Week 16 Inactives Watch - 12.24.2017

Dolphins QB Matt Moore was initially listed as doubtful for Sunday's
matchup.

This is a live blog being updated a throughout the day for inactive for all NFL games taking place on Dec. 24, 2017.

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10:26am ET

From ESPN Fantasy... 

Ruled out before Sunday 

Offense: WR Andre Holmes (neck), RB Rex Burkhead (knee), WR DeSean Jackson (ankle), TE Michael Hoomanawanui (concussion), RB LeShun Daniels Jr. (hand), WR Marqise Lee (ankle), WR Tavarres King (concussion), TE Troy Niklas (ankle), WR Emmanuel Sanders (ankle) 

Defense: DT Alan Branch (knee/meniscus), DE Robert Ayers (shoulder), DE Trey Hendrickson (ankle), LB Zach Brown (Achilles), LB Ryan Anderson (knee), DE Matt Longacre (back), DT Corey Liuget (knee), LB Denzel Perryman (hamstring), LB D.J. Alexander (concussion), DT David Irving (concussion), LB B.J. Goodson (ankle), LB Josh Bynes (ankle) 

Early games, 1 p.m. ET (eight scheduled) 

Offense: 

QB Matt Moore (doubtful, foot)RB Damien Williams (doubtful, shoulder)WR DeVante Parker (questionable, ankle)WR Kelvin Benjamin (questionable, knee/meniscus)TE Nick O'Leary (questionable, back)RB James White (questionable, ankle)WR Matthew Slater (questionable, hamstring)WR Chris Hogan (questionable, shoulder)TE Adam Shaheen (questionable, chest)TE Cameron Brate (questionable, hip)WR Russell Shepard (questionable, shoulder)WR Devin Funchess (questionable, shoulder)QB Paxton Lynch (questionable, ankle)WR Cody Latimer (questionable, thigh)RB Samaje Perine (questionable, groin)WR Jamison Crowder (questionable, hamstring)WR Maurice Harris (questionable, back)RB Austin Ekeler (questionable, hand)RB Matt Forte (questionable, knee)RB Elijah McGuire (questionable, illness) 

Defense: 

S George Iloka (questionable, shoulder)DE Andre Branch (questionable, knee)S T.J. McDonald (questionable, shoulder)S Michael Thomas (questionable, knee)CB Cordrea Tankersley (questionable, ankle)LB Justin Houston (questionable, illness)DT Kyle Williams (questionable, groin)CB E.J. Gaines (questionable, knee)LB Kyle Van Noy (questionable, calf)LB Eric Lee (questionable, ankle)CB Jamar Taylor (questionable, foot)CB Briean Boddy-Calhoun (questionable, knee)DT Gerald McCoy (questionable, biceps)DE Ryan Russell (questionable, shoulder)LB Lavonte David (questionable, hamstring)CB Ryan Smith (doubtful, ankle)DE Mario Addison (questionable, hip)LB Shaq Thompson (questionable, foot)DT Terrell McClain (questionable, toe)CB Kendall Fuller (questionable, foot)CB Logan Ryan (questionable, ankle) 

Late games, 4:05 and 4:25 p.m. ET (three scheduled) 

Offense:
WR Allen Hurns (questionable, ankle)TE Garrett Celek (questionable, knee)WR Brice Butler (questionable, foot)RB Kerwynn Williams (questionable, quadriceps)WR John Brown (questionable, toe)WR Chad Williams (questionable, illness) 

Defense: 

DE Lerentee McCray (questionable, neck)CB Greg Mabin (doubtful, calf)DT Nazair Jones (doubtful, ankle)DE Frank Clark (questionable, toe)S Bradley McDougald (questionable, knee)DE Benson Mayowa (questionable, back)DT Richard Ash (questionable, shoulder)CB Orlando Scandrick (questionable, back)DE Jason Pierre-Paul (questionable, finger)S Nat Berhe (questionable, hamstring)S Landon Collins (questionable, ankle)DT Olsen Pierre (questionable, illness)LB Karlos Dansby (questionable, knee)S Antoine Bethea (questionable, knee) 

Updates/analysis (most recent first) 

Muhammad Wilkerson (9:45 a.m.): According to ESPN's Rich Cimini, the Jets will make Wilkerson a healthy inactive again today. Cimini says it's a smart decision, as Wilkerson is unlikely to be with the team next season and his 2018 salary would be guaranteed in the event of an injury. 

Samaje Perine (9:35 a.m.): According to ESPN NFL Nation's John Keim, the running back was feeling better on Saturday, but is still looking like a gametime decision. Kapri Bibbs appears to be the likeliest beneficiary of playing time, should Perine sit out. 

