NFL Player News

Wright (6’2/193), who is the younger brother of Dallas Cowboys DB Nahshon Wright, took the JuCo path to Oregon State, where he took advantage of the extra pandemic season to return in 2022. He thrived in DC Trent Bray’s defense last year by breaking up 11 passes while holding opponents to a 74.6 NFL passer rating and 47% catch rate allowed. Tackling has been a real issue, as his 24% missed tackle rate is simply not going to fly in The League. However, his 32.5” arms allow Wright to pester opponents and tear away the football, and he has a knack for pressing receivers to the sideline and squeezing their catch radius. While he’s competitive. Wright committed 12 coverage penalties over the past two seasons and he’s undisciplined in run support thanks to his slight frame. A late bloomer who didn’t work out during the pre-draft process due to injury, Wright flashes enough potential to fight for an NFL roster spot.

Evans was limited in practice throughout the week. Head coach Todd Bowles told reporters this morning that Evans “has shown everything he needed to show” to play in Week 15. It sounds like fantasy managers can plan on having him back in the fold this week. In his first game back, Evans should be treated as a high-variance WR3, though he could be back in the WR2 ranks as soon as Week 16.

Jacobs worked with Packers trainers on Wednesday, as he continues to work through the bone bruise he suffered in Week 11 against the Giants. We expect Jacobs to resume practicing tomorrow. He should handle his typical high-volume workload, but he faces the Broncos’ elite defense, potentially pushing him into the high-end RB2 tier.

Lamb was spotted at practice today. He suffered the brain injury on Thursday versus the Lions. Lamb was ruled out shortly after exiting the game and immediately entered the league’s protocol. It sounds like he is trending toward playing in Week 15, but there are certain benchmarks he has to clear before being given the green light. If he does sit, Ryan Flournoy, who went for 115 yards and a touchdown versus the Lions, would be the next man up in Dallas.

The Lions were without their top three tight ends last week. Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright were—and remain—on injured reserve while Zylstra missed the game with a knee issue. His return to practice today puts him on track to start for Detroit in Week 15. In a potential shootout with the Rams, Zylstra will be a touchdown-or-bust TE2.

In a stunning turn of events, St. Brown played on Thursday last week despite being held out of all three practices leading up to the game. He played a relatively normal role, catching six passes for 96 yards. Even a limited practice today is a good sign that his ankle issue is getting better. He will hold a spot at the back of the WR1 ranks for his Week 15 date with the Rams.

Pickett faces one of his former teams this weekend. The 27-year-old quarterback appeared in seven games for the Eagles during their Super Bowl-winning season last year, averaging 6.8 yards per attempt on 43 attempts from Week 1-Super Bowl LIX. Pickett is now working with far less talent-wise, and can only be viewed as a shaky QB2 if he indeed gets the start.

Chubb suffered the rib injury in Week 14 versus Kansas City and did not return to the game. A DNP today puts him on the wrong side of questionable to open the week. His absence would lock in Woody Marks for an elite role. Marks totaled 28 touches against the Chiefs and could push for similar usage against Arizona this week.

Marks was held out of last Wednesday’s practice with the ankle issue but returned on Thursday and was cleared from the injury report entirely before the weekend. He briefly left the Texans’ win over Kansas City late in the game, allowing Dare Ogunbowale to take over for a short touchdown plunge, but never received an official injury designation. Today’s DNP is likely maintenance for a workhorse running back. Marks ran 26 times on Sunday and is set up for another high-volume day versus Arizona.

Smith injured his throwing shoulder in Week 14 against the Broncos shortly after suffering significant abrasions on his throwing hand’s ring and pinky fingers. It’s an awfully banged-up limb. Smith also entered the game with a foot injury. Raiders backup QB Kenny Pickett is expected to start in Smith’s stead, though Pickett can only be viewed as a shaky QB2.

Pitts was listed as limited in practice throughout the week before receiving the questionable designation. He appears to be trending toward playing, but fantasy managers will want to check in on Atlanta’s inactives before setting their lineups. With Drake London already ruled out, Pitts will project for TE1 numbers if he is good to go.