Courtesy of Footballguys.com
I get that most fantasy league do not and should not use Week 17, but I went ahead and started this thread anyway because much of this information is also valuable for betting purposes.
PHI - Chip Kelly let go
Source: PhiladelphiaEagles.com
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly was released by the organization Tuesday, Dec. 29.
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We appreciate the Eagles thinking outside the box with the hire of Kelly, but his personnel decisions made little sense and the results were not good. Pat Shurmur will serve as the interim head coach for Week 17. Eagles CEO Jeffery Lurie said in a statement, “We appreciate all the contributions that Chip Kelly made and wish him every success going forward." We could see Kelly resurface in the NFL (Tennessee?) in the near future.
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CIN - AJ McCarron expected to play
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Cincinnati Bengals QB AJ McCarron (wrist) is expected to play in Week 17 despite a sprained left wrist, according to sources.
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There have been varying reports on McCarron coming across the wire today. Just know that we'll know more about his availability on Friday at the latest. However, McCarron may be considered a game-time decision if he's limited on Friday....stay tuned.
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JAX - Gus Bradley will return to Jacksonville
Source: ESPN.com - Mike DiRocco
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley will return for his fourth season with the Jaguars next season, owner Shad Khan announced Tuesday, Dec. 29.
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The team's mediocrity may not be tolerated much longer. Bradley currently holds a 12-35 record in his three seasons with Jacksonville. The team has shown flashes, but Bradley certainly has to be on the hot seat in 2016.
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CAR - RB Jonathan Stewart could return
Source: ESPN - Ed Werder
The Carolina Panthers are hopeful that RB Jonathan Stewart (foot) can return in Week 17 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Stewart ran on a treadmill and could practice Wednesday, Dec. 30, according to a source.
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The Panthers could go with Stewart this week in order to get him some reps before the postseason. They've already earned a first-round bye, so if he doesn't play this week it will be two more weeks until Stewart is back on the field.
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DEN - QB Brock Osweiler in line to start again
Source: NFL.com - Dan Hanzus
Denver Broncos QB Brock Osweiler appears to be in line to start again in Week 17 against the San Diego Chargers after the Broncos Week 16 win over the Cincinnati Bengals Monday, Dec. 28. It was reported earlier Monday that QB Peyton Manning (foot) could start the regular season finale if Denver lost to the Bengals. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said there is 'no chance' Manning would start if Osweiler played well Monday. 'Yeah, I've said that. Nothing has changed with Brock,' head coach Gary Kubiak said. 'If something would change, players would know first.'
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Nothing is set in stone, but it looks like Osweiler will start in Week 17 against the Chargers. With a win, the Broncos secure the AFC West and a first-round bye in the playoffs. There's also a chance they could finish as the top seed in the AFC. We'll see if Manning is healthy enough to be a backup this week.
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CIN - QB Andy Dalton to shed cast soon
Source: NFL.com - Chris Wesseling
Cincinnati Bengals QB Andy Dalton (thumb) could have his cast removed as early as Tuesday, Dec. 29. However, his bone isn't fully healed yet.
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Dalton may still be a couple of weeks away from a return. With A.J. McCarron (wrist) banged up, we could see Keith Wenning start in Week 17 for the Bengals. If they don't get a first-round bye, we might see them have to win a game with Dalton still recovering.
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BUF - TE Charles Clay placed on IR
Source: Houston Chronicle - Aaron Wilson
Buffalo Bills TE Charles Clay (back) was placed on the Reserve/Injured list Tuesday, Dec. 29.
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Clay had an injury-marred season in his first year with the Bills. Slowed by back and knee injuries, Clay finishes the year with 51 catches for 528 yards and three touchdowns.
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IND - QB Ryan Lindley signs
Source: ESPN - Adam Caplan
Free-agent QB Ryan Lindley (Patriots) signed with the Indianapolis Colts Tuesday, Dec. 29.
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The Colts need all the help they can get at QB. They signed Josh Freeman on Tuesday as well. Freeman, Lindley and Stephen Morris could compete to be the starter in Week 17.
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NE - Sebastian Vollmer will be back for playoffs
Source: CSNNE.com - Tom E. Curran
New England Patriots OT Sebastian Vollmer's (ankle) left ankle injury wasn't as serious as previously feared, and he's expected to return for the playoffs. He is not expected to play in the Week 17 regular season finale against the Miami Dolphins.
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OT LaAdrian Waddle (shoulder) replaced Vollmer at left tackle in Week 16. Waddle then injured his shoulder, forcing OT Cameron Fleming to left tackle.
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CIN - QB Mike Kafka signs
Source: NFL.com - Jeremy Bergman
Free-agent QB Mike Kafka (Titans) was signed to the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad Tuesday, Dec. 29.
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Kafka has bounced around the league to several teams over the last five years. With A.J. McCarron and Andy Dalton banged up, the Bengals just needed another arm for the scout team.
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IND - Sign QB Josh Freeman
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Free-agent QB Josh Freeman (Dolphins) was signed by the Indianapolis Colts Tuesday, Dec. 29.
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The Colts may be starting Stephen Morris this week. Freeman has experience as a starter, but his pro career has quickly gone off the rails.
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WAS - Could Redskins rest starters?
Source: NFL.com - Conor Orr
Washington Redskins QB Kirk Cousins could be rested for Week 17 as the team has clinched the division crown. 'We'll have to wait and see and talk about it as a staff and see where the injury report stands with Kirk and see how he's feeling,' head coach Jay Gruden told reporters Tuesday, via the team's official site. 'But I think he is pretty injury free, but if he is injury free, a lot will depend on who's playing around him, and go from there.'
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There's no need to risk anything. Washington cannot gain or lose anything on Sunday, and they don't want to get a featured player hurt in a meaningless game. Whether you agree with the idea of resting players or not, DFS players and fantasy owners in Week 17 championships need to keep this in mind when selecting rosters.
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DEN - WR Demaryius Thomas has hamstring injury
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Legwold
Denver Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas (hamstring) suffered a hamstring injury in Week 16.
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Watch for Thomas to be limited during the week of practice. This team has designs of making a deep playoff run, and they don't want to worsen this injury now that they've locked themselves into a playoff spot.
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IND - QB Andrew Luck still not cleared
Source: ESPN.com - Mike Wells
Indianapolis Colts QB Andrew Luck (kidney) still hasn't received medical clearance Tuesday, Dec. 29, but he could play in Week 17 if he's cleared in time.
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We're not counting on Luck this week. That means we could see Stephen Morris start at quarterback for the Colts in Week 17. Morris is mechanically sound and athletic, but he's a pure-sight thrower with accuracy issues.
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TEN - WR Dorial Green-Beckham out of sync
Source: The Tennessean - John Glennon
Tennessee Titans WR Dorial Green-Beckham went without a catch for the first time in six weeks in Week 16, and he and QB Zach Mettenberger looked to be out of sync. Mettenberger targeted Green-Beckham on just three of his 51 pass attempts.
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Mettenberger should up that number of targets for the talented rookie. Green-Beckham is a huge target with a large wingspan and the ability to make plays above the rim. We're excited by his dynasty prospects, but we aren't recommending the rookie WR as a starter in Week 17.
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Source: footballguys.com