NFL Player News

Carson (5’117/199) is a physical man-coverage corner with a harassing demeanor at the line of scrimmage and jolting hands that jam opposing wideouts in press coverage. He has good field awareness, is consistently peaking in the backfield and isn’t afraid to lay the heavy hit on the ball carrier. Primarily lining up outside, 521 of his 650 reps this year were on the boundary, Carson possesses notable ball hawking tendencies, having swatted away seven or more pass breaks up the last three seasons. Despite grading in the 72nd percentile or higher in coverage each of his four years at Wake Forest, he only recorded three interceptions. He displays advanced straight line speed which allows him to give space pre-snap and close quickly, but he can get turned around at the top of routes. He didn’t test at the Combine, but Carson flashes educated footwork and can get in and out of breaks with haste. He will take some bad angles in run support, which accounts for his 68th percentile PFF run grade in 2023.

Pickett may only be getting a one week audition here, as Carroll said that Geno Smith “will be back” against the Texans in Week 16. Against the Eagles’ stellar pass defense, Pickett is best approached as a QB3 in superflex leagues and even an optimistic view can’t see him as better than a low-end QB2 with almost nothing around him beyond Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty. It’s just not an ideal situation, even if he did look decent in relief of Smith in Week 14.

He got in a limited session today to get to questionable after two DNPs earlier in the week. Darrisaw was active last week after missing Week 13 and his status seems to very touch-and-go at this point. We imagine he’s a game-time decision for the Vikings in Week 15.

Crow was placed on leave earlier this year after being “arrested in late August on domestic battery charges.” Dolphins defensive assistant coach Sean Ryan will continue working with the outside linebackers.

The Giants’ receiving touchdowns leader (five) will be on the field this weekend. Johnson has proven himself as an NFL starter and one of QB Jaxson Dart’s go-to players, but he remains a somewhat volatile TE1. The Commanders’ soft defense should allow the Giants to move the ball downfield often, though.

Tracy touched the ball 57 times pre-bye, in Weeks 11-13, while backup RB Devin Singletary trailed closely with 46. Tracy should handle another hefty workload against the Commanders’ fantasy-friendly defense this week. He is an RB2 while Singletary operates as a standalone FLEX.

McDuffie contested a leaping, downfield catch while covering Texans WR Nico Collins in Week 14. As McDuffie came back to earth, his left knee bowed inward, beneath him. He underwent rigorous testing thereafter, and seemingly had a small chance of returning to the game, but the training staff ultimately kept him sidelined. McDuffie practiced in a limited capacity on Wednesday and Thursday. His Friday participation level is unknown. If he is unable to play this week, he seemingly has decent odds of returning next week.

Herbert practiced all three days this week with his left hand injury, though he didn’t do better than a limited session. It’s probably safe to expect him to be more liable to fumble the ball, as he did a few times last week while taking a bushel of sacks. Herbert is on the QB1/QB2 borderline against the Chiefs.

The Chiefs will also be without RG Trey Smith (ankle). Taylor remained sidelined all week. Smith practiced fully on Wednesday before being downgrade to limited on Thursday and an absence on Friday. The Chiefs have also lost multiple left tackles this season, with fill-in OT Wanya Morris rupturing a patellar tendon in his knee just last week.

He was limited in practice all three days this week with a foot injury — he did essentially the same thing in Week 11, but with an ankle listing. McConkey profiles on the WR2/WR3 borderline against the Chiefs.

He was injured in Week 12’s win over the Bengals and missed two weeks of game action. Wilson practiced in full all week and his return should help the Pats get more consistent play inside while they continue to await the return of LT Will Campbell.