New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi said that running back Alvin Kamara (illness) practiced in full on Friday and will carry no injury designation into Sunday's Week 15 contest versus the Washington Commanders. Rizzi said it was his decision to keep Kamara out of Thursday's practice as a precaution since Kamara was pretty sick earlier in the week. Despite two missed practices, Kamara will be good to go this weekend. Especially with quarterback Derek Carr (concussion, hand) not expected to play this week, Kamara should be even more of a focal point for the offense as they try to pull the upset over Washington. The 29-year-old has seen double-digit carries in all but one game in 2024. For the volume alone, Kamara has RB1 upside every week, although with Jake Haener under center in Week 15, the upside could be limited.

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (illness) missed a second straight day of practice this week on Thursday due to an illness. Kamara is under the weather so far for Week 15 preparation and is now up in the air to suit up this Sunday when the Washington Commanders come to town. However, if the 29-year-old lead back is able to get onto the practice field on Friday, we will like his chances of being active on Sunday. Kamara has been a top-10 fantasy RB in 2024 with 223 carries for 938 yards and six touchdowns in 13 games, adding 64 receptions for 485 yards and another touchdown via the air. His 223 carries are tied for fifth among RBs, while his receptions and receiving yards lead all backs. It makes him a must-start RB in fantasy when he's healthy, although his upside won't be nearly as high with quarterback Derek Carr (concussion, hand) likely out in Week 15.

According to Luke Johnson of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (illness) did not practice on Wednesday due to an illness. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to his status throughout the week in case the illness prevents him from practicing later on. Last weekend, during this victory over the New York Giants, the 29-year-old tallied 44 yards on 17 attempts and added 35 yards on five receptions. Despite not finding the end zone in each of his past seven contests, Kamara has still been very productive due to his high-volume role, averaging 16.0 PPR points per game. If Kamara cannot return to practice later in the week, fantasy managers should expect Kendre Miller to get the starting nod against the Washington Commanders. Last weekend, Miller ran for 32 yards and a score and would be a viable RB2 in Kamara's absence.

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook faces the Detroit Lions in Week 15, one of the best rush defenses in the NFL. This season, the Lions allow the second-fewest fantasy points to the position. They've been even better over the last four weeks, despite injuries in their front seven and Josh Jacobs scoring three times a week ago. Cook's path to a successful fantasy performance will depend on his red zone opportunities. Like the Kansas City matchup a few weeks ago, a short touchdown or two will help what projects as a below-average day in the yardage department. Cook ranks as a mid-range RB2 this week.

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook rushed six times for 20 yards and caught two passes for nine yards in the team's 42-44 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The 25-year-old was bottled up on his first few carries and then the Bills fell behind by multiple scores, limiting his touches. Cook's 29 yards was his second-worst yardage total of the season, only trailing the Kansas City game. In that game, he scored twice. That wasn't the case against the Rams. Therefore, it was Cook's worst fantasy output of the season. Cook faces a tough Detroit Lions run defense in Week 15.

What a difference a year makes. Last season, Buffalo Bills running back James Cook's lack of touchdowns (six) prevented him from ascending to elite status. This season, the 25-year-old has 12 touchdowns in 11 games, including four in his last three. The Rams haven't allowed a running back to catch a touchdown this season, but have surrendered nine on the ground. Even better for Cook's Week 14 prospects is that the Rams are the fifth-worst run defense in the NFL. With six teams on bye, Cook is a lineup lock with the potential to explode.

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford went 16-for-27 with just 160 passing yards and no sores during his victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday evening. Neither team was able to find the end zone, but Stafford was able to do just enough to deliver the victory. His top receiver was Puka Nacua, who brought in seven of his eight targets for 97 yards. He was unable to connect with his No. 2 wideout, Cooper Kupp, at all, but he did target him three times. He also looked to his tight end, Colby Parkinson, quite often as he brought in two of his five targets (second on the team) for 21 yards. While Stafford came into Thursday night averaging an impressive 23.5 PPR points over his previous four contests, the veteran took a significant step back in this game. Fantasy managers should still view Stafford as a low-end QB1 given his elite pass-catchers, but they should start him with caution next weekend while facing a tough New York Jets secondary that has allowed the eighth-fewest PPR points to opposing QBs.

