NFL Player News

Coach Todd Bowles made a concerted effort to get more speed on the field in passing situations against Miami, using Catapano and rookie Lorenzo Mauldin on the outside and moving Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson inside. Without a dominant edge rusher on the roster, the Jets will need to manufacture pressure. Using Catapano in passing situations may be one of the ways they try.

Washington missed last week’s game with the hip issue after getting in two limited practices. He appears to be on the right side of questionable as of today, but the Jags may want to see him practice in full before clearing him for Week 15. Tim Patrick spiked for 78 yards and a touchdown with Washington out last week. He would be a WR5 if Washington is out once again.

The team now has 21 days to observe Powers in practice before officially activating him. Today, he promisingly “stretched with the team during the viewing period.” Powers is a proficient run blocker and pass protector. His return would be a boon to QB Bo Nix and the Broncos’ running backs.

Walker has been out since Week 11 with the knee issue. He returned to practice for two limited sessions last week but didn’t play through his questionable tag on Sunday. Potentially facing the Brady Cook-led Jets, Walker should be able to return with a sack or two in Week 15.

This is Lawrence’s first appearance on the injury report this year, which is longer than most players make it before dealing with some. A limited practice puts him on track to play this week, though the ankle issue could limit his mobility. Lawrence has 251 rushing yards and five scores on the ground this year. Some of his best fantasy outings have been fueled by his nose for the end zone as a runner. Lawrence will stick in the QB2 ranks for his Week 15 date with the Jets.

It took an MCL sprain in Week 12 to sideline Kamara, who had played through an ankle injury for much of the year. He remains sidelined and appears to be highly unlikely to suit up for the Saints’ Week 15 game against the Panthers. Rookie RB Devin Neal (abdomen) will continue starting in his stead.

The ankle issue is new for Downs, but he has been playing through various injuries all year. A full practice puts him on track to play in Week 15. With Daniel Jones out and one of Riley Leonard or Phillip Rivers drawing the start, Downs will be stuck in the WR5 ranks for Sunday’s game.

While Neal’s new injury listing might feel like a gut punch, his early-week participation puts him on track to play in Week 15 against the Panthers. Neal handled a career-high 20 touches last week, so being a little banged up the following week is unsurprising. The rookie running back warrants RB3/FLEX treatment thanks to his three-down skillset and workload.

Pierce left Week 14’s game for a concussion evaluation in the fourth quarter. He was never given an injury designation and did not enter the league’s concussion protocol after the game. A full practice today with a different injury listed on the report means he should be good to go for Week 15. With either Riley Leonard or Phillip Rivers now starting in place of an injured Daniel Jones, our hopes aren’t high for Pierce as a fantasy option versus Seattle’s elite defense.

Leonard is dealing with a PCL injury, but a full practice to open the week means he should be available for Sunday’s game. Whether he gets the start or not is a different question. Phillip Rivers is now on the team’s practice squad and should take over as the starter sooner rather than later, though he may need a week to get up to speed after five years away from football. Even if Leonard starts, the knee issue could limit his mobility, which was his calling card coming out of college. He will be, at best, a low-end QB2 if he gets the start.

Johnson is on track to face the Commanders this week. The 24-year-old tight end has established himself as one of QB Jaxson Dart’s go-to pass catchers, though he remains somewhat touchdown-dependent in fantasy football. He can be started as a volatile TE1 if he is good to go.