NFL Player News

McCord (6’3/218) transferred to Syracuse for the 2024 season after spending the previous three seasons at Ohio State. The former five-star recruit started 12 games during the 2023 season after former teammate C.J. Stroud left for the NFL, throwing for 3,170-24-6, but opted to hit the transfer portal at the end of the season. In his one-year stint at Syracuse, McCord led the FBS in completions (391), pass attempts (592), and passing yards (4,779) and threw for 34 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. His 12 picks led all ACC quarterbacks. McCord’s confidence in the pocket and ability to avoid pressure (44 sacks in 37 career games) are pluses to his game, as is his deep ball accuracy (52.6 deep ball completion percent 2023-2024), but his willingness to put the ball in danger has proven costly at times. Per PFF, McCord has a career turnover-worthy play rate of 3.6 percent. He also has a brutal five-interception game on his resumé that he posted last season in a game at Pitt, and his 24 turnover-worthy plays last season led all Power Five QBs. That said, his 36 big-time throws last season led all FBS quarterbacks. McCord is a feast or famine player who will provide plenty of big plays, but whether or not those plays can offset the mistakes in a less-forgiving NFL environment will likely determine his fate as a pro. His familiarity with a pro-style offense should help with his transition, but McCord would benefit from a redshirt year or two that will allow him to fine-tune his skills and improve on decision-making.

Add backup RB Emanuel Wilson wherever available. Jacobs is seemingly on track to play on Sunday, but it cannot hurt to be safe. Wilson operated as the team’s featured running back with Jacobs sidelined against the Vikings a few weeks ago, rushing 28 times for 107 yards and two touchdowns. The Broncos’ elite defense will put up a fight, but Wilson would be a volume-based RB2 if Jacobs cannot play.

Graham was limited on Friday, but didn’t practice on either Wednesday or Thursday. He did play through the injury in Week 14 against the Titans. The rookie No. 5 overall pick has a 68.8 PFF defensive grade in 572 snaps this year.

McGlinchey popped up on the injury report as a Friday DNP after being healthy earlier in the week. Not auspicious. Geron Christian and Frank Crum are the backup tackles on the roster for Denver, and one of them could be pressed into service on Sunday if McGlinchey can’t go.

Hockenson is good to go for the Vikings’ intriguing game against the Cowboys this weekend, though he can only be viewed as a low-end TE1, at best. The veteran tight end finished as the overall TE14 in half-PPR scoring in consecutive weeks.

It was a mid-week downgrade, never a great sign. Austin played a season-low 16 offensive snaps on Sunday with new additions Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Adam Thielen taking bigger roles, so he’s droppable in most leagues.

Jones will continue to play through the pain in his age-31 season. Over the last four weeks, Jones’ best showing earned him the overall RB26 spot in half-PPR scoring. The Vikings’ game against the Cowboys profiles as a fantasy-friendly one, though, warranting low-end RB2 treatment for Jones.

It’s a new listing, and one that puts Heyward’s status for Week 15 in some doubt ahead of Monday night. The veteran likely doesn’t actually need the practice at this point, but mid-week downgrades are always a bit scary. Sunday’s report should add some clarity to the proceedings.

Addison’s injury is a bit concerning, as is QB J.J. McCarthy’s erratic play. McCarthy had a decent last week though, and the Cowboys’ pass defense is relatively fantasy-friendly. Addison is a low-end WR3 in what could be a high-scoring game environment.

Nate Thomas got the tackle work the last two weeks and should be set for another start against the Vikings defense in Week 15. Guyton has not played or practiced since suffering the dreaded high-ankle sprain in Dallas’ Week 12 win over the Eagles. The second-year tackle should be considered questionable for Week 16.

Brian Schottenheimer said that he was “relieved” that Ferguson will be able to “answer the bell” in a press availability earlier, which strongly points at him playing. No longer at the point of the season where he’s spiking six touchdowns in the span of a month, Ferguson is now more of a low/mid-range TE1 against the Vikings.