NFL Player News

Davis-Gaither (6’1/224) was a two-year starting outside linebacker at Appalachian State who was named the Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year as a redshirt senior. The Mountaineers used his above-average athleticism by blitzing him off the edge, which resulted in five sacks and 14.5 TFLs. He was able to bend around or run by offensive tackles while rushing the passer, plus had the aggressiveness to fill holes against the run (101 tackles). In the NFL, Davis-Gaither will need to play stronger to stay on the field on rushing downs and will need development in man-coverage, but he has the athleticism and aggression to be a sub-package linebacker and asset on special teams while he’s in the workshop.

Though he has played in every game this season, Stingley dealt with the oblique issue early on and now misses the first practice of Week 16 because of it. The 24-year-old has played through it before and certainly can again with some practice time later this week. Fellow CB Kamari Lassiter (foot) also missed practice, though he played through the injury in Week 15. Stingley and Lassiter still have a good chance of playing Week 16 against the Raiders, though practice reports later in the week will provide a clearer picture.

Marks suffered an ankle injury during the Texans’ Week 15 win over the Cardinals and did not return with Houston holding a large lead. Head coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday that Marks should be fine, but the rookie begins the week not practicing. It could just be load management, but fantasy managers should roster Jawhar Jordan just in case. Jordan would share the backfield with Nick Chubb in the event Marks cannot go in Week 16 against the Raiders.

Chubb missed Week 15 against the Cardinals due to a rib injury he suffered in Week 14. He practiced once in a limited fashion last week and starts out Week 16 practicing in a limited fashion again. With Woody Marks (ankle) not practicing, Chubb may be in line to share the backfield with Jawhar Jordan against the Raiders on Sunday.

Crosby has been playing through the knee issue for a while. We don’t expect this week to be any different at this time. The star defender has 10 sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception this season.

Cross injured his hamstring on Seattle’s walk-off field goal versus the Colts last week. He did not practice this week before being ruled out, putting his availability for Week 17 in doubt as well. Josh Jones will be the next man up at left tackle for the Seahawks.

Harvey left Week 15 with the rib injury late in the fourth quarter. He did not return, though there was barely any time left on the clock when he was officially listed as questionable. He should be good to go for Week 16. Per usual, Harvey will sit in the top half of the RB2 ranks versus the Jags.

Bryant missed Week 15 because of the hamstring issue. A full practice means he should be ready to return in Week 16 against the Jags. Bryant had quietly flipped Troy Franklin for the No. 2 role in Denver before being forced to sit last week. He should return to that role on Sunday, but Franklin did just go for 85 yards and a touchdown for the Packers. His latest spike week could complicate things in Denver’s receiver rotation. With the fantasy semi-finals on tap, this is a situation managers should likely avoid for at least one week.

Wagner did not practice on Tuesday either. The veteran linebacker easily leads the Commanders in combined tackles with 137. He also has three sacks and two interceptions. Though Wagner isn’t the superstar linebacker he was years ago, he is still an integral part of Dan Quinn’s defense. Losing him would be a big blow to the Commanders ahead of Week 16.

Right tackle Brian O’Neill was also held out of practice. He is dealing with a heel issue. Christian Darrisaw has been in and out of the lineup with a knee issue of his own in recent weeks. All three linemen may miss Week 16. That would put J.J. McCarthy, who has performed much better in recent weeks, in a tough spot versus the Giants.

No NFL season is complete without a Lamar sickness. Feel free to check your bingo cards at this point. Jackson shouldn’t have any issues suiting up on Sunday, and it’s a minor relief that the team didn’t list him with another injury. Nearing the end of a grueling season, Jackson is a low-end QB1 Week 16 versus the Patriots.