Fantasy Football News

Vikings OT Christian Darrisaw (ankle) did not practice for the second consecutive day on Tuesday in anticipation of Thursday's Week 14 game vs the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Source: Minnesota Vikings on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The news about Darrisaw's health continues to trend in a downward direction on Tuesday, now putting his availability for Thursday's action in question. There is still time between now and kickoff for things to get better, but as of now it appears Minnesota may have to prepare to not have their first round pick from this past year's draft available to them for blocking duty. In case anything does change, continue to watch the injury report as we get closer to Thursday.

Vikings LB Anthony Barr (hamstring) states that 'he's playing' in Thursday's Week 14 game vs the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Source: Andrew Krammar on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: In addition to returning to practice as a full participant on Tuesday, the former Pro Bowl linebacker has said he will be ready to go on Thursday night. Barr, a player who has played in eight of 28 possible games in the last two years, will look to aid in helping Minnesota slow down RB Najee Harris and the Pittsburgh rushing attack in primetime.

Vikings CB Patrick Peterson activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list by team on Tuesday ahead of Thursday's Week 14 game vs the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Source: Courtney Cronin on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Assuming he plays right away, Peterson's presence in the lineup on Thursday would be extremely impactful given that Minnesota has allowed the most points to opposing WRs this season. This is definitely good news for the former All-Pro.

Saints WR Kenny Stills waived by team on Tuesday. (Source: Field Yates on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: In a corresponding move, New Orleans has signed WR Kevin White to their practice squad. While perhaps not the most fantasy relevant news, this is a good opportunity to speak to the lack of depth at the WR position New Orleans has had this season without their star Michael Thomas. It remains to be seen if White will be elevated from the practice squad onto the active roster ahead of Sunday's Week 14 game vs the New York Jets, but even if he is there is no reason to consider him for fantasy lineups whatsoever.

Falcons TE Hayden Hurst (ankle) designated to return from Injured-Reserve list on Tuesday. (Source: Atlanta Falcons on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Just because Hurst is designated to return does not mean he is officially back. There is a 21-day window in which he may return to practice, and in that time the team will determine if he will be officially activated from IR or remain out for the rest of the season. Fantasy managers would likely benefit from the return of Hurst as his presence would give opposing defenses another quality player to focus on, thus taking attention away from the likes of fellow TE Kyle Pitts and RB Cordarrelle Patterson to name a couple. The Atlanta offense has been underwhelming at times this season due to a lack of available personnel, but as of now we are in a wait-and-see mode with Hurst.

Steelers WR Chase Claypool (toe) listed as a full participant in practice ahead of Thursday's Week 14 game vs the Minnesota Vikings. (Source: Brooke Pryor on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: After being listed as DNP on Monday's estimated injury report, Claypool seems to be back in better health today. Against a Minnesota defensive unit that allows the most points to opposing WRs this season, a healthy Claypool would be an excellent play in fantasy managers' lineups on Thursday night. Track this situation as we get closer to Thursday, but all appears well for the second-year wideout as of now.

QB Ben Roethlisberger (pectoral/shoulder) listed as a full participant in team practice on Tuesday in advance of Thursday's Week 14 game vs the Minnesota Vikings. (Source: Brooke Pryor on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: After the estimated DNP designation on Monday, Roethlisberger practiced fully at actual team practice today. This is certainly great news for fantasy managers who roster Roethlisberger and other pieces of the Pittsburgh offense that would otherwise have to put faith in the hands of backup QB Mason Rudolph to get the job done on Thursday. It seems we are trending in a positive direction, but keeping up with the news over the next two days will be vital.

QB Justin Fields (ribs) is the subject of 'ongoing discussion' related to his health, status in question ahead of Sunday's Week 14 game vs the Green Bay Packers per Head Coach Matt Nagy. (Source: Pro Football Talk on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: It is reported that Chicago is “never going to put [Fields] at risk medically” and signaling that a good amount of precaution is being taken with the team's first round pick. The report also states that the team will prepare backup QB Andy Dalton for play in the event Fields is not ready to go on Sunday. Follow the news throughout the rest of the week as we get more of an idea who will be under center this Sunday for another chapter in the historic rivalry between Chicago and Green Bay.

Vikings WR Adam Thielen (ankle) didn't practice during Tuesday's walkthrough. (Source: Minnesota Vikings on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Thielen's status is looking iffy for Thursday's Week 14 game against the Steelers. We should have some clarity by Wednesday. Justin Jefferson could see some additional targets if Thielen doesn't play.

Vikings RB Dalvin Cook (shoulder) was a limited participant during Tuesday's walkthrough. (Source: Minnesota Vikings on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Cook likely remains a long shot to play on Thursday night against the Steelers, but this is a good sign for the possibility of a Week 15 return. Alexander Mattison will be a RB1 in Week 14 if Cook doesn't play.