Adam Schefter's overnight update (7:05 a.m.): Various sources tell Schefter that Jamison Crowder, Garrett Celek, Cameron Brate, Devin Funchess, Kerwynn Williams, Matt Forte, Elijah McGuire and Michael Thomas are all expected to play on Sunday. On the flip side of the injury coin, James White and Chris Hogan are NOT expected to suit up. 

Official Sunday inactives should begin coming in at approximately 11:30 a.m. ET for the early games and 2:30 p.m. ET for the late games.

FANTASY PLAYS: Playing key matchups to win a fantasy title

By JOE GALLINA
Fantasy Sports Network

Welcome to Week 16 — time to win a fantasy championship.

You already have a good idea about your starting lineup, but some pretty big names suffered serious injuries in Week 15. If you have shares of Antonio Brown, Rex Burkhead or Davante Adams, you still have serious lineup decisions to make.

START ’EM

Quarterback

—Blake Bortles, Jacksonville at San Francisco

Bortles could incredibly be the starting quarterback for several fantasy football champions. He’s averaged 23 fantasy points per game (FPPG) over the past four weeks, and has thrown multiple TDs and no interceptions in his last three games. The 49ers have given up the third most FPPG to QBs.

—Matthew Stafford, Detroit at Cincinnati

The Bengals have been dealing with several injuries to their defense, including CB Dre Kirkpatrick, who’s missed the past two weeks due to a concussion. They’ve given up an average of 19.25 FPPG to QBs over the past four weeks. Stafford has averaged 329 passing yards in his last five road games.

Running back

— Jerick McKinnon, Minnesota at Green Bay

McKinnon has caught five or more passes in six games since Week 5. The Packers have given up the most receptions to RBs over the past month. McKinnon scored 24.9 fantasy points in point-per-reception (PPR) scoring formats in his first matchup against the Packers this season.

— Dion Lewis, New England vs. Buffalo

The Bills have given up the most FPPG to RBs. Lewis has averaged just over 14 FPPG in PPR leagues over the past six weeks, and with Rex Burkhead out because of a knee sprain, he should see a slight uptick in his workload this week.

— Alex Collins, Baltimore vs. Indianapolis

The Colts have given up an average of 193 rushing yards to RBs over the past two weeks. Despite a disappointing Week 15, Collins had scored double digit fantasy points in PPR formats in his previous four games. Among RBs with at least 130 carries, he’s fourth with a 4.9 yards per carry average on the season.

Wide receiver

— Keelan Cole, Jacksonville at San Francisco

If you’re in desperate need of a WR, Cole could be a sleeper. He’s averaged six targets over his past six games and scored TDs in his last three. The 49ers have given up 385 yards and three TDs to WRs the past two weeks.

— Mike Wallace, Baltimore vs. Indianapolis

Wallace has scored double digit fantasy points in five of his last six games in PPR scoring formats, averaging eight targets, four catches and 67 receiving yards during that span. With fellow receiver Jeremy Maclin unlikely to play, he’ll continue to have a large role in the Ravens passing game. The Colts have given up the third most receiving yards to WRs this season.

— Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona vs. New York Giants

The Giants have given up the second most TDs to WRs over the past month (six), and over 11 catches per game to the position in their last five contests. Fitzgerald leads the Cardinals in targets.

Tight end

— Antonio Gates, LA Chargers at NY Jets

Chargers TE Hunter Henry, who’s averaged six targets over his past five games, has been placed on the IR due to a kidney laceration. Expect Gates to be the recipient of the bulk of those targets.

—Jesse James, Pittsburgh at Houston

With Antonio Brown sidelined, QB Ben Roethlisberger may use James in scoring situations a bit more this week. The Texans are tied for allowing the third most TDs to TEs (eight).

Cameron Brate, Tampa Bay at Carolina

With O.J. Howard on injured reserve, Brate should be heavily targeted in a favorable matchup against the Panthers, who’ve given up seven TDs to TEs.

SIT ’EM

Quarterback

— Kirk Cousins, Washington vs. Denver

Cousins has an average of 13.3 FPPG over the past four weeks. During the same time span, the Broncos have yielded just under 11 FPPG to QBs.

— Dak Prescott, Dallas vs. Seattle

Prescott has averaged under 12 FPPG over the past six weeks. He should get a boost with Zeke Elliott blocking for him and of course, running the ball, but it may not be enough to make him a QB1 in Week 16. Todd Gurley exposed the Seahawks run defense in Week 15, and much of the Cowboys offense may flow through Zeke’s ability to move the ball this week.

Running back

— Carlos Hyde, San Francisco vs. Jacksonville

Hyde hasn’t rushed for 100 yards in a game since Week 2, and has 3.9 YPC on the season. The Jaguars haven’t allowed a RB to score a TD in their last six games.

