NFL Player News

Otton was a non-factor in a game the Bucs controlled, but the tight end also finds himself in a crowded offense that might not have space for him. Chris Godwin is now operating full-time in the slot, which takes away a lot of Otton’s over-the-middle targets, and both Jalen McMillan and Trey Palmer are getting on the field more as young receivers. With Rachaad White and Bucky Irving also strong pass-catchers, there just might not be enough to go around for Otton, so he can be left on waiver wires in fantasy leagues.

Fowler reported earlier this week that the Browns have done preliminary research on a coaching change. Now the NFL Insider believes Stefanski would be an ideal fit for the Giants. The 43-year-old Browns coach is still under contract and Fowler floats the possibility that the team could trade him to the Giants, rather than fire him. While it’s unclear what the Giants’ level of interest in Stefanski is, Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman removed his name from consideration for the position earlier this week. Expect the NFL’s coaching cycle to heat up next week after the conclusion of the regular season.

10 days ago, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported McDaniel is expected to be back with the Dolphins. Fowler isn’t as sure, stating that while McDaniel has some support there, the team’s search for a new GM will be more about finding the best fit for the team rather than the best fit with McDaniel. Fowler even floats the idea that the Browns coaching position could come open by the team trading Kevin Stefanski to the Giants. While it’s all rumors and conjecture for now, the NFL’s coaching cycle will be in full force shortly after the final week of the regular season.

Jackson missed Week 17’s matchup with the Packers after suffering a back contusion against the Patriots in the previous week. While the 28-year-old quarterback’s absence was unfortunate for fantasy managers in the championship round of the playoffs, the Ravens still beat the Packers without Jackson, setting up a winner-take-all date with the Steelers this week. Rapoport said the Ravens thought Jackson would play last week, but he wasn’t even able to practice. He’s expected back on the practice field Wednesday and it’s difficult to imagine him missing a game of this magnitude without a setback.

This is a positive update for Shaheed, who was forced from last week’s game against the Panthers. The Seahawks face the 49ers on Saturday, and the winner takes home the NFC West crown while also securing the NFC’s No. 1 playoff seed. Having Shaheed on the field would be extremely helpful for Seahawks QB Sam Darnold.

The Seahawks face the 49ers on Saturday. The winner secures both wins the NFC West and earns the NFC’s No. 1 playoff seed. Barner has developed into a reliable contributor in the Seahawks’ passing game despite playing through multiple injuries this year. He is a boom-bust TE1 for the occasion.

As things currently stand, we are “two weeks from the open market.” Two weeks is a short time period, but things can move quickly in the NFL. Just yesterday, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reported that “various high-level executives” believe Flores will “most likely be a candidate” for a head-coaching job this offseason. The Vikings would surely love to keep their brilliant defensive coordinator, who schemes up bamboozling blitzes on a weekly basis. The Vikings’ 62.8 percent blitz rate leads the league by 19.9 percent and their 44.3 percent QB pressure rate leads the league by 2.0 percent.

Williams will not participate in the 49ers’ walkthrough this evening and was forced from Week 17 after just one snap. Consider him firmly in the questionable camp for the team’s divisional showdown against the Seahawks in Week 18.

The 49ers are hosting only a walkthrough this evening. Logging a limited session is a plus for Pearsall, who has been plagued by lower-body injuries this season. He looked great running routes against the Bears last week, and can be treated as a WR3 with upside against the Seahawks’ tough defense in Week 18.

Great news. Kittle will be a limited participant in Tuesday evening’s walkthrough. The talented tight end sat out in Week 17 after missing practice all week. Backup TE Jake Tonges caught 7-of-8 targets for 60 yards and one touchdown in Kittle’s stead. If Kittle is unable to face the Seahawks on Saturday, Tonges will again be a viable streamer.

The 49ers will conduct a walkthrough today, though McCaffrey will not participate. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters that McCaffrey’s back is “a little stiff.” Trainers tended to McCaffrey’s back between drives, late in the fourth quarter during the 49ers’ Week 17 win over the Bears. He returned and played effectively. We expect him to do so this week as well, though backup RB Brian Robinson must be rostered wherever he is available.