NFL Player News

Willekes (6'4/254) is locking to lock in a Day 3 selection for the draft. While an active, productive player in college, the Michigan State product faces real athleticism questions. He was unable to truly answer those questions at the combine, posting a SPARQ athletic score in just the 32nd percentile of NFL edge rushers. If Willekes is to stick in the pros, his motor, toughness and football IQ will have to carry the day.

The 44-year-old Rivers signed with the Colts on Tuesday and could be immediately thrust into the starting role. With Daniel Jones out for the season, Anthony Richardson still dealing with an eye injury, and Riley Leonard now dealing with a “Grade 1 PCL injury”, Rapoport says there is “a very real chance that Rivers is the starting quarterback for the Colts this Sunday.” We will see how Rivers practices having been out of the league for nearly five seasons, but the Colts may be making the move to start him as soon as Week 15 against the Seahawks.

Williams spent August with the Browns and was released in September. He eventually made his way onto the Chargers’ practice squad in the middle of the season after Omarion Hampton’s injury and appeared in three games, totaling three carries for a loss of one yard. The Browns just put Jerome Ford on injured reserve and now add Williams to help fill Ford’s role.

Otton has now been listed with a DNP on back-to-back days. With a short week ahead of a Thursday game against the Falcons, Otton will likely need to log a practice Wednesday in order to play. If he cannot go, Chris Godwin should see a bump in usage while Payne Durham is next up at tight end.

Evans has been a limited practice participant ever since returning to practice from his collarbone injury. He has a chance to play Thursday against the Falcons, pending Wednesday’s final injury status. Evans would return amidst a crucial NFC South race and would not return to WR2 status immediately, but would have FLEX value should be play in Week 15. WR Jalen McMillan (neck) was also limited as he nears a return.

Wirfs missed Week 14 against the Saints with an oblique injury. He is listed as a limited participant for both Monday and Tuesday as head coach Todd Bowles said the franchise left tackle could play Thursday against the Falcons. Another practice on Wednesday will give us more confidence that Wirfs will be back protecting Baker Mayfield’s blindside in Week 15.

Pitts was listed as a limited participant for the second straight day with a knee issue. The 25-year-old has seen 18 targets over the last two games with Kirk Cousins at quarterback and figures to continue operating as the offense’s top pass-catcher with Drake London (knee) still working his way back. Fantasy managers should stay tuned for Pitts’ final injury listing on Wednesday, but the limited listings at least indicate it is not a serious issue ahead of a Thursday matchup against the Bucs.

London was the only Falcons player listed with a DNP status on Tuesday after head coach Raheem Morris called the 24-year-old “day to day” on Monday. It is unlikely London will be ready to go on a short week ahead of a Thursday game against the Buccaneers, even if he practices in some capacity on Wednesday. London is on the wrong side of questionable as he continues to take time healing from a pesky PCL sprain.

The 2021 UDFA was waived Monday to make room on the game day roster for the return of Omarion Hampton. Jones will be a rotational piece for the Texans after they lost Tim Settle for the remainder of the season. They waived Jalen Mills to create space for Jones.

Gay made four field goals and four extra points without missing a kick in two games for the 49ers. But starter Eddy Pinero is healthy enough to be active again, and so the 49ers will move on. Gay joins the workout kicker circuit again and figures to get a third opportunity at some point in the last month of the season.

He’ll miss the next four games, so unless he works out some sort of injury settlement with the team, Ford’s season is over. He managed 24 carries for 73 yards as Cleveland’s third-down back early in the season , but his playing time gradually dwindled, never receiving more than 17 snaps in a game after Week 6. Brown will enter free agency this offseason and likely will draw some interest as a third-down back, but he’s not much of a fantasy asset as this stage of his career.