NFL Player News

Mafi (6’3/329) was a 3-star recruit, and the 88th-ranked Defensive Tackle in the 2018 recruiting class, from San Mateo, California, according to 247 Sports. Much like the running back he was blocking for, Michigan transfer Zach Charbonnet, Mafi is sometimes misunderstood as a one-trick pony, as he is so much more than a simple physical mauler on the interior. He has a nuanced understanding of tools that scare defensive linemen from his days as a Defensive Tackle early in his college career. The Second Team All-Pac-12 OG brought along his mean streak and his finishing ability from the other side of the ball and has improved his technique every year since converting. Nevertheless, a power-heavy team will take on Mafi as a project who may see consistent reps a couple of years from now. But, when he eventually does get the nod, he will be headhunting defensive linemen with gusto.

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan initially said he expects Pearsall “to be alright.” He followed that statement up on Monday by saying “there is a concern” about Pearsall’s injuries. On Thursday, he said there is a “possibility” Pearsall plays on Monday night. This is nothing new. Return timelines have been all over the place with this team. Even if he does play, he will do so at less than 100.0 percent. Make a backup plan.

He got in a limited session to get on to the questionable line after missing Wednesday and Thursday practice. Azeez Al-Shaair was limited on Thursday, but did not participate in Wednesday or Friday practice for the Texans. Both players should be considered true question marks for Week 16’s action against the Raiders.

It’s a curious questionable tag since Chubb got in two full sessions on Thursday and Friday — several backs with that workload would be off the injury report entirely. Chubb could be a worthwhile FLEX play against the Raiders depending on who is active at 3 ET, but odds are he’ll probably split the workload with Jawhar Jordan if he is up and Woody Marks (ankle) is down.

It’s an aggressive listing based on one limited practice, one that perhaps augurs that the Texans are just managing Marks through some existing injuries that they know are going to be tough to overcome in-season. If Marks starts, he’ll be a high-end RB2 against the Raiders. If not, Jawhar Jordan will be a worthwhile plug-and-play starter in Week 16.

Crosby, as usual, will be Las Vegas’ main defensive weapon against the Texans. IDP leaguers should note that he stands a good chance of wrecking shop against a weak Texans offensive line. Crosby continues to be given days off ahead of games as this going-nowhere season winds down for the Raiders.

He suffered an ankle sprain, and the fact that McVay is already grim on his chances to play in Week 17 doesn’t color his rest of season output with a rosy picture. Justin Dedich took over in the first quarter and seems likely to be Los Angeles’ starter in the coming weeks.

He practiced in full all week and should be regarded as a solid RB2 against the Jaguars in Week 16’s Sunday action. Harvey hasn’t shown as much upside as we hoped in the box score so far, but his touchdown equity has come through for a strong Broncos team.

It profiles as another smash week for Puka Nacua, who took advantage of Adams’ absence with 200 yards through the air in Week 16. The Rams will probably do just fine on offense given what they did against the league-best Seahawks defense on Thursday night. Still, it does cap a bit of Matthew Stafford’s touchdown upside for Week 17 to be without his goal line back.

Sugar, we’re going down swinging. Smith will be a backend QB2/QB3 in superflex leagues against the Texans defense. He was practicing in full ahead of Friday, and we’re going to assume he had no setbacks based on this statement. Carroll said that Smith would be the starter for the remainder of the season as well.

He hasn’t practiced or played since Week 12’s high-ankle sprain, so this will be his fourth-straight missed game. The Cowboys don’t necessarily have to shut him down, but they probably won’t bother trying to play him in Week 17 or 18 if there’s any question about his health now that they’re all but eliminated from the playoff picture.