According to Dan Salomone of Giants.com, quarterback Drew Lock (heel/elbow) was upgraded to a full participant during Thursday's practice. After logging a limited session on Wednesday, Lock is now on track to suit up on Sunday to face the Atlanta Falcons. Lock was unable to suit up last weekend due to these injuries but should be expected to reclaim his starting duties on Sunday. While sidelined, Tommy DeVito got the starting nod and tallied only 68 passing yards during their loss to the Baltimore Ravens before exiting early. In his two previous starts, Lock posted a 51.9% completion rate, averaging 202.5 yards per game with one rushing score. Lock should only be viewed as a desperation QB2 in deep Superflex formats this weekend, facing the Atlanta Falcons, who have allowed the seventh-most PPR points to opposing QBs this season.

New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (elbow, heel) is expected to practice on Wednesday and will make the start in Week 16 against the Atlanta Falcons, according to head coach Brian Daboll. Lock injured his left elbow and heel in the Week 14 loss to the New Orleans Saints and was inactive for the Week 15 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The 28-year-old was in a walking boot last week but appears to have made enough progress to return to the starting role this weekend. In his two starts in Weeks 13 and 14, Lock was underwhelming, going 42-for-81 for 405 yards, no touchdowns, two interceptions and a lost fumble, but he did add 116 rushing yards and a touchdown on nine carries. While Lock probably gives the Giants offense a little more upside than Tommy DeVito, he's nothing more than a desperation QB2 play for fantasy managers in superflex leagues without any other options.

New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (heel, left elbow) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens. He had been listed as doubtful after missing all three practices this past week. Lock will serve as the Giants' emergency third quarterback on Sunday, which means he would be allowed to enter the game if both Tommy DeVito and Tim Boyle suffer injuries and cannot play. Otherwise, Lock will watch Sunday's game from the sideline. He can be dropped in most fantasy leagues now that DeVito is healthy and back under center.

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (calf) has been removed from the final Week 16 injury report on Friday and will be active for Sunday's contest at Lumen Field against the visiting Minnesota Vikings. Meanwhile, backfield mate Zach Charbonnet (oblique) was also cleared, so Seattle will have its top two RBs available this weekend. It's good news for the Seahawks, but bad news for fantasy managers that have one or both of Walker and Charbonnet rostered. Walker missed the last two weeks with his calf injury, which led to Charbonnet accumulating 188 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 30 carries while adding eight catches for 71 yards. For what it's worth, Seattle has since named Charbonnet a captain, meaning that Walker could see more of a reduced role in his return this weekend. Walker has been the clear lead runner when both backs have been healthy this year, but that could change against Minnesota.

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (calf) went from missing practice on Wednesday to practicing in full on Thursday, signaling he could be ready to return from a two-game absence to face the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday in Week 16. Meanwhile, Zach Charbonnet, who missed Wednesday with an oblique injury, was limited on Thursday. The way things are currently trending, it could be a worst-case scenario for fantasy managers that have one of or both Walker and Charbonnet rostered. Charbonnet saw 30 carries for 188 yards (6.27 yards per carry) and three touchdowns while adding eight catches for 71 yards the last two weeks with Walker sidelined. If Seattle has both Walker and Charbonnet active against Minnesota, this backfield could easily be split more in half with Walker returning, potentially lowering both RB's fantasy upside in an already bad matchup.

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (calf) did not participate in practice on Wednesday. The 24-year-old has already missed two games in a row, and it now looks like there's a real chance he could miss a third. Losing Walker to an injury hurts by itself, but the Seahawks' backfield could get even more complicated if they are also without Zach Charbonnet (oblique), who didn't practice Wednesday. If Walker sits out Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings, Charbonnet will remain the starter and a high-end fantasy RB2. However, if both Walker and Charbonnet end up sidelined, then Kenny McIntosh would be in line for a drastically expanded role out of the backfield. Fantasy managers should stay tuned for additional injury updates on Thursday.

According to Ralph Vacchiano of FOX Sports, the Washington Commanders are listing tight end Zach Ertz (concussion) as questionable for Sunday's divisional matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. Ertz suffered a concussion during their Week 15 victory over the New Orleans Saints. During the week, he was a non-participant on Wednesday but was upgraded to a limited participant on Thursday and Friday. Fantasy managers should continue to keep a close eye on his status, as he will need to pass the league's protocol in order to suit up. Entering Week 15, Ertz found the back of the end zone in each of his past three games. If Ertz cannot make a quick turnaround, fantasy managers should expect John Bates to move to a starting role alongside rookie Ben Sinnott. Bates should not be viewed as a viable fantasy option, though, given his lack of proven offensive production throughout his career.

Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (concussion) remains in the league's concussion protocol on Thursday and was seen wearing a black non-contact jersey on the practice field. Ertz is getting work in, but he's not practicing with the rest of the team for the second straight day. With just one day left of practice this week, he's on the wrong side of questionable for the Week 16 game this Sunday against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles. Ertz was in line for more targets in last week's win over the New Orleans Saints with receiver Noah Brown (kidney) now out for the season, but he was injured in the second quarter last Sunday and never returned. With the 34-year-old veteran potentially missing Week 16, fantasy managers need to be looking in another direction at the TE position. We'd suggest avoiding John Bates and rookie Ben Sinnott in D.C., as the two will likely end up sharing snaps if Ertz is out.UPDATE: Ertz was officially limited in Thursday's practice.

Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (concussion) did not practice on Wednesday. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to his status throughout the week, as he would need to pass the league's protocol before returning to action. The veteran tight end sustained this concussion in the second quarter of their victory over the New Orleans Saints. Before departing, Ertz caught both of his targets for 25 yards. Before this game, Ertz found the end zone in three straight contests. During this span, the 34-year-old averaged a solid 15.0 PPR points per game while seeing 7.0 targets per contest. If Ertz cannot suit up to face the Eagles, John Bates will likely operate as the top tight end but should not be viewed as a viable option given his lack of offensive production.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco will face the Houston Texans on Saturday in Week 16. Pacheco appeared to emerge as the lead back in Week 14, earning 16 touches compared to six for Kareem Hunt, but that changed in Week 15. The two running backs each handled 13 carries last week against the Cleveland Browns, and Hunt outproduced Pacheco. It will be interesting to see how the backfield split shakes out this week against the Houston Texans, who rank fourth in fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs this year. The 25-year-old is ranked RB25 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a low-end RB2/Flex option this week. Fantasy managers will have a tough time trusting Pacheco in the fantasy playoffs, especially with Hunt stealing touches.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco had 13 carries for 32 yards and one catch for 15 yards in the 21-7 win over the Cleveland Browns. After dominating opportunities out of the backfield in Week 14, Pacheco evenly split the workload with Kareem Hunt in this contest. The 25-year-old was inefficient on the ground, averaging just 2.5 yards per carry in this game. If Pacheco is not the clear lead back for the Kansas City offense, it could be difficult to trust him in Week 16 against the Houston Texans. The Texans rank third in fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs this season, making them one of the most challenging matchups. Patrick Mahomes also left this week's contest with an ankle injury, placing his future availability in question. The Chiefs offense would undoubtedly be worse without Mahomes, which would subsequently be worse for Pacheco's scoring opportunities. Fantasy managers must hope that Mahomes plays and trust that Pacheco's talent will allow him to earn more opportunities.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco will face the Cleveland Browns on the road in Week 15. Pacheco had 14 carries for 55 yards and two catches for six yards against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 14. Pacheco was the clear leadback for the Chiefs, earning 18 opportunities compared to six for Kareem Hunt. In his third game back, Pacheco should tighten his stranglehold on the opportunities out of the Kansas City backfield. The 25-year-old will have to run against the Browns, who rank seventh in fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs this season. The Cleveland front is a formidable unit to face, but the Chiefs have demonstrated a willingness to run the ball often, especially with the ball in Pacheco's hands. Pacheco is ranked RB26 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him an RB2/RB3 option this week. Despite the difficult matchup, fantasy managers should find a way to get Pacheco into their lineups.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins was benched in favor of first-round rookie Michael Penix Jr. this week after throwing nine interceptions in a five-game span in which the team went 1-4. Cousins, 36, is unlikely to be the No. 1 QB in Atlanta again this year, and the chances that the 13-year veteran signal-caller comes back in 2025 as the backup are slim. Cousins has a no-trade clause after signing a four-year, $180 million deal last offseason with around $100 million guaranteed. If the Falcons cut Cousins, they'll get hit with $65 million in dead money. If they designate him a post-June 1 cut, they dead money would spread over the next two seasons -- $40 million in 2025 and $25 million in 2026. A trade could be pulled off if Cousins approves it, and in that scenario, the Falcons would be on the hook for the remaining $37.5 million of remaining proration. Cousins also has a $10 million roster bonus for 2026.

The Atlanta Falcons are benching quarterback Kirk Cousins heading into their Week 16 game against the New York Giants in favor of first-rounder Michael Penix Jr., according to head coach Raheem Morris. Despite signing Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract in the offseason, the Falcons are turning the page as they try to secure a playoff spot in the final three weeks. In the last five games, the 36-year-old Cousins has really struggled, throwing only one touchdown and nine interceptions. He went 11-for-17 for only 112 yards with a touchdown and interception in Monday's win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Cousins leads the NFL with 16 interceptions and has failed to give the Atlanta offense the boost he was expected to provide. Penix, 24, has lots of upside as the eighth overall pick, but he's raw -- he's played in two games and has gone 3-for-5 for 38 yards. The strong-armed lefty will be a low-end QB2 with upside.

