New Orleans Saints kicker Wil Lutz is a fine starting option this week. Though he has missed his last three field-goal attempts, they were all from beyond 40 yards. Overall, the kicker has gone 20-for-25 in field goals and 47-for-47 in extra-point attempts this season, so he is very reliable. The Vikings allow the fourth-most points to fantasy kickers, so Lutz is a solid starting

The New Orleans Saints Defense is a low-end starting option this week against the Vikings. Last week, this unit had four sacks and 11 QB hits against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in a close loss, which is impressive. The Vikings have talented playmakers such as Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, and Dalvin Cook, so the Saints’ defense should only be viewed as a lower-end starting

New Orleans Saints tight end Jared Cook is a TE2 this week against the Vikings. Though he hasn’t posted more than 37 yards in the past three games, Cook has seen at least four targets in that same three-game span. Overall, his role is small on this offense, but the absence of Michael Thomas could open up some more opportunities in these last couple of

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders should be viewed as a WR3 this week. Sanders has seen at least five targets in four of the last five games along with at least 48 yards in three of those five games. With Michael Thomas out for the rest of the season (ankle), Sanders is the new WR1 on the team. Though his volume should be

New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray is only a flex option, at best, in Week 16 against the Vikings on Christmas Day this Friday. In the past three games, Murray has had single-digit carries and under 20 rushing yards. Though he did have a receiving touchdown in Week 15 in the loss to the Chiefs, he is not much of a factor in the

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara is an RB1 this week against the Vikings. The RB now has at least 50 yards rushing in the past four games along with at least six targets and 40 yards receiving in the past two games. His high volume in this offense keeps him in the RB1 tier against a Vikings squad that is middle-tier against fantasy

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees is a QB2 this week against the Vikings. Brees was able to return against the Chiefs last week after dealing with a rib injury and the QB had 234 yards, three touchdowns, and a pick. The Vikings are middle-of-the-pack against fantasy QBs and Michael Thomas is out for the season, so Brees is best viewed as a QB2. Source:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Ronald Jones II(finger) remains on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, and head coach Bruce Arians said that Jones is doubtful for Week 16 against the Lions on Saturday. Jones also had surgery to put a pin in his broken finger last week, so he could be out in Week 17 as well. Fantasy managers shouldn’t expect any contributions from Jones for the

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that quarterback C.J. Beathard will start under center in Week 16 against the division-rival Cardinals. Nick Mullens (elbow) will be out with an elbow injury that could require Tommy John surgery. With Jimmy Garoppolo (ankle), who remains on Injured Reserve, unlikely to play again this season, the Niners signed former first-rounder Josh Rosen off the Buccaneers practice

The San Francisco 49ers are signing quarterback Josh Rosen to their active roster off the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad on Tuesday. The 49ers are unsure if Jimmy Garoppolo (ankle), who is on Injured Reserve, will play again this season. Nick Mullens (elbow) needs surgery for a sprained right elbow and will miss the rest of the season, leaving C.J. Beathard as the only healthy

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn said that the team doesn’t intend to shut defensive end Joey Bosa (concussion) down for the rest of the season after he suffered another concussion in last Thursday’s overtime win over the division-rival Raiders. Offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga (concussion) and linebacker Denzel Perryman (back) are also expected to return to practice this week. Bosa has already missed two

The San Francisco 49ers opened the 21-day window for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (ankle) to practice. He’s been on Injured Reserve since Nov. 5 but could be activated from IR in order to play in Week 16 against the Cardinals on Saturday, especially since Nick Mullens (elbow) needs right elbow surgery. Garoppolo has been out since Week 8, so it’s unlikely that he’ll be ready to

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens (elbow) suffered a right elbow injury in the Week 15 loss to the Cowboys that will likely require surgery, according to a source. That means that Mullens is unlikely to play again the rest of the season. You likely weren’t looking Mullens’ way anyway for fantasy championship matchups after he turned the ball over three times in the loss

San Francisco 49ers running back Raheem Mostert‘s (ankle) season is likely over after he suffered another high-ankle sprain in the Week 15 loss to the Cowboys, according to a source. Mostert ran the ball 14 times for 68 yards against Dallas but was unable to find the end zone. Jeff Wilson Jr. totaled 60 yards and a touchdown and will have considerably more fantasy upside

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers activated left tackle Donovan Smith from the Reserve/COVID-19 list on Tuesday. Smith was placed on the list last Friday and missed the Week 15 win over the Falcons. The 27-year-old will be back for the team’s Week 16 game against the Lions on Saturday, which is good news for quarterback Tom Brady‘s protection against a pretty weak Detroit defense. Brady and

Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said that he’s not sure if linebacker Eric Kendricks (calf) will play in Week 16 against the Saints on Christmas Day on Friday or for the rest of the regular season. Kendricks has missed the last three games and doesn’t appear close to a return for the Vikings Defense. His absence in the middle of the field has left

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said that tight end Eric Ebron (back) and fullback Derek Watt (concussion) are still being evaluated after suffering injuries in the Monday night loss to the Bengals. Ebron should be fine after leaving the game early and being ruled out. The 27-year-old could be ready to return in Week 16 against the Colts, but fantasy managers will want to

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said that the team hopes to have running back James Conner (quadriceps), linebacker Vince Williams and offensive lineman Kevin Dotson (shoulder) back in Week 16 against the Colts. Conner was ruled out hours before the Monday night loss to the Bengals, allowing Benny Snell Jr. to rush for 84 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. Williams was put

The Washington Football Team is aware of social-media posts that showed quarterback Dwayne Haskins Jr. partying maskless at a gentleman’s club after the Week 15 loss to the Seahawks. Washington has been in contact with the NFL about the matter and is handling the situation internally. Haskins has issued a public apology for his actions. Washington has no plans to release Haskins, who was fined

The Washington Football Team is hoping that quarterback Alex Smith (calf) can practice in some capacity this week. He’s currently being considered day-to-day and hasn’t been ruled out for Week 16 against the Panthers. Smith wasn’t able to do much in practice last week, but the team prioritized rest of repetitions. This week might be a bit of a different story for the veteran QB,