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has been on a nice roll lately, and he brings intriguing upside as he leads the Rams into a critical matchup with the 49ers on Thursday. Stafford has thrown multiple touchdowns with no interceptions in four straight games, totaling 10 touchdowns over that span. Since getting Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp back in Week 9, he has averaged 272 passing yards per game while posting at least 290 passing yards in four of those six games. He's up to 3,303 passing yards on the year coming into this matchup with San Francisco, who ranks in the top 10 at limiting fantasy production for QBs. Stafford is RotoBaller's QB20, but he has QB1 upside based on his current form.

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 23 of his 30 pass attempts for 320 yards and two touchdowns while leading the Rams to a thrilling 44-42 win over the visiting Bills. Stafford did not throw an interception for a fourth straight week and connected with Puka Nacua on the eventual game-winning score with just under two minutes left. The veteran reached 3,000 total passing yards on the season for the 12th time in his career and now has 19 touchdowns to go with seven interceptions. He and the Rams are on a short week this week before facing a tough matchup against the 49ers in San Francisco. Back in Week 3, Stafford had 221 passing yards and one touchdown in a 27-24 win over the Niners, but he didn't have either Nacua or Cooper Kupp in that contest. With those options available and the offense clicking, Stafford still has QB1 upside despite the tough matchup.

Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin has an excellent matchup upcoming in Week 15 against an Indianapolis Colts defense that has allowed the second-most rushing yards per game (147) and the fourth-most half-PPR fantasy points to RBs this year. With that said, McLaughlin is still a tough-to-trust flex option for fantasy managers in 14-plus-team leagues given the uncertainty in Denver's backfield. After looking like the RB3 for the Broncos just several weeks ago, McLaughlin played a season-high 36% of the snaps in the Week 13 win over the Browns and led the backfield with a season-high 14 carries for a season-high 84 yards. On seven carries the week prior, he led the team with 44 yards on the ground. Javonte Williams (45% snap share) last week and rookie Audric Estime remain involved, and Denver's ground game just has not been spectacular all season long. McLaughlin will need to be efficient and lead the team in carries, which is not a given, to return value as an RB3/flex in Week 15.

For the second straight week, Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin served as the team's lead back in the 41-32 shootout win under the lights on Monday Night Football at Empower Field against the Cleveland Browns. McLaughlin led Denver in rushing attempts (14) and rushing yards (84) while also catching one of his two targets for no gain. The 24-year-old looked like the No. 3 RB on Denver's depth chart just several weeks ago, but he was quick and elusive on Monday night against a shaky Browns run game and deserves waiver-wire consideration for fantasy managers in need of RB help with the playoffs approaching. While McLaughlin finished with 15 touches for 84 yards, Javonte Williams and rookie Audric Estime combined for seven carries for 13 yards and one catch for three yards. Keep in mind that this was only McLaughlin's second double-digit carry game of the year, with the first coming in Week 1.

The Cleveland Browns have signed kicker Riley Patterson to their practice squad on Tuesday. This comes a day after current kicker Dustin Hopkins missed two field goals during Sunday's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. After that, Hopkins is a rough 16-for-25 on field goal attempts this season. That being said, Patterson has been brought in as insurance at the kicker spot. Patterson has kicked in one game this season as he made three extra point attempts in Week 9 as a member of the New York Jets. Since then, Patterson landed with the Atlanta Falcons, but he didn't appear in any games before now joining the Browns. This news won't mean much to fantasy managers unless Hopkins does end up losing the kicking gig to Patterson at some point.

Atlanta Falcons kicker Riley Patterson was elevated to the active roster ahead of Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Patterson was added to the roster as insurance in case Younghoe Koo (hip) was unable to play. Koo ended up being able to play through the issue and appears to be fine going forward. That being said, the Falcons have decided to release Patterson on Tuesday. This does make sense considering there really is no need to keep another kicker on the roster with Koo healthy. Patterson has only played in one game this season and made all three of his extra point attempts during his lone game with the New York Jets. He'll look to catch on elsewhere as the 25-year-old should be able to find another spot.

Atlanta Falcons kicker Riley Patterson has been elevated from the practice squad ahead of the Week 13 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Falcons have brought up Patterson as insurance with Younghoe Koo (hip) still banged up heading into Sunday. Patterson has only appeared in one game this season as he knocked down three extra point attempts with the New York Jets in Week 9. He has bounced around a bit since joining the league as an undrafted free agent in 2021. Patterson could be worth a look as a possible streaming option if Patterson is unable to play.