When asked if quarterback Kirk Cousins was still the Atlanta Falcons' starter heading into Week 16 against the New York Giants this Sunday, head coach Raheem Morris was non-committal. "We just got back. We still have to go through that process. All those things will happen over the course of the week. We didn't play well enough at the quarterback position," Morris said. The Falcons didn't really need the arm of Cousins in their 15-9 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night, and he went 11-for-17 for 112 yards, one touchdown and a league-high 16th interception of the season. In the four previous games, the 36-year-old veteran failed to throw a TD while tossing eight interceptions. Atlanta could probably get away with another similar game script against New York this weekend, but Cousins' downfall could lead the team to turn to rookie first-rounder Michael Penix Jr. Stay tuned.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (hamstring) didn't officially practice this week and was ruled out for Saturday's game against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens for the third straight game, but he is running and did make an effort to be cleared this week. The Steelers are optimistic that Pickens will be ready to go next Wednesday on Christmas Day to face the Kansas City Chiefs. The 23-year-old picked the worst possible time to miss games for fantasy managers relying on him in the postseason, but he could be back next week to resume his role as Pittsburgh's No. 1 wideout. If Pickens is active next week, fantasy managers will be hard-pressed not to throw him back in their starting lineups, even in a tough matchup against the Chiefs' stingy defense. Calvin Austin III, Van Jefferson and Mike Williams have done little in Pickens' absence, with tight end Pat Freiermuth being the biggest beneficiary.

Per the NFL's Tom Pelissero, the Pittsburgh Steelers have ruled out wide receiver George Pickens (hamstring) for this Saturday's divisional clash with the Baltimore Ravens. Pickens has been shelved since popping up as a late-week addition on the team's Week 14 injury report and will miss his third straight contest. It comes as no surprise, considering he put together another week's worth of DNPs ahead of the outing. With the 23-year-old inactive again, wideouts Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin III will work as Pittsburgh's top two options at the position. Mike Williams, Scotty Miller, and Ben Skowronek will rotate in behind them. In Week 15, Williams led that trio by five snaps (15).

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (hamstring) is missing another practice on Wednesday but was able to do positional drills off to the side. Pickens has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury and is up in the air to return on a short week in a big divisional clash on Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens. A return to the practice field on Thursday, however, would be a good sign that Pickens is trending in the right direction. Despite missing the last two games due to injury, the 23-year-old would be an enticing fantasy play against the Ravens secondary if he's able to return to the field this weekend. The last time these two teams met on Nov. 17, Pickens had season-highs in catches (eight) and targets (12) for 89 yards. If he misses a third straight contest, Calvin Austin III and Van Jefferson would continue to see a boost snaps and targets in a great matchup.

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (shoulder) underwent surgery on Monday to fix a torn labrum in his left shoulder. It was already announced that Engram would miss the rest of the 2024 season with his injury, but head coach Doug Pederson said he is expected to be back for spring workouts. The 30-year-old was placed on Injured Reserve last weekend, officially ending his season. After a career year in 2023 with the Jags in which he caught 114 passes for 963 yards and four touchdowns, Engram finishes 2024 with 47 catches, 365 receiving yards and only one touchdown in nine starts. It just wasn't meant to be for Jacksonville this year, and it didn't help Engram's cause that quarterback Trevor Lawrence couldn't stay healthy. Engram will be heading into the final year of his three-year, $41.25 million extension in 2025.

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (shoulder) requires surgery and will miss the rest of the season, according to J.P. Shadrick of the Jaguars Radio Network. The veteran was second on the team with 64 targets and 47 catches in just nine games played. It's yet another blow for the Jags in a season full of them, as the team also has spent significant portions of the year without stalwarts like quarterback Trevor Lawrence and linebacker Foyesade Oluokon. Now, as the Jags play out the string behind backup quarterback Mac Jones, they'll turn to tight ends Luke Farrell and Brenton Strange to replace Engram. Neither should be on the fantasy radar for the rest of the season, even in deep or TE-premium leagues.

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (shoulder) remained sidelined during Thursday's practice. Engram will now have one more opportunity on Friday to return to the field to potentially avoid an injury designation. Head coach Doug Pederson noted earlier in the week that he expects his top tight end to be ready for Sunday's game against the New York Jets. However, fantasy managers should pay close attention to Friday's injury report, as Engram may have faced a potential setback. Last weekend, Engram brought in four of his six targets for 33 yards. While he has not produced as well as he did last season, the veteran tight end is still seeing a high volume of targets (7.5 per game), which should make him a low-end TE1 in all matchups. This weekend, he faces a tough New York secondary that has allowed the seventh-fewest PPR points to opposing tight ends this season.