NFL Player News

McCarthy, who left Sunday's 16-13 win over the Giants, appears to have avoided a broken bone in his hand, according to Ben Goessling of The Minnesota Star Tribune, with coach Kevin O'Connell having confirmed that the QB's initial X-rays came up negative.

Following the game, McCarthy was spotted with his right hand in a fingerless glove in the Vikings' locker room. Per Goessling, McCarthy will undergo further testing Monday, but for now consider the QB day-to-day as Thursday's game against the Lions approaches. If McCarthy is unavailable for that contest, Max Brosmer would be in line to draw the start in his place.

Johnston caught four of his five targets for 104 yards and a touchdown in the 34-17 win over the Cowboys on Sunday.

Johnston was exceptional after missing the previous week due to a groin injury. The 2023 first-round pick had just 16 catches for 156 yards over the past seven games as Los Angeles struggled to adapt after a litany of offensive-line injuries. Thankfully for fantasy managers, Dallas presented absolutely zero issues for Justin Herbert, setting the stage for Johnston's massive game. It's hard to imagine Johnston putting together another significant day Week 17 against the fearsome Texans defense, but he's undoubtedly a key piece for the offense in terms of the deep-play threat he poses.

Olave caught 10 of 16 targets for 148 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 29-6 win over the Jets.

Olave caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from Tyler Shough in the third quarter and a 38-yard touchdown pass from Taysom Hill in the fourth quarter. New Orleans' No. 1 receiver set season highs in targets and receiving yards as the Saints extended their winning streak to three games. Olave has scored five touchdowns in his last six games while showing promising chemistry with Shough heading into another favorable matchup in Week 17 against the Titans.

Williams rushed three times for 17 yards and brought in all four targets for 38 yards in the Browns' 23-20 loss to the Bills on Sunday.

After Quinshon Judkins exited the game in the second quarter with what was eventually diagnosed as a broken fibula and dislocated ankle, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, Williams and Raheim Sanders both saw expanded roles. Williams operated in a change-of-pace and pass-catching role, actually pacing the Browns in receiving yards on the afternoon. Williams projects for additional opportunity over the final two games of the season due to Judkins' absence, but Dylan Sampson (calf/hand) could potentially join the backfield mix in a Week 17 home matchup against the Steelers after missing the last two games.

Sweat (ankle) is questionable to return to Sunday's matchup against Atlanta, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Sweat was hurt early in the first quarter and left the field with trainers. He's since been deemed questionable to return. Sweat has been a central part of the Cardinals' pass rush with 11.0 sacks on the season, which has tied his career-high mark.

Coach Matt LaFleur said Sunday that Willis is dealing with a shoulder injury in the wake of Saturday's loss in Chicago, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Willis entered in the middle of the second quarter Saturday after starter Jordan Love endured a hit to the helmet from a Bears defender, and the former finished out the contest after the latter was ruled out due to a concussion. Willis himself was taken the ground late in regulation and landed hard on his right shoulder, which he was favoring as he went to the sideline, and he ended the overtime defeat having completed nine of 11 passes for 121 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions while rushing 10 times for 44 yards. Love will need to gain clearance from an independent neurologist in order to play next Saturday versus the Ravens, but LaFleur also relayed to Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site that Willis is "pretty sore. It's a legitimate deal that he's dealing with. He's another guy we'll see where he's at as we progress." The Packers currently roster QB Clayton Tune on the practice squad, but RB Josh Jacobs and WR Jayden Reed are emergency options at the position, as LaFleur told Hodkiewicz.

Sanders rushed 11 times for 42 yards and brought in his only target for four yards in the Browns' 23-20 loss to the Bills on Sunday.

Quinshon Judkins exited the game in the second quarter with what was eventually diagnosed as a broken fibula and dislocated ankle, per Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer, and Sanders finished as the team leader in rush attempts. Backfield mate Trayveon Williams operated more as a change-of-pace option, and although Judkins will naturally miss the final two games of the season, Sanders and Williams could be joined by Dylan Sampson, who logged a second straight absence due to calf and hand injuries, for a Week 17 home matchup against the Steelers next Sunday, which would muddy the outlook for all three backs to a degree.

Jefferson caught six of eight targets for 85 yards in Sunday's 16-13 win over the Giants.

Jefferson's 57 first-half yards were already good for his second-highest full-game total in the past eight outings. J.J. McCarthy (hand) exited late in the first half, and Jefferson accounted for 28 of Max Brosmer's 52 passing yards after halftime. Jefferson's floor will continue to be far lower than he's accustomed to due to questionable quarterback play Thursday against the Lions, whether the Vikings get McCarthy back under center or start Brosmer.

Mariota is considered day-to-day due to injuries to his throwing hand and quadriceps, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Mariota sustained both of the injuries during Saturday's 29-18 loss to the Eagles, which prevented him from returning to the contest. He needed stiches on his right hand, and his practice participation over the coming days will determine whether he will be available for Christmas Day against the Cowboys. Jayden Daniels (elbow) has been shut down for the rest of the regular season, so Josh Johnson would be in line to start Thursday if Mariota is unable to play.

Herbert completed 23 of his 29 pass attempts for 300 yards and two touchdowns and also added eight carries for 42 yards and an additional score in the 34-17 win over the Cowboys on Sunday.

Herbert played what was arguably his best game of the season Sunday, completely dissecting a Dallas defense that never looked like it had an answer throughout the afternoon. Notably the Pro Bowl quarterback was not sacked this week after facing relentless pressure the prior two contests, which had capped his fantasy impact as Herbert attempted to just stay upright. The 27-year-old spread the targets around dutifully, as Ladd McConkey led the team with six, but notably this was the first game since Week 10 that Herbert connected with a wide receiver for a reception longer than 40 yards. Herbert is likely to have a much more difficult time come Week 17 against the Texans, who boast one of the best defenses in the league.