NFL

Savage hasn’t played since Week 7 when he suffered a calf strain that would keep him out for the following five games. He’s an integral piece to defensive coordinator Joe Barry’s zone-heavy defense, making his return a solid development as the Packers continue their late-season push for one of the final playoff spots out of the NFC.

Etienne got in a trio of limited sessions in his preparation for Monday Night Football, with previous reports indicating there is optimism that the second-year back will be able to play against the Bengals. Final word will come 90 minutes prior to kickoff.

Higgins missed the previous three contests for the Bengals, returning to a very different situation than the one he left with quarterback Joe Burrow done for the season. Volume should continue to be an issue for the Bengals primary pass-catchers with Jake Browning under center, leaving Higgins in the WR3/4 range for the remainder of the season.

McKinnon was previously expected to play on Sunday Night Football against the Packers but was ultimately ruled out for the second consecutive game as he tends to a groin injury. Running back Deneric Prince was elevated in a corresponding move.

This was purely procedural as it was already announced that Flacco would serve as the starting quarterback against the Rams. Flacco was one of the least efficient quarterbacks in the league during his stints with the Broncos and Jets over the previous four seasons, but his efficiency metrics still give this team a better chance of winning than P.J. Walker. Either way, expect the Browns to emphasize the ground game for as long as possible against the prevent defense of the Rams.

Anzalone suffered a hand injury in the team’s Week 12 loss to the Packers on Thanksgiving and will miss his first contest of the season. He has played all but a handful of snaps for the Lions this season and leads the team in tackles.

Taylor-Britt had been trying to return from a quad issue. Things just keep going from bad to worse for the Bengals. This is a very attackable matchup for Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence.

This became the most logical outcome after Higgins returned to full practice on Friday. Sidelined since Week 9, Higgins is returning to an entirely different offensive environment after Joe Burrow was lost for the season. Even with six teams on bye this week, Higgins is best left outside the top 36 at receiver.

Amos has appeared in all 11 games as a reserve/special teamer this season but had yet to make a start. Making $1.75 million, the remainder of his salary might not be a particularly attractive waiver claim.

Howe added that the Pats have prepared a package of plays for Malik Cunningham. Zappe didn’t do much after replacing Mac Jones in Week 12. He took over at halftime and threw for 54 scoreless yards and an interception. Normally that wouldn’t earn a player the starting nod in the following week, but with the alternative of crawling back to Jones looking equally as unappealing, Bill Belichick will give Zappe a shot versus the Chargers. The move doesn’t change much for the offense’s outlook. For fantasy purposes, DeVante Parker is a lowly WR6 while Hunter Henry remains stuck in the TE2 ranks.