49ers WR Deebo Samuel (groin) 'hopeful' to return to action in Sunday's Week 14 game vs the Cincinnati Bengals per Head Coach Kyle Shanahan. (Source: Matt Maiocco on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: While it is still too early in the week to know for sure if the wideout will be ready to go on Sunday, it seems San Francisco feels good about how Samuel has been progressing with his injury. Fantasy managers and Niners fans alike would love a return to play for the WR4 overall in point per reception scoring. Continue to monitor the news for updates on Samuel's health throughout the week.

Football Team QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (hip) is set to undergo a hip scope procedure on Tuesday that effectively ends his 2021 NFL season. (Source: Nicki Jhabvala on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Granted, Fitzpatrick has not played football in some time due to a partially dislocated hip, but this does put to rest any lingering possibility that he could return this year. QB Taylor Heinicke will remain the starter barring any sort of dramatic shift in his play that warrants a change.

David Njoku will be placed on the COVID-19/Reserve list on Tuesday. His status for Sunday's game is unclear. (Source: Kimberley Martin on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: It's unclear if Njoku tested positive for COVID-19 or is just a close contact, and it's further unknown if he is vaccinated. Few fantasy managers would be relying on Njoku this week anyway, but if he is absent, Austin Hooper's stock would rise mildly. The Browns should provide further details later on Tuesday when they officially place Njoku on the COVID-19/Reserve list.

The New England Patriots D/ST recorded one fumble and two sacks in the team's 14-10 Week 13 win over the Bills.

Fantasy Impact: The Patriots D/ST held Josh Allen and the Bills to just 230 total yards on an incredibly gusty night in Buffalo. They remain the top-scoring defense in fantasy this season, and will take on the Colts in Week 15 after their upcoming bye.

Patriots kicker Nick Folk hit 2-of-2 field goals in New England's win over Buffalo. He did not attempt an extra point.

Fantasy Impact: On an incredibly gusty night in Buffalo, Folk was actually rather fortunate to have converted on two field goal attempts, including a 41-yarder in the second quarter. The Patriots will be on bye in Week 14, and then travel to Indianapolis for Week 15. Folk should be in for a busier day against the Colts, where fantasy managers can continue viewing him as a top-10 kicking option.

Hunter Henry did not draw a target in Monday night's victory over Buffalo.

Fantasy Impact: The Patriots recorded 46 run plays and three pass plays on Monday night, due to strong, gusty winds in Buffalo. As a result, Henry essentially had no chance to produce in this game. He'll take on the Colts in Week 15 after the bye week, where he'll remain a touchdown-dependent TE2.

Kendrick Bourne had zero targets in the Patriots' Week 13 win over the Bills. He rushed once for three yards.

Fantasy Impact: The Patriots registered 46 run plays and three pass plays on Monday night, due to strong, gusty winds in Buffalo. This shattered Bourne's chances to produce, as he saw zero targets and ran one time for three yards. He'll take on the Colts in Week 15 after the bye week, where fantasy owners can continue viewing him as a WR5.

Jakobi Meyers had zero targets in Monday night's win in Buffalo.

Fantasy Impact: Fantasy managers will obviously be disgruntled by Meyers receiving zero targets this week, until they see that Mac Jones registered just two completions for 19 yards. It was an incredibly gusty night in Buffalo, as the Patriots called 46 run plays and three pass plays. They'll be on bye in Week 14, and then travel to Indianapolis for Week 15. Meyers was coming off a season-high 98-yard effort last week, and should bounce back for that matchup.

Rhamondre Stevenson rushed 24 times for 78 yards in the Patriots' victory versus the Bills.

Fantasy Impact: On an incredibly gusty night where the Patriots called 46 run plays and three pass plays, Rhamondre Stevenson was fed a career-high 24 carries. While he wasn't very efficient with 3.3 yards per attempt and failed to score a touchdown, he got the job done with 78 yards to keep the Patriots in first place in the AFC. A strong majority of his carries occurred after Damien Harris was forced out with a hamstring injury, who ultimately recorded just one touch in the second half. Stevenson and the Patriots will be on bye next week, and then travel to Indianapolis in Week 15. He'll continue to serve as a FLEX option in deeper leagues for that matchup, but immediately vaults to RB1 status if Harris cannot make it back in time.

Damien Harris rushed 10 times for 111 yards and a touchdown in Monday night's win over Buffalo. He exited with a hamstring injury in the second quarter and returned midway through the third quarter for a 22-yard rush, but did not receive any additional touches the rest of the game.

Fantasy Impact: Harris accounted for the play of the game, where he broke loose for an easy 64-yard touchdown run midway through the first frame. On a night where the Patriots called 46 run plays and three pass plays, he was incredibly efficient with 11.1 yards per carry. Unfortunately, he suffered a hamstring injury late in the first half, which prevented him from having an even bigger night. While Harris was able to make it back to the field in the third quarter and register a 22-yard run, he was subsequently caught limping out of bounds. He did not record any more touches the rest of the contest. Fortunately, he'll have the upcoming bye to heal up and get ready for the Colts in Week 15. In the event that Harris is forced to miss any action, Rhamondre Stevenson will vault into RB1 territory.