— Mike Davis, Seattle at Dallas

The Cowboys haven’t allowed a rushing TD to a RB in four straight weeks and with Sean Lee active over the past two games it’s been even harder to run against the Cowboys. Davis has shown good explosiveness as a runner, however he’s yet to score a TD this season.

Wide receiver

— Marquise Goodwin, San Francisco vs. Jacksonville

Goodwin has been outstanding over the past several weeks, averaging five catches and 91 receiving yards over his last six games. But he faces a very tough Jaguars defense that has given up the second fewest FPPG to WRs.

— Robby Anderson, NY Jets vs. LA Chargers

The Chargers have an excellent pass defense anchored by CB Casey Heyward that has yielded just one TD to a WR over the past four games. Anderson has scored just over 7 FPPG over the past two weeks.

Tight end

— Jason Witten, Dallas vs. Seattle

The Seahawks haven’t given up a TD to a TE, and have yielded the second fewest receptions to the position over the past four games.

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This column was provided to The Associated Press by the Fantasy Sports Network, http://FNTSY.com

FANTASY PLAYS: Daily studs and values for Week 15

By JAKE CLAY
Associated Press / FNTSY

There aren’t as many players who can really still be considered daily fantasy sleepers at the end of the NFL season. Still, there are plenty of Week 15 values that you might be hesitant to use, leading to a contrarian lineup and some nice returns.

AARON RODGERS, QB, Green Bay ($6,800 DraftKings/$8,500 FanDuel)

This may be your only chance to get a discount on Rodgers (more so on DraftKings). If the Packers are ready for Rodgers to play, you should be, too. Rodgers was having another terrific season before his injury, putting up scores of 30-plus in three straight games, including 10 touchdowns in that stretch. The Packers have worked hard to succeed without him and playing with Rodgers will only make those around him, like Jordy Nelson, better or fantasy relevant again. Rodgers has one of the highest ceilings in Week 15, especially against a Panthers secondary that’s started to slump.

NICK FOLES, QB, Philadelphia ($5,500/$6,000)

Foles has been here before, and the 27-2 touchdown to interception ratio season is an example of his upside. We’re not asking Foles to play that well again, and this is a different offense, but he has some great weapons and a great matchup. The Giants just let Dak Prescott have the best passing game of his career and are now averaging the most quarterback fantasy points per game allowed.

LATAVIUS MURRAY, RB, Minnesota ($4,900/$6,200)

Jordan Howard just obliterated the Bengals defense. With players dropping each week, the Bengals defense has little to nothing left. Murray is the lead option for the Vikings and the top goal-line option, which means he should see 15-20 carries and a few scoring opportunities. Minnesota could even lean on Murray more with Kyle Rudolph looking doubtful and Case Keenum looking to rebound from a mediocre game. Murray won’t replicate Howard’s performance completely, but he might come close as the Vikings continue the playoff push.

KENYAN DRAKE, RB, Miami ($5,800/$6,500)

Even if Damien Williams returns, Drake is clearly the superior option as he’s put up 20-plus points each of the past two weeks. There could be snow in Buffalo again this week, which means a heavy run approach for both teams. If Drake even nears 20 touches with the way he’s playing and the state of the Bills defense (which let Frank Gore run all over them last week), he could put up his third straight 20-point game.

DEDE WESTBROOK, WR, Jacksonville ($5,100/$5,700)

Marqise Lee has been the Jaguars’ top option this year and has provided nice value so far. However, Westbrook has emerged of late, outscoring Lee over the past three games and putting himself in contention for being considered the new No. 1. On top of that, no team allows more big plays to receivers than the Texans.

JAMISON CROWDER, WR, Washington ($5,600/$6,800)

Yes, Kirk Cousins and the Redskins struggled against the Chargers, but that Chargers defense is playing at an elite level of late. Outside of Patrick Peterson, the Cardinals defense has been weak against the pass. Second and third receivers, especially talented slot options, have dominated the Cardinals this year. Look for the Redskins and Cousins to bounce back in Week 15. With Peterson focused on Josh Doctson, Crowder will have the potential for a strong performance.

RICKY SEALS-JONES, TE, ARI ($3,000/$5,300)

The Redskins gave up 50 yards and a touchdown to Hunter Henry last week. Washington has allowed a tight end touchdown in five of its last six games. Ricky Seals-Jones is still a favorite of Blaine Gabbert.

ZACH ERTZ, TE, Philadelphia ($6,000/$7,900)

Like Foles, Ertz is a contrarian play given the situation. Unlike Foles, the price is tougher to swallow but the Giants are still the worst team at defending the tight end. Ertz has regularly put up big games against the Giants, and he’s one of the few players with a connection to Foles when he used to start for the Eagles. With Ertz back from a concussion, he’s in the discussion with Rob Gronkowski and Travis Kelce as one of the elite options.

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This column was provided to The Associated Press by the Fantasy Sports Network, http://FNTSY.com