB Nick Foles will miss Week 17
Source: CSNPhilly.com - Geoff Mosher
Philadelphia Eagles QB Nick Foles (collarbone) has been ruled out for the team's Week 17 game.
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We will see Mark Sanchez as the team's starter once again in Week 17. Having been eliminated from the playoffs, we could see a QB change for the Eagles next season. Foles is entering the final year of his contract in 2015.
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GB - QB Aaron Rodgers dealt with flu
Source: ESPN.com - Rob Demovsky
Updating a previous report, Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (calf) was fighting the flu days before he pulled a calf muscle in Week 16 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 'I battled the flu the last couple of days pretty bad, and that's why I was surprised I hurt my calf because I hydrated like no other,' Rodgers said. 'I had a great hydration test this week and was drinking a ton of water before the game. Unfortunately the calf kind of gave up on me there.'
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What is it with players and the flu? First, Peyton Manning and now Rodgers. Well, it is that time of year. Players are going to get sick, but teams will monitor them closely and work diligently to get them back out on the field. Rodgers thinks he'll be fine to play in Week 17 against the Detroit Lions.
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PHI - QB Mark Sanchez to start finale
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer - Jeff McLane
Philadelphia Eagles QB Mark Sanchez will start in Week 17 against the New York Giants instead of QB Matt Barkley, according to head coach Chip Kelly.
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Sanchez had a good fantasy day in Week 16, throwing for 374 yards and two touchdowns. However, the loss against Washington knocked the Eagles out of playoff contention.
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NYG - More records for Odell Beckham
Source: The Associated Press
New York Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr. posted eight receptions for 148 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the Week 16 game against the St. Louis Rams. He set a franchise rookie record with his 10th and 11th touchdown grabs, and he shattered another rookie mark for receptions while topping 1,000 yards. Beckham has had at least 90 yards receiving in eight consecutive games and could tie the NFL record of nine straight by Dallas Cowboys WR Michael Irvin in 1995.
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Beckham may well be the #1 wide receiver and even player off of the board in PPR leagues next year. There is no sign that he will slow down, even pulling Eli Manning to fantasy respectability with him.
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CAR - OLB A.J. Klein may be able to play
Source: The Charlotte Observer - Joseph Person
Carolina Panthers LB A.J. Klein (ankle) may have a chance to play in Week 17, according to head coach Ron Rivera.
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The Panthers need all hands on deck in Week 17. If they beat the Falcons, they win the NFC South and head to the playoffs.
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DET - DT Nick Fairley making progress
Source: MLive.com - Justin Rogers
Detroit Lions DT Nick Fairley (knee) is making progress in his rehab from knee surgery, but his status for Week 17 is uncertain, according to head coach Jim Caldwell.
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The Lions have a big game against the Packers in Week 17. Having Fairley on the field would benefit the Lions defense, but he might not be ready. Caldwell also said Fairley could be a candidate for the Reserve/Injured list.
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Source: footballguys.com